April 22, 2025: OHI Releases Four Position Papers on Watershed Security

Over the last seven years, the Ontario government has decimated land use planning, watershed management, and the public’s legal rights, publicizing its efforts as stream-lining and reducing environmental red tape. In addition to stifling public consultation over that same period, the government has appeared similarly dis-interested in actual stream-lining.

Now, on this Earth Day, the OHI is pleased to release four position papers that provide a comprehensive framework to make land use and watershed planning more effective and more efficient, through an Outcomes-based Framework for Watershed Security.

The four papers, which can be accessed here, are:

• Introduction: Ontario Needs an Outcomes-based Framework for Watershed Security;

• Restoring the Provincial Vision to Protect Our Watersheds;

• Integrating Land Use and Watershed Planning at the Municipal Level; and,

• A Revitalized and Expanded Role for Conservation Authorities.

The outcomes-based framework not only safeguards our watersheds, their biodiversity, public health, and economic vitality, they would help deliver what the Ontario government has been talking about since 2018: stream-lined, more effective environmental management.

We will be extending the provincial government all the help we can possibly provide and are available for presentations to any organization that would like one.