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Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority featured at conservation forum

November 13, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority was featured at this year’s Latornell Conservation Symposium.

This is a forum that fosters collaboration to shape a more sustainable and resilient Ontario.

NVCA Chair Jonathan Scott spoke to other conservation authorities, environmental leaders, practitioners, and advocates.

His presentation was themed, with the title, “A Culture of How: Operational Improvements to Deliver Safe, Sustainable Economic and Residential Development in the Nottawasaga Watershed.”

“We asked ourselves whether a conservation authority could protect what matters while becoming a better partner, a faster actor, and a more transparent and credible institution,” said Scott. “The answer is yes. By focusing on purpose, performance and people, we’ve built a culture that delivers both environmental protection and timely results.”

Through his presentation, chair Scott outlined NVCA’s progress in improving efficiency, transparency, and collaboration with municipalities, developers, and the public.

Over the past year, NVCA has introduced an e-permitting platform, a risk-based triage system, new professional and peer-review capacity, and stronger customer-service standards. These changes have eliminated backlogs, improved predictability, and raised client satisfaction to 90 per cent from 68 per cent in 2022.

Currently, 90 per cent of applications are processed within provincial timelines.

In its 2026 Budget and Business Plan, NVCA is delivering a leaner organization through an overall reduction in operating expenses without reducing services, and a 31 per cent reduction in discretionary charges through a reclassification exercise.

“Chair Scott’s presentation showcased how conservation authorities can lead by example,” said Jennifer Vincent, NVCA Chief Administrative Officer. “This transformation is about proving that public institutions can evolve to deliver both stewardship and service excellence.” 

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