Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services

Rationalize and consolidate the number of entities/agencies involved in the arena of
land use planning and resource management
Many agencies deliver natural resource management activities in southern Ontario.
Administrative consolidation could be achieved by merging activities of the Niagara Parks
<strong>Commission</strong>, St. Lawrence Parks <strong>Commission</strong> and Ontario Parks. This could achieve
efficiencies of scale, such as lower costs in the procurement of merchandise for sale in parks’
souvenir stores.
The number of advisory groups/councils in many of the province’s traditional program areas
(i.e., forests, fish and wildlife) could be reduced by having multidisciplinary advisory groups.
A review of the programs and services delivered by MNR and Conservation Authorities could
be undertaken to clarify responsibilities and eliminate any duplication.
Across central southern Ontario, a single agency (similar to Metrolinx) could be created to
deliver natural resource management activities. Examples of current agencies are the Niagara
Escarpment <strong>Commission</strong>, EcoVision, Greenbelt, Oak Ridges Moraine and Conservation
Authorities. Consolidation into a single agency, with its one-window approach, could offer
streamlined, more efficient service and fiscal savings over the long term.
Recommendation 13-7: Rationalize and consolidate the entities and agencies involved in
land use planning and resources management.
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