Huron-Kinloss is raising concerns about transparency in the province's plan to consolidate conservation authorities, after a council representative was asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.
The township says the agreement could restrict its representative from reporting back to municipal council and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority board about discussions taking place during the transition.
Ontario is moving ahead with plans to merge six conservation authorities, including Maitland Valley, Saugeen Valley, and Grey Sauble, into a new Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority.
According to Huron-Kinloss, members of the regional transition committee were informed at their first meeting that discussions and documents would remain confidential.
A council representative subsequently received a non-disclosure agreement and sought advice from the township's Integrity Commissioner.
The commissioner recommended seeking direction from both municipal council and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority about continued participation under those restrictions.
In its October 5, 2026 Committee of the Whole highlights, the township says council "does not support Transition Committee meetings taking place without appropriate public accountability and reporting."
However, councillors also acknowledged the importance of maintaining a local voice during the restructuring process.
The township says its goal is to ensure "local and rural perspectives can remain represented during the transition."
Council has authorized its representative to decide whether to sign the confidentiality agreement if doing so is necessary to remain on the committee.
The township has previously advocated for strong rural representation as the province moves toward a regional conservation authority system.
The consolidation is expected to take effect in early 2027.
