The government of Ontario has announced the creation of a Chief Conservation Executive position to oversee Conservation Authority activities.
Announced via a press release published just before noon on June 27, the provincial government says the move will “enhance the effectiveness of the province’s conservation authorities, which will create consistency, reduce costs and drive faster outcomes for the communities they serve.”
“These changes will support the government’s commitment to protect Ontario’s economy by speeding up critical infrastructure and housing development, while safeguarding the environment.”
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Hassaan Basit, currently working as chief administrative officer for the City of Burlington, will hold the Chief Conservation Executive position. Basit previously worked in the conservation sector. Quoted in the press release, he says two decades working in conservation has taught him effective flood protection involves both safeguarding the environment, and enabling “prosperous, sustainable communities.”
“Conservation authorities were created to strike that balance, and they have worked for decades to protect people and property while supporting economic prosperity. As we move forward, modernization is essential to ensure they remain focused, effective, and ready to meet Ontario’s growing needs — whether it’s mitigating flood risks, enabling housing supply or supporting long-term resilience,” Basit says.
Bonnie Fox, policy and planning director for Conservation Ontario, told Farmtario the organization is looking forward to working with Basit, who chaired the Minister’s working group pertaining to Bill 229 – the provincial government’s Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act, 2020, which contained changes to conservation authority operations and capabilities.
Conservation Ontario was not aware of additional details about the province’s latest move as of 3:00 p.m. Friday June 27, though Fox says they also look forward to working with the province “with whatever is planned for the future.”
Clarification on why the Chief Conservation Executive position was created, and how it will impact Conservation Authorities, was sought from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks media relations department, Minister Todd McCarthy’s office, and Hassan Basit’s City of Burlington office. The Ministry’s media relations office acknowledged receipt of the request for clarification, though no subsequent information was provided by time of publishing. No reply was received by the Minister’s office or Basit’s office.
