Hassan Basit, Ontario's first Chief Conservation Officer, and Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, right, announce the proposed amalgamation of the province's 36 Conservation Authority jurisdictions into larger regional operations to streamline policies and programming during a press conference on Oct. 31, 2025

Conservation authorities to be amalgamated

Conservation sector reps fear job loss, less effective local delivery

Ontario’s plan to amalgamate Conservation Authorities into large regional jurisdictions raises concerns that political influences will replace science-based decision-making, impacting flood management and community support.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney tours steel fabricator Walters Group in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada July 16, 2025.  Photo: Reuters/Carlos Osorio

Carney visits Asia to forge new alliances and reduce U.S. dependence

Canada’s trade diversification targets include the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney embarks on his first official visit to Asia on Friday in an attempt to deepen trade and security ties at a time when the North American country is struggling to lessen its overwhelming dependence on the U.S. and redefine its foreign policy in pursuit of new markets.