Burch calls for NPCA supervisor

Ontario’s minister of the environment, conservation and parks says the provincial government takes the recent Auditor General’s report on Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority very seriously, but Wednesday fell short of saying a supervisor will be appointed to reform the embattled agency.

In response to a question from Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch, Rod Phillips said the “issues raised in Niagara do not reflect concerns with all Ontario conservation authorities,” and that his ministry would ensure the Auditor General’s recommendations are implemented by NPCA.

Phillips did not directly address Burch’s question about changing NPCA’s leadership.

Burch asked if the government would do a “clean sweep” of the NPCA board of directors and management and install a su- pervisor to enact the recommendations made by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk in her report released last week.

The report made 24 recommendations — 18 aimed squarely at NPCA — to address issues of questionable employment practices, lobbying for the development of protected wetlands along with conflict of interest and financial problems. Lysyk’s report also addressed governance issues at NPCA, finding board members inappropriately interfere with the day-to-day operations of the agency, including lobbying for development projects that are in the best interest of a board member’s home municipality.

Phillips said he found the report to be “balanced” and was glad to see NPCA agreed with most of the recommendations and is moving to implement them. Nevertheless, he said the ministry will work with municipalities ensure NPCA follows through.