Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

With more than 60 years of experience, TRCA is the largest of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides. Well over ten percent of Canada’s population (five million residents) live within TRCA-managed watersheds, and many others work in and visit destinations across the jurisdiction. These nine watersheds, plus their collective Lake Ontario waterfront shorelines, span six upper-tier and 15 lower-tier municipalities. Some of Canada’s largest and fastest growing municipalities, including Toronto, Markham and Vaughan, are located entirely within TRCA’s jurisdiction.

Company History

In 1946, Ontario passed the Conservation Authorities Act, permitting municipalities to establish conservation authorities on a watershed basis. These bodies were charged with managing renewable natural resources without restrictions imposed by political boundaries. In 1957, four conservation authorities amalgamated to form the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, later renamed Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).