LRCA board continues to be led by familiar faces

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has acclaimed incumbent chair Donna Blunt and vice-chair Jim Vezina to lead the board again, the agency announced this week. The decision comes as the province has proposed cutting Ontario's 36 conservation authorities to seven, which could fold the LRCA into a larger Huron-Superior authority.

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority has chosen to keep its current chair and vice-chair for another term. Donna Blunt was acclaimed as chair and Jim Vezina was acclaimed as vice-chair. Blunt serves as a Shuniah municipal councillor and Vezina is mayor of O'Connor Township. The leadership decision comes as the province has proposed restructuring conservation authorities across Ontario. Key details: - Donna Blunt was acclaimed to another term as LRCA chair. - Jim Vezina was acclaimed to another term as LRCA vice-chair. - Blunt is a Shuniah municipal councillor and Vezina is the mayor of O'Connor Township. - The provincial plan announced last fall would reduce Ontario's conservation authorities from 36 to seven. - If that plan proceeds, the LRCA would become part of the proposed Huron-Superior Conservation Authority, which would include 72 municipalities; the current LRCA serves fewer than 10. - The LRCA board has said the agency's location is unique and has proposed remaining independent under a new name, the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority. Summary: The board's choice to retain familiar leaders keeps continuity at the LRCA while the province considers a major consolidation of conservation authorities. The LRCA has expressed a preference to remain independent with a new regional name. Undetermined at this time.