NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will invest about $40 million this year on programs that protect life and minimize property damage from flooding and erosion, improve the health of the Grand River watershed, connect people to the environment through outdoor experiences and manage its land holdings responsibly and sustainably.
The GRCA board approved the budget on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. The board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.
Participating municipalities will contribute about $13.8 million in municipal apportionment to the GRCA in 2025; or about 34 per cent of the GRCA’s total budget. The municipal apportionment is increasing by 3.5 per cent. The municipal apportionment is allocated to each member municipality using the “Modified Current Value Assessment” as outlined under Regulation 402/22: Budget and Apportionment of the Conservation Authorities Act.
Other federal, provincial, and municipal government grants totaling just under $4.1 million represent about ten per cent of the budget.
In 2025, the GRCA expects to generate about 46 per cent of its own revenue through sources such as camping fees, conservation area admissions, outdoor environmental education programs, hydro sales from some dams, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF).
Finally, $3.8 million or about ten per cent of the total budget in 2025 will come from GRCA reserves.
“While there continue to be various challenges such as escalating costs, aging infrastructure and increased demands on passive conservation lands, the GRCA is presenting a balanced budget in 2025,” says GRCA Chair John Challinor II. “The budget focuses on the responsible delivery of the programs and services that our watershed municipalities and residents rely on.”
The 2025 budget framework corresponds with the GRCA’s Program and Services Inventory which was prepared in accordance with provincial regulations. Overall, the 2025 budget reflects the continued delivery of prior year programs and services with the use of self-generated revenue (46 per cent), government funding (44 per cent) and the use of reserves (10 per cent).
Full details of the GRCA 2025 Budget are provided in the February 28, 2025, board report.