Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
The mission of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is to work with its partners to ensure that The Living CityTM is built upon a natural foundation of healthy rivers and shorelines, greenspace and biodiversity, and sustainable communities.
Its area of jurisdiction is comprised of nine watersheds and includes the region's river valleys, Lake Ontario shoreline, headwater areas of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and the Niagara Escarpment, as the major resources to which its programs are applied. Since its formation in 1957, the Conservation Authority has developed and delivered programs to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of the natural resources within its watersheds.
The TRCA is the largest landowner (15,000 hectares) in the GTA region, and it makes its lands available to the community for outdoor and conservation education, recreation and historic site purposes.
TRCA is governed by the Ontario Conservation Authorities Act and the Ontario Clean Water Act.
Board responsibilities
The Authority is responsible for setting strategic policy and for overseeing the business and affairs of the TRCA. To carry out its responsibilities, the Authority elects an Executive Committee and a Budget/Advisory Board to make recommendations on specific matters.
The Authority has delegated some of the day-to-day management decisions to its Executive Committee, including the administration of TRCA's Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways Regulation.
Term of office
Under the Conservation Authorities Act, no member shall be appointed to hold office for more than three years at any one time.
Toronto residents are appointed for two years with a renewal term of two years (without recruitment, with full recruitment every four years).
City of Toronto Councillors are appointed every two years (at the start of a new four-year term of Council and at the mid-point in the term).
Composition
The TRCA consists of 28 members:
- 14 representatives of the City of Toronto appointed by City Council
- 14 members representing the Regional Municipalities of Durham, Peel and York, the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio and the Town of Mono
Currently, the City of Toronto representatives include 5 Toronto residents and 9 City Councillors.
Meetings
The full Authority meets 11 times a year, usually on the fourth Friday of each month. Members also participate in other committees and advisory bodies which may meet 6 to 8 times a year.
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