WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) recently approved its 2025-29 strategic plan.
“The plan reflects the authority’s priorities, values and ongoing commitment to innovation, stewardship and collaboration with watershed municipalities, First Nations, government agencies and the community,” GRCA officials stated in a press release.
It provides the organizational framework to help address the emerging issues of the Grand River watershed over the next five years.
“The Grand River watershed continues to grow and evolve,” stated GRCA chair John Challinor II.
“With population growth, escalating impacts of climate change and increasing pressure on natural systems, the four strategic pillars provide clear direction, aligning the GRCA with its legislative mandate and strengthening collaboration with watershed municipalities and residents, First Nations and Indigenous communities.”
The GRCA board and senior leadership team worked with Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation at key stages in the strategic plan’s development.
Officials also took past stakeholder engagement into consideration throughout the process.
“Our updated plan establishes a solid foundation for sustained growth and innovation beyond 2029,” stated GRCA CAO Samantha Lawson.
“It will help ensure the authority remains adaptable, future-focused, and well-equipped to meet evolving municipal, community and watershed needs.”
The plan outlines that the GRCA’s role in flood management, with systems and updated tools to protect people, property and infrastructure.
“It responds to concerns about aging infrastructure and rising maintenance costs by committing to stronger asset management, prioritizing the care of critical assets, and making long-term investments in the GRCA’s built infrastructure,” officials stated.
The plan also places a stronger focus on continuous improvement and service delivery and focuses on building internal capacity, officials stated.
“The plan responds to calls from Indigenous partners for deeper, ongoing engagement by recognizing the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge and values into watershed planning and stewardship,” officials continued.
The GRCA’s 2025-29 Strategic Plan was approved by the GRCA board at a May 23 meeting.
It will be reviewed and updated as needed to reflect shifting realities and priorities, and progress will be reported to the GRCA board and the community on an annual basis.
For more information about the plan visit grandriver.ca/who-we-are/governance.
