MISSISSAUGA – The Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) authority is celebrating its 70th anniversary by sharing its past, present and future.
CAO Quentin Hanchard has been presenting CVC’s story and triumphs to councils throughout the watershed.
Its journey began in 1946 when the Province of Ontario passed the Conservation Authorities Act.
“The act … allowed [conservation authorities] to be created,” Hanchard told the Advertiser.
The idea of conservation authorities was brought to light when the Lions Clubs of Orangeville, Georgetown, Brampton and Port Credit held a joint meeting in April of 1949.
They discussed issues of flooding, pollution, soil depletion and improving marshes, officials stated.
It was then they decided the Credit River watershed needed a conservation authority. Years later the municipalities in the watershed voted to petition the province, leading to the CVC forming in May of 1954.
“The innovation and science that we’re able to bring to our municipal partners and to the residents will help with a number of challenges,” said Hanchard.
The watershed spans across 14 municipalities with a jurisdiction of almost 95,000 hectares.
The Credit River is 97km long and is one of the most diverse cold-water fisheries in Eastern North America, officials say.
CVC board members gathered on site to inspect the renovation of Belfountain Conservation Area in 1969. Submitted photos
Hanchard spoke about “exciting” projects such as the blue roof at the head office in Mississauga.
The roof was built to capture and hold rainwater, stopping it from going down the storm sewer systems when they are “already holding a lot of water.
“That type of program and project has an application that could go well beyond just our building; really what we’re doing is advancing the science to make sure it works,” he added.
The future of CVC is focusing on bringing large green spaces to communities, according to Hanchard.
He explained the value of large green spaces was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the CVC saw the “largest” visitation numbers it has “ever seen.”
“The greatest number of people came to our parks and discovered them… they are still higher than they were prior to the pandemic,” Hanchard told the Advertiser.
“They’re definitely on an upward trajectory and has shown us the value of these larger green spaces.”
New waterfront conservation area
Hanchard is currently working on a “once-in-a-career type of opportunity.”
Because of the growing significance in green spaces, the CVC is creating a new waterfront conservation area located in Mississauga.
The Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area is set to open in 2025.
“It is such a rare thing to get a brand-new waterfront conservation area in Mississauga, it’s incredible,” added Hanchard.
The CVC is expecting visitation numbers at the new park to be the highest out of all its parks.
The CVC board of directors unanimously voted to recognize late Mississauga councillor Jim Tovey’s role in making this conservation area a reality, officials stated.
“They’re a really high-quality experience in a natural environment,” Hanchard said referring to the large spaces.
He mentioned the construction is currently focusing on public trails.
Hanchard is determined to keep the CVC as “relevant for the next 70 years as we’ve been for the last 70.”
His hope is to continue providing the “leading-edge science” and “high-quality” green spaces the public seeks.
“I also hope we are responsive to what the public is looking for,” he added. “We try to ensure we are doing this with our ears open to what the community needs.”
Hanchard is looking forward to what communities will look like in the next 20 to 40 years.
“What we might be planning for 30 years from now may not be what those areas might have looked like 20 years ago, so that really excites me,” he said.
