Maitland Conservation is seeking feedback on its proposed new Fees Policy. This policy outlines how Maitland Conservation will set, review and update its fee schedules.

Section 21.2 of the Conservation Authorities Act empowers Conservation Authorities to charge fees for programs and services. The intent of these fees is to offset the direct and indirect costs of offering programs and services or to generate revenue for the Conservation Authority.

On January 1, 2023, section 21.2 (1)-(12) “Fees for Programs and Services” of the Conservation Authorities Act will be enacted. Subsection (1) enables the Minister to determine the classes of programs and services for which a Conservation Authority may charge a fee and Subsection (2) requires the Minister to publish a List in a policy document. Conservation Authorities may only charge a fee for a program or service if it is set out on this list.

Maitland Conservation is committed to administering fees in a transparent and accountable manner by adopting and publishing a written fees policy. The policy includes fee schedules that list the programs and services for which Maitland Conservation charges a fee and the amount of the fees.

The Fees Policy also sets out:

• when Maitland Conservation will conduct a review of the policy, including fee schedule(s),
• the process for carrying out a review of the policy, including the rules for giving notice of the review and any changes as a result of a review,
• and the circumstances under which any person may make a request to Maitland Conservation to reconsider a fee that was charged to the person and the procedures applicable to the reconsideration.

By charging fees for programs and services where the User-Pay principle is considered appropriate, Maitland Conservation increases revenue generation opportunities, reducing reliance on the general municipal levy (now called apportionment) to finance programs and services.

Decisions regarding the Fees Policy and fee schedules are made by the Membership of Maitland Conservation. The Membership is comprised of elected municipal councillors.

The Membership of Maitland Conservation welcomes comments on the draft Fees Policy. Comments will be accepted until noon on November 9, 2022.

Please note that this consultation on the Fees Policy does not include consultation on the individual fee schedules. At this time the Membership is seeking comments on the components of the Fees Policy rather than individual fees.

The draft policy can be viewed here.

If you have any questions or comments to submit please contact:

Phil Beard, General Manager – Secretary Treasurer
Maitland Conservation
pbeard@mvca.on.ca
[t] 519-335-3557 ext. 231