The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) announces that Donna Blunt was acclaimed as Chair of the Authority Board of Directors at its 72^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), held Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Ms. Blunt is the LRCA Board representative for the Municipality of Shuniah, a role she has filled since 2006. Ms. Blunt has served as the Chair of the LRCA since 2016. The LRCA would also like to announce that Jim Vezina was acclaimed as Vice-Chair. Mr. Vezina has been representing the Township of O’Connor on the Board since 2010.

“I’d like to thank my counterparts on the Authority Board for once again entrusting me to act as Chair during 2026. This year will be one full of unknowns and new possibilities, and I look forward to working with the Board and staff to achieve our goals,’ says Blunt. “We have some big things in the works for 2026, and I can’t wait to get started.” Stay up to date with LRCA news and events by following @lakeheadregion on Instagram and Facebook, signing up for the e-newsletter, and visiting www.lakeheadca.com.

The LRCA Board is comprised of eleven representatives from its eight Member Municipalities. The LRCA Area of Jurisdiction covers over 2,700 square kilometres and encompasses the Townships of Conmee, Dorion, Gillies and O’Connor; the Municipalities of Neebing, Oliver Paipoonge and Shuniah; as well as the City of Thunder Bay. The Board is responsible for making policy, budget and regulatory decisions regarding the Authority’s watershed management activities.

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is a community-based environmental agency, responsible for the delivery of programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the Lakehead Watershed. Conservation Authorities undertake a broad range of programs, including flood forecasting and warning; development regulations; floodplain management; wetland protection; erosion mitigation; Source Water Protection; conservation lands; stewardship; and conservation education.

The Authority is responsible for the administration of Ontario Regulation 41/24 which regulates development in areas where the control of flooding, erosion, dynamic beaches, unstable soil and bedrock may be affected by development.