• March 31, 2020

COVID-19 Service Disruption Updates

COVID-19 Service Disruption Updates

COVID-19 Service Disruption Updates 150 150 MRCA

MARCH 31, 2020

The latest information from the Office of the Premier is as follows:

Ontario Extends Emergency Declaration to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

All Outdoor Recreational Amenities across Province Now Closed
This new order would close all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities everywhere in Ontario, including but not limited to playgrounds, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and gardens, and other outdoor recreational amenities. Green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas that aren’t otherwise closed would remain open for walkthrough access, but individuals must maintain the safe physical distance of at least two metres apart from others. Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves remain closed. (see the full media release)

MRCA staff continue to work remotely and are available by email. Trails are not being maintained, other than weekly garbage pick up. We fully support the public health recommendations that everyone stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

If you continue to use our trails and conservation areas, we ask that you maintain your social distance from others, keep dogs on leash, pick up after your pet, and please use the provided cans to dispose of any garbage. If you see any major damage, please contact our office at [email protected]

Stay home, stay well and stop the spread of COVID-19.

For the most up-to-date health information see:

Public Health Agency of Canada

Ontario Ministry of Health

Public Health Ontario


MARCH 24, 2020

The Mattagami Region Conservation Authority continues to closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and take steps to protect the health and safety of our staff and community.

Our office is closed until further notice. Staff are working remotely during this time and are monitoring emails. There is no voicemail access. If you wish to contact a staff member see our contact us page for email addresses. For general inquiries, or if you are unsure which person to contact, please email [email protected]. We are committed to providing the best possible service and will work with you through email to ensure your questions are answered.

Our essential services such as flood forecasting and monitoring will continue without interruption. We will also continue to review development and site alteration applications.

Trails and conservation areas will remain open to the public, however there will be limited maintenance until further notice. Trails in the Hersey Lake and Gillies Lake Conservation Areas will no longer be groomed. Please use discretion, as you are entering at your own risk. Washroom facilities are not to be used.

We remind all visitors that dogs MUST be on leashes in all conservation areas and on our trails. Be sure to properly dispose of pet waste. Please help keep conservation areas beautiful during this difficult period.

Do not use our conservation areas and trails for social gatherings of any kind. For the safety of our community, it is critical that we support global and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Ontario Ministry of Health currently (as of March 24) recommends “Everyone in Ontario should be practicing social distancing to reduce their exposure to other people. Everyone in Ontario should do their best to avoid close contact with people outside of their immediate families. Close contact includes being within two (2) meters of another person.”

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause however the health and safety of our staff and community is of the utmost importance.


MARCH 17, 2020

Safety is our number one priority at the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. We are taking all possible steps to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. As of today, March 17, 2020, our office is closed to the general public. Staff continue to be available by phone or email. Please refer to our staff directory for contact information.

Essential services including watershed monitoring, flood forecasting programs and planning requests are ongoing. We will continue to communicate flood information to municipal representatives and post updates on our website and social media.

Access to trails in our conservation areas remains open for the public to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being out in nature. We remind visitors that dogs are to be leashed at all times and owners are to pick up after their dogs. We caution Hersey Lake Conservation Area users that the park outhouses/washrooms are not regularly disinfected throughout the winter months. They are not closed, but should be used with caution.

While possible, we will continue to groom the Hersey Lake and Gillies Lake trails for walking.

If changes to our offered services are required at any time, we will notify the public via our website and social media channels.