NEWS RELEASE
GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
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The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has a new Chair and Vice-Chair. John Challinor II, Town of Milton Councillor, has been elected Chair. Shawn Watters, Township of Centre Wellington Mayor, has been elected Vice-Chair.
Both Challinor and Watters were elected by the GRCA Board of Directors at the general membership meeting on Friday, January 24, 2025. Elections are held for both positions at the first board meeting each year.
The 26-member GRCA Board is composed of representatives appointed by the municipalities within the Grand River watershed.
Challinor has served as a part-time Councillor for the Town of Milton for 22 years (1991 – 2006) (2018 – present). He also serves the Town as Chair of its Accessibility Advisory Committee and has been the Regional Municipality of Halton’s representative on the GRCA Board since 2019.
"For almost 100 years, the GRCA has played and continues to play a critical role in the stewardship of the Grand River watershed and the river that winds its way through 38 great communities in Ontario, enabling those Ontarians and others to live healthy, active lives," said John Challinor II, GRCA Chair. “I look forward to working with GRCA Vice-Chair Shawn Watters and all members of the Board, as well as GRCA CAO Samantha Lawson and her dedicated staff to create and implement programs and services that sustain the watershed for future generations to enjoy and benefit from."
Watters has been a member of the GRCA Board since 2022 and also served on the GRCA board from 2007 to 2010. He was elected Mayor of Centre Wellington in 2022 and has served on various local and county councils over the past 25 years.
John Challinor II replaces Chris White, who was elected as the Chair of the GRCA Board of Directors in 2021, and Shawn Watters replaces Sue Foxton, who was elected as the Vice-Chair, also in 2021.
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