Bill 68's amendments to the…

Bill 68's amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act will seriously degrade the ability of the Conservation Authorities to do the required job of protecting our watersheds and the environment. The amalgamation of 36 Authorities into just 7 will weaken environmental oversight at a time when climate change is causing more natural disasters. Conservation Authorities currently provide a wealth of local knowledge both from staff and residents and local initiatives that respond to local watershed needs and are supported locally. Consolidation as proposed will eliminate that expertise.
Furthermore, Conservation Authorities have a record of successful innovation of policy initiatives such as the implementation of Stormwater Protection measures that have been specific to each watershed.
And democracy is being eroded. With the proposed Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, municipalities will still be required to provide significant funding for the new Conservation Authorities but will have little or no say in the way the agency operates.
These are all reasons why this bill should not be passed.