Dear Minister McCarthy, The…

Dear Minister McCarthy,

The Council of the Town of Minto understands the Province’s interest in finding efficiencies and agrees that public dollars must be used carefully. The concern is not with the objective, but with the scale of the change being proposed. Conservation authorities are grounded in the geography, history, and daily realities of their watersheds. Reducing them to a small number of large entities risks losing the practical, place-based knowledge that supports timely and well-informed decisions.

Council is also concerned about how a significantly larger governance structure would operate in practice. Conservation authorities are relied upon during flood events, erosion issues, and complex planning matters, often requiring prompt and direct engagement. There is concern that increased organizational and geographic distance could result in slower response times, reduced access to technical expertise, and policies that reflect regional averages rather than local conditions.

Finally, Council questions whether the anticipated efficiencies would be realized once the full impacts of amalgamation are considered. Unwinding and restructuring long-standing governance, staffing, asset, and funding arrangements would be complex and disruptive. During this transition, costs and uncertainty could increase rather than decrease. Council believes efficiencies are more likely to be achieved through enhanced collaboration and shared services, while preserving the strong local foundations that have made conservation authorities effective.

Respectfully,

Council of the Town of Minto