I am very concerned about…

I am very concerned about the proposal to amalgamate Conservation Authorities in Ontario. As a fisheries biologist that used to work for TRCA, and currently works for Fisheries and Ocean's Canada I am concerned about local project delivery if Conservation Authorities are amalgamated. Work within Conservation authorities is very local in nature. They deal with small projects that have a direct impact on people in their communities. Having local knowledge of the area and the specific concerns for that area helps staff use funds appropriately and make impactful decisions. Centralizing staff and or priorities will have a negative impact on communities and the environment. Conservation Authorities should not been seen as an impediment to development, they are the check that will prevent us from regretting decisions we made in the past.
We need data to make good decisions. We need local people, with local knowledge to collect data and manage projects. Mega CAs are not the answer.