Conservation authorities…

Conservation authorities were established as a direct response to flooding and erosion. Decision makers recognized the importance of ensuring conservation authorities were led by local voices and embodied local needs. Unique to Ontario, they play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable community development that allow people and nature to thrive.

Unfortunately, many recent changes have severely undermined conservation authorities’ ability to effectively fulfill this role. The regressive changes include the proposal to consolidate the 36 conservation authorities into just seven that would be overseen by the new centralized provincial agency. That would be compounded with limitations to their mandate, resourcing and independence over the past several years.

These changes could create conditions under which it is far more likely that critical local knowledge will be excluded from key decisions, leaving communities more exposed to flooding and other environmental harms.

The CAs' important work with farmers and private landowners has been neglected by the province and this would exacerbate that damage. CAs are now the only local bodies delivering land stewardship programs to farmers and other landowners.

While some consolidation of a few CAs could help equalize their capacity and assessment base, this proposed collapse to just seven is bizarre.

I urge you to not proceed with the consolidation. Please meaningfully work with partners to empower conservation authorities to use their local expertise to reduce risks increase our flood resiliency, safeguard our water and conserve our natural areas.