With over 70 years of…

With over 70 years of experience, Ontario’s conservation authorities are global leaders in watershed management. Conservation authorities recognize that our activities on the land impact the health and sustainability of natural resources and can threaten how much water remains available, as well as, how well we can adapt to the impacts of climate change. This approach requires the management of human activities and natural resources, together, on a watershed basis taking into consideration the connected interests and needs of the environment, economy and society.

The provincial government recognizes the importance of watershed-based management through their support of initiatives such as the Muskoka watershed conservation and management stating that “effective watershed management is important to the people in our communities, especially at times when watersheds are facing pressures due to stresses such as increased development and flooding caused by severe weather events” https://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2018/08/ontario-helping-protect-the-musk…

As a resident of Ontario, I am writing to urge your continued support for Ontario’s conservation authorities and to rescind the proposed amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act outlined in Bill 108. Limiting flood management to the protection and management of natural hazards only as defined by the Provincial Policy Statement (2014) will severely compromise the ability of conservation authorities to meet the objectives of integrated watershed management. In turn, this will contribute to exacerbated rates of flooding that will be magnified further under climate change.

Recognizing the need to address Ontario’s $343 billion debt, conservation authorities successfully met their mandate in 2018 at a cost of only $11 per person per year. The benefits of integrated watershed management and non-structural approaches to flood management are enormous and have been shown to result in millions of dollars in cost savings from avoided damages.

Thank you for supporting the important work of conservation authorities and representing the current and future interests of the people of Ontario.