Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the government's proposals to modernize conservation authority operations and to focus conservation authority development permits on the protection of people and property.
I have long been impressed with the importance and value of Ontario's Conservation Authorities in promoting the conservation of our watersheds and natural resources, and encouraging sustainable environmental planning. In fact, I support the Hamilton Conservation Foundation and have participated in Hamilton Conservation Authority strategic planning initiatives among other environmental activities.
The future of the HCA and all of the CAs in the province is of great importance to me as I've always attached a high priority to good stewardship of our natural resources and the environment.
I recognize the importance of improving transparency and accountability in conservation authority operations. There have been a number of cases where poor decisions have been made by directors of conservation authorities who seemed more interested in economic development than conservation.
In particular, I am very concerned with what I believe are very mixed signals sent by the government. It is disturbing that the government plans to cut the natural hazards land funding in half as a result of the 2019 budget.
I'm also disappointed with what I believe is a very limited window of public consultation.
I share the disappointment of the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Environmental Defence --- two reputable organizations --- that amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act were tabled in the Legislature well before the close of the public consultation. Such haste isn't acceptable. Many people haven't had time to fully evaluate the proposed reforms, especially when they have been preoccupied with other highly controversial aspects of Bill 108, such as ill-considered changes to the Endangered Species Act.
I strongly support the recommendation of CELA and Environmental Defence that implementation of Bill 108, Schedule 1, be delayed until more extensive public consultations have been undertaken.
As CELA and Environmental Defence point out, the reduction in the natural hazards land funding raises serious questions as to how the government proposes to properly fund core (and provincially mandated) programs and services for all conservation authorities.
It is critical that any legislative amendments do not hamper or limit the ability of conservation authorities to develop and deliver watershed-wide programs and services.
This is especially true when climate change poses an increasingly serious threat of increased risk of flooding and severe degradation of ecological health and water quality in our headwaters, wetlands, rivers, and lakes.
I strongly oppose any amendments that would severely reduce the ability of conservation authorities to oversee, restrict and prevent developments that could threaten the natural environment and promote growth in areas that should be protected.
In closing, I urge the government to adopt a stable funding model that will allow conservation authorities to fully exercise their development oversight role in accordance with sustainable environmental policies.
Ontario has reason to be proud of the achievements of our conservation authorities and I urge the government to strengthen their role. The government can count on strong public support if it builds upon the leadership and vision that led to the creation of our conservation authorities.
Thank you.