Dear Environmental Registry…

Dear Environmental Registry personnel,

I am president of a community organization called the Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour
We have approximately 1000 members (voters!) who all care about the Great Cataraqui watershed and the Great Cataraqui (Rideau) River.
We are extremely concerned about the watering down of our local Cataraqui Conservation Authority's powers. They are very important to our region for the following reasons:

1. They provide great educational opportunities for our young people as well as adults. Their summer day camps, Nature tours and Forestry Bathing workshops are wonderful mental health resources.
This programming increases knowledge about nature - but also brings in revenue!
Government regulations that curtail this Conservation Authority role are misguided.
Passing the responsibility onto individual municipalities is not acceptable and constitutes a waste of time and resources.
Surveys have repeatedly shown that voters are willing to pay more tax for increased access to green space!

2. We rely on their expertise and knowledge of habitats to ensure that inappropriate development does not proceed without serious consideration of environmental issues.

3. They are guardians of our watershed water systems ensuring safe drinking water and safe swimming.

4. Local representation on Conservation Authority Boards is also important. Every watershed is different. Local people are the best at understanding the needs of the watershed and the needs of local communities. Board members should not be dictacted by the Ontario government. This is unnecessary interference in local decision-making.

5. Why is an advisory board needed that creates yet another layer of bureaucracy which costs tax payers money?

6. Most importantly, the decision to override local Conservation Authority's decisions for developments of questionable benefit and possible environmental destruction is very short-sighted, given the general population's need for more green space and the increasing effects of Climate Change.
As stated earlier, surveys have shown, time after time that voters are willing to pay more tax for more opportunities to be out in Nature.
If you believe in Mental Health, which you say you do, then this decision to gut the power of Conservation Authorities is not consistent. It won't make sense for your average voter. It will increase skepticism, the feeling that government is in the hands of the big developers, and that the Ford government actually doesn't care for the little guy.

You say you are for the little guy. The little guy needs more green space.

Sincerely,
Mary Farrar, President,
Friends of KIngston Inner Harbour
,1 Place d'Armes, Unit 83, Kingston, ON, K7K6S6
www.friendsofinnerharbour.com