I strongly support the…

I strongly support the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s submission to the ERO. The proposal to consolidate conservation authorities raises serious concerns. Local knowledge, watershed-specific expertise, and direct accountability to communities are essential for effective environmental protection. These strengths would be weakened or lost under a centralized model.

The proposal appears politically driven rather than grounded in environmental science or community needs. With climate pressures increasing — including flooding, habitat loss, and extreme weather — this is precisely the wrong time to reduce local oversight. Conservation authorities exist to protect people, property, and natural systems; diminishing their local autonomy puts all of that at risk.

Ontario should be strengthening locally informed, evidence-based decision-making, not replacing it with a one-size-fits-all approach. I urge the government to prioritize the environment and our communities by maintaining robust, independent, and community-rooted conservation authorities.