I have chosen to comment…

I have chosen to comment anonymously because I have worked in conservation for a very long time.

I strongly support the merger of conservation authorities in Ontario. Over the decades, I have watched conservation authorities being increasingly bureaucratized and increasingly involved in local politics. As one might expect, that are some common programs in many CAs yet every one of them "reinvents the wheel."

I also do not believe that the current model, with each CA's responsibilities defined by the drainage divides of major watersheds. It made sense when CAs focused heavily on flood mitigation. Their responsibilities have changed substantially, though, with many responsibilities focusing in recreation and tourism, ecological restoration and conservation, SAR management and fund-raising. These expanded responsibilities do not necessarily benefit from a watershed management model.

I have also heard increasing complaints from landowners about the heavy-handed approach to landowner outreach. Many of cited instances where CA personnel have trespassed onto private property, not to investigate a complaint or a concern but simply scouting to see if there are any issues that they might be able to profit from (this refers to landowners perspective). Thus, CAs are frequently feared and not respected.