Thank you for seeking…

Thank you for seeking consultation as you move toward merging Conservation Authorities in Ontario. As a resident of Northwestern Ontario I am deeply concerned with the Lakehead Regional Conservation Authority being merged with regions over a thousand kilometres away, with very different environments and needs.

There is an abundance of expertise in the Thunder Bay Area that contributes to the success of the LRCA. As someone who regularly utilizes LRCA conservation areas, I’m continually impressed by their passion, activities, outreach, and organization. They do so much good in the region through monitoring ongoing and arising environmental issues, and working with key local partners like the city, Lakehead University, and regional First Nations among others to address them. It is very concerning to think that control of the activities related to conservation in our area will be centralized to a distant region that knows little about the unique needs of our region and will likely not have the same sense of commitment as the LRCA does, because they are not part of our region or communities. I ask you to please reconsider this decision and keep the LRCA separate from the conservation authorities further south.

Thank you for your interest in public input regarding this matter.