I am writing as a concerned…

I am writing as a concerned Ontario resident to oppose the plan to merge our local conservation authorities.

These organizations play an important role in protecting our land, water, and natural spaces, and they understand the needs of our communities because they work directly in them. Taking away this local control worries me. It risks weakening the protections that keep our environment healthy and could make it easier for developers to push projects into places that should stay natural.

I am concerned that this change will lead to more suburban sprawl, more pressure on green spaces, and fewer safeguards for wetlands, floodplains, and wildlife. Decisions about our local environment should not be made farther away by people who may not know the specific issues in each area. Conservation authorities exist for a reason, and merging them feels like a step backward.

The natural spaces in Ontario are part of our heritage and our quality of life. Once they are gone, we cannot get them back. I urge the Province to keep conservation authorities local and independent, and to continue supporting the work they do to protect our environment and our communities.

Thank you for considering my perspective.