It is important that the…

It is important that the Province look to modernize the way conservation authorities exist and operate. However, the Province must do so in a meaningful way, that considers expert advice and input from those who work for, operate, and use these conservation authorities and conservation areas.

Ontario too readily and regularly skips important steps in an effort to be more “efficient”, and doesn’t consider genuine consultation and engagement with those who need to be consulted and engaged.

Merging so many conservation authorities would create more problems than resolve. The needs of conservation authorities in the south are different from those in the north. Problems are different based on species, geography, climate, etc. A one size fits all approach will be more damaging; not progressive.

Solutions must be proportionate to the problem(s) they are meant to address. Ontario must slow down its process to actually listen to, and hear from, these conversation authorities so that both the Province and the conservation authorities work collaboratively and meaningfully to identify the problems and resolve the said problems together.

Local knowledge and timely responses cannot be lost and should be fostered and maintained. A larger authority that sees so many municipalities merged into one is not the solution to this, and does not support, the retention of local knowledge and the ability for timely responses.

Great care is needed in modernizing conservation authorities, and only time, communication, and working together will offer these opportunities to create a process that is meaningful. Ontario must not simply push through, as it always does, in taking a top down approach with little to no expert input, and create a solution that reflects what the environment and public want - supported conservation authorities that protect the lands, waters, and species that so many Ontarians enjoy.

Thank you,