Conservation Authorities…

Conservation Authorities exist to manage natural systems based on watersheds, not political boundaries. Water, flooding, erosion, and environmental impacts follow rivers and landscapes, not municipal lines. Watershed-based boundaries are grounded in science, not convenience, and should be preserved.

Conservation Authorities are committed to working collaboratively with municipalities, residents, farmers, and Indigenous communities. This cooperative model should be strengthened, not replaced. In addition, the Conservation Authorities should be proposing amalgamations given the nature of their work. Conservation Authorities work best when decisions are made close to the land and people affected, not by bureaucracy.

Rural communities need strong representation and should not be marginalized in large regional systems.

I highly encourage the Province to work collaboratively with municipalities, Indigenous communities, agricultural organizations, and residents to strengthen Ontario’s conservation system.