We have an obligation to…

We have an obligation to ourselves and the planet to do our part, environmentally speaking. To keep our corner of the room clean. To measure twice, cut once. It takes longer and maybe more resources up front, but it saves heartache, work and loss in the long run.

Canada, and Ontario in particular, have a legacy of leading in difficult times. We are progressive, groundbreaking and wise. We lead. Others follow. At one time, the province provided full support of conservation authorities to stave off the worst of flooding. These environmentalists were involved in planning stages of projects to prevent structures from sinking, to anticipate impacts and take steps to mitigate natural, ecological, residential and industrial damage. Conservation authority employees are local and invested in the community. They know the moods and personalities of the regions' lands and waters in a way that flood tables and maps cannot ever possibly articulate. Relationships and experience are key to success, especially with a complex industrial tax-revenue rich region such as Windsor-Essex. The people we have in place are from our community and they have skin in the game to best serve our needs. The same for every individual authority.

April 2019. In time for Earth Day, no less.
Conservation Authority funding for flooding is halved. In a time of climate chaos and rising sea levels.
Measure once. Cut once. No one has the resources to keep the corners clean.

Every year since, the storms grow more wicked, vicious and frequent. The dollar value of the damage breaks records annually, with the summer of 2024 causing a billion dollars of insured damage in Ontario alone. Your constituents must either pay exorbitant insurance rates while having their coverage reduced to next to nothing or cancel the flood insurance altogether. The global apathy to everything climate related is leading to catastrophic hurricanes, rains, tornadoes and other devastating climate change phenomena. The room is now trashed, we forgot about taking care of our corner.

2025. The IBC runs an ad campaign. Climate change is real. It is costing them, and they pass that on to us. Enter bill 68. Plan to "Protect" Ontario Act. How can you protect when you make the regions larger and more vulnerable? Walkerton comes to mind. Another idea that looked great on paper, but we all know that history.

Bill 68 would be like changing the adage to: Eyeball. Cut. That does not build stable ecosystems, let alone houses, bridges, factories, freeways, tunnels or mines. It will cost us, your constituents, dearly. How can we expect a specialist from a land-locked authority to be able to support one that is surrounded by water? A flash flood, tornado or other fast-moving weather-related disasters require certified experts on the ground. If they are 6 hours away, it means air travel, in dangerous weather. Getting them here to assess the situation is of the essence, and it will be hazardous and expensive. Delayed assistance will cost lives. The lives of the very constituents you represent. The businesses that generate revenue and create employment. Lost tax revenue.

Conservation authorities need more funding and support, especially now, given the tumultuous position we are in, politically, socially and environmentally. We need to build, yes. Building in a panic means mistakes WILL be made everywhere. Reacting without contemplation is how the current American administration handles everything. Canadians do the right thing. We measure twice, cut once. And we keep the corners clean.
We are NOT American.