I am writing anonymously to…

I am a lawyer in Ontario who does a significant amount of land development work. I also own property on the waterfront. I have seen first hand the overstretch of the conservation authorities.

They claim to maintain parks, protect watersheds and help with emergency response. Yet all I have observed is obstruction of people trying to build their homes, blocking development of subdivisions and creating problems for people trying to repair their docks or break walls. They don’t even inspect property half the time—they just look at google maps or do aerials. One Executive Director of a regional authority has had his job so long that he acts so entitled.

I had one client who had vacant land to develop. He was ordered by the municipality to cut the grasslands or face penalty. Then we he tried to obtain a permit for development, the regional conservation authority refused the permit because he had cut that grassland. So he was in trouble for cutting it even though he was compelled to do so.

In another example, my client paid a fee to the authority to build a dock. They opened the permit and closed it after inspection. Then my client got sued by Transport Canada for having a dock that was too long even though the designs were approved by the conservation authority. Transport Canada claims the conservation authority has no jurisdiction yet it collected fees from my client.

It is this type of circular, non-sensical government behaviour that angers people and is a huge hindrance on our economy.

I recommend the consolidation or dissolution of regional conservation authorities. My only association with them has been negative and I think this is a good step in the right direction. Many parties will write to you opposing this because they have self interest in keeping the authorities. I am writing for my clients. I am also a strong supporter of Mr. Ford and know he is doing everything possible to make Ontario business friendly again.