I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposal to reduce Ontario’s Conservation Authorities from 36 to 7. With climate change driving more extreme weather, this is the worst possible time to weaken the local watershed protections that keep our communities safe. The recent flooding across the GTA showed how quickly water overwhelms neighbourhoods, roads, and infrastructure. Each watershed is unique, and effective management depends on local expertise and rapid response. Centralizing these responsibilities into a handful of overextended bodies will leave gaps that put people at risk.

We only need to look at recent disasters elsewhere to understand the stakes. In Texas, catastrophic flooding overtook a youth camp and children tragically lost their lives because the water rose faster than anyone expected. These events are reminders that flooding is not hypothetical; it turns deadly when governments fail to maintain strong, well-resourced oversight.

Ontario should be strengthening conservation authorities, not dismantling them. These organizations monitor watersheds, protect wetlands, manage stormwater, prevent erosion, and act as our first line of defense during extreme weather. Cutting their number by 80 percent will not make these responsibilities go away—it will only ensure they are carried out with less local focus and fewer safeguards.

I urge the government to abandon this proposal and instead invest in strong, community-based watershed protection. Our safety and our future depend on it.