If I could include the meme…

If I could include the meme of David from Schitt's Creek saying that "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard", it would describe my reaction every day I wake up and read the local Ontario news since Doug Ford and the Conservative Party have come to power.

This new one regarding the Conservation Authorities is insane and not even remotely based in science.

First, it impacts me directly that my regional CA, Grey Sauble, would be merged with Thunder Bay. Have you looked at a map of Ontario recently? They are not even remotely close to each other?! How can they manage each other's water sheds? That was the purpose of the CA's to help mitigate flooding, which is going to become a big problem with climate change, and the ones who have the local knowledge and expertise will be lost in the shuffle as that big fancy government agency of "political appointees" (aka people who want a bigger payout and have no specialized knowledge - how do we know? Have you looked at who is supposed to be taking over the role of trustees in education?)

The people in Ontario who are not motivated by owning a 4th yacht are concerned about their local environment, including drinking water, reducing flooding and conserving natural spaces. I am very concerned that the local experts will be pushed out, and that their valuable knowledge on how to keep our drinking water safe will be ignored or go missing. But hey, if Ford's friends can make another buck, then I guess having another few Walkertons would be worth it! (that's sarcasm, because of course, it would not be worth it). Rich people with more money than brains will be making decisions rather than the scientists who actually understand the science of keeping water clean, habitats alive and healthy.

In summary, here are the many concerns.

Conservation authorities were established as a direct response to rising concerns about flooding and erosion, including the incredible harm caused by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Unique to Ontario, they holistically regulate development and deliver conservation initiatives at a watershed scale for the benefit of people and the environment.

Central to the establishment of CAs was the recognition that they embody local needs and by led by local voices. The proposed amalgamation completely contradicts this principle by concentrating decision-making power in the hands of the province rather than local experts. Specifically, the legislative changes proposed in Bill 68 would allow the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks to impose directions regarding the new regional conservation authorities’ governance, programs or services at the Minister’s discretion.

Even if decision-making processes for the seven proposed regional conservation authorities were allowed to proceed independently, the proposed boundaries are far too sprawling to enable locally relevant decision-making. For example, combining Lakehead Region Conservation Authority on the north shore of Lake Superior with authorities south of Lake Huron ignores the completely different ecology, hydrology and climates of these regions. It is unclear from the proposal and legislative amendments how this consolidation can possibly accelerate decision-making when the amalgamated authorities will need to serve dozens of municipalities with unique local needs and span watersheds with distinctly different environmental conditions.

Decision-makers will no longer be part of local communities resulting in incredibly important local knowledge being excluded from key decisions, leaving communities more exposed to the devastating impacts of flooding and broader environmental losses. Flooding is the costliest natural hazard in Ontario and is expected to become an even greater threat in the coming years. This is a change communities cannot afford.