I have significant concerns…

I have significant concerns around increased costs, reduced rural representation and the risk of less effective service delivery for local watershed residents. I am a resident of the Maitland Conservation area. As a local organization Maitland Conservation is responsive to community needs. Municipalities, landowners, and community partners drive the services and priorities of the organization. If the OPCA is going to provide strategic direction to Conservation Authorities, and Conservation Authorities are consolidated into seven regional Conservation Authorities, then this would mean less municipal input on service priorities.

Conservation Authorities play a vital role in flood forecasting, conservation stewardship and restoring healthy watersheds. These changes could significantly impact how services are delivered in our watershed. To protect Ontario’s prosperity, we need to focus on developing and protecting the health of watersheds. They are the foundation of not only our economic prosperity but our life support system as well. Clean water, diverse forests and healthy soils directly support key sectors like tourism, forestry and agriculture, which in turn support economically strong communities. I can not see how this consolidation process furthers these goals, but rather can imagine how we would lose functionality at the local level towards this important function of the Maitland Conservation Authority.

Thank you.