To Whom it May Concern, As…

To Whom it May Concern,

As an Ontario resident, I am deeply concerned about the provincial governments plan to consolidate the number of conservation authorities from 36 to 7. While ensuring departments run efficiently is always a good plan, in my opinion slashing the numbers will serve only to limit the local expert voice on ecosystem health, and the number of authorities who can stand up against fast tracked developments, ecosystem challenges and the results of climate change.
These authorities monitor water levels and erosion and flag ecological and species at risk warning signs. They manage recreation in parks and offer environmental education to visitors and community. They are local experts to that local ecological microcosm. Their understanding and priority of local ecological health will be different than a massive department run by the government, and this distinction is important.
Ontario is starting to experience the impacts of climate change, and should at this time be doing everything it can to safeguard and strengthen our ecosystem health, not make it more vulnerable.

Please do not reduce Ontario's conservation authorities. Keep the authorities locally managed, with local expertise and knowledge, and a solid ability to communicate with the public when risks, concerns and crises emerge in that area. This local focus united across the province can only act to strengthen our ecological big picture, and help us respond efficiently.

Thank you.