I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed merger under ERO # 025-1257. I support Hamilton Conservation Authority’s position and believe that consolidating multiple conservation authorities into a single entity spanning 28 municipalities will undermine local decision-making, weaken community-based environmental stewardship, and destabilize the workforce—particularly younger employees who rely on stable, well-defined organizational structures to build long-term careers in conservation.

HCA already delivers timely, efficient service, with 94% of major permits processed on time in 2024. No evidence suggests that forcing a large-scale merger will improve service delivery or accelerate development approvals. In fact, it is widely understood within the sector that delays often arise from incomplete or inadequate submissions from applicants, not from the conservation authorities themselves. If the Province is genuinely committed to getting “shovels in the ground” faster, the focus should be on improving submission quality, strengthening applicant accountability, and enhancing pre-consultation requirements—not restructuring organizations that are already meeting provincial timelines.

By assigning blame to conservation authorities, the Province risks creating a solution in search of a problem. A merger of this magnitude will divert resources from frontline work to administrative integration—new IT systems, new HR structures, new processes, and new layers of governance—all of which will slow operations rather than speed them up. This is particularly concerning for early-career employees who entered this sector because of its stability, sense of purpose, and local environmental mandate. A forced amalgamation threatens job security, institutional knowledge, and the mentorship structures that help develop the next generation of conservation professionals.

Ultimately, this merger will not deliver faster approvals, better environmental outcomes, or more efficient service. It will dilute local expertise, erode community relationships, and place unnecessary strain on staff, especially younger employees building their careers in an already challenging environment. I strongly urge the Province to abandon this merger and instead focus on improving the permit submission process, supporting modernized tools, and resourcing conservation authorities so they can continue to serve their communities effectively and independently.