Regarding ERO #025-1257: I…

Regarding ERO #025-1257:

I oppose the proposed merger of conservation authorities across Ontario, and specifically the merger of the Hamilton Conservation Authority with similar agencies in Peel and Niagara.

It is short-sighted at best and nonsensical at worst to treat Ontario's diverse natural landscapes as a monolith. Each one has unique sensitivities and conservation needs, and makes one-of-a-kind contributions to the health of local ecosystems and the well-being of local residents. Taken together, these areas -- when well-managed and protected -- strengthen the province, as a whole.

With that in mind, I fail to see why conservation authorities should move from a model that is nuanced and locally focused to one that is ham-fisted and sure to produce inconsistent results and milquetoast policies across a massive region.

The fact is, these conservation authorities 1) already run efficiently and 2) do not have the funding to manage the complexities associated with mergers.

Knowing the Ford government's desire to *appear* fiscally responsible, what is the financial benefit of undertaking these mergers? They will certainly lead to unnecessary cost overruns and emergency expdenditures when plans instituted in one area simply don't work in another. For those reasons, I have no doubt the auditor general will find serious deficiencies with this proposal if it is implemented in the future.

Let's be absolutely clear: this proposal is only designed to alleviate (as quoted) "uncertainty and delay for builders, landowners and farmers seeking permits." Put another way, the wealthy individuals who vote for Ford, are inconvenienced by current conservation efforts and stand to benefit financially from the decisions of weakened conservation authorities.

Why pretend otherwise?

This proposal is transparently favourable to Ford's conservative friends and will not serve the rest of us, nor will it do anything to protect the fragile ecosystems across Ontario.