I am NOT in favor of merging…

I am NOT in favor of merging conservation authorities into larger regional watershed agencies. There is not a demonstrated need to create a provincial organization to control CAs and the process will eliminate any meaningful local decision making.

Merging large but poorly resourced CAs into larger blocks of poorly resourced mega-CAs does not necessarily promote efficiency or improved permit processing. Some CAs are meeting permit processing of 99% within the required timelines; this provides evidence that the issue with permit review timelines may be localized to a minority of Conservation Authorities who do not have resources aligned with the number of permits being requested. I also believe the permit review process is not as onerous and fragmented as development lobbyists describe.

The amalgamation lacks evidence of real need. The "need" to improve efficiencies, improved processes and consistent policies can be done within the existing framework and organization of the CAs. Conservation Authorities would welcome better resourcing, such as a centralized system to making permitting easier for their clients, however, I believe this can be accomplished without the amalgamation proposed.