I am very concerned about…

I am very concerned about the proposed consolidation of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional bodies under Bill 68. Quinte Conservation has a proven track record of delivering efficient, locally informed services, issuing over 1,100 permits in the past three years with turnaround times well below provincial guidelines. Expanding our watershed from 6,000 km² to 16,000 km² risks weakening place-based decision-making, reducing responsiveness during extreme weather events, and undermining the locally tailored science that protects our communities. Municipalities currently fund over half of Quinte Conservation’s operations, yet there is no clarity on how they will retain meaningful oversight or control future levy increases. Significant local investments in floodplain mapping, dam infrastructure, and advanced GIS systems could be jeopardized, along with shared service agreements that already streamline costs and improve efficiency. Centralizing administration may not save money, it could create a costly bureaucracy while eroding democratic oversight provided by local boards of municipal representatives. Quinte Conservation already meets high standards for accountability and transparency through audited financial statements, open data hubs, and public engagement, so restructuring is unnecessary to achieve these goals. The province could address concerns through targeted funding and shared technology platforms rather than dismantling a system that works. I urge the province to provide detailed plans and ensure that local voices and priorities remain central in decision-making. Our watershed communities deserve governance that reflects their unique needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.