I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed changes under Bill 68 that would dissolve Ontario’s local Conservation Authorities and replace them with a small number of centralized regional bodies. In communities like Glanbrook, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has demonstrated the value of locally grounded, science-based stewardship. NPCA staff understand our specific watershed dynamics, flood risks, soil conditions, and rural drainage systems, and they work directly with municipalities and community volunteers to protect and enhance local conservation lands. Projects such as the ongoing improvements to Binbrook Conservation Area show how effective these partnerships can be—balancing public access with water quality protection, habitat preservation, and long-term environmental health.
Centralizing conservation governance under a provincially run agency based in Toronto represents a significant step away from local decision-making and accountability. A distant, one-size-fits-all approach risks sidelining local scientific knowledge and community priorities, while opening the door for provincial development pressures to override conservation objectives. While the need for additional housing is real and important, it should not come at the expense of dismantling locally responsive conservation authorities or jeopardizing lands that have been protected through decades of community effort. Hamilton already has sufficient land designated to meet housing needs well into the future. I urge the Province to reconsider this approach and to preserve the autonomy and expertise of local Conservation Authorities that are best positioned to safeguard our watersheds, natural heritage, and long-term resilience.