Bill 68 is not what Ontarian…

Bill 68 is not what Ontarian want for their Conservation Authorities.

Municipalities not the provincial government provide on average 54% o the CA's funding.

Your proposal for change to a new level (OCPA) of governance is not warranted. If this group is to be created then members should be selected from the ranks of the existing Conservation Authorities by its members ( Board & Staff) not appointed by your government.

No business case or cost analysis or evidence for these changes has been provided to the public. What will happen to the buildings in each of the 36 Conservation Authorities . Ant sale should go into the budgets of the CA's. The government has said there will be no job loss but with only 7 possible CAO / ED positions in the proposed new structure, about 28 senior people will loss there jobs.

CA's provide a strong vice for rural communities, and are a major defense against fast track development in sensitive watersheds.

A forced amalgamation of the 36 watershed based authorities, into 7 regional organizations is not in the health pr welfare of rural Ontarians or those who love to visit those areas for natural pursuits.

I urge the province:
- not to proceed with the proposed amalgamations
- to disband the OPCA.
- to hold sincere and fulsome consultations with the CA's , municipalities and rural stakeholders
- to acknowledge the Auditor Generals Report on this issue.
- recognize that severe weather events are increasing and therefore the CA's are needed more than ever.