The Conservation Authorities…

The Conservation Authorities and their watershed-based planning is one of Ontario's best ideas ever. You have only to see the flooding consequences in Texas, of Gatinau, Abbotsford BC or Alberta to see what happens for lack of Conservation Authorities. The Ontario Government should not mess with such a successful model.

While there are some benefits for some relatively minor consolidations for small CAs, this is a massive over-reaction, probably created by some MBA ( who has never managed anything big and complex) with a spreadsheet who thinks they can save money by creating a few giant CA's remote from the communities and numerous municipalities they serve. What does a CA serving Orangeville have in common with Fort Erie on Lake Erie? The CA will be asked to maintain relations and work with far too many municipalities, communities remote from their base of operation. Remote centralized management and planning will not work as well as the current arrangement. This broad proposal is unnecessary and will prove a memorable failure.

I recommend that you consider consolidating the smallest CA's, abandon this remote centralized approach, and solicit regional and CA ideas for improved efficiency and services without loosing touch with their communities.