While I appreciate the…

While I appreciate the government's goal of improving efficiency and simplifying permitting processes to address our housing needs, I remain unconvinced that the proposed structural changes will achieve these objectives. More fundamentally, we lack evidence that consolidation will not undermine the core missions that Conservation Authorities have carried out for over 80 years: protecting watersheds, safeguarding environmental integrity, and serving their communities with transparency and accountability.

It is not too late to change the role of the new Agency that has been created. I suggest exploring a shared-serve hub role to complement the existing Conservation Authority model.

I also strongly believe that previous responsibilities such as natural heritage monitoring and management should be returned to the Conservation Authorities. Managing flood plains and source water is not enough.