I am a resident of…

I am a resident of Amherstburg and am writing to express my concern regarding the proposal to reduce Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities to seven regional agencies.
Conservation Authority staff possess vital LOCAL knowledge of their environments and communities. Centralizing administration and management far from the areas served risks diminishing this expertise and limiting the voices of smaller municipalities. I am particularly concerned that a large regional board representing dozens of municipalities will not be able to effectively address local needs.
I am also worried about the impact this change could have on Source Water Protection under the Clean Water Act. Existing Source Protection Areas are defined by current Conservation Authority boundaries, and restructuring risks disrupting this critical work and losing years of locally developed expertise, potentially increasing risks to drinking water sources.
Ontario’s conservation authorities are a world-renowned model for environmental protection. While efficiencies can always be explored, they should be pursued without amalgamation. This proposal is extreme and may result in job losses, weakened environmental protection, and the loss of local insight.
I urge you to consider these concerns and to support our local Conservation Authority.
Sincerely,