I agree with HCA’s…

I agree with HCA’s submission to the ERO. I am concerned about losing local decision-making and I support keeping conservation decisions rooted in our community.

The only justification I can imagine for this proposal is to weaken the ability of conservation authorities to challenge ill-advised development proposals. It reeks of wanting to turn conservation authorities into puppet agencies that will rubber stamp developments.

Vague references to "efficiencies to be gained by consolidation" ring hollow after the experience of the politically motivated city amalgamations in Ontario in the 1990's which did not result in any efficiencies while weakening local representation and the conservation authority's ability to fulfill their original and important mandates.