Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed boundaries for regionalizing Ontario’s conservation authorities.

I do not support the proposed regional consolidation and I strongly believe it is not required to achieve the Province’s stated objectives. The Province does not need to amalgamate existing conservation authorities. The provinces goal can be fully met within the existing conservation authority framework through strengthened provincial standards, clear expectations, and targeted modernization. The proposal does not recognize what makes conservation authorities unique:
• CA's are built on local watershed boundaries, not administrative regions.
• CA services rely on local relationships, local knowledge, and locally responsive governance.

Conservation authorities work because they are local, and responsive. Large-scale consolidation would diminish that strength. Additionally:
• Conservation authorities are established on watershed boundaries; so frontline programs reflect local conditions.
• The CA's I am familiar with have a track record of positive working relationships with member municipalities, the development industry, watershed businesses and residents.
• Conservation Ontario working with conservation authorities have already developed standards and guidelines that promote consistency while respecting local watershed needs.
• The Government has already modernized the Conservation Authorities Act to streamline operations, focus on core mandate, and improve permit review performance — including prescribed timelines in legislation related to permit reviews, which conservation authorities have more broadly met.
• The proposed centralized permitting system can be implemented without amalgamation. • The Province already holds the legislative authority needed to implement the consistency, transparency, and modernization that it seeks.

The idea of a provincial portal for permit applications that will improve timing is highly questionable. I fail to see how this will speed up approvals. Permit applications should be submitted and processed locally with proponents knowing who they are submitting an application to and who to call to follow up.

I will not be providing answer to the noted questions as I feel in doing so supports the Provinces intention to amalgamate.

The Province, without consultation and without facts has noted a problem that largely does not exist. Streamlining, embracing technology and funding can address the concerns noted by the province without the proposed changes.

Thank you,