Climate Action London is a…

Climate Action London is a grassroots volunteer group in London focused on our collective response to the Climate Emergency. Urgent climate action is necessary to prevent catastrophic and irreversible damage to our planet and secure a liveable future for all generations. This is not a far off crisis. We are currently experiencing many impacts of a warming planet. The impacts include heavier rainfall with more intense downpours, flash floods, infrastructure damage and water quality issues. Additionally, carefully managed natural areas that are adjacent to farmland and urban areas assist in addressing the impacts of heatwaves and droughts. Ontario’s Conservation Authorities play a critical role in both mitigation and adaptation.

We support investments in technology, standardization and modernization. Conservation Authorities have been tasked with protecting public health and safety related to watersheds. Providing these supports will strengthen outcomes.

We strongly oppose the consolidation of the Conservation Authorities and the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Authority that would remove decision-making from local experts and municipalities.

Loss of Local Expertise - removing local knowledge from key decisions will leave communities more exposed to flooding. Geographical variation, local ecosystems, local climate and weather patterns all require local expertise.

Voice of Indigenous peoples muted - existing Conservation Authorities have ongoing consultation relationships with Indigenous people within their watershed. Consolidation of Conservation Authorities and the creation of a provincial appointed board for decision-making mutes their input.

Municipalities are being removed from decision-making even though they primarily fund Conversation Authorities.

Prioritizing only efficiency and rapid development ultimately increases the risk and cost from natural hazards like flooding, erosion and drought. Based on previous instances where local expertise has been removed, developer requests are prioritized above environmental and technical considerations. There are many studies (cited below) that demonstrate that economic losses associated with NOT taking climate adaptation (disaster mitigation) are severe and would have a significant negative impact both short-term and long-term on our economy, health outcomes and maintaining farmland to feed ourselves in the future. Conservation Authorities with local knowledge, with local municipal input on land use planning, with local consultation of Indigenous peoples give Ontario stable footing in a changing climate.