I want to add my voice to…

I want to add my voice to what I suspect are many other local constituents who are alarmed by the proposal to consolidate conservation authorities in Ontario. In my local region, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has been an effective steward of the Upper Thames watershed, and incorporates the local knowledge and perspectives of the 17 municipalities who live in, and are intimately familiar with the needs of, the natural environment that is unique to our watershed. I am deeply concerned by the proposal to amalgamate those 17 municipalities into a plurality of 81 municipalities in the proposed Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority. In what appears to be a heavy-handed move to prioritize ease of development applications over responsible management of natural resources for current and future generations, the provincial government will be muting local input and laying the groundwork for internal dissent over competing budget priorities. This proposed consolidation will most likely result in slower response times to flood management, deferral or cancellation of vital projects and degradation of the watershed ecosystem.