I am submitting these…

I am submitting these comments regarding ERO Registry #025-1257 and the proposal to consolidate Ontario’s Conservation Authorities into seven regional authorities.
The proposal suggests that a regionalized system would create efficiencies and more consistent service delivery, but the evidence provided in the posting does not sufficiently demonstrate that these benefits will materialize. Existing Conservation Authorities already deliver critical watershed services — such as flood forecasting, permitting, source water protection, and environmental restoration — based on detailed local knowledge of watersheds and community needs. Consolidation into regional super-authorities could reduce this effectiveness, particularly in areas with unique ecological challenges.
Environmental Registry of Ontario
Additionally, the transition to regional authorities will require standardizing policies, governance structures, staffing, and resources across 36 distinct agencies — including addressing divergent benefit plans, salary bands, and operational practices. The proposal has not clearly outlined how these logistics will be managed nor explained the true cost implications, which could be significant. Many conservation authority boards and stakeholders have raised concerns that this poorly scoped restructure may hinder service continuity rather than improve it.

This change could also create public confusion. Ordinary residents, property owners, and municipalities currently know and interact with their local Conservation Authority; moving to a large, less locally connected structure may make it harder for individuals to access support, navigate permitting, or engage in local environmental stewardship. I urge the Ministry to reconsider the consolidation approach, fully fund proper watershed-based management, preserve local expertise, and ensure that watershed health and community wellbeing remain the central focus of conservation policy.