Comments on Bill 68 and…

Comments on Bill 68 and Proposed Regional CA Consolidations December 21, 2025
 Each watershed is unique in its hydrology, geology, topography and land use, meaning the issues and challenges it faces are also unique
 Current CA’s and staff have detailed understanding of local watersheds. They guide work in flood forecasting and warning, hazard mapping, operating flood control infrastructure, monitoring watershed conditions, or designing restoration and stewardship programs
 Critical local knowledge and understanding needs to be valued and preserved to ensure effective program delivery if CAs are consolidated.
 There is a need to retain programming that is customized to local circumstances
 Current CA’s have strong ties to local groups and communities
 There is a need to have consultation and partnership with municipalities as creators, primary funders and governing bodies of CA’s
 Current CAs are very responsive and accessible to partners, clients and public while providing a high level of personalized customer service.
 There currently is a strong relationship that has been established with municipal colleagues and community groups. I am very concerned that this will be sustainable.
 I am concerned that access to staff and relationship building would remain feasible or sustainable given geographic size and number of clients of proposed regional CAs
 Dissolution of existing CAs and formation of new regional entities will entail substantial legal, financial, accounting, HR and other expenses
 During consolidation, it would be necessary to transfer the assets, land holdings, liabilities, contracts, agreements, etc. from the existing CAs to the new entity
 Costs, both legal and labour, could be significant and highly contentious
 Much effort will be required to determine financial position of each CA and much time will be required to accomplish these tasks.
 Levy capacity of municipalities varies from watershed to watershed; programs are different between existing CAs based on the needs and tax base of each local watershed
 Switching to a regional scale could increase expenses for CA staff attending site visits and meetings.
 Switching to a regional scale will also increase cost and decrease convenience for the public to contact CA staff as local offices will probably be closed
 Local governance is a critical element to maintaining the positive aspects and valued programs and services that CAs offer
 There is a need for a governance model that allows all member municipalities to have a voice on program and funding decisions