I agree with the Hamilton…

I agree with the Hamilton Conservation Authority's submission to the ERO. Conservation authorities, including the HCA, bring the knowledge and expertise specific to each local conservation area. Further, no municipality, conservation authority, Indigenous peoples or the public have asked to consolidate all 36 authorities into 7 large regional ones. Only developers are in favour of the consolidation.

The provincial government needs to work with all conservation authorities within the existing system if the system needs improving, for example, by setting clear, consistent standards across all authorities and ensuring all parties adhere to them.

I am concerned that the proposed changes to consolidate will result in critical local knowledge being excluded from key decisions. This will leave communities more exposed to flooding and other natural harms, the very reason local conservation authorities were instituted in the first place.

Thank you