Re: ERO #025-1257 - Proposed…

Re: ERO #025-1257 - Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities

I find the scope and scale of the proposed boundary changes for Conservation Authorities (CAs) in Ontario excessive. While it is reasonable to encourage the amalgamation of some of the smaller CAs that share similar geographies, the proposed amalgamations would result in huge jurisdictions across dozens of municipal boundaries and spanning dissimilar geographies. And saying this can be done without loss of jobs is patently false as obviously there would be considerable redundancy in many roles from bookkeepers to communication teams to general managers that would result in significant changes to the nature of many current positions.

Conservation Authorities (CAs) local geographic base and presence on the ground is what made them effective and valued by the local communities. The proposed changes would make them much less effective and efficient. There may be opportunities to increase efficiency by developing and distributing shared software or other tools for shared functions such as flood risk assessment. But that can be done without reducing the local scope of the organizations.

The CAs were a made in Ontario solution that has stood the test of time. Over the past 80 years, CAs have not only played an essential role in preventing poorly-site development and keeping people and infrastructure safe, but they have also worked in collaboration with many partners to fill many local needs including outdoor recreation, environmental education and ecosystem conservation.

I urge the Province to consult and work with the CAs and local municipalities to develop a better approach to identify solutions that works for them and their unique situations. Bigger is not better when it comes to managing watersheds, particularly given the conflicting pressures of urban and suburban sprawl and an increasingly unpredictable and volatile climate.

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my objections to the changes as proposed.