Conservation Authorities…

Conservation Authorities work best when decisions are made close to the land and the people affected
Local knowledge of soils, drainage, flood risk, and land use is critical to safe and sustainable development
Watershed-based boundaries are grounded in science, not convenience, and should be preserved
Conservation Authorities in Eastern Ontario deliver timely reviews and permitting that support housing and infrastructure
Rural communities need strong representation and should not be marginalized in large regional systems
Conservation lands were built through community donations and partnerships and should remain locally stewarded
People expect their governments to take environmental priorities seriously — and that includes funding them properly
Provincial funding now represents only about 3% of Conservation Authority operations; this is not an equal partnership
Any restructuring or consolidation must be fully funded by the Province, so municipal tax dollars are not redirected away from local services
Communities want to see the Province return to an equal
funding partnership with municipalities
Modernization can and should happen without dismantling local governance
If amalgamations are pursued, they should be voluntary, appropriately scaled, and fully funded
Conservation Authorities are committed to working collaboratively with municipalities, residents, farmers, and Indigenous communities — and this cooperative model should be strengthened, not replaced