This proposal is not in the…

This proposal is not in the best interest of the community. Conservation Authorities exist in their current configuration for a reason, and that is to address the needs of the local communities that are directly affected by the natural systems of their watershed. They provide critical, community-specific services such as flood forecasting, warning, and erosion monitoring that safeguard the public. The ability to work closely with these communities is a strength that comes from watershed-specific CA's. A single CA tending to the needs of both Grand Bend and Thunder Bay, which are over 1000 km apart, is farcical.

Furthermore, there is no doubt going to be an immense cost to this proposal. The province pays a fraction of CA's operating budgets, the rest of which comes from the local municipalities. Based on the current government's track record of stripping CA budgets, these communities will bare the cost of this process which will likely lead to a reduction in services and ability to respond to events. Not to mention a colossal waste of money at a time when there is such a degree of economic uncertainty.

There are so many other pressing issues to which the government should be devoting its energy, Ford's continued fight against environmental regulation is not helping those of us who are struggling to pay bills. This endeavor is grossly misguided.

I am firmly against this proposal in it's current state.