I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the consolidation of conservation authorities. Conservation authorities (CA) reflect their local area and were created to address local resource management on behalf of their member municipalities. Consolidating CAs will weaken their ability to respond to local issues and concerns, negating their ability to function at a local level. CAs are the envy of other Canadian and international jurisdictions, and they have functioned on behalf of their municipalities for decades.

Having worked in CAs for thirty years,I’ve seen numerous examples of partnerships between CAs and shared municipalities. There is no need to re-draw CA boundaries to create regional CAs, the current system is functioning well. This is evident from the dozens of municipal resolutions opposing the proposed consolidation of CAs. I have yet to see a single municipal resolution in support of the proposed consolidation.

As the primary finder of CAs, they should have the local say on their CA’s programs and services and how their levy is spent. Creating regional CAs will remove their ability to locally direct the spending of their individual municipal contributions.

As a tax payer, this consolidation of CAs is also deeply concerning to me. The province has created an unnecessary level of oversight in the new Agency, with minimal Provincial dollars supporting CAs, they should not have oversight on CA finances or programs and services. This is the right and responsibility of their primary founder, the local municipalities.

The Province already has the framework under the current CA Act to assist any CA that is under capacity, the proposed changes create additional red tape that will result in frontline staff time spent on reporting to an agency instead of serving their local residents and member municipalities.

I urge the Province to listen to their municipalities and dismiss this proposed consolidation of CAs. Those that pay should have the say!