Dear Ministry staff: It is…

Dear Ministry staff:

It is understood the intent of this "improvement" is to have more consistent timelines. However the reality is Conservation Authorities issue permits in a timely manner in accordance with the service delivery standards set out by Conservation Ontario. No statistics on inconsistent or long timelines were provided.

It is also understood the intent is to have consistent policies and fees. Policies vary between CAs, because, they operate in different watersheds, which means the geography and geology and coastal systems vary. Which therefore means the policies differ. Your proposed boundaries do not make sense, as CAs are would no longer be watershed based.

As with any agency, conservation authorities require regular updating and support to remain
responsive to their mandate. The province has provided very little (a small percentage) to assisting CAs with funding.

It is clear the intent of this amalgamation, is to continue to not support CAs with funding. Rather the intent is for the Province to continue to relay on Municipalities to fund CAs, but also take away their voice and ability for not only the current board members, but also the public to no longer have a voice. The amalgamation will result in municipalities to fund a program that they no longer have input on, and the OPCA will be a faceless organization, achieving the opposite of what it is intended to do.

In summary, the proposed consolidation and over-regulation through the proposed OPCA
threatens to be disruptive, inefficient, unresponsive and, ultimately, contrary to the current
strengths of CAs.

Please reconsider this amalgamation for the interest of Ontarians and to Protect Ontario.

Thank you for your time
Eric from Ontario