Conservation Authorities…

Conservation Authorities provide crucial benefits to the communities of Ontario. In the era of climate change, environmental management needs to be a top priority. The larger the jurisdictions for these organizations, the harder it will be to strategically utilize resources and prioritize areas of work. Flooding mitigation is possible when there are healthy thriving ecosystems. Protecting the surrounding environment protects water supply for communities, reduces air pollution and creates recreational opportunities for residents. Nature attacks tourism improving local economies.

Ontario contains the grand majority of Canada's population, therefore the land has been impacted the most by anthropogenic activities. Southern Ontario contains half of the Canadian population, as well as it overlaps with the smallest biome in Canada containing the grand majority of endangered species. Biodiversity is crucial for thriving ecosystems and assisting in our fight against climate change.

This move is a clear disgusting attempt for the government of Ontario to prioritize development over people's health and environmental protection. The people of Ontario need to be prioritized over the premier's buddies and money making opportunities that come with approving development. We all know he is corrupted and only interested in making more money for himself and friends. We need to stand up and not allow corruption to run this province. As a tax paying citizen, I am DISGUSTED with this administration and the very, very stupid decisions they are making. Are experts even being consulted when making these decisions?

These are my questions for the government of Ontario to consider:
- what is going to happen to the workers of the current Conservation Authorities (CA)? Will they continue to have a job or will they be laid off, increasing the unemployment rate in the province? (which in turn, it means less money to the province). I have worked at a conservation authority before, and have many friends who still do. I can guarantee these workers have no intensions in joining industry, you will lose citizens and with that their taxes.
- what is going to happen to the funding CAs get to complete their mandates?
-are you going to be transparent in the money and structure given to the new system? or is this another attempt to "cut costs"? This will lead to more money needed due to infrastructure lost from future flooding and lost revenue from tourism (did Dougie learn nothing from the last time he cut CAs mandates, which was followed by his cottage flooding? or will he continue to fund/support initiatives that are only convenient to him and his buddies?)