Conservation authorities…

Conservation authorities were established as a direct response to concerns related to flooding, erosion, and water management. Those making decisions recognized the need for localized, boots on the ground to track and oversee environmental data related to these concerns, to inform best practices and policy that protects Ontario communities and infrastructure. Conservation authorities are, importantly, working in direct response to the specific needs and voices of the people in a given region, as well as their infrastructure and environmental conditions. The current watershed level organization of conservation authorities allows each agency to work in direct response to their residents, topography, and environments.

The proposal to consolidate the 36 conservation authorities directly undermines each CAs ability to fulfill their necessary roles and functions. Not only will this strip away the place-based practices that allow CAs to effectively support local water management and environmental conditions, but it will effectively reduce local participation in environmental decision making that will have huge implications for property owners and Ontario residents. As both a property owner and environmental enthusiast, I have major concerns about how this amalgamation and centralized provicinal body will limit the mandate, resourcing, and overall efficacy of CAs. I count on my local CA to be able to monitor our watershed to ensure healthy groundwater to support us, oversee flood/erosion/severe environmental risks, and collaborate with the agricultural industry to protect water sources.

Respectfully, I urge you to reconsider the consolidation of the conservation authorities, and instead empower the 36 CAs to continue doing their important and essential work to their strongest abilities. To ensure a strong and healthy Ontario, we need to increase support for our CAs at a watershed level - enabling widespread resiliency that accounts for place, people, and infrastructure.