First of all, it is…

First of all, it is important to note that not all conservation authorities in Ontario operate uniformly in the carrying out of their duties or even how they interpret their responsibilities. Anything that can be achieved by the Government of Ontario in this regard will be considered helpful.

My experience in Halton has not been a positive one but, to be fair to the current CAO, he is doing a far better job at managing the authority, interpreting its responsibilities and executing on its mandate than I have seen over the last 25 years. My remarks are not directed at him.

Typically, I have had to deal with an authority that was too often arbitrary in its dealings with area municipalities, developers and landowners, too often failed to take into consideration the economic consequences of its rulings and too often over-reached in its assessments, knowing of its legislative power and how that would reduce or eliminate any objections, legitimate or otherwise.

Specifically, its handling of the Town of Milton's floodplain in its downtown core as well as its rulings on intermittent stream beds in residential development areas have been high-handed and lacking a scientific basis. There is no scientific basis to support the current regional storm decree, nor is there any up-to-date mapping to support it. There is no up-to-date biology to support the authorities' rulings on flora and fauna associated with intermittent stream beds. In some cases, the authority mistook irrigation ditches dug by farmers to be intermittent stream beds. When presented with the facts, the authority refused to acknowledge its errors.

The Government of Ontario needs to provide the authorities with funds to ensure up-to-date mapping, biology and hydro-geology is completed and maintained. The Government also needs to approve legislation and related policies that are clear, prescriptive and reasonable.