I am concerned about…

I am concerned about proposed changes to the Conservation Authority Act as Section 2.0 of Bill 108. Specifically,

1. Conservation Authorities (CAs) are a unique made-in-Ontario model that has stood the test
of time for over 70 years.

2. CAs are good value for money. They are flexible and responsive to local
environmental needs in our watersheds.

3. They are a local presence in communities across the province gathering thousands of partners and volunteers. No one else fills the core role of CAs.

4. Since 1946 the core mandate of Conservation Authorities has been the program and
services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of
natural resources on a watershed scale. After the devastating floods of Hurricane
Hazel, the mandate to control floods and pollution was added.

5. Floodplains and drinking water cannot be managed if Conservation Authorities are
not looking at the whole watershed system. Protecting people and property and
managing natural hazards like flooding requires a watershed view. Anything less is futile.

6. Conservation Authorities are major providers of restoration activities (tree planting,
wetland restoration, forest management) and monitoring watershed health in
Ontario.

7. The natural environment contributes clean air, clean water and a multitude of
benefits important to the health and well-being of the people of Ontario. These services are more critical today than 70 years ago, and will continue to be critical as our climate continues to change.

8. I believe the province should include an additional mandatory program area of
“conservation of natural resources”, in addition to the four included in proposed amendments, to capture some of the core programs and services that are essential to the watershed management role of Conservation Authority work.

9. Conservation areas and lands provide opportunities for recreation as well as long
term protection of natural areas. CAs need the resources to manage these lands and
provide for Ontario’s growing population - to protect the health and well-being of Ontario's citizens.