I think this is a good move,…

I think this is a good move, and if good intentions come to fruition will make resources, tools and programs more equitable across CAs. It will improve customer service to residents, as there will be less incidences where residents of the same community receive different services and programs due to proximity to the watershed boundary line. I love the one window permit application process across all CAs. (NEXT up wish list - create a one window permit application across all levels of government, and have governments staff determine what levels of government need to review the permit application and circulate across government departments and agencies depending on the nature of the application. Don't leave that responsibility to the permit applicant to figure out and apply for up to 7 different separate permit applications for one project.)

One concern to be addressed - external funding. How will amalgamating into 7 CAs limit or improve ability to obtain external grant funding for projects from corporate and government. For example: Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority - for grant programs where you can only submit one application per CA, we can currently submit and receive funding for four applications, as four CAs. Once amalgamated, we may be limited to only submit one application, while at the same time, the total value of the grants the funding program issues doesn't increase - limiting ability to bring in external funding for project implementation. Will the MECP oversight agency advocate to provincial and federal funding programs that grant caps are increased, or CAs are eligible to submit more than one grant application to funding programs. Or conversely, augment that potential loss of project revenue generation with an increase to core provincial funding, or other?