I do not support this…

I do not support this proposal and predict it will reduce the effectiveness of our conservation authorities and thus endanger Ontarians health and properties.

Local CAs are integrated into their communities and work closely with citizen's groups like field naturalists, marsh conservation groups and land conservancies. We can call them up and know the staff and they respond quickly to concerns re illegal dumping, tree cutting, development, etc. and provide support for our efforts to conserve land. There's a constant dialogue between these groups which is the not the same with the Ministry for example and will not be the same with a distant, larger entity which will have less context, less knowledge of the people on the ground (their expertise) and will take longer to respond. (Projects are rarely delayed by the CA, it is the MECP that creates delays).

Staff working consistently within a watershed have more accurate knowledge than staff constantly switching between them. This will reduce the quality and efficiency of the conservation work as staff work within watersheds with which they are less familiar.

I am also skeptical that job losses will not be seen down the road and experienced staff lost. Overall this is not likely to save the province any money and will instead reduce the quality of our watershed management and monitoring.

We've seen the government water down environmental protections (ESA to SCA; gutting of the EA, Bill 5, etc.) and this is yet another example. The lack of protection of our wetlands, peat bogs, farmland and forests suggests that this government does not understand the science of conservation and how it is essential to supporting all animal (including human) life.

Please let his go and focus on improving healthcare, housing and education like you promised us!.