I am very concerned with…

I am very concerned with this proposal as it is the latest action by the Ontario government to undermine the effectiveness and relevance of conservation authorities. Past changes to conservation authority mandates have challenged their survival. The proposed regional consolidation will further diminish conservation authorities' critical role at a time where the Ontario government has all but abandoned it's responsibilities for a healthy environment. Over the past decades conservation authorities have filled the void left by an increasingly inaccessible and ineffective Ministry of Natural Resources and more recently the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Conservation authorities are the only remaining publicly accessible and engaging conservation organization in the province. In the case of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA), local staff have demonstrated tremendous leadership and success in areas such as floodplain mapping, stewardship and invasive species control. These successes are the result of a community-based approach involving many local partnerships. How this would be improved by consolidating the LRCA with conservation authorities 100's of kilometers away with very different challenges and realities is unclear. In addition, how will these new regional conservation authorities remain accountable to the municipalities they serve. It is highly likely that the smaller, more remote conservation authorities (e.g. LRCA) will have a diminished voice in the proposed organizations. The loss of or the reduction in the effectiveness of the LRCA would be a major blow for conservation in the Thunder Bay area. If the Ontario government was serious about enhancing the effectiveness of all conservation authorities, it would provide increased financial support and recognize the important role these "local" organizations play. We need more oversight and community engagement as we try to deal with a increasingly volatile environment. Fast tracking development without an eye on the natural world has led us to a precipice. This proposal does nothing to improve our chances of living in a healthy environment in the future.