I oppose the proposed…

I oppose the proposed consolidation of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into seven regional bodies under a new provincial agency (ERO Notice 025-1257). While the government is presenting this as "streamlining," the proposal centralizes power, weakens watershed-based decision-making, and risks turning environmental oversight into a rubber stamp for development interests.

Local conservation authorities provide critical, science-based, on-the-ground expertise in flood prevention, erosion control, and drinking-water protection. Centralizing decisions under a provincial board representing dozens of municipalities undermines accountability and removes decisions from the communities most impacted. The Essex Region Conservation Authority has already warned that governance will become less transparent and less responsive to local needs.

Environmental organizations including Environmental Defence and the David Suzuki Foundation have also raised concerns that recent legislative changes already weaken environmental protections in service of development; this proposal deepens that risk rather than correcting it.

If the government's goal is improving efficiency, the solution is to support existing authorities with shared permitting systems, consistent standards, proper funding, and transparency—not to replace them with a centralized agency removed from local watersheds.

I urge the Ministry to reject this consolidation and retain watershed-based governance that protects communities, water security, and public safety.