Who has the ultimate…

Who has the ultimate authority to approve these changes? The public apparently have the right to "comment" here, but will such comments actually be taken into account in the decision-making process? Should there not be a true consultation process enabling the public, individually and as groups, to influence the final decision?

Personally, given the opportunity, I would oppose this change in no uncertain terms. The comments on the announcement posted in Facebook indicate that I am not alone. The formation of such regional conservation authorities will inevitably result in reduced efficiency, transparency and accountability. We need conservation authorities that are approachable and that have local knowledge of conditions and geography. As a frequent user of conservation lands based in Quinte West, I appreciate the opportunity to contact individual staff at the Lower Trent Conservation Authority when I have questions or concerns. A regional authority would lack the local knowledge and engagement needed to address issues specific to our area. This has already been demonstrated to me by my occasional dealings with Parks Canada in Peterborough. Incidentally, I note that the description of the regional authority that would include my area (Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority), includes the words "Primarily based on the eastern portion of the Northern Lake Ontario and Niagara River Secondary Watershed". Based on the boundaries shown on the accompanying map, I find it hard to understand the connection with the Niagara River.

Add to this the widely-held suspicion that this reorganisation is part of the Provincial Government's efforts to neutralise the interests of conservation and environmental activists, to the advantage of developers who already are subject to far too little oversight, and it will be clear why many of us are gravely concerned about the potential consequences of this reorganisation.

Please ensure that the public and independent environmental bodies are given a genuine opportunity to make their voices heard and that those voices are taken into account in the decision-making process surrounding this proposed reorganisation.