I, strongly oppose the…

I, strongly oppose the proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities.

The proposed changes will erode accountability and local services, impose significant costs on taxpayers, and cause delays for landowners, builder and developers.

Conservation Authorities are an integral part of our communities. They provide many programs and services including but not limited to:

• Outdoor recreation opportunities
• Emergency flood management
• Rural and urban stewardship funding for landowners
• Agricultural programs for local farmers
• Experiential learning through education initiatives
These services are vital and cannot be effectively delivered under a consolidated model.

If this transition proceeds, local accountability will be severely diminished. From Kitchener-Waterloo to Windsor, small municipalities and rural areas will lose their voices and may be forced to pay for services that are no longer relevant.

While Ontario’s housing needs are clear, consolidating 36 Conservation Authorities into seven is not the solution. For example, the proposed Lake Erie Region Conservation Authority (LERCA) would encompass eight watersheds and 80 municipalities, each relying on local expertise to protect investments and manage development. Consolidation will create delays, as decisions move to a higher level agency, preventing local planners from working directly with developers and builders.

Please consider pausing this consolidation and keeping local watershed decisions in the hands of local decision-makers.