Why is the government taking…

Why is the government taking away the powers from the Conservation Authorities / Municipalities? When Grey Sauble Conservation went through the amalgamation procedure in 1985 to amalgamate North Grey Region Conservation and Sauble Valley Conservation (to reduce the combined board of 50+ board members). It took a vote from the Authority's Board of Directors (municipal appointments) to make that decision. Then the final step was an "Order in Council" to make the final approval for this amalgamation. Moving forward, this amalgamation saved thousands of dollars in staffing costs condensing the over 50 board members down to a manageable 12 board members where they could meet monthly to manage the CA more efficiently. Cost savings: less mileage paid, less staff administration work and two less job positions equalling more productive work, and less per diem paid. Today, making a larger Authority will be: more subcommittee meetings, more staff work & possible position/s, more costs travelling, another fleet vehicle, new branding costs, more levy dollars equalling more tax payers money going towards something we don't need.

If it is the time of reviewing planning documents that is driving this new amalgamation/legislation, go back to how it use to be in planning. Move the CA's back to umbrella of the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (a better fit) - send cc's of all correspondence to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, send all Subdivision proposals to the Ministry of Natural Resources Engineer Department for their review and approval, go back to creating 5 year proposed Project Files for the MNR to approve what the Conservation Authority does, and go back to funding the Conservation Authorities for the projects the MNR approved. If you want control - this is the only way you can do it and have control over an agency that was created as a "Boots on the Ground" agency that was formed by municipally elected officials that were elected by us - the ratepayer that funds this organization.

This comment is respectfully submitted by an employee of 34 years working for a Conservation Authority. Make sure the current government is doing their historical research before they go off on a tangent looking as if they are creating a new wheel - when this wheel has gone down the road too many times to mention. The original legislation - municipalities made Conservation Authorities with a 51% yes vote - municipalities could dissolve Conservation Authorities the same way.