Conservation areas form a…

Conservation areas form a core part of many individuals' relationships with nature. The fact that they are closely linked to local municipalities and focused on specific areas' needs means that these conservation areas can serve not only the public, but also nature with specificity and care. By combining conservation areas into larger authorities, you lose the this specialization and focus on local ecosystems. How can an individual from the York Region truly understand what a wetland in the Kawartha Highlands needs for conservation? The answer is that they cannot. They understand what a watershed in the York Region needs. This is why conservation areas are small and municipally specific - so workers can provide the best care for the land and the people they know best. While this proposal states that it is still following watershed guidelines, it neglects to understand that smaller-scale conservation focused on local ecosystems and habitat is increasingly important as we begin to face habitat loss and transformation due to climate change.

This proposal will not speed up housing, but rather further chip away the rights of endangered and non-endangered species. Ontario has some of the most beautiful nature in Canada and it would be a shame and a disservice of the Ontario government to neglect its protection.