The comment I submitted: The…

The comment I submitted:

The proposed merging of Lakehead RCA with the Ausable Bayfield CA, Maitland Valley CA, Saugeen Valley CA, Grey Sauble CA, Nottawasaga Valley CA, and Lake Simcoe Region CA, is preposterous.

Lakehead RCA is approximately 900km away from those RCAs, across the great lakes. It is a 13.5 hour drive from Lakehead RCA to Simcoe RCA.

How is an RCA spread across such vast distances supposed to adequately serve the entire region? The differences in climate and biome between the Lakehead RCA and the regions it would be merged with are stark as well.

Lakehead RCA is characterized by the Canadian shield, consisting of granite gneiss and other bedrock minerals. It is where the boreal forest is punctuated by swamps, rivers and lakes. It experiences long, dry and extreme cold winters, and moderate summers.

The regions south of Lake Huron, which Lakehead RCA would be merged with, are characterized by the limestone outcrops and fertile soils. Its forests are interspersed with a much larger variety of deciduous trees, and are punctuated by farmland and vast floodplains. They experience short, mild winters(relative to RCA), with abundant precipitation in the form of lake effect snow. The summers there are characterized by the heat and opressive humidity.

Now do I think that a realignment of conservation authorities is a bad idea? No. I think that there can be something to be gained by merging resources for RCAs operating in close proximity, and thus biomes, to eachother.

However, thoughtful consideration need to be taken to ensure that each region receives the due care and consideration they deserve. If the province of Ontario moves forward with the plan to merge Lakehead RCA with the previously mention southern RCAs, it is just more proof of how the needs of Northwest Ontario are always dismissed by the provincial government.