I agree with the comments…

I agree with the comments submitted by the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) to the ERO regarding this subject. I am concerned that the proposed changes will lead to reduced local decision-making. Centralization under a provincial agency with less control from local boards could lead to a situation where municipal funding is being spent under provincial direction without proper oversight from local municipalities. While I would support an investment in shared technology such as a provincial permitting portal, I believe that this can be done within the framework of the current conservation authorities without the need to merge them. In addition, the province has not yet said it will cover the cost of merging existing conservation authorities, which could lead to increased costs being placed on municipalities without a clear long-term financial or conservation benefit to those same municipalities. I am also concerned as I believe that strong conservation depends on maintaining strong local relationships--the current more local conservation authorities are the most knowledgeable on their areas and already have relationships built with key stakeholders. My local conservation authority, the HCA, has been an active organization in my community and already provides efficient, reliable, and community-tailored services; I fail to see, and the province has failed to provide, clear evidence that merging the HCA with multiple other conservation authorities would benefit the conservation efforts in my municipality.