From: Moira Lake Property…

From: Moira Lake Property Owners Association

December 15, 2025

To:
Ric Bresee,
MPP, Hastings—Lennox and Addington,
26A St. Lawrence St. W
P.O. Box 70
Madoc, ON K0K 2K0
Ric.bresee@pc.ola.org

Cc: Premier Doug Ford premier@ontario.ca
Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy minister.mecp@ontario.ca
Marit Stiles, Leader of the NDP MStiles-QP@ndp.on.ca
Mike Shreiner, Leader of the Green Party mschreiner-co@ola.org
Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Liberal Party bonnie@ontarioliberal.ca
Tom Deline, Mayor, Centre Hastings, tdeline@centrehastings.com
Eric Sandford, Deputy Mayor, Centre Hastings, esandford@centrehastings.com
Brad McNevin, Chief Administrative Officer, Quinte Conservation, bmcnevin@quinteconservation.ca
FOCA info@foca.on.ca
________________________________________
Re: ERO #025-1257 - Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities

Introduction and Purpose of Submission

The Moira Lake Property Owners Association (MLPOA) is opposed to the scope and scale of the boundary changes being proposed for the Quinte Conservation Authority and other conservation authorities across Ontario. While we support efforts to improve service delivery and consistency across Ontario, the proposed restructuring poses significant risks to the effective local stewardship required to protect Moira Lake and its surrounding watershed.

About the Moira Lake Property Owners Association

The MLPOA represents over 230 property owners on Moira Lake in Centre Hastings, Ontario. We are dedicated to the health and well-being of Moira Lake, a popular recreation and tourist destination. Lake residents invest almost $14 million annually in the regional economy. This investment is directly connected to the health of the watershed.

Importance of Local Conservation Authority Expertise

Conservation Authorities (CAs) are a valued local presence that provide key stewardship, parks, trails and educational activities, in addition to flood management and regulatory functions, so essential to keeping our area safe.

A regional CA model will diminish the CA partnerships and local presence on the ground. Moira Lake faces distinct and evolving environmental pressures—pressures that Quinte Conservation understands because of its consistent on-the-ground presence. This local expertise cannot be replicated by a large regional structure serving multiple, diverse watersheds.

Consolidation would reduce that presence and create slower, more generalized responses that cannot adequately protect a small lake system that requires close and continuous oversight.

Risks of the Proposed Regional Consolidation

We fully support the goal of enabling responsible housing development in Ontario. However, weakening local watershed management capacity is counterproductive, as healthy lakes, effective flood protection, and stable ecosystems are prerequisites for sustainable community growth. If, as the province asserts, this is about consistency and improved customer service across boundaries, there are many other options available that would be faster to implement and likely more cost effective, while supporting local needs.

This level of disruption and distraction raises concerns that the proposal may unintentionally undermine a system that has served Ontario communities effectively for nearly 80 years.

Summary of Concerns

In summary, while we recognize the need for service improvements and administrative efficiency, the proposed restructuring poses significant risks to the health of Moira Lake and other Ontario watersheds. Local knowledge, local accountability, and locally focused funding are essential to effective watershed management and cannot be replicated under a regionalized model.
We do not think that there can be a successful amalgamation of that many conservation authorities. Some thoughtful and consultative options may benefit smaller or under resourced CAs but should be done with those CAs and their municipalities.

MLPOA Recommendations to the Province

To meet the province’s objectives without compromising watershed health or local accountability, we recommend the following actions:
• Carry out intensive consultations with all parties before introducing a one-size-fits-all approach to this proposal. Meaningful consultation ensures the restructuring reflects real watershed needs and avoids unintended service gaps in local communities.
• Maintain a strong local presence. Local staffing and on-the-ground expertise are essential for timely responses to flooding, erosion, development pressures, and water-quality issues unique to each watershed.
• Maintain municipal appointments to the boards based on population. Population-based representation protects democratic accountability and ensures communities maintain an appropriate voice in decisions affecting their watersheds.
• Maintain local naming of parks and facilities. Local naming preserves community identity, supports tourism, and reinforces the connection between residents and the natural assets they help steward.
• Ensure municipal funds are allocated to their local watersheds. Residents must be confident that their contributions directly support the protection and management of the lakes, rivers, and wetlands in their own community.
• Increase provincial funding to CAs to ensure that they can carry out the work the province requires of them. Stable and adequate provincial funding is necessary to meet mandated responsibilities without reducing essential programs, monitoring, and public services.

Invitation to Engage

We would welcome the opportunity to participate in any consultations or discussions regarding the future of conservation authority governance. MLPOA is committed to working with the province and local municipalities to ensure that watershed protection and community growth remain aligned.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments, and for your attention to this important matter.

President & Lake Steward
Moira Lake Property Owners Association