The proposed unification of…

The proposed unification of procedural practices, rationalization of jurisdictional coverage and improved management oversight for conservation authorities are long overdue measures. The patchwork of policies and procedures currently in place is highly inefficient and maddening to attempt to navigate. The small, fragmented coverages of the CAs in their current form means multiple different sets of rules and procedures can apply within the boundaries of a single municipality.
CAs have expanded greatly beyond their original purpose, and seem to have expanded for their own benefit and purposes, rather than in service of the public interest. CAs should be regularly held to account just as any other public service, whether they like it or not.
The bureaucratic overreach and overgrowth of programs deemed necessary only by the CAs was made possible by a lack of an interested superior governing authority and regular oversight.
A further issue with the CAs as the currently exist is their ability to levy their member municipalities without any real accountability for their spending. Program spending and priorities are dictated by the CAs whether the municipalities and citizens are in agreement or not.
CAs are typically one of the largest landowners within a municipality, but pay no property taxes, and own lands far in excess of what is required to serve their mandated role. If there is not an articulable justification for why they should own a specific parcel of land, to serve the purpose of fulfilling their mandate, they should be required to divest part or all of it.