My family lives a short walk…

My family lives a short walk from the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and visits the trail system on a regular basis. Our local conservation authority protects, restores and manages this precious natural resource with… as its name suggests… conservation in mind…. Meaning preserving this natural area for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
We have heard that the present provincial government has plans to amalgamate 36 provincial conservation areas into 7. This appears to be another step Premier Ford is taking to seize these protected lands. If this happens the knowledge held by present Conservation Authority professionals will be lost.
The government appointed bureaucrats who are put in charge of the 7 areas will not have conservation interests in mind but instead will pave the way for protected areas to be carved up for development. The approval process for development will be streamlined and our conservation areas will be gutted. The companies who will come into possession of these lands will likely be the same buddy cronies Mr. Ford has assisted before in their efforts to gain control of our public lands.

My family and our friends and neighbours DO NOT support the proposed merger!
Below are five reasons why we are against the merger.

1. The Province has not provided evidence showing why the merger is needed.
The plan notes that a regional approach is required to address inefficiency and streamline permit approvals, but doesn’t provide details on where existing CAs are falling short. We believe issues like inconsistent service or outdated systems can be addressed without restructuring the entire conservation system.
2. Local decision-making will be harder to maintain.
Currently, Hamilton and Puslinch fund approximately 35% of HCA’s work and have a direct say in watershed decisions. The Province contributes less than 1%. In a 28-municipality organization, our local voice will carry less weight, but municipalities will still be funding the work.
3. Mergers are expensive, and there’s no funding plan.
Bringing together conservation lands, visitor services, memberships, staff structures, and IT systems would be a major undertaking. The Province has not explained who will pay for these costs or how combining the systems will save money down the line.
4. HCA already provides efficient, reliable service.
In 2024, 94% of major permits were processed on time, meeting or exceeding provincial expectations. The focus should be on improving resources where needed, not reorganizing authorities that already perform well.
5. Strong conservation depends on local relationships.
For more than six decades, HCA’s conservation efforts have been supported by deep, local partnerships with municipalities, community groups, landowners, volunteers, foundations, and Indigenous partners. A larger, more removed agency could erode the local collaboration that makes conservation effective.
6. Key details remain unknown.
Governance, costs, timing, staffing, land management, branding, and community impact have not been explained, which leaves the potential effects of the merger uncertain.

Unfortunately Premier Ford has lost my confidence when it comes to making decisions on resources that are supposed to belong the public. One example that keeps coming up in the news is his misguided approach to the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. His excuse for closing its present location (issues with the roof) have since been proven to be erroneous. His proposed new location being so much smaller than the original means the new science centre will be only a shadow of its former self. I wonder whether his interest in moving the Science Centre was more based in the fact that the land it was located on is prime real estate likely highly sought after by many of his land developer friends.

Another example of Mr. Ford’s untrustworthiness in terms of conservation is his mishandling of the green belt lands early in his term. A further example of misleading the public in favour of the interests of big land developers.

Our conservation lands are precious and irreplaceable. We cannot allow them to fall under the control of those who do not have the foresight to understand just how delicate they are and how carving them up will ultimately destroy them and the creatures that call them home.

Please do not let this amalgamation take place.