I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my concern and disagreement with the Province of Ontario’s proposal to create a new Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency and to merge the province’s 36 conservation authorities into seven large regional authorities.

Conservation authorities have been most effective when they are locally governed, locally accountable, and deeply familiar with the unique environmental, hydrological, and community needs of their watersheds. The proposed merger of the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) with neighboring authorities into a single regional body spanning from Niagara to Peel would significantly reduce this local focus. A single authority responsible for 28 municipalities and approximately 2.8 million residents risks becoming overly centralized, less responsive, and disconnected from local priorities.

The HCA has a long history of successful watershed management, conservation, flood control, and environmental education tailored specifically to the Hamilton region. These outcomes are the result of local expertise, strong municipal partnerships, and governance structures that reflect the communities served. Merging HCA into a much larger regional authority could dilute this expertise, slow decision-making, and undermine the effectiveness of conservation efforts on the ground.

Environmental challenges vary widely across regions, and a one-size-fits-all governance model is unlikely to improve outcomes. Instead, it may introduce unnecessary bureaucracy while weakening the local stewardship that conservation authorities were designed to provide.

I urge the Province to reconsider this proposal and to engage meaningfully with municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, and residents before moving forward. Strengthening conservation efforts should build on what is already working, not dismantle proven, locally responsive systems.