The Council for the Township…

The Council for the Township of Hamilton endorses the request of the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority** that the Province pause the proposed consolidation and undertake further consultation, including direct engagement with affected municipalities and conservation authorities through a regional working group.

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority does not support the proposed Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority boundary configuration outlined in Environmental Registry Notice 025-1257.

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority’s local, watershed-based governance model effectively meets community needs while meeting or exceeding provincial service standards and remains accessible and responsive to residents, municipalities, and stakeholders.

Consolidation would result in significant transition costs and time delays, diverting resources from front-line service delivery and risking the loss of local watershed knowledge, trusted relationships, and timely advice for agriculture, development, businesses, and municipal partners.

The proposed regional model would create a geographically vast and administratively complex organization, reducing accountability and responsiveness, particularly if local offices are not maintained, and meaningful modernization can be achieved within the existing watershed-based framework.