As a Certified Ecosystem…

As a Certified Ecosystem Restoration Practitioner in Training (CERPIT) matters relating to the environment and conservation are of the utmost importance to me. Conservation Authorities exist to protect property from flooding, ensure clean drinking water for locals and provide habitat corridors for our wildlife. Conservation Authorities should never fast track development at the risk of environmental protection and public safety. I believe that the proposed merger will undermine the ability of Conservation Authorities to provide these key services.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has said it very well - there is insufficient reasoning for this proposed change to go forward. I am concerned about the erosion of local decision making. Municipal funding provides the lion's share of funding for Conservation Authorities, so I am lost as to why the provincial government is involving itself for so-called 'efficiency'. HCA already provides excellent and efficient service. The government's wording of 'efficiency' are vague and unsupported. Mergers are most certainly not financially efficient.

Instead of merging the entire system, please listen to the experts at HCA and their suggestions for Ontario to achieve better results:

1. Setting clear, consistent provincial standards across all conservation authorities, and holding everyone accountable to them.

2. Investing in shared technology, such as the provincial permitting portal, within the current structure.

3. Providing stable provincial funding to strengthen core programs and modernize operations

I support keeping conservation decisions rooted in our local community.