I oppose the proposed…

I oppose the proposed changes.

Conservation Authorities work best when decisions are made close to the land and the people affected. Local knowledge of soils, drainage, flood risk, and land use is critical to safe and sustainable development. Watershed-based boundaries are grounded in science, not convenience, and should be preserved.

Conservation Authorities in Eastern Ontario deliver timely reviews and permitting that support housing and infrastructure. Rural communities need strong representation and should not be marginalized in large regional systems. Conservation lands were built through community donations and partnerships and should remain locally stewarded.

People expect their governments to take environmental priorities seriously — and that includes funding them properly. Provincial funding now represents only about 3% of Conservation Authority operations; this is not an equal partnership. Any restructuring or consolidation must be fully funded by the Province, so municipal tax dollars are not redirected away from local services. Communities want to see the Province return to an equal funding partnership with municipalities.

Modernization can and should happen without dismantling local governance. If amalgamations are pursued, they should be voluntary, appropriately scaled, and fully funded. Conservation Authorities are committed to working collaboratively with municipalities, residents, farmers, and Indigenous communities — and this cooperative model should be strengthened, not replaced.