I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the consolidation of the Conservation Authorities and the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Authority that would remove decision-making from local experts and municipalities.

Loss of Local Expertise - Geographical variation, local ecosystems, local climate and weather patterns all require local expertise. Removing local knowledge from key decisions will leave communities more exposed to flooding.

Voice of Indigenous peoples muted - existing Conservation Authorities have ongoing consultation relationships with Indigenous people within their watershed. Consolidation of Conservation Authorities and the creation of a provincial appointed board for decision-making mutes their input.

Municipalities are being removed from decision-making even though they primarily fund Conversation Authorities.

Prioritizing only efficiency and rapid development ultimately increases the risk and cost from natural hazards like flooding, erosion and drought. Based on previous instances where local expertise has been removed, developer requests are prioritized above environmental and technical considerations. There are many studies that demonstrate that economic losses associated with NOT taking climate adaptation (disaster mitigation) are severe and would have a significant negative impact both short-term and long-term on our economy, health outcomes and maintaining farmland to feed ourselves in the future (report from City of Hamilton). Conservation Authorities with local knowledge, with local municipal input on land use planning, with local consultation of Indigenous peoples give Ontario stable footing in a changing climate.