To whom it may concern, I am…

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express concerns regarding Ontario’s proposed regional consolidation of Conservation Authorities. While I recognize the importance of efficiency and coordination in environmental governance, I am concerned that large-scale consolidation risks undermining the core strengths that have made Conservation Authorities effective for decades.

Conservation Authorities are fundamentally watershed-based organizations. Watersheds are unique in their hydrology, land use pressures, ecological functions, and community relationships. Consolidation across multiple watersheds risks diluting this place-based approach, making it harder to respond effectively to local flooding, erosion, water quality challenges, and climate-driven impacts. Decisions made at a broader regional scale may not adequately reflect the ecological realities of individual watersheds.

Local municipal representation and community knowledge are critical to sound environmental decision-making. Consolidation could reduce meaningful local input and weaken accountability to the communities most affected by Conservation Authority decisions. Strong local governance helps ensure that conservation, development review, and risk management decisions are informed by on-the-ground conditions and local priorities.

Conservation Authorities provide essential services, including flood forecasting and warning, natural hazard management, permitting and development review, stewardship programs, and conservation land management. Structural changes of this magnitude risk service disruption, staff loss, and reduced institutional knowledge at a time when climate change is increasing demands on these services. Any reform must clearly demonstrate how service levels will be maintained or improved during and after transition.

Consolidation raises important questions about funding allocation, cost-sharing among municipalities, and financial transparency. Municipalities and residents need assurance that locally raised funds will continue to support local watershed needs, rather than being redistributed in ways that disadvantage smaller or higher-risk watersheds. Clear, transparent funding frameworks are essential.

Conservation Authorities play a key role in protecting wetlands, woodlands, river corridors, and species at risk. Strong, locally informed science and enforcement are essential to prevent incremental habitat loss. Any restructuring must explicitly safeguard—and ideally strengthen—the role of Conservation Authorities in natural heritage protection and biodiversity conservation.

In summary, I urge the Province to reconsider broad regional consolidation and instead pursue reforms that strengthen Conservation Authorities’ watershed-based mandate, local governance, scientific capacity, and environmental protection role. Meaningful consultation with municipalities, Conservation Authorities, Indigenous communities, and the public is essential before proceeding with changes that could have long-term consequences for Ontario’s watersheds and natural heritage.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this important matter.