As a resident of Sault Ste…

As a resident of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, I request that the Province prioritize local representation, local operational control, and protection of northern community interests before moving forward with any restructuring of the conservation authority system.

Local environmental expertise in each individual authority is essential. While your objectives include efficiency, amalgamations risk losing local connections and expertise, leading to reduced responsiveness, slower approvals, and creating confusion - ultimately having the opposite effect of what the government intends.

Conservation authorities have successfully delivered watershed protection for more than 60 years, and changes should strengthen, not weaken, local expertise and accountability.