In my 40+ years of…

In my 40+ years of involvement with watersheds, at the county, municipal, education and conservation authority levels, I have come to realize that “watersheds” can be a difficult concept for people to fully understand. Comprehension is not helped when the phrase “a watershed moment” is used to illustrate ‘turning points’, or ‘momentous occasions’.

But here is a case where that wording use IS appropriate - Bill 68 and the foolhardy attempt by the Ford government to ‘regionalize’ conservation authorities is a ‘watershed moment’ for disassembling “watershed management”.

The negative repercussions of this initiative will be long lasting and a disaster for local decision-making on flood plain management, natural heritage protection, native species preservation and effective climate adaptation. One could argue that a more productive path forward is to change the municipal borders to match watershed boundaries if multiple CA’s in a municipality is REALLY the concern. (I won’t hold my breath on that suggestion).

Urban, rural and agricultural communities alike should be very concerned with this ill advised proposal and should provide comments and concerns
. I find it troubling that this government rushes these “watersheds moments” along quickly in the absence of meaningful consultation, just before holidays set in when most have other priorities in mind. This IS a priority and I for one, will be making my views known and I encourage others to do the same.

By removing and streamlining oversight, enforcement of regulations to protect people and nature, properties will be lost, the economy will tank, health costs will further increase, food production will further decline and food bank use will sky rocket. This shortsighted decision will bankrupt the province as the cost to protect and care for society as a whole significantly increases. Everything is linked together. One poor decision in one area creates huge issues in others

This isn’t knew knowledge but well documented and proven.

Stop making and implementing decisions that mimic what all Canadians are horrified watching south of the border. We are a democracy, not an authoritarian society.