I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my opposition to the Province’s proposal to fundamentally restructure Ontario’s Conservation Authorities by eliminating locally governed authorities and replacing them with a small number of large, provincially controlled regional agencies.

This proposal represents the most significant overhaul of environmental governance in Ontario in approximately 80 years. It raises serious concerns for communities across Eastern Ontario and throughout the province, particularly rural municipalities, landowners, farmers, and residents who rely on Conservation Authorities for effective, science-based watershed management.

LOSS OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND EXPERTISE

Conservation Authorities were created, funded, and governed by municipalities to manage natural systems based on watershed boundaries. Removing local governance risks disconnecting decision-making from the people and landscapes most affected by those decisions. Local staff possess deep knowledge of regional soils, drainage patterns, flood risks, erosion hazards, and land-use pressures. This on-the-ground expertise cannot be easily replaced or centralized without compromising public safety and environmental protection.

WATERSHED-BASED SCIENCE SHOULD NOT BE UNDERMINED

Watersheds are grounded in science, not political convenience. Flooding, erosion, drought, and water quality issues follow rivers and landscapes, not municipal or provincial administrative boundaries. Conservation Authorities exist precisely because watershed-based management is essential to protecting people, property, and ecosystems. Consolidation into large regional agencies risks weakening this science-based approach.

RURAL COMMUNITIES RISK MARGINALIZATION

Large regional agencies dominated by urban centres could marginalize rural voices and priorities. Rural communities face distinct challenges related to agriculture, drainage, floodplain management, and natural heritage stewardship. Strong rural representation must be maintained, not diluted, in any governance model.

RISK TO CONSERVATION LANDS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

Conservation lands across Ontario were built through decades of community donations, municipal investment, and local partnerships. Transferring these lands to distant provincial control undermines public trust and risks eroding the local stewardship that has made these lands successful and valued. Communities expect conservation lands to remain locally managed and protected for future generations.

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, FUNDING CLARITY, AND EVIDENCE

The proposal advances without clear cost information, transition plans, or evidence that consolidation would improve outcomes. Provincial funding currently represents only about 3% of Conservation Authority operations, which does not reflect an equal partnership with municipalities. Any restructuring or consolidation must be fully funded by the Province so municipal tax dollars are not redirected away from essential local services.

CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT WHILE PROTECTING COMMUNITIES

In Eastern Ontario, Conservation Authorities provide timely reviews and permitting that support housing, infrastructure, and responsible development while ensuring public safety. Local, responsive authorities are well positioned to balance growth with environmental protection.

A BETTER PATH FORWARD

Modernization, accountability, and transparency can and should occur without dismantling local governance. Conservation Authorities are committed to working collaboratively with municipalities, residents, farmers, and Indigenous communities. This cooperative model should be strengthened, not replaced.

If amalgamations are considered, they should be voluntary, appropriately scaled, science-based, and fully funded by the Province. Communities also want to see the Province return to an equal funding partnership with municipalities to demonstrate that environmental protection is a genuine priority.

For these reasons, I urge the Province to reconsider this proposal and work collaboratively with municipalities and Conservation Authorities to improve, rather than dismantle, Ontario’s watershed-based environmental management system.