This change removes local…

This change removes local accountability. The very concept of Canservation Authorities is based on solving watershed problems at the watershed level using local knowledge and expertise. Centralization into regional bodies breaks this association and will especially harm rural communities. Rural communities rely on the work of local Conservation Authorities to protect their drinking water. The Ford governement has clearly forgotten the Walkerton disaster which saw the Ontario Conservatives out of power for an extended period. When the consequences of this bill are felt, doubtless there will be another extended period of absence.

Conservation Authorities are extremely efficient because of the implementation of locally based policies, not a one-size fits all approach. They are very effective at collaborating and sharing knowledge, where appropriate, through the umbrella Conservation Ontario organization and an annual conference

Conservative philosophy is for small government, not the aggregation of power centrally. Although this bill has passed, I hope that the current Conservative government sees sense and returns to its core principles and abandons implementation.