I believe the consolidation…

I believe the consolidation of the 36 Conservation Authorities (CAs) is a terrible idea for the following reasons and is just another ploy by the Ford Government to remove power from communities and impose control from Queen’s Park.
● The CAs are largely funded and managed by the municipalities. The creation of a large, centralized bureaucracy to oversee the consolidated CAs would would diminish municipal officials' control over conservation issues in their communities. Essentially, municipalities would be losing their authority over an entity that they pay for which is grossly unfair;
● There is already significant collaboration between many CAs through shared programs, technical partnerships and joint projects especially in more remote and rural areas where resources are limited;
● Longstanding relationships that existing CAs have fostered with local stakeholders including private landowners, volunteers, land trusts and Indigenous communities is vital for effective communication and response to local conservation issues. A distant, more centralized bureaucracy is likely to be less responsive and familiar with local conditions, making it more difficult for “front- line staff” to address stakeholders’ issues and inquiries.