What do you see as key…

What do you see as key factors to support a successful transition and outcome of regional conservation authority consolidation?
- Having a longer transition period
- Doing a cost benefit analysis of the cost of each consolidation
- Doing a full business case on consolidating each regional conservation authority and an analysis on how they plan on preventing long response times
- Ensuring rural municipalities have just as much of a voice as urban
- Working with all political parties to ensure that when the provincial government changes, that this change is not scrapped and was not pointless

What opportunities or benefits may come from a regional conservation authority framework?
- There may be some benefits in consolidating some authorities such as Maitland and Saugeen. There are no benefits in consolidating large authorities such as Grand River.
- There are benefits in creating an Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency. Currently the non-profit association Conservation Ontario attempts to provide business development, education and much more but their funding is so small.
- Creating an Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency would align conservation authorities’ procedures and provide conservation authorities a place to ask questions when the Conservation Act is unclear. For example, Sea Walls being approved for some authorities while declined by others due to cumulative environmental impacts. Board Members have no where to go to get further clarification to make a decision when an application is declined and goes to a hearing.
- Many conservation authorities are excellent while other may need more assistance/direction. We should not punish all authorities for the mistakes of a few.
- Creating an Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency could provide more information sharing and increase opportunities for collective agreements. There may also be audits to ensure that each conservation authority is following Conservation Act.

Do you have suggestions for how governance could be structured at the regional conservation authority level, including suggestions around board size, make-up and the municipal representative appointment process?
- Each board of director should not represent more than two municipalities
- Board size should be not more than 18 directors

Do you have suggestions on how to maintain a transparent and consultative budgeting process across member municipalities within a regional conservation authority?
- Doing a cost benefit analysis of the cost of consolidation
- Doing a full business case on consolidating each regional conservation authority

How can regional conservation authorities maintain and strengthen relationships with local communities and stakeholders?
- Currently it is proposed to bring together as many as seven existing conservations into one, this is too many, the maximum should be three existing conservations into one.
- Doing a cost benefit analysis of the cost of consolidation for each consolidation