I would like to voice my…

I would like to voice my opposition to the proposed merger of conservation authorities in Ontario.

Localised expertise is vital in many aspects of society. No social goal is more localized or site-specific than the environmental and geographic focus of conservation authorities. This consolidation will lead to a loss in local staff who work in the specific region of each conservation authority, and local knowledge that has been developed over the past 80 years.

I have worked closely with the South Nation Conservation Authority on a number of local issues, and have always been impressed by the SNCA's expertise, efficiency and focus. An agency located further away, and with less expertise, will mark a significant loss to what matters.

I am very concerned about this attempt to neuter local, roots-in-the-ground decision-making in favour of a more centralized governance structure. The move will devalue the direct contributions that municipalities have made to the developing the expertise and capacities of the conservation authorities.

In addition, and as a lawyer who has discussed the donation and estate-planned transfer of lands to local conservation authorities with many clients over the years, I am also very concerned that such a change will introduce distant control into localised gifts of land. These gifts were made by people who relied on the continued existence of strong, local and accountable conservation authorities; many individuals and families who have made these gifts in good faith will react vehemently against such a recasting of the conservation authority structure in this area. This will not only be a betrayal of the gift that has been made, it will also be seen as a fundamental attack on the accountability of government agencies.

Finally, it appears that many of these changes are being implemented to expedite the issuance of building permits. While such a development focus may be important in some cases, it cannot displace the fundamental importance of maintaining and improving our environment, in all its aspects. More profit for private development corporations and shareholders should not displace the greater importance of a societal wealth rooted in a growing and thriving natural world. Our kids and grandkids will not thank us for another paved parking lot and concrete building complex; on the other hand, they will forever be indebted if we pass them a world that thrives and grows on principles of natural abundance, in balance with a nurturing human society.