Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the province’s proposed amalgamation of conservation authorities (ERO#25-1257).

I am completely opposed to the proposed amalgamation of conservation authorities put forward by the province for the following reasons:

The resulting seven regional conservation authorities will be too large to properly and effectively deliver their programs. To simply drive across the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority will take approximately four hours. For organizations that rely on site inspections and accurate knowledge of the watershed’s resources, for their decision-making regarding permits and watershed planning, this is unacceptable.

It will result in the loss of watershed knowledge and expertise, loss of historical knowledge of past flooding, loss of knowledge related to the operation of water management structures (e.g. dam operation), and loss of knowledge and understanding of operating and maintaining conservation areas and other conservation lands to protect their natural features.

It will impact the existing strong municipal relationships with their local conservation authority, especially related to watershed planning and stewardship initiatives.

The sheer number of municipalities within each of the proposed conservation authorities will not be adequately represented at the regional conservation authority level. The proposed Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency will report to a provincial ministry and be governed entirely by provincial appointed members. There will be a disconnect between municipalities and their responsibility for funding the OPCA’s budget and not having a meaningful role in its governance. It is unacceptable for municipalities to now be responsible for funding a provincial agency. If this amalgamation is to proceed, the province must take on a major portion of funding conservation authorities and their programs.

This is an unnecessary, shortsighted, and costly proposal which will only serve to complicate and reduce the efficiency of conservation authorities. The conservation authorities are well respected both within the province and internationally. The current 36 conservation authorities represent and reflect the uniqueness of each of their watersheds. There is already good communication and coordination between the conservation authorities to ensure appropriate consistency. Conservation Ontario provides this coordination.

I urge you not to proceed with this proposed amalgamation.