Proposed boundaries for the…

Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities

My Comments:

As a former watershed planner and a current resident of the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s Turkey Creek Watershed.

The Province’s proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into 7 regional entities under Bill 68, Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025.

The Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities.
**Amalgamating 36 Conservation Authorities into 7 Regional Entities**

NEEDS to be REJECTED – I DO NOT SUPPORT such a venture

FIRST:
How can 36 Conservation Authorities be TAKEN FROM Conservation Ontario? (a proven organization)
How can 36 Conservation Authorities be GIVEN TO the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency? (no structure, no mandate, no accountability – we have no idea what this agency plans on doing)

SECOND:
Environmental Decision Making needs to focus on long-term health and REQUIRES:
LOCAL watershed & sub-watershed understanding (hydrology, ecology, biodiversity)
LOCAL resident knowledge (historic, current, research)
LOCAL sustainable land-use decisions (agriculture, development, infrastructure, recreation, natural spaces)
With 8.9 % Natural land-use cover (wetlands, woodlots), we need local knowledge.

CONCERNS - Questions:
Will ERCA Residents / Municipalities pay for LERCA Projects?
Will ERCA Staff lose their jobs?
Will decisions be maid locally?
Will Public Lands be sold off?
What is this Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency?

ACTIONS - This Provincial Government is:
Weakening or eliminating every piece of Provincial Legislation protecting the environment.
Selling off and sacrificing Ontario’s PUBLIC Natural Spaces
This amalgamation will put nature, property and human life at risk.
No accountability – short term gain – long term pain.

Thank you,