There are several serious…

There are several serious concerns that I wish to express in regard to the proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act.

First, it seems as if the idea of the "watershed" is being taken out of the equation. Each conservation authority acts to protect a given major watershed, recognizing the specific characteristics and sensitivities of each watershed. Putting each watershed under a blanket regulation appears to be a departure from the current watershed-based regulatory structure. There is no defensible rationale for this. While the proposal speaks to allowing for some discretion among individual Conservation Authorities, it is not at all clear that this would be meaningful.

Second, it appears that a major intent of the proposed changes is to eradicate or greatly weaken the role of the Conservation Authorities in the process of environmental approval at the municipal level. In the current system, municipalities rely on the Conservation Authorities to review and advise in regard to natural heritage impacts of proposed development. While it is not explicit in the proposed changes, reading between the lines certainly suggests that the Conservation Authorities will no longer play this role, and it is not at all clear how this vital role will be filled.

The intent of redefining the term "wetland" is also concerning, as is the phrase "Reduce regulatory restrictions between 30m and 120m of a wetland". Before anyone can provide meaningful comment on this intention, details are needed. There is no scientific rationale that I am aware of that would suggest that these specific measures are necessary. Again, the intent here seems to be to diminish environmental protection to fulfill the "open for business" agenda. This is not what Ontario needs or wants.