In anticipation of the introduction of legislative changes to enable the sweeping and ill-conceived consolidation of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into nine, a broad coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs), individuals and a local elected official are calling on the Government of Ontario to halt this plan and listen to experts and local voices to re-empower the Conservation Authorities.
To date, the Government of Ontario has provided no evidence or business case to justify its planned consolidation of the Conservation Authorities.
“The province has failed to explain why this consolidation is necessary,” said Janet Stavinga, Former Chair, Mississippi-Valley Source Protection Committee, Vice-Chair, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Mayor of Goulbourn Township and Ottawa City Councillor.
“Instead, their desire to push forward with such a drastic consolidation will create more uncertainty and increase risks for our communities. This needs to go back to the drawing board.”
This proposed consolidation limits local decision-making, ignores science-based watershed knowledge, puts our communities at greater risk of flooding and water quality issues, undermines source water protection for our drinking water and dismisses concerns from a broad spectrum of organizations and thousands of residents of Ontario.
“The Conservation Authorities were created to make better land use decisions,” said Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Ontario Nature. “This proposed consolidation undermines their vital role in protecting our communities. We need to empower them to do their work independently as our watershed experts.”
This coalition of organizations and individuals urges the province to work collaboratively and meaningfully with municipalities, Conservation Authorities, First Nations and civil society organizations to develop real solutions that protect public safety, support smart planning, maintain local trust and enable effective watershed management.
“We’ve followed all guidelines, submitted to the ERO, gathered letters of support, and delegated— we are speaking up to get your attention,” said Molly Allaire, Councillor, Town of Amherstburg, Chair, Essex Region Conservation Authority. “The environment does not answer to government decisions; it sets its own boundaries and rules. We are not its masters—we are its stewards, and it is time we start acting like it.”
Click here to read the Conservation Authorities Act.
Click here to read the Government of Ontario’s media release on the proposed changes to the Act.
~ Image: Essex Region Conservation Authority