Attempt to weaken conservation authorities is alarming Re: Proposed government changes concern ERCA officials, by Mary Caton, Nov. 25
The Ford government's alarming proposals to weaken the mandate and responsibilities of Ontario's conservation authorities have prompted a justifiable outcry across the province.
I share concerns of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, along with other conservation authorities and a rapidly growing number of municipalities about these sweeping measures.
The balance would definitely be tipped in favour of developers to the detriment of healthy watersheds, making it more difficult to protect wetlands, forests, wildlife habitat and natural areas.
It's time to blow the whistle on provisions that would allow disgruntled developers to appeal conservation authority decisions directly to the natural resources minister or the developer-friendly local planning appeal tribunal.
A proposal that all conservation board members be municipal councillors raises red flags about the loss of citizen representatives who bring expertise and dedication. Board members should act on behalf of the entire watershed, not just the municipality they represent.
One after another, conservation authorities have decried the government's lack of consultation. As for the “extensive feedback” that Environment Minister Jeff Yurek said the government had received, it's disturbing that the cabinet completely disregarded a joint letter to Premier Doug Ford in April endorsed by 112 conservation and environmental organizations underlining the importance of conservation authorities and the need to strengthen them.
The government made matters worse by slipping the changes into an omnibus budget bill, eliminating the opportunity for citizens to comment in the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
These measures being fasttracked through the legislature are rightly described by the Canadian Environmental Law Association as “likely to set back watershed planning and implementation of an ecosystem-based approach by decades.” A virtual emasculation of conservation authorities will not serve Ontarians well. The government should put the brakes on its ill-advised plans.
Gord Mcnulty, Hamilton