The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture has concerns with possible changes that might make it easier to close schools in the Bluewater School Board.
The province is proposing to streamline the accommodation review process. Proposed changes include reducing the number of public meetings from four to two.
Bruce Federation President Patrick Jilesen says people need to be heard on an issue as serious as closing a school.
"The Bruce Federation has always been a big proponent of open and honest dialogue and with that comes as much discussion as possible on any issue," says Jilesen. "In this case we'd be very concerned that dialogue, that opportunity for discussion is somewhat hindered."
Jilesen says the Bruce Federation believes schools with low enrolment could be used as community hubs for a variety of uses, as opposed to closing them.
