The Essex Region Conservation Authority is expressing concerns about the province's proposal to amalgamate all 36 conservation authorities in Ontario into seven regional entities.
At a recent meeting, members of the board raised questions about Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, including accountability, transparency, and service delivery.
The plan to create a single Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency was announced by Environment Minister Todd McCarthy on October 31. The Environmental Registry of Ontario is open for public comment until December 22, and the local authority is urging residents to speak up by calling their MPPs.
Board members also expressed their concerns that the change could result in delays for agriculture and development.
"Builders and farmers rely on timely, locally informed permitting," said CAO Tim Byrne. "Centralizing these functions could create bottlenecks rather than efficiencies. Local developers value direct access to ERCA staff who have been instrumental in finding creative solutions to complex challenges. Planners and engineers also depend on being able to discuss designs with local experts, not teams located up to three hours away."
The proposed model would see a board representing up to 80 municipalities. The proposal would create a new Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority stretching from Windsor to the Waterloo region. ERCA Board Chair Molly Allaire fears it will dilute accountability and transparency.
"Local knowledge is not just valuable, it's essential," she said. "Our local community faces unique environmental challenges that cannot be addressed with a one-size-fits-all approach."
The board also raised questions about how local expert knowledge will be accessed by emergency management should there be another flood.
After discussion, the board unanimously passed a resolution against the proposed merger.
