The powers of Conservation Authorities have been dangerously eroded by the ON gov. This amalgamation proposal will reduce their powers further placing the people & environment at high risk of disasters, with potential for pollution entering waters that sustain life & recreation. This merger will put the health & safety of all of Ontarians at risk. We are gravely concerned that the amalgamation risks public safety. There are several examples of amalgamations which leaves the concerns of small local areas unheard & therefore vital issues not dealt with. This is dangerous.
- The amalgamation will be costly. CAs are currently underfunded. They should be allowed or mandated to review & comment on ALL development proposals & charge a fee for the service.
- Amalgamating CAs will require staffing changes, which will delay important projects in progress, this delay may put communities in danger. The training time for these positions will be significant.
- The TRCA is currently underfunded, several sites require serious maintenance including the very important & popular Black Creek Village, the Kortright Centre requires sewer connections & the Claireville Dam on the Humber River has a large crack in it that if not fixed puts everyone downstream at risk of a serious disaster if the damn should brake. Perhaps the Ontario Government should focus on funding these issues rather than the costly amalgamation.
- CofT requested ON gov contribute financially to Rockcliffe Riverine Flood Mitigation Project. The worst flooded area in the GTA & the water in Black Creek the most polluted. They did not, which leaves us questioning if the ON gov should take charge of any environmental issues.
- Leave the CAs as they are. Improvements can be made without implementing this amalgamation plan.
- Reinstating public consultations removed in Bill 23 will help the proposed larger CAs make more informed decisions.
- Schedule 2 of Bill 23 must be reconsidered & CAs participation & influence in the planning process be reinstated. This will help ensure the best decisions for the people of Ontario.
- This is expensive. Rebranding alone will be costly, taxpayers are stretched financially. Food banks are experiencing the highest numbers of users recorded & donations down. Rent is also record high & homelessness. Why should their taxes pay for this unnecessary & dangerous plan? Redirect this money to education, health & social services. The only winners with this plan will be developers, industry, & miners the losers are the people of Ontario who will be endangered.
- Multiply by many times the amount of water testing locations & scope of testing to provide more solid science for the government overseers who are making decisions without a science background or familiar with local issues.
- Ontario’s CAs are world renowned & provide outstanding education & experiences to all ages. Science shows that it is good for people’s mental & physical health. These are best managed by local people who know the area well. That may be lost with the vast boundaries that are proposed with this proposal.