Protesters rally against province’s proposal to merge conservation authorities

Protests took place in Dundas on Sunday over the provincial government’s proposal to slash the number of conservation authorities from 36 to seven.

The concern from locals stems from potential development taking over natural resources.

According to the provincial government’s proposal, the current system creates undue delays for builders, land owners, and farmers seeking permits and undermines conservation authorities’ ability to protect their communities from floods and natural hazards.

Protesters we spoke to say they think implementing the proposal could choke out natural wetlands.

Save our Streams Hamilton says the protests over how the Greenbelt was handled and how those efforts resulted in a reversal of that policy give them inspiration that Sunday’s efforts will help stop the amalgamation.

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“There’s 80 years of knowledge just in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area of experts that have worked in this area for years and years and years. Know about the flood zones, know how climate change is affecting things,” said Save our Streams volunteer, Martha Howatt.

This is where their concern begins. If Ontario’s conservation authorities are cut from 36 to 7. Local groups will have less control and say, in how things are managed. This will also lead to what they say is a fast track to permits and development, which will destroy natural areas.

Save our Streams Hamilton is concerned that if this deal goes through, it will affect the watershed in Hamilton, and that includes drinking water and flooding.

“The hope is that other places around the province will start protesting and our voices will be heard, and maybe at some point the provincial government will listen to us,” said Howatt.

The Environmental Registry of Ontario is currently accepting feedback from the public directly on this proposal. However, the deadline for submissions is Monday, December 22nd.

Co-founder of Save our Streams, Nancy Hurst says, “people are really encouraged to consider continuing to email, contacting however they can their MPPs, urging them to stop this.”

The Ontario government has not outlined a set date or timeline for a decision to be made.

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