In an article for CBC news, RISE Principal Investigator Prof. Michael Drescher expresses concern over the Ontario government’s plan to consolidate provincial conservation authorities from the current number of 36 to seven. The government’s proposed legislation would further aim to establish a new provincial agency to oversee the amalgamated group.
Michael expresses concern for what this amalgamation could mean for conservation authorities. Conservation authorities have already had to deal with a lack of funding since at least 2019, when the provincial government cut their funding by 50 per cent. Given the reduced funding, conservation authorities have suffered in the services they’ve been able to provide, although Michael noted they have been doing their best to serve our communities.
Conservation authorities play an important environmental role in the province, including among others:
- Watershed management
- Erosion control
- Flood forecasting and warning
- Water-level monitoring
- Stewardship
On The Morning Edition – K-W with Craig Norris, Michael further elaborates on the role conservation authorities play in regulating flood zones and ensuring housing isn’t built in flood plains. Funding cuts and the proposed amalgamation risk jeopardizing the important services conservation authorities provide even further.