By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Time is running out for citizens to have a say on the government’s plan to consolidate Ontario’s conservation authorities.
Bill 68, dubbed as the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, has already received Royal Assent in the Ontario Legislature. Included in the bill are provisions enabling the government to merge Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional authorities. Under the legislation, the province will be also be creating a new overarching body called the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.
Final approvals would see the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority merged into the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority. Reaching all the way from the Grand River near Kitchener, to Grand Bend on Lake Huron, to Windsor, it would blend eight existing conservation authorities and include 81 municipalities.
It is unknown how the current eight boards of directors will be governed in the future.
The merger hasn’t been discussed at Chatham-Kent council yet, but it’s coming up on the agenda at the Dec. 15 meeting.
At least one Chatham-Kent councillor is against the merger.
“It’s like living in the 90s all over again,” East Kent Coun. John Wright told The Voice. Wright was a member of Ridgetown council in 1998 when the province forced the consolidation of 22 municipalities to create Chatham-Kent.
“It looks like the same thing…I don’t think it’s going to be good,” he said. “They say they’re not going to cut staff but I think you have to read between the lines.”
Wright suggests residents lobby the province to let officials know they don’t approve.
“This is serious,” Wright added.
Genevieve Champagne, LTVCA manager of conservation lands and services, said area residents can submit comments on the matter until Dec. 22. Those wanting to provide input are asked to access the Environmental Registry of Ontario online.
For more information view:
LTVCA Board Resolution on Provincial Plan to Consolidate · Lower Thames
