Where’s The “Conservation”?

The Provincial Government of Ontario is attempting to remove virtually all power of provincial/regional/municipal Conservation Authorities to conserve anything. All under the premise that we need “more housing” (note that the reference never includes the term, “affordable”).

Legislative and regulation changes under the Conservation Authorities Act to streamline processes, provide clarity and certainty for development, and focus on conservation authorities’ natural hazards mandate.

Environmental Registry of Ontario

While the description looks like something most would support, the reality is quite different; the proposed regulation would limit Conservation Authorities from reviewing/commenting (read: “protecting”) on any of the following:

• The Aggregate Resources Act
• The Condominium Act
• The Drainage Act
• The Endangered Species Act
• The Environmental Assessment Act
• The Environmental Protection Act
• The Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
• The Ontario Heritage Act
• The Ontario Water Resources Act
• The Planning Act

This means any protected land, species at risk, wetlands, farmland, or our aquifers, could essentially be dug up, filled in, paved over in the name of “progress”; building more un-affordable residences and commercial properties.

This is a viable threat to not only our environment, but our lives/livelihood. We encourage everyone to share this information, raise your voice, speak with your municial, provincial & federal representatives, and contact the ERO with your concerns! https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6141#connect-with-us