ERCA board and staff voice concerns with province’s amalgamation proposal

Provincial legislation that would, in part, merge Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven, has met with pushback from the local conservation authority.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) board of directors met and had a lengthy debate on Bill 68 and voted to oppose the proposed boundary configuration that would see the Essex County and Windsor region become part of the “Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority.”

That new authority would also include the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (CA), the St. Clair Region CA, the Upper Thames River CA, Kettle Creek CA, Catfish Creek CA, Long Point Region CA and the Grand River CA, and stretch as far as the Guelph area.

The Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) would be created as part of the process, should the legislation be passed.

The ERCA board passed a lengthy resolution put forth by chair Molly Allaire, an Amherstburg councillor, which in part stated, that ERCA has already undertaken “significant modernization work aligned with provincial objectives” such as implementing a digital permitting and inspection system, improvements in transparency and client communication, improvements to data and network systems, doing internal reviews to identify opportunities for savings and efficiencies, and the conversion of redundant support and non-mandatory positions to front-line mandatory positions.

The motion stated that a vast geographical area could link areas with little watershed connection or economic alignment and dilute local accountability and municipal partnership. Other concerns in the motion included “substantial” transition costs and greater uncertainty and delay for builders, developers and farmers.

The board agreed to the resolution in the motion that opposed the creation of the “Lake Erie Conservation Authority” and called for “further provincial evaluation of a more focused specific model as a geographically coherent, cost-effective and locally accountable alternative that advances the government’s priorities of efficiency, red-tape reduction and timely housing delivery.”

Board members not only criticized the proposed legislation, they urged each other to spread the word of their concerns. 

LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata said the new conservation area would go from nine member municipalities to 81. 

“I have a problem with this,” he said. “I don’t think it’s workable.”

Akpata also questioned how decisions made in Windsor-Essex County would resonate in places like London or Guelph. He added he was cynical about the legislation and called for ERCA to “challenge the legislation.”

“I am disheartened with the fact the provincial government would do this,” he said.

Windsor councillor Kieran McKenzie called it “atrocious legislation” and said it was the board’s job to stand up and defend the work they do.

“I’m appalled by the legislation that was brought forward,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie believed it could lead to decisions being made elsewhere “with different levels of accountability” that impact this area.

Lakeshore councillor Ryan McNamara didn’t believe the pledge by the province that there wouldn’t be any jobs lost.

“I’ll be blunt. It will lead to job losses,” he claimed.

McNamara feared the move to merge conservation areas will eventually lead to homes and businesses in areas that could be flooded. He also called for more information on the proposal.

“When I first saw the announcement from the province, I was shocked,” he said.

Windsor councillor and ERCA vice chair Jim Morrison encouraged colleagues and the public to “stay vocal” on the subject. He pointed out the programming that is offered at conservation areas and feared losing it.

“Let’s all stick together and support ERCA,” Morrison said.

CUPE Local 3784 president Lisa Limarzi, who represents unionized workers with ERCA, told the board they are “deeply concerned” with the legislation. She said if an office is not maintained in the region, staff could face relocation. Staff could choose to retire or seek other employment, and take their expertise on local matters with them. The “uncertainty” around the proposed legislation could lead to a “mass exodus,” she stated.

“CUPE will continue to fight for workers and local conservation,” she said, adding on a pair of occasions that feedback can be left online at ero.ontario.ca/notice/025/1257. 

ERCA CAO Tim Byrne said it was “heartwarming” to hear support of local conservation from staff. He called for more support from municipalities and the public. He said he, and other conservation authority CAO’s, found out Oct. 31 and has already met with Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, the parliamentary assistant for the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

“It was open and honest dialogue,” said Byrne. 

Byrne added “there are things here that destroy local accountability, local transparency and local investment” and “there has been zero consultation about any of this.”

Alexandru Cioban, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, said the province is taking steps to help conservation authorities provide quicker results for communities.

“Our government is taking action to empower conservation authorities to deliver faster and more efficient outcomes for the communities they serve. As part of this framework, we are consulting on consolidating 36 existing conservation authorities into seven regional watershed-based authorities – which will help inform next steps,” Cioban said in a statement to the River Town Times. “To be clear, conservation authorities will continue to provide the same programs and services they deliver today. This includes protecting people and property from natural hazards, safeguarding sources of drinking water, and managing conservation lands, trails, and other recreational and educational facilities. Their mandate, service areas, and funding models will remain unchanged, and boards will continue to be municipally appointed.”

In the original Oct. 31 provincial announcement, it stated: “Ontario currently has a fragmented system of 36 conservation authorities, each of which have different policies, standards, fees and levels of staffing and technical capabilities. This has led to unpredictable and inconsistent turnaround times for approvals across all conservation authorities, creating uncertainty and delays for builders, landowners and farmers seeking permits and undermining conservation authorities’ ability to protect communities from floods and natural hazards. To address these issues, the OPCA will provide centralized leadership, efficient governance, strategic direction and oversight of all conservation authorities. The agency will free-up resources for front-line conservation and ensure faster, more consistent and transparent permitting, while supporting conservation authorities in their core mandate of managing watersheds and protecting people and property from natural hazards in an efficient and consistent manner.”

ERCA board - staff voice concerns with province’s amalgamation proposal

By Ron Giofu