The CAO of Quinte Conservation says it’s understandable that environmental groups and municipalities are concerned about the Ford government’s proposal to amalgamate the province’s 36 conservation authorities into seven.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy announced the changes last month along with the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Authority – a crown corporation that will have broad oversight powers over the seven conservation authorities.
McCarthy called the current system fragmented and that the amalgamations would “ensure faster, more transparent permitting and more front-line services”
Quinte Conservation CAO Brad McNevin recently provided an update to board members at their monthly meeting.
“We’re hoping that through consultation that we can help shape those changes and make it, you know, accomplish what might be the provincial goals out of this but we want to make sure that it still benefits the watershed residents and our local municipalities.”
“They don’t want their local voices not heard. So municipalities pay the lion’s share of our budget so if we’re moving to this regional conservation authority, are the smaller municipalities still gonna have a voice at the table?”
“If a flooding event, or making sure water quality is protected, you know, we’re the boots on the ground. So we want to make sure, speaking specifically about Quinte, is that we can still provide that service for the people that rely on us.”
“I get concerned about my staff. They put their heart and soul into their careers here and we want to make sure that they’re protected and still have a job to come to so that’s a really important part of it.”
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