On November 5th, the Government of Ontario revealed its plans to severely curtail the role of Conservation Authorities in watershed planning and management. Schedule 6 of omnibus Budget Bill 229 proposes numerous changes to the Conservation Authorities Act (CAA) that will undermine efforts to conserve biodiversity and build community resilience to climate change.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has prepared a preliminary analysis of Schedule 6, outlining the proposed changes and their implications. Among the key concerns identified are:
On November 5th, the Government of Ontario revealed its plans to severely curtail the role of Conservation Authorities in watershed planning and management. Schedule 6 of omnibus Budget Bill 229 proposes numerous changes to the Conservation Authorities Act (CAA) that will undermine efforts to conserve biodiversity and build community resilience to climate change.
The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has prepared a preliminary analysis of Schedule 6, outlining the proposed changes and their implications. Among the key concerns identified are:
Alarmingly, the proposed changes were introduced as part of a budget bill, which means that the public’s right to comment under the Environmental Bill of Rights is over-ridden, as explained in the Environmental Registry of Ontario notice (ERO # 019-2646).
Ontario’s Conservation Authorities are a unique and widely respected innovation.
The vital role of our Conservation Authorities in watershed-based land use planning and permitting must be retained to prevent unchecked development that puts communities at risk from flooding and other climate change impacts through loss of wetlands, woodlands and farmland.
Please join Ontario Nature in asking the government to withdraw Schedule 6 in its entirety from Bill 229.
If possible, please try to speak directly with your MPP to ask that Schedule 6 be removed. Use this tool to find their contact information based on your postal code.
Given how quickly Bill 229 is likely to move through the Legislature, we need to act together – quickly and decisively. Please join us for a webinar, jointly presented by CELA, Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence on Tuesday, November 17th at 7 p.m. about these proposed changes and how we can fight back.
Photo: Endangered redside dace © Jon Clayton
Thank you for helping protect local natural systems, helping to provide community resilience against climate change and taking action to support Conservation Authorities.
If possible, please try to speak directly with your MPP to ask that Schedule 6 be removed. Use this tool to find their contact information based on ...
Thank you for helping protect local natural systems, helping to provide community resilience against climate change and taking action to support Conservation Authorities.
If possible, please try to speak directly with your MPP to ask that Schedule 6 be removed. Use this tool to find their contact information based on your postal code.
Please join us for a webinar, jointly presented by CELA, Ontario Nature and Environmental Defence on Tuesday, November 17th at 7 p.m. about these proposed changes and how we can fight back.
To stay informed about this issue, please follow Ontario Nature on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or become an Advocate for Nature.
Please consider making a gift or becoming a monthly donor to help us be there whenever and wherever nature needs us most.