Changes Coming To The Conservation Authorities Act

Sunday, 26 May 2019 08:06

The reductions come after the Ontario government released two concurrent consultations open from April 5th to May 21st.

OXFORD COUNTY - The provincial government will be making some changes to the Conservation Authorities Act.

The proposed changes were received by Oxford County council during a recent meeting.

Warden Larry Martin says allocations for flood control are among the services expected to be reduced by Premier of Ontario Doug Ford and the provincial government.

"What I found remarkable that one of the things that are going to be reduced is allocations for flood control. Now, when you're looking on one hand we have climate change with extremities and temperature and now on the other hand, 'oh we're going to cut your funding on flood control.' That's something I don't feel that they can unless he has another option, another plan to mitigate or offset what the changes are going to be, I don't know. And as far as I know I haven't heard anything and I don't know even if the conservation authorities have or not, but it will be interesting. And it's like everything else he's trying to do to pay off the debt that's there and I can't fault him for that but we didn't incur it."

While the changes are not known at this time, Warden Martin says the reductions are likely going to cost Oxford County more money.

"It's more than likely going to cost us more, I would think. And I know the conservation authorities, like everybody else, are looking for places to save money and be more efficient. We've all got the same line and same tune that we're trying to dance to and in fairness the province is doing the same thing. We're all in it together and we're all trying to work together as much as we can, too."

The government of Ontario announced a new round of changes to the Conservation Authorities Act after releasing two concurrent consultations open from April 5th to May 21st.