'Raising the alarm for weeks now': Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority concerned about looming decision

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 7, 2020
Janis Ramsay

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Board chair Wayne Emmerson isn’t mincing words when it comes to what he sees as a threat to the environment.

He released a statement Dec. 5 sharing his disappointment as the province steps closer to amending the Conservation Authorities Act.

“LSRCA has been raising the alarm for weeks now,” Emmerson said in a press release.

A month ago, the province introduced Bill 229 -- the Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act.

In particular, Schedule 6 of the bill is proposing changes that limit the power of conservation authorities.

It would limit their ability to enter land for surveying, expropriate land as required and study the watershed for ways it can be restored, developed and managed.

After seeing the proposal, several municipalities, MPPs and environmental organizations spoke out in opposition.

Conservation Ontario also made a presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

So the province amended some of its changes, making the announcement Dec. 4.

But the changes don't go far enough, Emmerson said.

“In fact, we understand that new changes have now been introduced that will force conservation authorities to contravene our mandate to protect people, infrastructure and the environment,” Emmerson wrote.

“If the province proceeds, LSRCA will be forced to issue permits to allow for development to proceed, through Ministers Zoning Orders, regardless of the impacts to the environment and our communities,” he wrote. “This action will dismantle the very system put in place since Hurricane Hazel in 1954, to keep our communities healthy and out of harm’s way from flooding and other hazards created by poor land-use planning.”

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) chair Keith White agreed the new changes don’t go far enough to prevent flooding and erosion in his watershed area.

“With the new changes, conservation authorities are basically the only landowners in Ontario who cannot appeal most planning decisions, which affect their lands,” White wrote in his press release. “We are the second-largest landowners in Ontario, and this is in conflict with one of the proposed mandatory programs for conservation authorities, which is to manage their own lands to protect sensitive ecosystems.

Schedule 6 is set to go to third and final reading in the legislature Dec. 7.