Hudak replies to Conservation Ontario – but fails to address question of “stripping power”
AWARE Simcoe news release September 20 2011
Barrie, On – Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak has replied to concerns raised about his reported view that stripping Conservation Authorities of their power is “the right thing to do.”
Unfortunately, his reply, sent Sept. 16 to Conservation Ontario, does not deal with the Conservation Authority issue.
Instead, Hudak talks of working with environmental advocares “for a more beautiful and sustainably environment,” investing in parks and trails, giving a say to hunter and angler groups on spending funds raised through licenses and protecting lands, lakes and rivers.
“We are very happy Mr. Hudak and his party have have a commitment to support conservation efforts,” said Fred Nix, a Mono Councillor who is a current member and past chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA).
But Nix stressed that the single best way to do all these things is to have controls on what can or cannot be developed in sensitive areas such as flood plains, wet lands, and lake shores – and the agencies that ensure this are Ontario’s conservation authorities. “Given that, what now needs explaining is how Ontario can continue to do all these things that protect the environment if a Conservative government were to strip these conservation authorities of their powers, as Mr Hudak was quoted saying he intends to do,” Nix said.
AWARE Simcoe board member Sandy Agnew noted that environmental advocates and hunter and angler groups are well-intentioned and hardworking volunteers – but it’s not their job to protect against property destruction and loss of life.
“Any change to the environment – whether it’s from a quarry, new residences or a road-widening – can have untold practical consequences on issues like flooding, erosion, wildlife habitat and drinking water supply for existing communities,” he said.
“Very few municipalities have staff qualified to comment on these critical issues” Agnew said. “It’s vital to have qualified, unbiased third party regulatory agencies able to review proposals and enforce decisions.”
Leave a Reply