Cuts by the Ford government to non-mandatory programs offered by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) could lead to significant job losses.
In a "worst-case scenario," 60 positions could vanish at the London-area conservation authority, a UTRCA spokesperson said Tuesday.
The conservation authority currently employs nearly 100 people.
The potential job losses are the result of a directive from the province to "wind-down" all programs, except for flood control, drinking water source protection, and management of authority-owned lands.
The province's 36 conservation authorities, including UTRCA, received a surprise letter from Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek on Friday advising them to refocus their efforts on the delivery of programs and services related to their core mandate. He requested authorities begin reviewing their activities with a goal of ending those that fall outside of the scope of their core mandate. The Ministry had put the plan in place in April of this year.
"We question the province’s authority to make this request, in light of the fact that they fund less than 1 per cent of the UTRCA programs," UTRCA General Manager Ian Wilcox said in a statement. "The Province has not consulted with the watershed municipalities that oversee the conservation authority and provide 30 per cent of our funding. Our municipal representatives bring the priorities of their watershed communities to the table, to ensure our programs are responsive to local needs."
Programs that could be on the chopping block if the cuts move forward include water quality monitoring programs, tree planting and woodlot management, curriculum-based environmental education programs, trail development, and support for community organizations such as Friends of Medway, Friends of Stoney Creek, and the Upper Avon Conservation Club.
Yurek's letter also stated conservation authorities cannot replace flood protection funds, recently cut by the province, through additional municipal levies, Wilcox said.
"This is an essential service that protects lives and property, and work that must continue," said Wilcox. "Who, then, is to pay the bill for a program that ensures people are protected from flooding? How is the UTRCA expected to interpret these contradictory messages?"
UTRCA Chair Sandy Levin added that the conservation authority has made "repeated requests for consultation" and has become frustrated by the lack of communication from the Ford government.
"These provincial announcements have been without warning and, to be blunt, make no sense in terms of public interest and support from private businesses," Levin said in a statement. "They jeopardize Ontario’s environmental future and economic prosperity. Future costs to restore Ontario’s economic and environmental balance will far exceed the cost of the programs that the Ford Government seems intent on eliminating."
Despite the shock and outrage being expressed by conversation authorities, Yurek stressed in a statement sent late Monday night that bringing the agencies back to their core mandate will allow municipalities to better manage budgets.
"The legislative changes we’ve made ensure conservation authorities focus on delivering core services and programs that protect communities from natural hazards and flooding while using taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively," said Yurek. "Over the years, conservation authorities have expanded past their core mandate into activities such as ziplining, maple syrup festivals, and photography and wedding permits. We are giving municipalities greater control and the ability to enter into agreements with conservation authorities to fund any programs and services outside of the core mandate if they choose."