Wellington North council supports South Bruce in its bid to get conservation authorities to intensify their lobby to get more financial support from the province.
On Monday, council supported a motion by the municipality of South Bruce that stated that all citizens of Ontario benefit, value, and continue to demand increased services from Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities in their mandated areas of water, source water and environmental protection.
But, the resolution stated that provincial funding to Ontario’s Conservation Authorities has decreased by 87% since 1992 – (MNR funding transfer from 1992 were $58,900,000 and in 2005 they were only $7,600,000.)
“Due to the shortfall in provincial funding; member municipalities now are required to fund approximately 40% of the Ontario Conservation Authorities budgets.”
Councillors in South Bruce stated, “This results in an unfair per capita cost burden on property owners.”
Wellington North agreed with South Bruce, which is requesting that “Conservation Ontario implement and prioritize a major lobby effort against the provincial government and MNR to demand fair funding.”
Further, it asks that local MPPs support the move and demand the government significantly increase funding to the 36 Ontario Conservation Authorities.
Mayor Mike Broomhead recommended supporting the South Bruce resolution, in addition to sending one of its own.
Councillor Dan Yake said part of the South Bruce resolution requests that Conservation Ontario implements a major lobby effort demanding fair funding.
“I think it is well worded and certainly about time that it is put in, maybe, that strong a text.”
Broomhead added that Wellington North can add its own comments and resolution to area MPPs.
