For Save the Garner Marsh updates click here

Thanks to the 110+ who attended the #SaveOurCAs rally

in Dundas on December 21, 2025!

Through Bill 68, Doug Ford ‘shovels in the ground’ in the Greenbelt, wetlands, farmland, forests, and natural areas by decimating our Conservation Authorities!

Actions:

• Email Please MPPs using talking points below or your own words. Contacts here

• Rally Time! - Next rally date TBD. Check back here or subscribe to our newsletter.

• Share! Encourage a friend or family member to take the actions above too!

Talking points:

Feel free to copy (below) or quote from HCA’s Corporate Statement for your email to MPPs, and add your own passionate reasons if you choose.

Why HCA is is Not Supporting the Proposed Merger - and neither do I!

1. The Province has not provided evidence showing why the merger is needed.
   The plan notes that a regional approach is required to address inefficiency and streamline permit approvals, but doesn’t provide details on where existing CAs are falling short. We believe issues like inconsistent service or outdated systems can be addressed without restructuring the entire conservation system.

2. Local decision-making will be harder to maintain.
   Currently, Hamilton and Puslinch fund approximately 35% of HCA’s work and have a direct say in watershed decisions. The Province contributes less than 1%. In a 28-municipality organization, our local voice will carry less weight, but municipalities will still be funding the work.

3. Mergers are expensive, and there’s no funding plan.
   Bringing together conservation lands, visitor services, memberships, staff structures, and IT systems would be a major undertaking. The Province has not explained who will pay for these costs or how combining the systems will save money down the line.

4. HCA already provides efficient, reliable service.
   In 2024, we processed 94% of major permits on time, meeting or exceeding provincial expectations. The focus should be on improving resources where needed, not reorganizing authorities that already perform well.

5. Strong conservation depends on local relationships.
   For more than six decades, HCA’s conservation efforts have been supported by deep, local partnerships with municipalities, community groups, landowners, volunteers, foundations, and Indigenous partners. A larger, more removed agency could erode the local collaboration that makes conservation effective.

6. Key details remain unknown.
   Governance, costs, timing, staffing, land management, branding, and community impact have not been explained, which leaves the potential effects of the merger uncertain.

A deeper dive:

Watch the recording of Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Staff presentation and Board discussion here

See Ford’s plan on the November HCA Special Meeting agenda here

Read Hamilton City Council’s motion detailing their opposition here