Late last week, the Provincial Government announced a 50% cut to Section 39 transfer payments given to the 36 conservation authorities across Ontario for natural hazard programs.
This cut has left a large financial gap in Quinte Conservation’s budget and, more importantly, the critical services that help protect public health and safety from the impacts of flooding.
For the last 20 years, Quinte Conservation has relied on the transfer payment of $321,776 from the province to fund essential flood programs to the 18 municipalities and residents throughout the 6,000 square kilometre watershed.
CAO Brad McNevin says the government has been very clear about its goal to reduce costs, but a 50% reduction in payments that support government mandated responsibilities will have a significant impact on how we can deliver our programs and services.
Conservation Authorities have a variety of responsibilities around flood management in Ontario. These include:
• Forecast flooding and issue warnings
• Monitor streamflow, rainfall and snow packs
• Floodplain mapping
• Collectively, manage and operate $2.7 billion in flood infrastructure such as dams and dykes
• Provide planning support and advice to the province, municipalities and the federal government to minimize flood impacts
• Regulate development activities in floodplains
• Contribute to municipal emergency planning and preparedness activities, as well as recovery activities
• Inform and educate the public about flooding
• Protect, restore, and rehabilitate natural cover that contributes to reducing the impacts of flooding
Climate change, an ever growing concern for the Authority, has had serious effects on the region over the last several years. With three major flooding events (2008, 2014, and 2017) and a large scale drought (2016), Quinte Conservation is preparing for more frequent extreme weather events to impact the watershed. Delivering critical services to inform and protect the public will become increasingly difficult with reduced funding.
McNevin adds it’s imperative that they continue to deliver the same services to the public and municipalities. They’ll be working with the Board to determine a strategy moving forward.
Quinte Conservation also manages 42 water management structures throughout the watershed.
