As long as this new process…

As long as this new process strengthens existing wetland protections.

Southern Ontario houses a huge amount of biodiversity, especially in wetlands.

Wetlands act as a natural storm water management solution as well - no need to spend money and resources in storm water management infrastructure.

These wetlands protect nearby existing residents from floods as well.

We also need to enhance wetland protections to protect biodiversity. The world is currently experiencing a biodiversity collapse, so we should be working towards stronger protections with our existing wetlands as well as funding new re-wilding projects to create new wetland ecosystems.

We need to allow environmental planners and biologists to do their jobs without greed and politics getting in the way. Developers are very wealthy people so they can easily afford to develop on lands that are already developed or to repurpose an abandoned/existing site.

I work for a civil consulting firm specifically on subdivision development and we also have an environmental planning team. Our developer clients work with us with no issues, as we are transparent with them on the processes and what to expect. Developers can be reasonable people and develop responsibly without destroying forested lands or wetlands. We just need to strengthen protections on these lands so that they are 100% a no-go for development and educate our developers ahead of time.

This will result in a clear cut answer for developers and municipalities for planning and ecological protection.

Thank you.