I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed changes, as it would result is less wetlands being protected. While changes are needed, they must focus on increasing wetland protection and science based.

No meaningful consultation has been undertaken with environmental experts, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, municipalities or the public. A comprehensive consultation process with working groups needs to be established to determine how to improve wetland protection.

Wetlands have been lost at an alarming rate. Given the benefits to protecting drinking water, wildlife, climate change and flood mitigation it is imperative that all wetlands be protected regardless of significance. Many communities including residents in the Region of Waterloo and Indigenous communities rely on groundwater and the Grand River for drinking water. Developing wetlands will have a negative impact on water quality and quantity, and increase flooding particularly in urban areas.

Outside of settlement areas, the Growth Plan protects all wetlands regardless of significance and requires a 30 metre buffer. This minimum standard should be required in all areas, inside and outside of settlement areas. Settlements areas that become concrete jungles and urban heat zones, are most prone to climate change impacts.

While natural areas have been lost at an alarming rate it is due to weak policies and enforcement of those that illegally destroy wetlands. Conservation Authorities need more staff, funding and support to prosecute those that develop wetlands.

The process of protecting wetlands could be steamlined. For example, if all wetlands are required to be protected, consultants would not need to evaluate a wetland for significance and MNRF would not need to approve evaluations.

The proposed change is a step backwards from Provincial plans that protected more wetlands. The Province needs to take a step forward.

The Growth Plan created policies that focused on revitalizing urban areas and redeveloping greyfield areas. As a result, Downtown Cores that were previously vacant, became the hub of the communities. Intensification through condos and mixed use has occurred. This trend needs to continue.

In Cambridge there are many developed properties that are vacant, have been up for lease for over 10 years. Redevelop these properties instead of the precious development. Perhaps there needs to be more flexibility in converting employment/commercial uses to residential and/or mixed use.

Setting clear policies on where development is permitted or not permitted would significantly improve the process. The test of no negative impacts for natural areas and adjacent lands, result in the need for expensive environmental studies by developers and municpalities and conservation authorities having staff to review. They are often the focus at OLT hearings.

Having stronger policies like the Oak Ridges Moraine Plan inside and outside of settlement areas is what is needed. The Province should map a Natural Heritage System whereby no development and site alteration are permitted in core areas, vegetation protection zones and linkages.

Too much time is wasted on ambiguous policies.

Please do what is right and focus on policies and evaluation systems that are crystal clear, protect the environment, and focus development in areas already developed.