I strongly opposed the…

I strongly opposed the proposed Bill 5, which seeks to roll back environmental protections and will lead to increased development on wetlands and sensitive habitats. This bill as proposed will pose serious ecological and public health risk and undermines scientifically backed environmental safeguards.

A short list of reasons why Bill 5 is a bad idea:

1. Wetlands Prevent Flooding
Research shows that wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and reducing the impact of floods. Removing them increases the risk of urban flooding, which has already become more frequent and costly in Ontario.

2. Loss of Biodiversity
Ontario's wetlands are habitats for hundreds of species, including endangered ones. Destroying these areas directly contradicts the science of conservation biology, which emphasizes habitat preservation as key to protecting biodiversity.

3. Carbon Sequestration
Wetlands store large amounts of carbon in their soil. Disturbing or draining them releases CO₂ and methane—greenhouse gases that drive climate change. Gutting protections accelerates emissions at a time when reductions are urgently needed.

4. Water Quality Degradation
Wetlands filter pollutants from water. Their destruction will increase contamination in Ontario’s lakes and rivers, risking human and ecological health, especially in urban areas already facing water quality challenges.

I urge the government to reconsider Bill 5, which ignores well-established science and prioritizes short-term development gains over long-term environmental resilience, public safety, and sustainability. The environmental damage it will cause cannot be easily reversed, and the long-term costs far outweigh the short-term benefits.