It is important to ensure…

It is important to ensure that the new regulation does not remove the conservation authorities' abilities to regulate development in, on, or near floodplains, wetlands and watercourses. It sounds like the government wants to redefine key terms of the regulation, so that it is easier for developers to work around the law. Conservation authorities have a key role to play in protecting important ecosystems and waterways in Ontario and we shouldn't reduce that role just so that developers can build more easily.

There should be more protections in place for these waterways, not fewer. Climate change will mean more unpredictable weather, more severe storm events, and with that, an increase in surface water. That water will need to go somewhere- if we strip the waterways of natural features and build on floodplains, we could be creating a real problem. Let's be smart about this new regulation- give conservation authorities the ability to effectively regulate activities on waterways, wetlands and floodplains. A shiny new house won't hold up very well under 1m of water...