I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System and its implications on wetland conservation in Ontario. However I am even more afraid that these changes will lead to even a greater loss of wetlands without resulting in significant changes to the supply or affordability of housing in Ontario.

It is important to mention that the proposed changes to OWES cannot be understood independently of the other changes the Province is proposing, particularly in reducing the role and involvement of MNRF and Conservation Authorities within the planning and regulation of natural heritage.

One of the proposed changes is to eliminate the use of wetland complexes in evaluating wetland significance. This will reduce protection of many wetlands that fall short of the size criteria for wetland evaluation, and will result in deeming them not 'provincially' significant. This may accelerate wetland loss across Ontario since they will no longer be offered protection by the Provincial Policy Statement.

As shown in many reports by credible organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, wetland loss across Southern Ontario has been around the 72% since European settlement. Wetlands have been lost due to conversion to other land uses such as aggregate extraction, draining to facilitate farming and urban development. The loss of wetlands has been happening simultaneously to the development of the housing crisis that we are experiencing today. Therefore, it remains unclear to me how the removal of wetland protection, which will continue to the trend of wetland loss, is going to somehow improve the housing crisis in Ontario.

The other aspect is that smaller wetlands and all wetlands that may be deemed not significant if the proposed changes take place still have many important functions for people and other wildlife. Wetlands have a major function in flood mitigation as they absorb and slow down the flow of water, allowing water to infiltrate into the ground and not over run into our built spaces. Wetlands serve the same function for cities as fire break lots or a firewall does to protect cities, towns and buildings from being decimated during a fire. On the other end of the spectrum, wetlands help to retain water during drought periods. As many communities in Ontario rely on groundwater, places like wetlands are important to ensure our groundwater are recharged so they can continuously provide water to people during drought periods.

And finally, many of the smaller wetlands that we have in Ontario are some of the last refuges to wildlife such as reptiles and amphibians which are all now under the risk of extinction. The loss of species is directly related to the removal and conversion of natural systems to other land uses. The province should re-think its approach to development in a way that seeks to protect and enhance our remaining wetlands, big or small, recognizing them as part of the infrastructure of Ontario. Improving the supply of housing should be re-thought by making use of our large cities to accommodate more growth within.