I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed changes to the Ontario Westland Evaluation System (OWES) Manual….
Southern Ontario has lost over 70% of it’s wetlands already.
Wetlands serve a multitude of important biological, hydrological and social functions including;
• Reducing downstream flooding
• Carbon sequestration
• Habitat for plants and wildlife
• Habitat for endangered and threatened plants and wildlife
• Highest biodiversity of any land type found in Ontario
• Recharging groundwater supplies
• Filter surface and groundwater supplies of pollutants
• Control downstream erosion
• Natural areas for public enjoyment

OWES Manual
Was developed by experts based on scientific principles that recognized the important biological, hydrological and social functions that wetlands perform. For the government to ‘gut’ the manual (which will inevitably lead to the further destruction of wetlands), without any scientific rationale, and for the sole purpose of advancing economic development (guised as ‘required to provide more housing’) is extremely short-sighted and self serving. I implore you to do the right thing, for the long-term betterment of Ontarians and rescind the proposed changes to the OWES manual. We as a society, need more wetlands on our landscape, not less.
The proposed changes to the OWES manual and subsequent removal of wetland protection, which will lead to fewer wetlands on the landscape is in contradiction, directly and indirectly, to a number of mandates, policies, commitments, obligations, etc. that the Ontario government is subject to;
• Science and evidence-based decision making
• Implement Ontario’s Flooding Strategy to make Ontario more resilient to flooding in the long term. (Protect people, property and communities from forest fires, floods and droughts.)
• MNRF Strategic Plan
• Vision: Ontarians benefit from the health and wealth of the province’s natural resources, today and in the future.
• Mission: To sustainably manage and promote the responsible use of our natural resources.
• Sustainable Resource Management-Goal Statement: Maintain healthy and diverse natural resources and ecosystems that are resilient to change. Using science and consultation to help inform decision-making. We also want to ensure our natural resources and ecosystems are resilient, so they can withstand and recover from potential changes and impacts. Healthy and diverse natural resources contribute to our overall health and well-being and provide valuable ecosystem services, including things like flood mitigation, climate regulation and pollination.
• Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy
• The vision of this Strategy is a future where biodiversity loss is halted and recovery is advanced. People value, protect and enhance biodiversity and the ecosystem services essential for human health and well-being.
• Three goals define the conservation path proposed in this Strategy:
• Goal 1: Mainstream biodiversity by incorporating biodiversity considerations into decision making across the province, in different sectors and in our homes, workplaces and schools.
• Goal 2: Protect, restore and recover Ontario’s genetic, species and ecosystem diversity and related ecosystem functions and processes.
• Goal 3: Use Ontario’s biological assets sustainably
• Ontario’s Climate Change Strategy
• Carbon sequestration. If wetlands (carbon sequestration) is reduced, emissions will need to be reduced equally simply to maintain status quo (targets).
• wetlands can provide effective storm water management services and help mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on infrastructure such as storm sewers.
• Ontario will continue to take action to reduce the vulnerabilities and strengthen the resilience of natural systems. The strategy will build on existing measures such as managing and restoring wetlands, increasing green spaces and managing diverse forests.

Please be a responsible, science informed, government that will do the right thing, for the long term, for the health and well-being of Ontarians and rescind the proposed changes to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System manual.