I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed changes to Ontario's wetland evaluation system. I am concerned that the government is trying to disguise these changes as improvements to the OWES. In reality, this is a proposal to deregulate the damage of wetlands. The proposed changes to the OWES would cause fewer wetlands to be listed as Provincially significant. Thus, the purpose of these changes are not to improve the wetland evaluation system, but to develop in new areas, that would otherwise be protected by PSW.

Southern Ontario has already lost at least 72% of its wetlands. Wetlands are important for flood risk management, carbon storage, and as natural heritage strongholds. Given the precipitous declines in wetland abundance and the existential threat of climate change, it would be utterly irresponsible to continue the destruction of wetlands.

I think the government should re-evaluate its priorities when it comes to housing. The current strategy seems to be to produce endless urban sprawl across Southern Ontario. This strategy is unsustainable and will irreparably harm the ecological integrity of the most biodiverse region of our province.

Instead, we should be intensifying development in urban areas. The solution is to build up, not out into our farmland, forests, and provincially significant wetlands.