The overhauling of the…

The overhauling of the Ontario Wetlands Evaluation cannot and must not result in very few wetlands deemed provincially significant.The wetlands we have now must be protected and so designated, especially those connected hydrologically. Further , species at risk must be recognized and protected because they are of provincial significance.The evaluation process must have provincial government oversight to coordinate and approve evaluations and insure information about PSW is available to the public.
This government should know full well the importance of wetlands and protect them from development . Wetlands aid in filtering our water, help in flood control, provide habitat for a diversity of species including endangered species and are treasured green spaces to view and enjoy. They are treasured for our birds and birders . Wetlands are becoming even more important as habitat because farmers are destroying their fence rows and hedgerows to make more arable and the contiguous habitat they would otherwise provide will be gone, putting an even greater burden will be on wetlands to provide habitat and animal and plant transportation corridors.
Further, has the government consulted with our First Nations regarding these changes?
Deregulating wetlands will surely be their demise. The cannot happen. No one should be building on wetlands for housing or otherwise. This is unstable land, a water source and necessary habitat. We know there are 86,500 acres outside of the Greenbelt and wetlands, already zoned for development and enough for the next 30 years. To make wetlands buildable is very costly and unnecessary and a poor foundation for buildings. I urge this government to leave our wetlands alone and build more housing by increasing density in urban centres with infill where there is infrastructure, public transit and jobs.