We wholeheartedly DISAGREE…

We wholeheartedly DISAGREE with the proposed updates to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System.

Wetlands save the region billions of dollars in wastewater treatment plants, carbon capture technology, and future clean up and infrastructure restoration from flooding damage.

It is outrageous that even with a global pandemic, wildfires, storms, flooding, dangerous air quality, and other climate impacts, there are still despicable people who are solely motivated by a lust for profit who haven’t gotten the message that the climate crisis is an emergency. They are totally OK with compromising our environment and accelerating climate change.

With an increase in the frequency and severity of flooding due to a changing climate, losing wetlands means a higher price tag down the road for disaster-relief. And that bill will be footed by taxpayers.

To put homes there is a grievous error! There are other locations to build homes. The wetlands were designated conservation areas for extremely valid reasons. They play a major role in our very future.

The Silver Creek Wetland, deemed a provincially significant wetland, is located in Collingwood, ON in the Nottawasaga Watershed and is very important for flood control, water filtering, groundwater recharge and discharge and provides important fish and wildlife habitat. The Silver Creek Wetland absorbs excess rainwater and snowmelt, slows floodwaters helping to alleviate property damage. In the face of climate change, the Silver Creek Wetland is even more important as we experience more extreme storm events.

In addition, the Wetlands provide a critical habitat for threatened and endangered species such as the Least Bittern and the Spotted Turtle, as well as the provincially rare plant species, Stiff Yellow Flax. These and a number of other fish, wildlife and vegetation would be wiped out with the abolition of proper wetland evaluation and protection. We want to protect the Silver Creek Wetland from erroneous development and keep it as one of the most important features of our natural heritage in Ontario for generations to come.

*Wetlands naturally filter water runoff from streets and agriculture, so they are important for good water quality in the region
*Wetlands capture carbon from the atmosphere which helps reduce our net carbon emissions
*Wetlands prevent regional flooding which could cause a great amount of damage
*Wetlands are also home to several native flora and fauna and help protect and restore at-risk species
*The first three benefits alone save the region billions of dollars in wastewater treatment plants, carbon capture technology, and future clean up and infrastructure restoration from flooding damage.

The fourth benefit can never be replaced.