I have reviewed the proposed…

I have reviewed the proposed changes in the Ontario Wetland Evaluation and I agree that there needs to be some updating to the document but I disagree with the intent to modify it to allow urban development.

Wetlands are necessary to:
1. act as recharge/water storage areas,
2. prevent or decrease flooding,
3. help purify water,
4. provide habitat for waterfowl, mammals, fish etc,
5. provide recreational opportunities.

Some of the proposed changes are being made to allow more housing but wetlands are not good areas to build houses. Currently we have seen much flooding in Canada and around the world and it is important to keep wetlands to hold the water.

We have had a wetland evaluation system in Ontario for close to 40 and this is not the time to take the guts out of it to build houses quickly. Once the wetlands are destroyed there is no going back.