I wish to comment on some of…

I wish to comment on some of the disturbing changes being proposed to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES).
1) By removing the complexing of wetlands many, perhaps most provincially significant wetlands will be evaluated as multiple separate wetlands few of which would on their own meet the scoring requirements of OWES. This change alone will see many if not most wetlands once again subject to the whim of the development industry.
2) Private consultants hired by the development industry will under the new regulations be able to do their own evaluations removed from the over site of MNR&F, conservation authorities, local planners and the public. If I understand the proposed changes the first Environmental Assessment (EA) which reaches the municipality will become the accepted EA. with little likely hood of review by now cash strapped municipalities.
3) In addition the presence of an endangered specie will no longer be recorded as part of OWES. It is a sad statement of terribly skewed priorities that this removal would even be considered.

These and other changes proposed in Bill 23 are an assault on science, democracy and common sense.

Wetlands provide us with so much more than flood and erosion control. There is no reason to build houses in wetlands. There are many many reasons not to. This is a desperate, greedy cash grab by those who want access to cheap land for a one off get rich quick scheme at the expense of future health and safety.. This is not the answer to the housing crisis!

Do the right thing and reverse these changes to OWES, protect endangered species, restore the authority of Conservation Authorities and restore the role of the MNR&F, planners, municipalities and the public in safeguarding the few wetlands left in the GTA.