I am a Canadian citizen and…

I am a Canadian citizen and Ontario resident and taxpayer opposed to the Ontario government’s Proposed Update to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (019-6160).

Wetlands do not need to be sacrificed to provide housing. We can build new homes AND conserve the environment. The 2022 report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force stated, “… a shortage of land isn’t the cause of the problem. Land is available, both inside the existing built-up areas and on undeveloped land outside greenbelts.”

The proposed update to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System would result in only a few wetlands being deemed provincially significant, leaving existing Provincially Significant Wetlands vulnerable to losing that designation and therefore open to destruction.

Wetlands are vitally important to prevent flooding and natural areas offset climate change and support species at risk. We cannot recreate an extinct species. We cannot reproduce a wetland ecosystem. A September 2022 article in The Narwhal stated “Another ecosystem service that we can look at is greenhouse gas storage. So wetlands can sequester and store greenhouse gasses like carbon, whereas stormwater ponds don’t really do that in the same way.”

Ontarians need to not only have roofs over their heads, they need the security of knowing policies are being implemented to protect wetlands that help prevent flooded basements and expensive repairs. They will remember how they lost their right to oppose developments in their neighbourhood. Their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the voters of tomorrow, are relying on the Ontario government to protect the province’s future by wisely conserving Ontario’s environment.

The Ontario government can “Get It Done” without jeopardizing irreplaceable wetlands, priceless wildlife, and natural areas.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my comment.