The proposal to change how…

The proposal to change how Significant Wetlands are evaluated will leave these wonderful natural engineering features unprotected in the context of their watersheds. Eliminating responsibilities of the Ministry for Natural Resources and Forestry to provide provincial oversight, fragments any management plan for these water resources, that provide filtration, flood protection, and resilience to the extremes of climate change we will experience in the next decade. Municipalities lack the resources and expertise to evaluate impacts of development projects on Wetlands, labelled significant or not. Further, removing wetland complexes from consideration doesn't follow the science that connects these resources functionally. Natural habitats function as holistic networks to provide the services like water filtration, flood and drought control and ultimately water quality, agriculture and drinking water. Watershed boundaries are not the same as municipal boundaries. Fragmenting decision making, without recognition of the value of wetlands sabotages the natural defences they provide to climate change and will reduce biodiversity. The wonder and beauty of a living wetland where it is cannot be swapped or rebuilt by humans in a different place.