I agree with the Canadian…

I agree with the Canadian Environmental Law Association's submission regarding changes to the wetland evaluation system. The changes to wetland evaluation which eliminate complexes reduce the chance that small wetlands will become provincially significant this will have a negative impact due to increased risks of algae blooms which can be harmful to human health and can cause fish die offs. The report Biogeochemical hotspots: Role of small water bodies in landscape nutrient processing in the link shows how smaller wetlands can be beneficial. In addition, various groups have raised concerns about offsetting and many wetlands are significant due to Indigenous involvement there does not appear to be recognition or consultation with First Nations. There is also a lack of transparency with reevaluations as well as a distrust of scientific evidence supporting greater wetland protections. Endangered species depend on wetlands and will no longer be considered under a wetland evaluation. With the pandemic people are in need of natural spaces as well future pandemics could result due to wetland and biodiversity loss.