The new policy proposed for…

The new policy proposed for the Provincial Planning Statement requires additional detail in order to support natural heritage and water protection policies. This document lacks sufficient technical information and specific implementation details. Development pressures and ambiguous, weakened municipal policy have intensified this past year under the pressure of Bill 23 and additional, pending policy. In turn, these changes have undermined development of local responsibility for natural heritage conservation.

An additional , troubling feature of this proposed policy involves the failure to recognize important natural features that are not included as "significant" including trees, shorelines and natural vegetation. There are reams of scientific research and publication reflecting the contributions of these and other features serving to mitigate climate change, reduce C02, protect water quality and prevent shoreline erosion, etc.

The Provincial government is now in a position to increase the quality and specificity of conservation tools, and to clarify current responsibilities shared by both municipal and provincial governments.