Wetlands across Ontario are under threat due to changes in the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System (OWES). The consequences of losing wetlands include but are not limited to loss of wildlife habitat, increased flood risk, soil erosion, negative mental health impacts, increased stress on remaining wetlands, an erosion of democracy as there are reduced mechanisms to protect important wetlands and in some cases there could be a loss in Indigenous cultural heritage. Wetlands that lose provincially significant status will be easier to develop in the near future. 

It is important to note that previous political parties have contributed to wetland loss. Ontario’s latest Environmental Commissioner’s report confirmed this in writing that“Between 2011 and 2015 (most recent data), southern Ontario lost an average of 1,825 hectares of wetlands per year—an annual rate of loss three times higher than the previous data period (2000 to 2011).” 

The report also said that there is no requirement for municipal governments to evaluate wetlands prior to development approval. This is evident in past Peterborough City council decisions. With this background in mind the government of Ontario have made things worse for provincially significant wetlands which have the highest level of protection. 

The administration of the OWES will be transferred to Municipalities from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). This change has delayed mapping of the Harper Park wetland since its last evaluation and has made it more difficult to find information on newer wetland evaluations and approvals as each municipality is a decision maker regarding wetlands. Second the OWES was changed so that complexes can no longer be evaluated as one wetland and that individual wetlands within a wetland complex can be evaluated. This change is problematic because some sections in the evaluation are dependent on the size of the wetland. 

The Nassau Wetland Complex Wetland (NWC) is one wetland at Trent University which could be impacted because it contains six individual wetlands. Since at least 1996 there has been interest in protecting the wetlands. In the April 2017 Orchid there is further background on the wetland. To make the point about size clearer the 1996 wetland evaluation included 17.8 ha of wetland and the 2022 wetland included 67.58 ha of wetland. There were more points in 2022 than in 1996 which may be related to the size of wetland examined. There are additional changes to the special features section of the manual which include the elimination of “reproductive habitat for endangered or threatened species” and another section “Migration, Feeding or Hibernation Habitat for an Endangered or Threatened Species” which contained significant points for evaluation. These two sections contained a significant number of points if  one species is present for example Blanding turtles and could result in a loss of status for multiple provincially significant wetlands due to the loss in points. .  

There could be additional changes to wetland policy that will be announced as part of changes to the Provincial Planning Statement which will replace the provincial policy statement. The government is considering Natural Heritage policies and definitions which will further impact provincially significant wetlands. 

It is important to follow municipal meetings and news in order to protect wetlands. To stay informed, you can join environmental groups such as the Peterborough Field Naturalists and contact municipal and provincial politicians as well as join demonstrations.