Ajax council has come out in strong opposition to parts of Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Bill 23 Build More Homes Faster Act 2022.
“Ajax council strongly opposes the blatant and purposeful damage of any wetland,” said a resolution passed at the end of November.
It said Ajax council opposes proposed revisions to the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System which changes the classification of a wetland after tillage. It would result in a tilled site no longer being considered a wetland. The Narwhal reported on November 4 this year, that some 90 per cent of the Lower Duffins Creek Wetland in the Bayly Street and Squires Beach Road area of Pickering, had been cleared and tilled.
The council joined Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) in its shock regarding the destruction of the Lower Duffins Creek Wetland.
The council recommended its resolution on the tilling of the Lower Duffins Creek Wetland, be sent to Premier Ford, Steve Clark Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, David Piccini, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Patrice Barnes, MPP Ajax, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and MPP Pickering, John Henry, Durham Region Chair, Kevin Ashe, Pickering Mayor and John MacKenzie, CEO of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
Under Investigation
Ajax council passed a motion on November 9, 2020 opposing the development of provincially significant Lower Duffins Creek Wetland, and work closely with environmental groups, First Nations stakeholders, and community members to successfully halt plans to pave over the 57 acres of wetland for a massive warehouse development.
Ajax council said the current report on the tillage is under investigation by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority as the activity is in contravention to Ontario regulation 166/06 under the Conservation Authorities Act, which states no person may change or interfere in any way with a wetland without permission of a conservation authority.
Kelly LaRocca, MSIFN Chief, on November 21 expressed shock at the “reckless and unnecessary destruction” and called for the “protection of this significant part of our ecosystem”.
“Ajax has serious concerns regarding any devaluing of protections for Ontario’s wetlands, and has been a proponent of local wetlands, as exemplified by the Kerrison Road Wetland Restoration project, which has expanded marsh and swamp wetland habitat, decommissioned old farm ponds and associated infrastructure, restored and stabilized existing stream bank erosion, and managed invasive species,” added the council resolution.
Wish the Municipality of Clarington would think before it builds. The new proposed build on the hill at Green Rd and Baseline is an awful idea. Make it a park. With bike paths it’s to be a new community centre. Allow the Greenspace to be an outdoor “gym”.