Summary of the presentation

In a province already experiencing extensive wetland loss, one would think all efforts would be made to protect those that remain. However, from March 2023 to March 2024, 156 hectares of wetlands across 17 municipalities lost their Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) designation and the strong provincial protection that designation imparts.*

The highest proportion of these losses, totalling over 55 hectares, occurred within the Goulbourn Wetland Complex, a PSW located west of Stittsville, a growing community within the City of Ottawa. Rather than stepping up to protect Ontario’s remaining wetlands, the Government of Ontario ran in the other direction when they implemented a new, weakened system for identifying and designating PSWs.

By July 2024, a total of 600 hectares of wetlands across 39 municipalities lost their PSW designation. In March 2025, another 75 hectares of wetlands within the Goulbourn Wetland Complex lost this designation.

The consequences of this weakened evaluation system are severe. Changes include:

1. No longer recognizing complexes of smaller connected wetlands

2. Drastically reducing the contribution of species at risk in determining significance

3. Removing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s role in overseeing OWES evaluations

The Friends of Stittsville Wetlands are working to ensure the protection, restoration, regeneration, and rewilding of the Goulbourn Wetland Complex – for those species that call them home, for ourselves, and for future generations.

Janet has over 30 plus years of experience in developing diverse and meaningful engagement processes. Janet works on a wide variety of issues, to strengthen public engagement and build strong, healthy communities. She is passionate about community sustainability, civil society, and creating positive change.