Council supports motions on Species at Risk and Provincial Significant Wetlands

New motions on Species at Risk and Provincially Significant Wetlands were adopted at Wednesday night’s council meeting.

The first motion dealt with community consultation to be included in a report to the province as it wants to hear on possible changes to Species At Risk legislation.

Councillor Mac Bain says they’re looking at holding a meeting on February in which public comment will be welcome.

“The consultation is for anyone who wishes to be heard. The comments will be included in the submission,” he says.

Councillor Scott Robertson says he supported the motion but.

“If the submission comes back and promotes environmental degradation and didn’t adequately consult the public or if we haven’t considered the input from our partners in the community I will vote against the motion and speak against it,” Robertson says.

Bain says the city’s submission must be in by early March but they’re looking for an extension until March 15th.

The 2nd motion dealt with Provincial Significant Wetlands and the city’s desire to change the boundary lines. That was passed by 7 votes to 4. Robertson was one of the no’s.

“Voting no was a pretty easy choice for me. The idea is to ask the province to change the lines to curb environmental protection,” Robertson says.

Bain says if the province changes the boundaries council would have to change the official plan for it to take effect.

“We’d consult widely just like we did when we drafted the official plan. A recommendation after consultation would be sent to council and the council of the day would make the final decision,” Bain says.