Victory on the Shores of Lake Scugog: Port Perry Residents Block MZO, Protecting Sensitive Wetlands

Press Release

September 17, 2024

Statement from Rebecca Kolarich, Water Program Manager, Environmental Defence

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – We’re thrilled that Scugog council voted against (4-2) an ill-conceived MZO that would have fast-tracked development on a significant wetland. This was a win for Lake Scugog and the engaged local community that rallied to block Avenu Properties’ MZO request. Dozens of residents from the Township of Scugog spoke before council on Monday September 16th to voice their concerns about this proposed development.

Southern Ontario has already lost over 72 per cent of its original wetlands, and the losses continue. In recent years, the Ontario government has slashed environmental protections, including Ontario’s Wetland Evaluation System, leaving our wetlands even more exposed to damage and destruction caused by poorly sited development projects.

Residents should not have to fight tooth and nail to protect natural areas in their communities. We need the provincial government to step up, and implement stronger policies to protect wetlands, and prevent future situations like this from happening. A wetland is no place for any kind of development, and thankfully the Township Council seems to have gotten the message.

Background Information:

• In December 2024, Avenu Properties Corporation requested Scugog Council to use the community infrastructure housing accelerator (CIHA) under Section 34.1 of the Planning Act to advance the housing community and related infrastructure development in Port Perry.
• The proposed development would be located directly on and adjacent to Provincially Significant Wetlands along the shores of Lake Scugog.
• The proponent has not had extensive and meaningful consultations with Indigenous Peoples, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
• The proponent lacks crucial technical and environmental studies such as an updated Environmental Impact Statement/Natural Heritage Evaluation, Flood Mitigation Study, and Hydrogeological and Geotechnical studies

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Karishma Porwal, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca

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