“This catastrophe can be avoided”

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

PAOV — Carruthers Creek in southern Ontario borders the province’s Greenbelt and is home to rare plants and animals, and protects the area from flooding and erosion. It’s also perfectly placed for developers and currently unprotected. Petition starter Ally is urging the province to add Carruthers Creek to Ontario’s Greenbelt, so it is permanently protected from development. If you agree, sign the petition now.

20,651 have signed Ally Zaheer’s petition. Let’s get to 25,000!

The City of Pickering is working to urbanize prime farmland located in the headwaters of the Carruthers Creek. This land is home to some of the richest soil in Canada, native flora and fauna, large groundwater recharge areas, and neighbours the Greenbelt. This area, unlike others, is not designed to support urbanization, and does not have the infrastructure to do so. It is crucial that Carruthers Creek be added to the Greenbelt in order to be protected.

Here is why:

1. These headwaters account for majority of drainage in the watershed, reducing flooding in Ajax by 77%
2. Headwaters are home to several rare native plant, animal, insect, and fish species, providing upstream breeding and feeding grounds that are essential to their survival
3. Headwaters provide nutrients, sediments, and important organic matter to ensure health and biodiversity of downstream ecosystems
4. Headwaters naturally filter contaminants prior to flowing into other rivers and eventually, Lake Ontario, which provides drinking water for millions
5. Protects surrounding Greenbelt and prime farmland from urbanization

The Carruthers Creek headwaters saves the Region of Durham billions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on flood reduction, habitat restoration, rebuilding infrastructure, and erosion control.

This catastrophe can be avoided by adding the Carruthers Creek Headwaters to the Greenbelt. Doing so will help meet carbon reduction targets and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Sign this petition now to tell the Province of Ontario that these lands must be added to the Greenbelt!

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