Ontario’s municipal elections are coming up on October 26, and the outcomes will set the tone for the next four years of decisions affecting nature in cities and towns across the province. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved in securing a mayor and council that will prioritize the local ecosystems that sustain our communities.
Protecting Nature is a Municipal Responsibility
Municipal elections may not seem as flashy as the provincial and federal occasions, but they are just as impactful. While higher levels of government set overarching legislation and minimum standards for protecting nature, municipal governments are responsible for many of the local policies and day-to-day decisions that affect beloved natural areas closest to home.
Several municipal responsibilities are directly connected to conserving healthy natural ecosystems, including:
- managing the natural environment,
- managing parks and recreational spaces,
- flood control, and
- providing reliable access to clean water (among other public utilities).
Protecting nature is well within the purview of our municipal elected officials, and their role is becoming increasingly important in the face of weakening provincial and federal environmental commitments.
Local Wetlands Support Climate Resilience and Biodiversity
Municipalities can help conserve all kinds of ecosystems in many ways, and every action matters. One particularly effective way municipalities can advance several of their responsibilities is by protecting and restoring wetlands.
Healthy wetlands play a vital role in cost-effectively preventing floods and maintaining clean water sources – two core municipal responsibilities. Their incredible ability to mitigate floods is essential to recognize as climate change drives worsening flood risks, a reality that hit many communities close to home after a summer punctuated by severe storms and record-breaking rainfall. Wetlands also offer opportunities for people to experience nature firsthand, providing valuable recreational spaces while sustaining local wildlife.
That’s why Ontario Nature is encouraging candidates across the province to prioritize three key actions to protect wetlands locally:
- Increase public awareness about the many benefits wetlands provide
- Prioritize the protection of all wetlands in local planning policies and decisions
- Investing in wetland restoration and stewardship initiatives
Municipalities can deliver these actions through local policies, bylaws, budget allocations and other strategies, but only with the support of mayor and council. These elections are a crucial moment to elect municipal leaders that understand and accept their role in protecting local wetlands as part of climate-resilient and sustainable community planning.
How to Get Involved in Your Local Election
Every community member can help shape the defining issues in our local elections. Whether you are an eligible voter or not, there are plenty of ways to bring wetlands or another nature conservation priority to the forefront.
- Engage local candidates: Call, email or connect in-person to ask what they will do to protect local wetlands or address other priorities for nature that matter to you. Check out our local advocacy handbook if you’re not sure where to start!
- Spread the word: Talk to friends and family about the importance of securing local leadership for nature this election, encourage others to get involved, share information on social media or consider writing an opinion editorial for a local news outlet.
- Get out to vote by October 26: Voting for candidates you believe will be local leaders for nature is a critical part of ensuring your priorities are reflected over the next four years of municipal decision-making. Check your municipality’s website to learn more about when and where to vote!
The environmental challenges we face can feel overwhelming at times, but even small environmental wins can have far-reaching benefits. This election let’s send a message of hope for a nature-positive future in our communities and across the province.
