Goulbourn’s Wetlands, Ottawa, ON

July 28, 2025 By: Amir Meshgini

A 2024 CBC article reports how wetlands in Ottawa’s Goulbourn Township that were labelled “provincially significant” were removed from the protected areas by the City of Ottawa. Canada’s housing crisis and the government’s response to increase supply, significantly in popular suburbs, explains the builder’s interest and future constructions despite scientific review confirming wetlands’ ecological value. As a first-time home buyer myself who really hopes for more affordable prices, the question that is raised is whether these wetlands are the only potential area for construction. Did the authorities consult conservation experts before making this decision, or were the key players solely focused on maximizing return on investment no matter what? As noted in Unit 3, finding a middle ground between conservation and economic expansion remains a central challenge.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/wetlands-owes-designations-goulbourn-1.7347865