The PEI Watershed Alliance is deeply concerned about wetland infilling across PEI.
While we recognize that the project proponents have committed to regulatory compliance and
claim to be implementing environmental best practices, this issue goes far beyond construction
site management. Our concern lies fundamentally with the policy framework that allowed such a
permit to be granted in the first place.
Wetlands are not expendable. They are irreplaceable ecosystems that provide vital services to our
environment and communities—including water filtration, flood mitigation, carbon storage, and
critical wildlife habitat. Permitting their destruction for non-essential development, such as a golf
course, contradicts the core purpose of wetland protection legislation. In our view, wetland
alteration permits should only be issued as a true last resort, and only when there is
overwhelming public interest and no viable alternatives. Recreational development does not meet
that standard.
We call for:
● A critical review of the permitting process that approved this wetland infill; including
much needed transparency by the government.
● Stronger environmental safeguards that reflect the true ecological value of wetlands; and
● A clear commitment from government and developers alike to prioritize avoidance of
wetland loss—not just offsetting it after the fact.
We will continue to advocate for policies that place ecological integrity and long-term
environmental health at the forefront of all land-use decisions.
PEI Watershed Alliance
Representing 25 Community-Based Watershed Groups Across Prince Edward Island
