I am writing in strong…

I am writing in strong opposition to the Ontario government's proposal to sell key parts of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the Town of Wasaga Beach for the sake of re-development. More and more, the voice of developers is effectively blocking out the voice of reason. Unchecked and ill advised development is literally killing our most valuable resource, Ontario's inherently priceless natural spaces and the countless species of birds, reptiles, animals, plants, etc. that depend on these lands for their very survival. When these spaces are gone, so are the protections they currently provide which play a significant role in combatting ever increasing risks of flooding, rising temperatures, green house gases, soil erosion, loss of food security, and the loss of clean drinking water.

Under threat at this point in time is a significant portion (60%) of the Georgian Bay shoreline that is part of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, critical habitat for the survival of the endangered piping plover. The piping plover is listed as endangered under both the federal Species at Risk Act and the provincial Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the portion of shoreline targeted for sale includes mature sand dunes; these sand dunes serve as a protective buffer against high water, wind and storm events for private and adjacent lands, a vital role in the face of current climate changes. This sale will also result in the removal of an area known as "The Point", an area already designated as a provincially significant earth science Area of of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). This shoreline, and the life it supports requires ongoing protections, protections it now receives through the Recovery Program as part of the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Ontario still has yet to sign off on Canada's commitment to protect 30% of its lands and waters by 2030; I am proud to say I live in Ontario but this pride is eroding exponentially. Sacrificing valuable lands for the sake of new high rises, condos and sprawling subdivisions is not the answer. I would certainly take pride in knowing my provincial government is able to see both sides of the coin, is willing to do all it can to protect its wonderful but limited natural spaces and smart enough to know that building in spaces that are appropriate for such activity is the only way to go. Any provincial leader that states "its my way or the hi-way" and who makes these statements in support of a single demographic is not a leader but a puppet whose strings are being pulled by that very demographic. Or perhaps, worse, not someone elected to work on behalf of the people of Ontario but one elected to work on behalf of a small group of wealthy benefactors. I call Doug Ford out and demand he be accountable to all of his constituents, not just a select few. I demand Premier Ford and his government withdraw any proposed changes to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, (PPCRS), and the Historical Parks Act, and that it withdraw its proposed sale of 60% of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park beachfront to the municipality of Wasaga Beach for re-development. It would do Premier Ford well to remember the axiom "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".