I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed amendment and urge the Government of Ontario to withdraw this proposal in its entirety.
To begin, I support the transfer of the Nancy Island Historic Site from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG). The story of the HMS Nancy is one I know well, and I believe MTCG—especially in partnership with Huronia Historical Parks—has the resources and expertise to steward this site and share its history effectively.
However, I am firmly against the removal of Beach Areas 1 and 2 from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. This plan directly contradicts MECP’s own Statement of Environmental Values and poses a serious threat to the region’s biodiversity. These beach areas contain one of only four known breeding sites for the endangered piping plover in Ontario. As someone who works closely with piping plovers in my career, I am deeply concerned that this proposal could lead to their extirpation from the province.
The Town of Wasaga Beach has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of understanding and commitment to species-at-risk (SAR) recovery. Their priorities are clearly profit-driven, not conservation-focused. For example, after acquiring Allenwood Beach, the town raked the dunes—disrupting critical natural processes and violating the piping plover recovery plan. This mirrors the situation at Sauble Beach, where illegal raking in 2019 destroyed plover habitat, and the birds have not returned to breed since. If similar actions are taken in Wasaga Beach, we risk losing the most productive plover breeding site in Ontario.
Beyond my professional concerns, I also recreate at Wasaga Beach frequently. The park’s natural backdrop of dunes, forests, and wildlife is a major draw for residents and visitors alike. Removing the protections afforded by the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) jeopardizes the long-term preservation of these features. While I support enhancing tourism infrastructure, it must be done in a way that respects and protects the unique and sensitive biodiversity of this land.
This proposal comes at a time when Ontario is facing one of its worst wildfire seasons in history, a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard our natural ecosystems. Biodiversity is not a luxury; it is a necessity for ecological resilience and climate adaptation.
I urge the government to uphold its commitment to environmental stewardship and reject this proposal. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park must remain protected, for the piping plovers, for the ecosystem, and for future generations.