July 23, 2019 Thank you for…

July 23, 2019

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to comment on the proposed 2019 management plan for Wasaga Beach.

Under the categories given in reviewing the 2017 Secondary Plan and Section 4; Permitted Uses and Activities of the WBPP Park Planning Management Topics and Options MECP update we would appreciate your consideration of a designated area for clothing optional (nude) use.

In reviewing your documentation and in keeping with the scope of the beach, recreational values and culture of today’s society, the Federation of Canadian Naturists (FCN) believe we would be a good fit and Wasaga Beach would benefit from such designated use.

In 2016, the Wasagabares and the FCN jointly put in an application with Wasaga Beach Council for them to approve our proposal of Clothing Optional Beach with MNR. The Council had to kill the vote because of a tie in the vote 3-3. It was never raised again, however one of the main reasons for a non-vote was from Deputy Mayor Nina Bifolchi pointing out she couldn’t support the recommendation because it was outside of the municipality’s jurisdiction to encourage a use on Ontario Parks property that could be considered illegal.

The FCN is not sure what the biggest issue is with Provincial Parks not allowing a designated area for Nude Use. The FCN feels it is the uncertainty of knowing the law. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 174, it specifies what is considered illegal. This law over the years has been challenged for simplified nudity, and only in extreme cases has anyone been charged under this section. Hanlan’s Beach (Toronto Island), Wreck Beach (Vancouver), Crystal Crescent Beach (Nova Scotia) are all approved Clothing Optional Beaches with proper signage that fall under “Section 174, (2) For the purpose of this section, a person is nude who is so clad as to offend against public decency or order.” Other events in Ontario where it is common to see nude people are Pride Toronto and World Naked Bike Ride. These also fall under Section 174 (2), as would Wasaga Beach with proper signage. Because of the difficulty of having someone charged under Section 174, nude people thought to be in the wrong are charged with “Mischief” or “Causing a Disturbance (Section 175”, and in the cases of mere nudity, are often acquitted.

In the minutes of Wasaga Beach City Council (see attached link), on page 9, paragraph 5, Park Superintendent John Fisher has, “stated that full nudity in Ontario Provincial Parks is not permitted. Park Wardens respond on a complaint basis and asks offenders to put clothes on to be in conformity with the laws of Ontario.” To keep within understanding the law, there is no such law in any Ontario Parks regulations and therefore we believe he was making the comment based on what he perceived as Ontario or Canadian law.

Naturism (social nudity) has always been good for the environment. For one, we do not wear clothes that may put phosphates in the water. We clean up after ourselves with the motto of “take out more than you brought in”. We often host 2 beach clean-up days per season, sometimes more.
The FCN and naturists in general live under the code:
Naturism/nudism is a way of life in harmony with nature whose activities are not directed towards profit. It is characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with the intention of encouraging respect for oneself, respect for others and for the environment. The goal of naturism/nudism is the promotion of the physical and mental health of humans in nature or in sporting activities. The FCN supports all initiatives that nurture the body, the mind and the soul and opposes anything that can cause harm. The FCN promotes the protection of nature and the environment.

If the designated Clothing Optional Beach were to be at the East end of Beach 1, adjacent to the breeding area of the Piping Plover, naturists are very aware of the environmental concerns of that part of the beaches at Wasaga Provincial Park, especially the concerns of the (MNRF) regarding the breeding season of the Piping Plovers. Naturists are your best source for their protection and stewardship and also in maintaining the beach, making sure that it is kept safe and clean for both the wildlife and people.

In keeping with Wasaga’s Blue Flag status, seeing that Hanlan’s Beach maintains this status, we see no conflict or removal of this status combined with a Clothing Optional status at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Not only thinking of the park, but also the adjoining town of Wasaga Beach, there are economic benefits of having a Clothing Optional Beach at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. It will bring more tourists, not only from the Greater Metropolitan Toronto Region but also from the rest of Canada, USA and the world, who will be requiring and paying for, food services, accommodation, travel, and many local services, an economic benefit that every community, including the Town of Wasaga Beach can use these days in economic struggles.

In a report done by BC Hughes for Tourism Development, Management and Marketing in 2011 for Region 7 as Waterways Project Assessment of Ontario where Wasaga Beach is mentioned, it is referred to on page 39 “Thinking Outside the Suitcase – Consider expanding product by developing a nudist beach to appeal to a niche market of beach lovers”. (Link attached)
A Nude Use Beach (Clothing Optional) would continue to maintain a multi-use function, just without the necessity of wearing clothes or a bathing costume.

In the minutes (link attached), Councillor Smith noted “That full public nudity has been going on for 20 + years in this location but the problem is that the participants have made it public”. It is believed by the FCN that the Eastern end of Beach 1 has been used for over 100 years. It is known that there is a market for naturists/nudists.

In April of 1999, a group of concerned citizens representing the naturist community put forth a proposal to the City of Toronto for a Clothing Optional Beach at Hanlan’s Point. This was adopted initially by council on a 3 year trial (initially 1 year) and in 2002 Hanlan’s Beach was sanctioned on a permanent basis for nude use. It has been successfully supplying a niche market for 17 years! Today, there are signs as one gets off the ferry directing people to this beach. It is far from being a secret and it has been documented in many places the increase in tourist dollars because of this beach. On a hot summer day it is not uncommon to see 500 plus users of this beach. We would like to encourage Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to sanction a Clothing Optional Beach, on a trial basis, if necessary, similar to the City of Toronto if there are concerns that could be answered over a time period. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park can get in on this niche market as well with minimum expenditure.