Dear Minister Khanjin,…

Dear Minister Khanjin,
Expand protection in Ontario. Leave the heart of Bigwind Lake Provincial Park alone. It doesn’t need the hordes of urbanites destroying prime wilderness areas.

I love connecting with nature, including camping but we don’t need more and more developed larger parks in Ontario, over- development of existing protection let’s to more pollution and garbage and more encounters with wildlife which are always on the receiving end of a bad encounter.

Bigwind Lake Provincial Park is currently a non-operating park that quietly safeguards the habitat of 14 species at risk, protected under the Endangered Species Act, while providing low-impact recreation opportunities to hike, canoe and fish.
Keep it that way for future generations of genuine wilderness stewards who don’t need a Timmy’s and a hairdryer along with their 5th wheel and all its massive fingerprints.

Ontario’s own studies admit that there is a shortage of information on species, so the number of species at risk could be even higher.
The proposal to turn Bigwind into an operating park strip mall and would see 250 campsites, roofed accommodation, paved roads, maintenance facilities, camp store and food services in the core of the park amidst a rich natural environment and wildlife corridor. Ridiculous and nothing more than a money generating parking lot.

In total, the proposed development zone and access would impact at least 362 ha or 18% of the park. This is more than the 314 ha proposed to be added. This level and location of disturbance can’t happen without striking a blow to the ecological integrity of Bigwind, including species at risk.

Ontario is required by law to follow the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act (PPCRA) that mandates protected areas be managed with ecological integrity as the first priority and plans to maintain and increase ecological integrity over time. Ontario’s Endangered Species Act requires the protection of species at risk and their habitat. Ontario can’t obey these laws and go ahead and ruin Bigwind. Keep it void of Urbanites who are not stewards or protectors of wilderness areas.
We don’t need more candy wrappers and diapers strewn throughout our wilderness areas. Are you going to police the trails and ticket them in wilderness areas? You rarely do that now in Federal or Provincial regular parks. I know, I’ve seen it firsthand in the 50 odd years I’ve been, hiking, camping, climbing and backcountry skiing in these wilderness areas. It’s getting worse every year.

Instead, Ontario should be expanding its Park system. It currently has less than 11% protection, lagging behind many other jurisdictions like Nova Scotia, Alberta, BC, Quebec, NWT, and the Yukon that range from almost 14% to over 21%. Canada and other world conservation leaders are pledging to reach 30% protection by 2030 (science actually says the world needs 50% protection). By creating more parks, Ontario could meet both its nature stewardship responsibilities and provide the access to nature that people crave, without damaging existing parks. Please do not go ahead with the current proposal to convert Bigwind Lake Provincial Park to an operating Park. Instead, commit to increasing protection to 30%.

Sincerely,
Paul R.