I was extremely concerned to…

I was extremely concerned to hear of the proposed amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, which would remove areas of Wasaga Provincial Park from protected status in order to facilitate tourism development. The areas slated for development are critical nesting habitat for an endangered species, the Piping Plover. Our provincial parks already have a difficult time balancing habitat protection with recreational use. If we start removing parts of those parks for more intensive development, we undermine the role of our provincial protected areas in preserving our fragile biological diversity.

To Premier Ford and Minister McCarthy: What don't you understand about the designation of the Piping Plover as an endangered species? Species receive this designation because they are in danger of disappearing. Conservation efforts in Wasaga Provincial Park have made a difference, resulting in a tentative come-back of nesting populations of Plovers in this part of our province. The proposed expansions to tourism in this critical habitat will erase those gains.

It's time to stop caving to the lobby efforts of land developers pursuing their personal wealth at the cost of our public goods, like the conservation values provided by our provincial park system. Let's create more jobs instead by investing more in our parks' conservation activities. People will come from around the world to see world-class nature preserves, and they can stay in hotels within the existing urban footprint of communities like Wasaga Beach.

I urge you to reconsider these legislative amendments and instead step up to the plate for Ontario's diverse wildlife and natural areas.