I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed legislative amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 and the Historical Parks Act in support of the Town of Wasaga Beach’s Tourism Enhancement Proposal.

These amendments directly undermine the purpose of these Acts: to protect Ontario’s natural heritage and fragile ecosystems. If an amendment is needed to proceed with a project, it is a clear indication that the project conflicts with the core principles of conservation and environmental stewardship. Our parks and protected areas exist to safeguard biodiversity and ecological health, not to be opened up for development under the guise of economic growth.

The ecosystems in and around Wasaga Beach are already under significant stress from ongoing human activity. The Great Lakes region as a whole is facing serious ecological challenges, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate-related impacts. Weakening legal protections to accommodate short-term tourism goals only further endangers these vital natural systems.

Ontario needs leadership that prioritizes long-term environmental sustainability over short-sighted development. Economic prosperity and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but when the two are in conflict, the health of our natural environment must come first. Decisions made today will have lasting consequences for generations to come.

I urge the government to reject any amendments that would weaken environmental protections in our provincial parks. We need bold, responsible governance that protects Ontario’s natural spaces, not just for their beauty and biodiversity, but for the health and well-being of all Ontarians, now and in the future.