RE: Opposition to the…

RE: Opposition to the Proposed Removal and Transfer of Lands from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park

As a concerned resident and steward of Ontario’s protected natural spaces, I strongly oppose the proposed transfer of Nancy Island and the removal of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga, and Allenwood Beach from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, as outlined in the government's proposal.
This plan prioritizes short-term economic development at the expense of long-standing environmental protection and public access. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, established in 1959, spans over 1,800 hectares of ecologically significant land. Its beaches, dunes, and shoreline habitats support biodiversity, protect water quality, and offer year-round recreational opportunities. By removing key areas from park designation and transferring them to municipal control, we risk eroding the integrity of the park and compromising the very natural and cultural heritage the proposal claims to protect.
Specific concerns include:
- Loss of Environmental Protections: The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) provides more robust conservation safeguards than the proposed Heritage Properties Act (HPA). Replacing one with the other weakens oversight and may expose sensitive ecosystems to commercial development.
- Privatization and Reduced Public Access: Selling Crown land to the Town opens the door for privatization, reducing public access and increasing barriers to enjoy the natural shoreline areas.
- Irreversible Ecological Impact: Coastal dunes and wetlands in these beach areas are fragile and vulnerable. Development and increased traffic could accelerate erosion, threaten wildlife, and impair Wasaga’s ecological health.
- Precedent for De-designation: This move sets a dangerous precedent for removing lands from Ontario’s protected park system to accommodate municipal or private interests. Once protections are lifted, reinstating them becomes significantly harder.
While I support responsible tourism and local economic growth, this must not come at the cost of environmental sustainability and public trust. Nancy Island and the designated beach areas should remain under MECP management and within the protections of the PPCRA.
I urge the government to reconsider this proposal, engage in meaningful consultation with residents, Indigenous communities, and environmental experts, and seek alternatives that both protect Wasaga Beach’s natural legacy and support sustainable tourism.
Sincerely,
Andrea