I oppose this proposal…

I oppose this proposal. Economic growth does not have to come at the expense of public spaces that provide habitat for species at risk.

Piping Plovers experienced a 30-year absence in Ontario and only returned, thanks to management efforts, in 2007. Since then, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park has hosted 57 nests that have produced 85 fledglings (babies) to the population – more than any other nest location in Ontario. This species has a very tough time surviving without management as they are susceptible to intense human and predator pressures.

Beach Area 1 is referred to often as “Ploverland”, a stretch of habitat that has hosted 54 of the 57 Piping Plover nests in Wasaga Beach since 2008. This small stretch of beach is one of only four nesting locations for Piping Plovers in the province. This plan, in addition to the passing of Bill 5, will eliminate provincial habitat protections and allow the raking of the beaches in this section, eliminating useful habitat for these birds. Thereby eliminating the nesting population of this species from Simcoe County entirely.