I do not support this…

I do not support this proposal because I am concerned that it will harm sensitive non-renewable sand-dune ecosystems and habitat, destroy provincially significant wetlands, further threaten species at risk like the piping plover, detract from local and provincial climate change adaptation capacity and put other provincial parks at risk of losing protection.

It is very important to me that the habitat of the piping plover (a species at risk) is protected using conservation and restoration management practices. I am against any development that would harm the survival and conservation of piping plover habitat. There needs to be a strong focus on ensuring that human-wildlife co-existence strategies and education are effectively promoted to allow wildlife, community members and tourists to enjoy the beach together. There also needs to be clear steps taken to ensure that areas of the beach that have historically been used by the piping plover are protected year round as well as fenced off during the nesting season to ensure that the at risk birds are able to successfully reproduce at one of the few remaining viable Ontario nesting locations. Additionally, the natural and non-renewable sand dune ecosystems at Wasaga Beach are critical for our ability as a province to adapt and manage extreme weather events (e.g., protect communities, wildlife, and surrounding ecosystems, from flooding, high winds, storms) which are set to increase due to climate change. This non-renewable ecosystem should not be treated as a beach that can be replenished, and the management of it should actively reflect its non-renewable nature. I would like to see this park used as a way to protect the province through supporting the humans and non-humans residing in the Town of Wasaga with climate change adaptation.

The park should remain protected and public. This nor any other provincial park should be sold. I would like to see the sustainable management and protection of all existing provincial parklands expanded.