Dear Premier Ford and…

Dear Premier Ford and Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks,

I'm writing regarding the proposed legislative amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, and Historical Parks Act to support the Town of Wasaga Beach's Tourism Enhancement Proposal. While I understand the economic benefits this proposal may bring, I urge your government to ensure that any development proceeds only with robust protections for Ontario's Piping Plovers through a comprehensive, science-based conservation approach.

These small shorebirds face serious threats that demand our attention now. Current beach management practices are destroying the very habitat these birds need to survive. Mechanical raking tears apart the natural beach environment where Piping Plovers nest and feed. Meanwhile, dune alterations remove critical nesting areas, and unprotected nests leave both eggs and chicks vulnerable to predators and human disturbance.

Ontario needs a management plan that tackles these problems head-on. This means stopping mechanical raking in Piping Plover habitat areas, especially during breeding season. We need strict protections against dune modifications that wipe out nesting sites. And we must establish proper fenced buffer zones around active nests, combined with natural predator control measures that don't harm the broader ecosystem.

But protection measures alone aren't enough - they need proper funding behind them. The province must commit real resources to conservation efforts, habitat stewardship, and ongoing monitoring. This isn't just about putting up a few signs; it's about sustained investment in the species' recovery.

Getting this right means working with the people who know these birds best. Organizations like Birds Canada have decades of expertise in Piping Plover biology and conservation. They should be involved from the planning stages through implementation, not brought in as an afterthought.

The window for action is closing fast. Piping Plover populations continue to decline, and every breeding season we delay meaningful protection is another opportunity lost. Ontario has a responsibility to these birds and to future generations who deserve to see them thriving on our shores.

I'm asking you to develop and fund a robust Piping Plover conservation plan that addresses habitat protection, reduces human impacts, and draws on scientific expertise. These birds can't wait for half-measures or promises of future action.

Thank you for your consideration of this urgent matter.