Piping Plovers are important…

Piping Plovers are important, and their habitat needs to be protected at Wasaga Beach!

The proposed amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA) to sell a big portion of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park shoreline to the Town of Wasaga Beach, will end the role of Ontario Parks and the PPCRA in protecting critical habitat for Piping Plover in this location. No federal or provincial laws will exist to protect critical habitat for Piping Plover at Wasaga Beach if this transfer occurs, which poses a significant threat to endangered Piping Plover.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Beach Area 1 and New Wasaga have been identified as Critical Habitat under the federal Species at Risk Act (2002). However, no critical habitat order was issued. In 2013, when the Action Plan for the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus) in Ontario was published, the Federal Government deemed provincial protections under the Endangered Species Act (2007) to be effective, placing habitat protections under the jurisdiction of the province. Following the legislative changes made by the passing of Bill 5 (the repeal of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 and the creation of the Species Conservation Act, 2025), the only remaining provincial protections for Piping Plover habitat falls under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act (2006). Removing Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood, would eliminate the existing legal protections provided through the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act (2006).

Removal of all legal protections and absence of dedicated and experienced staff at the proposed land transfer beaches where Piping Plover nest, poses a significant risk to the important habitat this endangered species needs for survival and recovery. The Government of Ontario must include actions required to protect Piping Plover in the proposed land transfer, if approved.

The Ontario Government must ensure that Piping Plover are conserved and protected by a science-based Beach Management Plan, with sufficient resources to implement this plan. Absolutely no new management activity on the beachfronts and dunes should happen prior to the creation of this plan, as guided by the precautionary principle. Credible third party conservation experts need to be part of the development of this plan, not just consultants or other self-identified experts that may have competing agendas.

I urge the Minister to consider the potential impacts of ERO 025-0694 on Piping Plovers and their habitat. If this sale is approved, the Ontario Government absolutely must ensure the needed protections are mandated as a condition of the sale or other means. If not, Piping Plovers could disappear from these beaches, and from Ontario, forever. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.