These comments are on behalf…

These comments are on behalf of a family with residential roots and community engagement in the Town of Wasaga Beach going back 50 years. We applaud the overall good intentions of the Ontario government for our Town and support its initiative to restore Nancy Island. But we oppose completely those measures that will remove portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and the sale of any Crown-owned land to the Town.

We Support the Refurbishment of Nancy Island

Our family whole-heartedly endorses the legislative changes that will lead to the timely refurbishment of Nancy Island, after too many years of damaging neglect. We remember the splendor of the Nancy Island Historical Site in its prime with safe, comfortable access to the charred but inspiring hull, educational videos and lively reenactments. It was well-visited and enjoyed by tourists, residents and students. But no longer. Due to unfortunate neglect by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, it has been in complete disrepair and unvisitable for four years. The inclusion of Nancy Island under the Historical Parks Act and the Ontario Government’s commitment to spend $25 million for full refurbishment and updating is welcome. Better late than never.

We Oppose Any Transfer of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park Lands

Our family has nothing positive to say about the proposed amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act 2006. The transfer to Town control that it will enable is demonstrably wrong in principle and, should it proceed, will be in practice. It is very alarming!

With its majestic trees, winding paths and spacious, natural setting Beach 2 is the jewel of the whole Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Families flock to this particular location because of the peaceful enjoyment they experience with close access to the water, away from trinket stores, fast food dispensers and bars. Where will they go when it is gone – because if the transfer occurs that demise is sure to happen. The Town Council’s demonstrated priority is condos and commercial development and Beach 2 is clearly in its sight. Why else would they seek control? The Beach 2 park is fine just the way it is under Provincial jurisdiction.

Nothing good can happen from the proposed transfer. In fact it’s ironic, if not hypocritical, that in his public statement dated July 30 2025 the Town Mayor accuses the Province 50 years ago of in effect “paving paradise to put up a parking lot”. In fact the Province has preserved and enhanced “paradise” while the Town Council clearly is intent on paving it. Just look at the garish, inappropriate townhouses now under construction on Beach1. This is the best beach on Georgian Bay, if not the Great Lakes, and instead of enhancing public enjoyment of it the Town Council is diminishing it with dismal initiatives and questionable motives.

In the same public statement the Mayor undertakes to “preserve all beaches and environmentally sensitive dunes” but no more. He (purposely?) offers no assurances for other transferred lands, including Beach 2, which he characterizes wrongly as “mostly paved parking lots”. The misrepresentation speaks volumes! There is so much more to the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park than beaches and it must be preserved and enhanced, not destroyed. The Mayor speaks glowingly of transforming Wasaga Beach from a one-season tourism destination into a four-season attraction. The more likely reality is that the Town will become a no-season tourism destination. Tourists can find condos and strip malls without leaving home.

The Town Council fundamentally fails to consider that the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, including all beaches, dunes and park land, is a cherished resource for all Ontarians, not just for a select few. In the circumstances, it is the absolute responsibility of the Ontario Government to preserve this wide-spread entitlement, access and enjoyment. Transferring ownership of Park property and other Crown land is not consistent with meeting this obligation. Quite the opposite!
Another very troubling consequence of this flawed legislative initiative is that it sets a dangerous precedent. If a large swath of the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park can be torn away from public enjoyment and environmental protection, what’s next for Ontario’s more than 330 other provincial parks and 300 conservation areas? Could Algonquin or Sandbanks provincial parks be next? The time to stop is before it begins!