I am strongly opposed to the…

I am strongly opposed to the proposed legislative amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 and the Historical Parks Act that would enable the transfer of Beach Area 1 from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the Town of Wasaga Beach.

This proposal would remove the environmental protections afforded under provincial park status and effectively give the Town sole authority over land use decisions for this sensitive and iconic waterfront area. Once provincial protection is gone, there is no guarantee the land will remain in public hands or protected from inappropriate development.

The government’s own notice states:

"If approved, it is likely that the local municipality and businesses will benefit from this proposal as it supports their ongoing tourism enhancement efforts and the broader revitalization of the downtown area."

However, no concrete plan or vision for the land has been presented to the public. “Tourism enhancement” and “revitalization” remain vague slogans, unsupported by detailed proposals, feasibility studies, or environmental assessments. Without a clear, binding plan, the claim of economic benefit is uncertain and unsubstantiated.

I am also concerned that:

Lack of meaningful consultation: There has been no significant, transparent consultation with Wasaga Beach residents prior to the Town agreeing to pursue this purchase.

Financial burden on taxpayers: The Town has not explained how it intends to finance what will be a multi-million-dollar property acquisition. Any debt taken on would likely result in a property tax increase for residents, yet no cost-benefit analysis has been presented.

No environmental protection funding: The Town currently does not have a dedicated budget or program for environmental protection activities. How will it fund shoreline management, habitat preservation, and maintenance for this newly acquired land?

Risk of resale: Once the land is transferred to municipal ownership, there is no legal mechanism in the proposal to prevent a future Town council from selling it to private developers. This opens the door to permanent loss of public access and natural character.

Reduced conservation safeguards: Under provincial park status, the entire Beach Area 1 is protected under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. After transfer, only a narrow 15-metre strip from the high-water mark would remain under Conservation Authority regulation, leaving the vast majority of the area open to development at the discretion of local council.

Loss of long-term stewardship: Provincial parks are managed for the benefit of all Ontarians, not just local political priorities. This land is of provincial significance as part of the world’s longest freshwater beach and should remain in the provincial system.

This decision is being rushed without a fully developed plan, adequate environmental study, or broad public engagement. Once the land is sold, the decision cannot be reversed, and the protections enjoyed for decades will be lost forever.

I urge the Government of Ontario to withdraw this proposal and instead work with the Town of Wasaga Beach to improve tourism and economic development within the framework of maintaining Beach Area 1 as part of the provincial park system. Long-term ecological integrity, public access, and the park’s unique character must take precedence over unproven redevelopment concepts.