To the government of Ontario…

To the government of Ontario:

I am writing to ask that the government NOT sell the lands within Beach areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach to the Town of Wasaga Beach. These Crown-owned - that is, public - lands were acquired by the province in order to preserve the land for public use and also, importantly, protect important ecological elements, including ANSI-designated The Point in Beach area 1. Together, these lands, part of the longest freshwater beach in the world, are a public legacy that should be entrusted in perpetuity to the people of Ontario, not to the Town of Wasaga Beach. The Town has ample land already under its own jurisdiction to undertake its considered tourism redevelopment plans, without needing to remove such a significant amount of land from this incredibly popular and successful park. 
The dual nature of this park - both recreational and protected ecological environment for the piping plover - is a feature that makes stewardship by Ontario Parks essential, rather than the corporation of the Town of Wasaga Beach, which is not equipped to properly undertake both of these two key and quite different functions. It is particularly concerning that the transfer of this significant amount of beachfront is being considered without providing any guardrails to protect and preserve the vital sand dunes and native vegetation here, and the critical piping plover habitat. 
Finally, it is very disturbing to see this parkland transfer being considered without undergoing proper due process, and is looking at legislative amendments to the PPCRA to 'remove lands' from public parks, making what would surely be a publicly unpopular move to be done without real public consultation, and setting a dangerous precedent for the security of our remaining parkland. Who are we? As Canadians, we tend to revere our incredible natural landscapes, with Ontario Parks an important touchstone for many Ontarians seeking to be in nature. While Canada committed to 30x30, with 30% of our lands and water protected by 2030, Ontario as I understand it has yet to adopt the 30x30 target, despite the recommendations of its own Protected Areas Working Group. Ontario's protected areas are currently sitting around 11%. We should be adding more land to our protected parks systems, not removing them.