Wasaga Beach is not just a…

Wasaga Beach is not just a popular summer destination—it is one of the most critical nesting sites in Ontario for the endangered Piping Plover. These small, migratory shorebirds rely on undisturbed stretches of sandy beach for nesting, feeding, and rearing their young. The recovery of the Piping Plover in Ontario has been painstaking and fragile, and Wasaga Beach is one of only a few places in the province where they have successfully returned to nest in recent years.

Removing park protections and transferring land to a ministry whose mandate prioritizes tourism and development over ecological stewardship threatens decades of conservation work. Even small disturbances to nesting areas—such as increased foot traffic, commercial activity, or shoreline alterations—can cause Piping Plovers to abandon nests, lose chicks, or fail to return altogether.

This proposal puts their habitat at direct risk.

Under the PPCRA, there is a legal and moral obligation to prioritize ecological integrity. Once this land is removed from park status, there is no guarantee that protections will remain in place or be enforced with the same level of care. The vague references to “continuing to protect natural heritage” are not enough. We need binding legal protections—not promises.

Ontario has a responsibility to protect species at risk, and that includes preserving the few remaining habitats they depend on. I urge the government to reject this proposal and instead reaffirm its commitment to species recovery, biodiversity, and responsible environmental stewardship.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park should remain protected—for the Piping Plover, for biodiversity, and for future generations.