I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed “Tourism Enhancement Proposal” for Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

My family has owned cottages in Woodland Beach for generations. We have spent countless summers enjoying the natural beauty of Wasaga Beach and its surrounding ecosystems. This area is not just a vacation spot — it is part of our family’s history and a cherished natural sanctuary.

The proposed development threatens one of the last remaining nesting grounds for the endangered Piping Plover. These small shorebirds rely on the undisturbed dunes, beach debris, and wrack lines to nest and raise their chicks. Flattening beaches, building roads, and increasing human activity in these sensitive areas would be devastating to their survival.

Ontario’s own experts have acknowledged that once dune systems are lost, they may take decades to recover — time the Piping Plovers simply do not have. As an indicator species, their decline signals the collapse of the entire beach ecosystem. If we lose the plovers, we risk losing the very biodiversity that makes Wasaga Beach so special.

I am also alarmed by the government’s plan to amend the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act to push this development forward. This sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of all protected lands in Ontario. Our parks should not be sacrificed for short-term commercial gain.

I urge the Ontario government to reconsider this proposal and prioritize the long-term health of our communities over unsustainable development. Wasaga Beach is a life-giving ecosystem — not a commodity.