Urgent objection to proposed…

Urgent objection to proposed removal of lands from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the recent proposal—which would remove approximately 645 acres (nearly one-third) of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park from public protection, including all of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga, Allenwood, and Nancy Island—as well as amendments to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) that would make land removal easier.

1. Longstanding commitment to park protection
Under its 1978 Management Plan, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park was designated to preserve natural features—like ancient sand dunes, shorebird habitat, Provincially Significant Earth Science areas, and 14 km of freshwater beach—while guiding park use, development, and management through the next 20 years.

2. Critical ecological and cultural value
The park protects rare habitats—including piping plover nesting grounds, provincially significant wetlands, dune systems, and earth-science features—which are essential to ecosystem health and have been recognized since the park’s founding in 1959.

3. Threat from legislative rollback
The current proposal not only transfers lands but also seeks to amend the PPCRA to remove the requirement of legislative review for any park land sales over 1 % of a park’s area—opening the door to eliminating protections for other parks in Ontario.

4. Economic gain—not ecological cost—is driving this agenda
While the government has allocated $38 million to enhance tourism—$25 million for Nancy Island redevelopment, infrastructure, and downtown revitalization—these goals do not justify sacrificing core park ecosystems for short-term economic returns

What Ontarians actually want:
    •    Withdraw the bill proposing land removals and PPCRA amendments.
    •    Retain legislative safeguards: any park boundary or status changes should continue to require thorough ecological assessment and legislative approval.
    •    Invest in environmental stewardship: fund ecological restoration—particularly for piping plovers and dunes—without compromising park integrity.
    •    Commit to full transparency and public consultation, including Indigenous engagement, in any future park-focused policy decisions.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is far more than a tourist attraction; it is a critical ecological, cultural, and community treasure. I strongly urge your ministry to reject this proposal, protect the park’s future, and safeguard its legacy for current and future generations.

Thank you for your consideration.