Dear Ministry of the…

Dear Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed removal of Nancy Island from the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) and the reallocation of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga, and Allenwood Beach from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park for the purpose of municipal development and increased tourism.

While I recognize the importance of economic growth and revitalization, these proposed changes represent a devastating shift in the stewardship and long-standing protection of this cherished public land. Removing these areas from the park and transferring control to the Town of Wasaga Beach prioritizes short-term tourism objectives over the long-term environmental, cultural, and community health of Georgian Bay.

Wasaga Beach and Nancy Island are vital to the ecological integrity of the Georgian Bay region. They provide irreplaceable habitat for numerous species and serve as critical public green spaces for Ontarians and visitors alike. Removing these lands from provincial park protection under the PPCRA and placing them under the Heritage Properties Act significantly weakens the safeguards that currently ensure their conservation. While the proposal claims to maintain protection of the natural and cultural heritage, the change in legislative framework opens the door to commercial development that is incompatible with the ecological sensitivity and cultural significance of these areas.

The potential sale of Crown land to the municipality also raises deep concerns about long-term public access, environmental degradation, and the commercialization of land that should remain protected and accessible for future generations.

Nancy Island is more than a historical site—it is a symbol of natural heritage, deeply tied to the identity of Wasaga Beach and Georgian Bay. Transferring it out of the PPCRA undermines the consistent, park-focused stewardship that has preserved its integrity since the park’s establishment in 1959.

To proceed with this plan would be to diminish a legacy of environmental protection in favour of short-term economic interests. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and commit instead to strengthening, not weakening, the protection of our provincial parks and natural spaces.

Sincerely,
A very concerned resident