Wasaga Beach Provincial Park…

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s most visited natural attractions, drawing over 1 million visitors annually. It contributes significantly to the local and provincial economy through tourism, while also offering residents and visitors unique recreational experiences.

However, beyond its economic value, Wasaga Beach is ecologically significant. It contains one of the largest and most intact freshwater dune ecosystems in the world. These dunes provide vital ecosystem services such as flood mitigation, shoreline stabilization, water filtration, and habitat for native species. The estimated value of these dunes is approximately $3,000 per linear metre, reflecting their essential role in protecting shoreline infrastructure—including homes, cottages, and roadways—from erosion and environmental damage.

The park is also critical habitat for several species at risk, most notably the piping plover. Wasaga Beach is one of the few locations in Ontario where this endangered shorebird nests. Piping plovers offer ecological benefits such as natural pest control and serve as indicators of a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Their presence at Wasaga Beach is a testament to the current park management’s effective stewardship in balancing environmental protection with public recreation.

The proposed legislative amendments threaten to undermine the ecological integrity of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. Increased development and infrastructure to support expanded tourism may result in habitat destruction, disturbance to species at risk, and long-term degradation of natural resources that make the area so valuable in the first place.

I strongly oppose these amendments to the PPCRA and urge the government to prioritize ecological preservation over short-term tourism gains. The current park management model demonstrates that conservation and recreation can coexist successfully. We should not jeopardize this balance.

Please drop these proposed amendments and continue to protect one of Ontario’s most important natural and ecological assets.