To whom it may concern,…

To whom it may concern,

After reviewing the suggestion to change ownership of the land at Wasaga Beach, I have some concerns and comments regarding its future management as well as the protections that will be put in place to maintain the current delicate ecosystems and species within the land.

My initial concern is revolving the removal of the Wasaga Beach area from the PPCRA, and its addition to the HPA. After initial review of both these documents i can make an immediate distinction:

- PPCRA is approximately 13,000 words
- HPA is < 800 words

Now i am aware that word count does not hold meaning in a documents strength but it can certainly give an indication as to the effort that was put into its development and the strength of its protections for the land upon it is assigned. The reason this is important is because Wasaga Beach is home to one of the most critical nesting sites for the Piping Plover (Endangered) and is home to several other species of birds and animals.

I am afraid that by moving the Wasaga Beach area from the PPCRA to the HPA, we will greatly reduce the protections in place for the ecosystem present and allow the Town extreme liberties in its management. I believe that there can exist a Canada in which tourism can be bolstered by the natural beauties that our country has to offer. Many beaches around the world have white sands and massive hotel complexes, but very few beaches get to be a part of the miracle that is seeing newborn Plover chicks emerge from their shells and explore the world for the very first time.

I align with the idea that Wasaga Beach can be improved for Tourism and maybe The Town is the right body to execute that, but the provincial government has a duty to ensure that while improving tourism at Wasaga we do not lose sight of the critical protections for its local wildlife. Luckily enough, the HPA has a built in clause to cover exactly that! See below:

"
(2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

(a) prescribing that a provision of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 applies to one or more historical parks;

(b) clarifying the application of any provision of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 to one or more historical parks;

(c) exempting one or more historical parks from the application of any provision of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 referred to in subsection (1). 2025, c. 10, Sched. 10, s. 1 (2).
"

I would expect that the government carries over several provisions from the PPCRA into the HPA specifically at Wasaga to ensure its protection, and i could never stand behind such a transfer until i was fully aware of which provisions are being carried over. It is my recommendation to the provincial government to revisit this transfer and include all provisions expected to be carried through from the PPCRA.

I also believe that by transferring provisions from the PPCRA into the HPA for Wasaga Beach, the provincial government has a duty to support the town by creating job(s) or providing funding to ensure that these provisions are upheld during the changes that will come to Wasaga beach.

Canada can do better! Let's not only make Wasaga a beautiful destination for tourists, but also a beautiful destination for some of its oldest winged residents (Birds).