As someone who has spent…

As someone who has spent countless days walking the shores of Wasaga Beach, I’m deeply concerned about the proposed changes in Bill 5. This isn’t just about land—it’s about preserving a place that holds meaning for so many of us. Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is more than a tourist destination; it’s a sanctuary for wildlife, a haven for families, and a vital part of Ontario’s natural heritage.

Removing over 3% of the park from protection to make way for development puts all of that at risk. The endangered Piping Plover nests here—one of the few places left where it can safely breed. If we lose this habitat, we may lose the species altogether. And once this land is developed, there’s no getting it back.

I understand the desire to grow and invest in tourism, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of our environment. The safeguards in place—like conducting a proper environmental study—exist for a reason. Fast-tracking this proposal would be reckless and shortsighted.

I’m asking you, not just as a citizen but as someone who loves this beach, to reconsider. Let’s protect Wasaga Beach Provincial Park for the wildlife that depends on it, for the people who cherish it, and for the generations yet to come