The purpose of the…

The purpose of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act is to permanently protect a system of provincial parks and conservation reserves that includes ecosystems that are representative of all of Ontario’s natural regions, protects provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage, maintains biodiversity and provides opportunities for compatible, ecologically sustainable recreation.
This proposal goes against the PPCRA and all of Ontarians' needs for the protection of the natural biodiversity that is left in this province. I am completely opposed to this proposal and call for the government of Ontario to withdraw it.
What is more concerning to me is that elected officials are directing their staff to submit proposals like this. Staff at Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks are trained and passionate about the need for protecting the environment in this province. Their Minister and Premier should be ashamed to ask them to develop proposals that will destroy it.
Ontario is losing biodiversity at an ever increasing rate. The housing crisis and now the trade war crisis are being used as reasons for over riding environmental protections (like the PPCRA) when they don't need to be. Ontario has land within municipal boundaries for development, the Ontario government is just choosing not to see it.
I would suggest that the province let the Town of Wasaga Beach determine for itself how they revitalize the downtown area and enhance tourism initiatives outside of the existing Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. The MECP does not need to enable the removal of land from a provincial park, alternatives can be found within the municipal boundaries.
I encourage the MECP to enable to development of new provincial parks, rather than destroying existing ones. The province's population is growing and there is need for more natural areas (not less) for this growing number of Ontarians. More people need to experience nature before they forget what it is.
I ask the MECP and the Ontario provincial government to prioritize environment over development and withdraw this proposal. There is no need to destroy a provincial park and the wildlife habitat it provides for for more concrete and beach front homes for the wealthy.