I oppose the Government of…

I oppose the Government of Ontario's proposal to transfer land at Wasaga Beach from Ontario Parks to the Town of Wasaga Beach. The provincial parks framework is the best one to ensure successful sustainable tourism at the beach. With the drastic slashing of endangered species protection under the government's recently passed Bill 5, provincial park protections for all flora and fauna within park boundaries need to remain in place. It is not sufficient to simply protect the immediate nesting area as the Bill 5 legislation does.

Wasaga Beach is the best remaining habitat in the province for the endangered piping plover. The existing provincial park reduces threats to piping plover and their habitat year-round by restricting mechanical raking so that the habitat is not destroyed, prohibiting dune alteration, and protecting nests with fenced buffer zones and natural predator mitigations.

Successful rehabilitation of piping plover populations at Wasaga Beach helps bring lots of money into the province and the local community from visits by bird watchers and other nature buffs from all over North America and further afield excited to see this rare bird.

Also, all species are interconnected. Piping plovers can play a beneficial role in controlling populations of insects and marine organisms that may be harmful to agriculture or fishing, respectively. But once they're gone, they're gone!

Please take a long-term view on behalf of future generations when you make your decision about the unique, irreplaceable natural treasure at Wasaga Beach. The Government of Ontario needs to protect more natural habitat under Canada's goal of protecting 30% of natural areas by 2030 - not remove existing protections on natural habitat such as that at Wasaga Beach.