I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my strenuous opposition to the proposed transfer of lands from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the Town of Wasaga Beach (ERO posting # 025-0694).

My concerns begin with shortcomings within the posting itself:

(1) The Proposal summary states that it seeks “to boost tourism and drive economic growth in Wasaga Beach, while continuing to support the area’s natural and cultural heritage." Unfortunately, nowhere in the document does it explain how these natural features would be protected. We are simply supposed to believe they will be, even in light of the passage of Bill 5 which has reduced protections for species at risk and the requirement for environmental assessments.

(2) The mapping provided does not clearly delineate sensitive ecological areas such as wetlands and piping plover breeding habitat, making it difficult to fully understand what is at play. The land to be transferred is simply shown as yellow shading – not very nuanced or helpful at all.

(3) The Analysis component of the posting is superficial and one-sided. Why are only the potential economic benefits profiled with no mention whatsoever of the potential adverse effects on species at risk and other sensitive features? The analysis clearly lacks balance and depth, consistently only of vague statements that favour the proposal (second paragraph). In contrast, the first paragraph talks about anticipating “some impacts to the regulated entities resulting from the proposed removal and transfer of lands and change of governing legislation . . .” What this means, in plain English, is that it is expected that the Proposal will impact the park (the regulated entity) but there is absolutely no elaboration on what these impacts might be. No doubt, it will have a negative impact on the park’s ecological integrity, but these potential impacts are not discussed at all, hardly a balanced analysis.

(4) We are also left without any detail as to how the lands will be developed. Again, we are simply asked to believe that everything will be fine after the land is transferred to the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Our provincial parks are part of a heritage that belongs to all Ontarions. This Proposal clearly runs contrary to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 which states that the objectives of the provincial park system include:

(1) To permanently protect representative ecosystems, biodiversity and provincially significant elements of Ontario’s natural and cultural heritage and to manage these areas to ensure that ecological integrity is maintained.

The ecological features of the beach areas to be removed are much different than those inland. It’s not just about removing a small portion of the park (approximately 60 ha or 3%); it’s about removing a large piece (over half) of its beachfront, a unique and sensitive area the park was created to protect in perpetuity. The Town claims that roughly half of the area contains beach and sensitive dunes that will be preserved. If that’s the case, why not leave these lands within the park?

Further, it’s hard to imagine how the Town of Wasaga Beach will be better equipped to manage piping plover and other sensitive habitats than Ontario Parks is. Further, since this proposal is about promoting economic growth first and foremost, we should expect that ecological integrity will lose out if push comes to shove.

(2) To provide opportunities for ecologically sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities and encourage associated economic benefits.

The park currently provides many thousands of Ontarions with an affordable experience of Ontario’s Great Lakes coastline. Most Ontarions cannot afford cottages or to stay at fancy, privately-owned beach resorts. The proposed transfer may result in some new amenities being built, but will the beach experience still be as affordable as it is now for the average person? I imagine not, as developers are in the business of making money, not providing low-cost recreational opportunities.

The park is already drawing thousands to the area (over 2 million visits each year according to the mayor) and enhancing the economy of the town. If the province wants to assist Wasaga Beach in further enhancing tourism, that’s fine, but do it on lands already within the town or by investing in the park itself, not at the expense of the park. For example, instead of removing areas such as Nancy Island from the park, why not give Ontario Parks the funding required to enhance the visitor experience, or have another agency run it but retain its PPCRA status?

Most of southern Ontario is already privately owned and available for economic activity of all sorts. Our provincial parks are supposed to be places where the protection of nature, and the public’s affordable and appropriate access to it, are first and foremost, not profit. In the face of a biodiversity crisis and a burgeoning population, the province should be adding to our parks system, not stripping away some of its most precious parts. In my opinion, the Proposal represents a theft of our commons for the benefit of a few and opens the door to more of the same in the future (the thin edge of the wedge). It should be withdrawn.