This consultation was open from:
June 27, 2025
to August 11, 2025
Decision summary
We have approved changes to the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, (PPCRA) and changes to the Historical Parks Act (HPA) to restore an important heritage site to boost tourism and drive economic growth in Wasaga Beach, while continuing to support the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Decision details
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG) have transferred administration and control of Nancy Island Historic Site from MECP to MTCG by removing Nancy Island Historic Site from the PPCRA and including it under the HPA. The transfer totals 2.91 hectares.
This decision is part of the government’s 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario commitment to revitalize Nancy Island to boost tourism and drive economic growth in Wasaga Beach, while continuing to protect the area's natural and cultural heritage.
By removing Nancy Island Historic Site from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and placing it under the HPA, MTCG assumed responsibility for its management and protection. This transition will support the Town of Wasaga Beach’s objectives to increase tourism and attract investment.
MECP finalized legislative amendments to the PPCRA to remove portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to support the town’s overall strategy for increased tourism and investment, including the removal of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach.
The government will now advance the transfer of Crown-owned lands within Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach to the Town of Wasaga Beach to support their revitalization of the downtown area and tourism enhancement initiatives, while continuing to protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Effects of consultation
We have received a total of 14,233 comments. In addition to written public and stakeholder comments, consultation staff from one Indigenous community met with Ontario Parks staff to discuss the proposal.
Summary of comments:
A minority (~2%) of comments supported the proposal. Comments received in support of the proposal commonly addressed:
- support for MTCG’s anticipated role in enhancing the sites cultural heritage conservation through revitalization, and
- support for the removal of beach areas from the park, citing potential benefits such as economic development, enhanced amenities, and revitalization
- some comments highlighted need for ensuring continued environmental management and continued public access
Most comments (~98%) opposed the proposed removal of beach areas from the park. Common opposed to the proposal commonly addressed:
- environmental impacts
- legal and governance issues, and
- public access, perceived equity and socio-economic concerns
13 submissions from stakeholder groups were received, one of which was a joint submission on behalf of 14 stakeholder groups. They commonly expressed concern for the removal of beach areas, potential environmental impacts, as well as legal and governance issues. In addition, one submission supported transferring Nancy Island, while three opposed.
Response to comments:
We did not consider any changes to the proposal based on the feedback received, given the Town of Wasaga Beach’s commitments to keeping the beach public, not building on the beach, and protecting environmentally sensitive dunes. In addition, the land removed from the PPCRA will continue to be subject to Ontario’s species protection and environmental laws.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
659 Exeter Rd.
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Ontario Parks: Southwest Zone
659 Exeter Rd.
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Proposed changes to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG) are proposing to transfer administration and control of Nancy Island from MECP to MTCG by removing Nancy Island from the PPCRA and including it under the HPA. The transfer would total 2.91 hectares.
This proposal is part of the government’s 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario commitment to revitalize Nancy Island to boost tourism and drive economic growth in Wasaga Beach, while continuing to protect the area's natural and cultural heritage.
By removing Nancy Island from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and placing it under the HPA, MTCG would assume responsibility for its management and protection. This transition would support the Town of Wasaga Beach’s objectives to increase tourism and attract investment.
MECP is also proposing legislative amendments to the PPCRA to remove portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to support the Town’s overall strategy for increased tourism and investment, including the removal of all of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach.
The government is also proposing the sale of Crown-owned lands within Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach to the Town of Wasaga Beach to support their revitalization of the downtown area and tourism enhancement initiatives, while continuing to protect the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Land in the Allenwood Beach area that was subject to the recent Court order vesting it in the ownership of the Town of Wasaga Beach, would remain under the ownership of the Town.
The government will continue to retain the Crown owned lake and riverbed portions of Beach Areas 1, 2, New Wasaga and Allenwood Beach once removed from the park.
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is an 1,844-hectare recreational class provincial park located in the Town of Wasaga Beach. It was established in 1959.
Public consultation
We are interested in any comments the public may have. All comments received will be considered as part of government decision making processes.
In addition to this posting on the Environmental Registry, direct outreach to a contact list and placement of a media advertisement occurring to ensure that Indigenous communities, local stakeholders, government organizations, adjacent landowners, and others expected to have an interest, will all be included in the consultation process. Persons not included in the initial distribution who wish to be involved in the process may have their names added to the distribution list by communicating with the contact listed in this notice.
Concurrent with this proposal, a notice is also posted on the Regulatory Registry.
Regulatory Impact Analysis
MECP anticipates some impacts to regulated entities resulting from the proposed removal and transfer of lands and change of governing legislation from the PPCRA to the HPA.
If approved, it is likely that the local municipality and businesses will benefit from this proposal as it supports their ongoing tourism enhancement efforts and the broader revitalization of the downtown area. It is possible that some non-profit organizations also may be impacted by this proposal.
As this is an initial analysis, the Ministry welcomes any further feedback and will ensure its consideration prior to finalizing the assessment.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
659 Exeter Rd.
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from June 27, 2025
to August 11, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
Ontario Parks: Southwest Zone
659 Exeter Rd.
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
4,081By email
10,150By mail
2