Development Plans Threaten Wasaga Beach’s Natural Beauty

The Ford government has removed protections from sections of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to sell the land for redevelopment – despite numerous public objections from those who argue it endangers sensitive ecosystems and threatened species.

Under its controversial omnibus Bill 68, more than one per cent of the park – with some estimates suggesting up to 60 per cent – has been stripped of protection. Wasaga Beach is the province’s most frequented provincial park, featuring the largest freshwater beach in the world.

The government claims it is “working with the Town of Wasaga Beach to create Destination Wasaga, a world-class tourist destination.” An earlier government announcement indicates plans to remove parts of the park and sell Crown land to the Town of Wasaga Beach for development and tourism purposes.

Wasaga Beach isn’t the only public area facing pressure. The Ford administration has previously pushed through several legislative changes aimed at fast-tracking resource development and facilitating the transfer of environmentally protected public land to private interests, including changes related to Greenbelt land swaps, Ontario Place redevelopment, and proposed landfill projects in Dresden.

The proposed modifications do not clarify whether these transferred lands will be sold to private developers; however, under Bill 68, the government assures that access will remain “publicly accessible.” (Similarly, they have guaranteed that the redeveloped private spa at Ontario Place “will be open to the public 365 days a year.”)

Recently, the town has pursued redevelopment along its waterfront by selling multiple pieces of public beachfront property for millions to a private developer. On its website, the town states it is actively looking for “a visionary partner” to help transform this land into “a globally recognized destination.”

It adds: “The right partner will help us set a new benchmark for sustainable urban design.”

reached out to officials in Wasaga Beach for comments but did not receive a response before publication. Earlier this year, Mayor Brian Smith confirmed that the town is seeking about 60 hectares from provincial parkland. He clarified that this land isn’t being handed over to private developers but rather allocated to local government.

Smith stated that their aim is to develop a sustainable waterfront destination focused on eco-tourism and public access.

Political opponents argue that this removal sidesteps typical legislative processes. Generally speaking, any reduction in provincial parkland greater than one per cent requires extensive debate. However, Ontario NDP MPP Chandra Pasma contends that Bill 68 was rushed through with minimal discussion and no committee hearings allowing for public input-describing it as “highly unusual and undemocratic.”

A recent report from Ontario’s Auditor General also criticizes Ford’s administration for neglecting environmental risks and disregarding public feedback during regulatory changes like Bill 68.

This report revealed that one in five environmental registry postings failed to detail potential ecological impacts; in many instances, consultation rules outlined under the Environmental Bill of Rights were ignored even when clear risks were identified.

The removal of protections at Wasaga Beach follows this trend since so far only potential tourism advantages have been highlighted without publicly acknowledging risks posed to species, wetlands, dunes or shorelines due to these alterations.

Advocates warn this trend implies newly unprotected areas may face similar fates without guarantees against future developments targeting them next.

Environmental concerns

The targeted lands encompass ecologically sensitive sand dunes, wetlands and nesting habitats crucial for endangered piping plovers. Tony Morris from Ontario Nature expresses concern stating transferring these areas could jeopardize both wildlife and long-term conservation efforts.

Morris pointed out that Ontario Parks has managed this region effectively over decades by restoring dunes and safeguarding habitats. He told that such protections might vanish under municipal ownership.

“They’re saying it will remain public and ecologically intact; but again, without regulation under Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act there’s no assurance,” Morris noted.

Earlier this year, Ford’s administration announced a $38 million investment aimed at establishing “Destination Wasaga” – which involves revitalizing Nancy Island while upgrading roads along with transferring portions of provincial parkland over to the town. The province asserts their intention is boosting tourism while creating jobs alongside enhancing local economies.

Yet Morris questioned why such transfers are necessary considering Wasaga Beach already stands as Ontario’s top provincial attraction challenging any business rationale behind it all.

He emphasized keeping beaches publicly owned matters greatly because “Ontario lacks high-quality accessible beaches compared with total lakefront,” adding any losses would indeed be quite alarming.”

Calls for federal intervention

Phil Pothen serving as counsel & environment program manager within Environmental Defence insists federal authorities need act promptly regarding protections intended specifically towards endangered piping plover populations.” Pothen stresses: “the piping plover is a migratory bird under federal jurisdiction.. The federal government must intervene-not later now.”

Without having these parks’ safeguards nesting areas alongside driftwood risk disappearing posing threats against existing bird numbers according him while rare coastal dune formations protecting inland terrains plus supporting critical vegetation stand likely compromised outside designated parks.

Environmental Defence received upwards towards fifteen thousand letters calling on members within provincial legislature stop plan altogether he added.

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