The Ontario government’s initiative to transfer portions of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the local municipality for tourism development may set an “awful precedent” for other provincial parks, according to environmental advocates.
Premier Doug Ford revealed in May that his administration would allocate $38 million to Wasaga Beach to help rejuvenate the town’s tourism sector and support upcoming housing projects.
Part of the proposed strategy involves selling the town Beach Area 1, Beach Area 2, New Wasaga Beach, and Allenwood Beach. The total land being handed over is almost 60 hectares, a representative for the town stated in an email to CBC Toronto.
In late June, the province posted a proposal to revise both the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) and the Historical Parks Act to facilitate this land transfer.
The suggested changes are alarming, said Laura Bowman, a lawyer with the environmental law organization Ecojustice.
While the wording of the proposed amendments isn’t public yet, Bowman pointed out that there’s already a legislative process under PPCRA for disposing lands larger than 50 hectares or one percent of a given park or conservation area.
Thus, wanting to alter the law indicates intentions to dispose of additional areas in the future – potentially without legislative votes or oversight.
“This government has a history of trying to dispose of park lands and public lands,” Bowman told CBC Toronto.
A spokesperson for Todd Mc Carthy, Ontario’s minister of environment, conservation and parks, states that modifications to PPCRA won’t affect other provincial parks. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
“I don’t find it plausible, frankly, that this is a one-off thing,” Bowman remarked. “This could be setting another precedent in that direction as developments keep expanding.”
A representative from the Ministry of Environment refuted claims that changes at Wasaga Beach are anything beyond isolated incidents.
“No other adjustments are being considered apart from those outlined in the [Environmental Registry of Ontario],” Alexandru Cioban mentioned via email to CBC Toronto.
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The piping plover is considered endangered by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. (David Krughoff)
dir=” ltr” >“Once these regions are taken out from park protection status , those safeguards will no longer apply,” Gray emphasized.
“ We ‘ll establish an awful , awful precedent if this proceeds.”
In statements from Ministry representatives , spokesperson Cioban said “ any protected species along with their habitats will stay safeguarded regardless who owns or operates that land. ”
Mayor Smith assures his “guarantee” is that they’ll ensure environmental stewardship during redevelopment efforts.
However , Bowman expressed skepticism about achieving this without substantial efforts from provincial scientists who worked hard protecting both plovers alongside their habitats.
Even simply raking beaches plus maintaining them can hinder endangered birds from feeding , nesting , or hiding successfully against predators , she noted.
“ It indeed places survival risks on those species.”
These areas represent vital locations for conservation alongside biodiversity along with significant recreational spots benefiting Ontarians.”
