Wasaga Beach is home to a well-known provincial park that lies entirely within the town’s borders, but the Ford government plans to hand over some of this parkland to the municipality. Opponents believe this move could create a troubling precedent.
“This beautiful white sand beach is the heart and lungs of our community,” Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith stated, referencing the world’s longest freshwater beach.
He shared with City News that transferring around 60 hectares of sandy land from the provincial government to the Town of Wasaga Beach would correct a historical injustice.
“ came in the ’60s and ’70s and expropriated a bunch of lands here. They tore down four-storey, five-storey hotels. They tore down cottage courts,” Smith said.
During a visit in spring, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a $38-million plan to redevelop the beach and return some parkland on the condition that it remains accessible as a public beach for everyone.
In order to proceed with this land transfer, changes to existing laws are necessary. Critics argue that these alterations should raise alarms.
“There’s no doubt in our mind that once this has been done, it has set a precedent to be able to do that to any park or protected area,” Jarvis Strong, speaking for the Escarpment Corridor Alliance, told City News.
The organization doesn’t oppose attracting more tourists but raised concerns about whether the provincial government can adequately protect wildlife and environmental features.
A spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks strongly disagreed with these worries when asked about them.
“The proposed changes … are specific to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. To be clear, there will be no changes made beyond those being considered … and any claims otherwise are categorically false,” their statement said.
Shaun Talbot, who owns Wasaga Watersports-a business renting out jet skis-believes some development is needed on much of the parkland in question.
“For the lands behind the beach, I think that they’re underutilized. Sauble Beach has overnight camping. We have absolutely no camping facilities here on the beach, and we have 14 kilometres of provincial park,” he mentioned.
Smith acknowledged that while protecting the beach is crucial, development should also take place.
“If this was anywhere else in the world, it would be treated much differently, and I think that this government gets it. I know that our municipality gets it,” he expressed.
The transfer of land is expected to occur in fall, after which the Town will initiate a process to decide its future use.
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