THE TOWN AND THE WASAGA BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK: TWO GOVERNMENTS, ONE COMMUNITY

Part 1

The boundaries of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (WBPP) exist entirely within the boundaries of the Town of Wasaga Beach.

Day-trippers and cottage renters don't necessarily know—or care—that the WBPP belongs to the Province of Ontario.

And why should they?

When visitors come to Wasaga Beach, they see Wasaga Beach.

The appearance and operation of the WBPP affect what tourists think about our Town.

Garbage on the beachfront?Difficulty finding a parking space in a new parking system that is creating challenges for day-trippers?

We all felt the effects of wildfires this summer in the colour of our sky and the quality of our air.

Visitors aren't thinking, "That's the Province's responsibility."

They're thinking, "This is Wasaga Beach."

And I get it. From Victoria Day through Thanksgiving, both the Town and WBPP are dealing with an enormous influx of cottage owners and visitors. There are bound to be challenges.

But the off-season is different.

That is when we have an opportunity to sit down together, look at what worked, what didn't, and prepare for the next season.

If I earn your trust and your vote, I would like to see the Town and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park establish a joint committee that meets monthly during the off-season.

Not to point fingers.

To solve problems.

That committee could address issues such as:

• Beach cleanliness and garbage• Parking and traffic management• Visitor experience• Communication between the Town and the WBPP• How policing costs are handled when the OPP respond to incidents within the WBPP• Who pays when Wasaga Beach Fire Department is called to an incident in the WBPP• And, most importantly, how the Town and the Province can work together rather than operating in separate silos

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park belongs to the Province.

But it is part of Wasaga Beach.

Our residents live with the consequences when things don't work well. Our businesses depend on visitors having a good experience. And our reputation as a community is affected by what happens on that beach.

I don't think the answer is deciding who is responsible.

I think the answer is getting the two parties around the same table and deciding how we are going to make it work.

That's the kind of cooperation I would bring to Council.

Thanks for listening!

September 6th, 2026