Tuesday, August 27, 2024 As the Town of Wasaga Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is proposing a significant re-alignment with the Province of Ontario to help transform the town into a complete community and a year-round tourism destination. The Town is calling for the World’s Longest Freshwater Beach and Nancy Island Historic Site to be transferred from the oversight of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming (MTCG). Mayor Brian Smith emphasized the unique nature of Wasaga Beach and Nancy Island, arguing that these landmarks deserve specialized management to unlock their full potential.
“Wasaga Beach and Nancy Island are one-of-a-kind, and they need the expertise and resources of a ministry focused on tourism and cultural development to thrive as world-class attractions,” said Mayor Smith. This proposal coincides with the Town’s efforts to redevelop its downtown area, including the commercial beachfront, in line with the broader vision of becoming a year-round destination. The Town highlights that millions of dollars’ worth of provincially-owned land has remained underutilized for decades, offering little benefit to the local or provincial economy.
Provincial Task Force The Town has formally requested the creation of a provincial task force to evaluate the current provincial landholdings in Wasaga Beach. The task force would include representatives from the MECP, MTCG, Infrastructure Ontario, and the Town of Wasaga Beach. The goal is to transfer key areas, such as Nancy Island, Beach Areas 1 and 2, and certain non-environmentally sensitive parcels, from the MECP to the MTCG or other appropriate entities by March 2025.
This request follows Mayor Smith’s recent discussions with Premier Doug Ford and other provincial ministers at the 2024 Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) Conference. These talks focused on the potential for Wasaga Beach to generate year-round jobs, enhance recreational opportunities, and support regenerative tourism. Key Points from the Motion Provincial and Local Engagement At the AMO conference, Mayor Smith and senior Town officials engaged with several key figures in the provincial government, including: Background Wasaga Beach, with its rich history and natural beauty, aims to be a leading year-round tourism destination.
The Town is committed to fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant community, with plans to enhance its downtown and commercial beachfront areas as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy and create jobs. Quick Facts.
