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Mayor's Message

As Wasaga Beach moves beyond its 50th anniversary, our community is entering a new chapter — one defined by a shared vision, partnership, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

In 2024, Council made a deliberate choice: we could continue doing things the way they had been done for decades — approaches that failed to deliver a vibrant, four-season resort community that puts residents first — or we could remember where we came from and why Wasaga Beach Provincial Park exists in the first place. Wasaga Beach is unique in Ontario, in Canada, and in the world, and it was always intended that our community become more than Ontario's summer playground.

Council made a choice to be bold, to lead, to tackle the long-term health, resilience and affordability of our community, and to build something extraordinary for future generations.

 

We chose change. And that choice is already delivering results.

With the support of the Province of Ontario, Wasaga Beach has taken meaningful steps forward — from advancing Destination Wasaga to unlocking opportunities to build more homes, strengthen our economy, and invest in long-term community well-being. On behalf of Council and the residents of Wasaga Beach, I want to acknowledge the Province’s continued engagement and partnership.

As we begin 2026, Council is preparing for a renewed and expanded year of advocacy — at both the provincial and federal levels — focused on delivering tangible outcomes for our community.

A great place to live is a great place to visit.

This remains our north star.

When we invest in creating a complete, thriving community — one where people love to live, work, learn, and play — we also strengthen our tourism economy and attract visitors from across Ontario, Canada, and beyond. In Wasaga Beach, those goals are not competing priorities; they are inseparable.

In the year ahead, Council and senior staff will continue to engage with provincial and federal partners through key advocacy forums, including the AMO Conference and direct meetings in Ottawa. Our focus is on advancing bold, made-in-Wasaga solutions — including unlocking the full potential of Wasaga Beach and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park beyond the shoreline. Stretching along the Nottawasaga River, across magnificent dunes, and through more than 30 kilometres of forested trails, our landscape represents an opportunity to create a first-of-its-kind, nature-based destination that complements conservation, recreation, and economic growth.

But our advocacy does not stop there.

We are working to reinvigorate our main street, deliver a bold and diversified tourism strategy that expands sports, cultural, and live music programming, accelerate housing delivery — including affordable housing — support long-term care and seniors’ needs, and build an economy that works for full-time residents while strengthening South Georgian Bay and Ontario as a whole.

I encourage residents and partners to review the Town of Wasaga Beach’s advocacy priorities to learn more about Council’s focus and the partnerships we are pursuing.

We are thinking big — and proposing bold ways for the Town, province, and federal government to work together to build a stronger Ontario and a stronger Canada, while making Wasaga Beach a globally recognized recreation and nature-based destination, and one of the best places in the world to live, work, learn, play, and visit.

Summary of 2025 AMO Asks

Building Destination Wasaga

That the Province, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG) and Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) support the Town’s efforts to evolve into a year-round, iconic recreation and nature-based destination, and build Destination Wasaga by unleashing The Power of 10.

Building Long Term Care Units Faster

That the Province and Ministry of Long-Term Care support the Town of Wasaga Beach’s efforts to relieve pressure on our regional hospitals and help resolve the issue of long-term care (LTC) facility waitlists in our region that are hundreds of people long.

Building Public Energy Infrastructure to Build Faster

That the Province and Ministry of Energy support Wasaga Beach’s efforts to speed up new home construction by removing red tape, and amending current regulations that make it harder for the Town’s independent, municipally-owned utility to build out capacity “where we need it, when we need it.

Building More Homes Faster

That the Province and Ministry of Infrastructure support the Town of Wasaga Beach’s efforts to build more homes faster through its West Wasaga Secondary Plan.

Building Better Municipal Police Services

The Mayor of Wasaga Beach, as Chair of the Huronia West OPP Detachment Board, has joined the Board in urging the Solicitor General to address frequent senior leadership changes that disrupt policing priorities and service levels. The Board seeks clarity on its role, an update on funding, and stronger, consistent communication with OPP leadership.

We are here to talk about our vision for the future of Wasaga Beach, explain how it supports provincial priorities, and connect with partners who will help us turn this vision into reality.

We’re bringing Wasaga Beach to Queen’s Park

Stay tuned for more information.

2024 AMO Asks

Provincial support for the Town’s West Wasaga Secondary Plan will accommodate future growth in a strategic, coordinated way that will help the Town develop into a complete community, attract jobs and investment, and protect the Town’s only Employment Lands.

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The Town is now re-imagining and redeveloping the commercial area and Town-owned lands at its beachfront, in partnership with the award-winning Sunray Group of Hotels. 

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Identify new sport, tourism and recreational experiences that could be offered at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and Town facilities, including our new $60-million NHL size, twin pad arena.

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Working together, the Province and Town can leverage existing assets in our community, including Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, to grow tourism in the province, and create jobs and economic opportunities in our Town and region.

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