Ontario Premier Doug Ford is responding to claims of people defecating on Wasaga Beach.
On Wednesday, during an unrelated press conference, Ford was asked about rumours of people defecating in the sand.
“Folks, don’t be pooping on the beach. Simple as that. We have no proof of it either,” he said to reporters.
Last month, a TikTok user went viral for speaking on the issue, emphasizing that it’s been an ongoing problem for the beach for years now.
The user said people would set up tents and use the sand as a toilet.
“As a local, I refuse to let my kids dig in the sand on the beach,” she said in the video.
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Weeks later, the Town of Wasaga Beach released a statement rejecting the rumours, calling them “complaints that lack evidence and promote misinformation.”
“The town has received no evidence – from residents, visitors or the Ontario government – to verify that any undesirable, unsanitary behaviour has occurred on the beach areas that make up Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. If any evidence comes to light, I assure you that we will be quick to act,” the town said in a statement on July 22.
Last Monday, the town’s mayor Brian Smith revealed that the town’s reputation was being “gravely harmed” by these claims from both locals and tourists during a special council meeting.
As a result, Smith made a motion calling on the province and other ministers to invest in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.
The mayor seeked provincial rules for banning tents on the beach, improvements to its garbage can collection process, better washroom facilities, as well as increased repair and maintenance.
In addition, the town is also asking for more provincial park wardens to enforce rules and impose stricter and higher fines for those breaking the rules.
However, Ford said he disagrees with banning tents in provincial parks.
“If we ban tents in provincial parks, that’s just not going to cut it across the board. You can’t pick and choose,” he said at the press conference.
Ford also mentioned today that he has given the town $1 million in funding to build bathrooms and hire more staff to address the issue.
Some online users say Ford’s remarks needed to be said.
“Let’s hope that they listen to him,” another user said.
“See? Who needs Public Health when you’ve got Doug Ford leading the province,” another user commented.
“Well, he’s not wrong, this has been happening at Sauble Beach for several years. It’s disgusting. They poop, sometimes they bury it and sometimes they don’t,” another comment read.
