The Town of Wasaga Beach says there is no evidence of people defecating on beaches, following witness claims circulating on social media.
Last week, a TikTok of an Ontario resident went viral after the woman alleged that people are using the sand as a toilet.
“As a local, I refuse to let my kids dig in the sand on the beach,” the woman said in the video posted on July 9.
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Wasaga Beach is shutting down the claims, calling the rumors “misinformation.”
In an online statement released yesterday from the town’s mayor, Brian Smith, he says there has been “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.”
The mayor said the town is proud to be home to the world’s longest freshwater beach, which he referred to as one one of the cleanest, safest, and most beautiful beaches in the world.
“On any given day, when beaches across the province are closed due to bacteria or other issues, you will find that our beach is clean and open – full of kids and families having fun,” Smith said.
The town says public washrooms are available along the beach, including 11 comfort stations within Beach Areas 1-6 and four Mini Comfort Stations in Allenwood and New Wasaga that provide washroom facilities to visitors. The washrooms are operated by both the town and Ontario Parks.
“They are located strategically in areas of high use and are very visible to the public from the beachfront,” the mayor said.
The mayor noted that he cannot speak on behalf of Ontario Parks, who operates and manages all of the town’s beaches, but ensures that the claims of people relieving themselves on the shoreline have no basis.
“If any evidence comes to light, I assure you that we will be quick to act,” Smith said.
The viral TikTok encouraged other Ontario residents to share their experiences at popular beaches within the province, with many alleging that they’ve witnessed people defecating in the sand at Sauble Beach, Crystal Beach and Grand Bend Beach.
Now Toronto reached out to Ontario Parks to inquire about these claims, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
