'Don't be pooping on the beach': Ont. Premier responds to Wasaga Beach controversy
Premier Doug Ford says anyone visiting one of Ontario's busiest summer destinations shouldn't be "pooping on the beach."
The Premier was asked to weigh in on the recent controversy surrounding Wasaga Beach after online allegations claimed people were defecating into the sand on the provincially mandated park.
"They don't have 100 per cent proof," said Premier Ford on Wednesday at an unrelated press conference. "But I'd be more than happy to talk to the mayor. It's a very popular beach."
The Town's mayor responded to the controversy two weeks ago, saying it has gravely harmed its reputation.
Mayor Brian Smith and the rest of the council passed a special motion formally requesting the province to ban four-sided tents on the beach.
"This has now got to be to a point where it is so disheartening," said Mayor Smith on July 29 during the meeting.
When asked about the tent ban, Premier Ford wasn't warm to the idea.
"See the problem with that, 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 added.
Ford said he has given $1 million in funding to Wasaga Beach to "build bathrooms and hire more staff."
CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Environment for clarification.
"Since 2018, our government has invested more than $1 million in facility enhancements at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, including the construction of new washroom facilities at Allenwood and New Wasaga Beaches and repairs and upgrades to tractors and beach grooming equipment," reads a statement from the ministry. "We have also invested in a new patrol boat, new garbage cans and lids and other equipment to support garbage removal and clean-up efforts and have added staffing resources to help keep the beach clean and ensure the safety and enjoyment of all park guests."
CTV News contacted Mayor Smith for comment but was declined an interview.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"The Mayor was happy to hear the Premier welcome a conversation, and today, the Mayor has reached out to him again to take him up on his offer," said the Town in a statement. "We have nothing further to add."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.
White Stripes sue Donald Trump over use of 'Seven Nation Army' riff in social media post
The White Stripes sued former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday in a case that alleges he used their hit song 'Seven Nation Army' without permission in a video posted to social media.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
One of two men sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years for firearms violations and mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., says the time he has already spent behind bars has changed him and his "solemn weapon” is now love.
'You can't miss Luke Skywalker': Mark Hamill spotted filming in Manitoba town
Star Wars icon Mark Hamill rode through the streets of Stonewall, Man. last month filming scenes atop what looked to be an Army vehicle for the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk."
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener, Ont. woman says puppy was stolen during break-in
A Kitchener, Ont. woman is pleading for the return of her puppy, an eight-month-old French Bulldog named Sanchi.
-
Traffic stop in Waterloo ends with seizure of 200+ guns
Police have seized over 200 firearms as part of a weapons investigation that began in Waterloo.
-
Concerns raised over man-made island in the Grand River
An island has appeared in the middle of the Grand River but it’s not a natural formation.
London
-
Calls to strengthen new 'renovictions' by-law fail to sway councillors who argue it's better than nothing
Urgency to get some municipal protections in place for tenants at risk of “renoviction” outweighed concerns that a draft licensing by-law requires strengthening to be effective.
-
Director of education for TVDSB on leave of absence
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has announced that Director of Education Mark Fisher is on a leave of absence.
-
Possible police merger in the works
West Grey and Owen Sound are talking about merging their municipal police forces.
Windsor
-
Friend identifies police-involved shooting victim as '60s Scoop survivor
A friend of 57-year-old Jason West told CTV News it was he who died after a police-involved shooting in Windsor on Friday.
-
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
-
NEW
NEW Windsor fire department says they're 'done being nice' following surge in open air fires
The Windsor fire department says that they were called out for open air fires more than 70 times this summer.
Northern Ontario
-
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
-
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
-
Manitoulin Island pet owners raise awareness about Blastomycosis
Brewster, a one-year-old border collie/St. Bernard mix, is now full of energy but that wasn’t the case just six months ago, when he suffered from a terrible cough, sores on his elbows and extreme lethargy.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Dispelling misconceptions about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Monday marked International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day, and experts in the field say there is a lot the public doesn’t know about the disability.
-
Northern Ontario hospitals in desperate need of staff and beds, CUPE report finds
A new report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees says funding projections for hospitals would leave the North Bay Regional Health Centre short of nearly 100 beds.
-
Manitoulin Island pet owners raise awareness about Blastomycosis
Brewster, a one-year-old border collie/St. Bernard mix, is now full of energy but that wasn’t the case just six months ago, when he suffered from a terrible cough, sores on his elbows and extreme lethargy.
Ottawa
-
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
-
Federal employees now required to be in the office 3 days a week
As tens of thousands of public servants return to the office for a minimum of three days a week this week, public service unions continue to oppose the federal government's new hybrid work policy.
-
Ottawa travellers bracing for flight cancellations amid Air Canada strike talks
Travellers leaving Ottawa are uncertain about their return flights, as Air Canada faces a potential halt in services due to a possible strike, but they are hopeful an agreement will be reached.
Toronto
-
Grade 12 student grazed by bullet in the head during 'targeted' shooting outside Scarborough high school
A Grade 12 student at Scarborough’s Agincourt Collegiate Institute is receiving treatment at the hospital after his head was grazed by a bullet in what police are calling a 'targeted' shooting late Monday morning.
-
Cyclist seriously injured after being struck by driver in southwest Scarborough
A cyclist has been seriously injured after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in southwest Scarborough on Monday evening.
-
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Montreal
-
-
Avoid Metropolitain Expressway this weekend, Transport Quebec warns
The Metropolitain Expressway (A-40) westbound will be closed starting Friday night for paving work, and Transport Quebec recommends motorists avoid the area.
-
Coroner issues report into 'avoidable' killings of Quebec police officer, assailant
A Quebec coroner has concluded that the deaths of a provincial police sergeant and the mentally ill man who fatally stabbed her were avoidable.
Atlantic
-
IWK Foundation receives $25M donation for mental health, addictions services
The IWK Foundation has received a $25-million donation from Myron and Berna Garron. It’s the largest donation the foundation has ever received and the single largest individual donation to health care in Atlantic Canada.
-
'We’re still human': Collaborative effort needed to combat Maritime homelessness
Many people are calling on a collaborative effort to address homelessness in the Maritimes
-
Elsipogtog First Nation man dead after N.B. RCMP shooting, SiRT investigating
An investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed by RCMP in Elsipogtog First Nation, N.B.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba grand chief to lie in state at provincial legislature Wednesday
Manitobans will have the chance to say their final goodbyes to Grand Chief Cathy Merrick this week.
-
Man charged after eight migrants illegally cross border into Manitoba: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has charged a man with human smuggling after he was allegedly caught picking up a group of migrants crossing into Canada last month.
-
‘It’s a mistake’: Downtown housing complex slated for demolition
Winnipeg's Centre Village social housing complex will face the wrecking ball less than 15 years after it was built.
Calgary
-
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
-
CTV News Calgary at Five: Saying goodbye. Radar restrictions. Out of options
We've got a packed CTV News Calgary at Five for you today, Sept. 9, 2024, anchored by Tara Nelson.
-
'Blown away by your kindness': Meredith Gaudreau thanks Calgary in heartfelt eulogy
Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, gave a sincere thank you to Calgary for the outpouring of support for her and the Gaudreau family.
Edmonton
-
More than half of Albertans struggling with daily expenses
Goodbye, Alberta advantage. Half of the province's residents say they are struggling to keep up with daily expenses amid a cost-of-living crisis.
-
Alberta senior in custody after allegedly luring children with candy, sexually assaulting them
A Red Deer senior is in custody for allegedly luring children into his apartment with candy.
-
Premier mulls reinstatement of controversial MLA booted from UCP caucus
An Alberta MLA banned from the UCP caucus last year for comments comparing transgender youth to feces could soon be back in the ruling Alberta party's fold.
Regina
-
Suspect connected to armed robberies in Wadena, Foam Lake at large, RCMP say
Police are asking for the public's help following a string of armed robberies in east central Saskatchewan.
-
'Overdue': Locations for new elementary, high schools in Regina announced as school divisions wrestle with increasing enrollment
The provincial government and City of Regina announced the locations for future joint use elementary and high schools in the city's east end on Monday.
-
Saskatchewan to increase oil production, establishes energy innovation hub in Regina
The provincial government is moving forward with plans to significantly increase oil production in the Saskatchewan. This decision includes funding a new energy innovation hub in Regina.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. education minister responds to incident of student being lit on fire
Saskatchewan's Education minister says the incident at a Saskatoon school where a student was set on fire is "horrible," but could have been worse.
-
Saskatoon police officers snooped on investigation files they had no right to access: Privacy commissioner
Three Saskatoon police officers were caught snooping on nine people’s private information from investigation records for personal reasons, according to the Saskatchewan privacy commissioner.
-
Suspect connected to armed robberies in Wadena, Foam Lake at large, RCMP say
Police are asking for the public's help following a string of armed robberies in east central Saskatchewan.
Vancouver
-
CTV News Reality Check: Why reopening Riverview wouldn’t solve B.C.’s mental health crisis
Every time British Columbians are rattled by an act of random violence like last week’s shocking homicide and maiming in downtown Vancouver, there are calls to reopen the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, but that’s not the solution some think it is.
-
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
-
'Great news': Vancouver man wins PNE Prize Home draw
One lucky man found out this year’s PNE Prize Home was his Monday evening.
Vancouver Island
-
CTV News Reality Check: Why reopening Riverview wouldn’t solve B.C.’s mental health crisis
Every time British Columbians are rattled by an act of random violence like last week’s shocking homicide and maiming in downtown Vancouver, there are calls to reopen the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, but that’s not the solution some think it is.
-
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
-
B.C. to review conservation officer policies in push to reduce bear deaths
In a move aimed at reducing the number of bears killed in British Columbia, the province is creating an expert panel to review how conservation officers carry out their work.
