'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
Man accused of trying to kill Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president
Ryan Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump — even urging Iran to kill him.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.
BREAKING
BREAKING Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
The last text from the doomed Titan submersible was 'all good here,' hearing reveals
The last words heard from the crew of an experimental submersible headed for the wreck of the Titanic were 'all good,' according to a visual re-creation of the journey of the Titan before it imploded, killing all five on board.
Former prominent BBC news anchor gets suspended sentence for indecent images of children on phone
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, once one of the most prominent media figures in Britain, was given a suspended prison sentence Monday for indecent images of children on his phone.
Weight loss drug liraglutide shows promise for younger children with obesity, study finds
Children who used the weight loss drug liraglutide in a late-stage trial lost significantly more weight than children who got a placebo, according to a new study.
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
Tito Jackson's family says the Jackson 5 member has died at 70
Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70.
What to expect as MPs return to the House of Commons for dynamic fall sitting
The fall sitting of Parliament begins Monday, as members of Parliament resume their work in the House of Commons for the first time since June.
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
-
Cambridge school closed due to power outage
The closure at Christ the King Catholic Elementary School is precautionary and there are no safety concerns, according to a spokesperson with the school.
-
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
-
Man injured in Cambridge shooting
A 19-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a shooting in Cambridge.
London
-
One person dead following five vehicle collision in Port Dover
Norfolk OPP say they were on the scene of a five vehicle collision on Blueline Road in Port Dover on Saturday evening at around 6:00 p.m.
-
TVDSB finances being audited by Ministry of Education
A brief statement released on Saturday by the board confirmed that the Ministry of Education will be helping to audit the school board’s finances.
-
Man resists arrest, threatens officer with knife: St. Thomas police
In the early hours of Saturday morning, St. Thomas police say that an officer on patrol spotted a man on Talbot Street on a bicycle that had previously committed several traffic violations.
Windsor
-
Historic sexual assault charges laid against Lakeshore resident
A historic sexual assault investigation has led to charges for a 79-year-old Lakeshore resident. In June, OPP were contact about assaults that were alleged to have happened between 2003 and 2010.
-
No injuries after crash on Highway 401 and Provincial Road
Essex County OPP responded to a crash on Highway 401 near Provincial Road on Monday morning.
-
You could be fined up to $4,000 for passing a school bus; how you need to share the road
With lots of local kids heading back to school in recent weeks, motorists are once more sharing the road with school buses.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
-
5 things to know about the apparent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his golf courses
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is safe following what the FBI says 'appears to be an attempted assassination' while playing golf two months after another attempt on his life at a rally in Pennsylvania.
-
Will officials move to ban swimming at Manitoulin Island’s iconic Bridal Veil Falls?
The Township of Billings on Manitoulin Island is contemplating banning swimming in the pool below the iconic Bridal Veil Falls in the Village of Kagawong.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
-
No $75M Lotto Max jackpot winner but draw sees one new Ont. millionaire, 4 Encore winners
Ontario does have a new millionaire after Friday night’s historic $75 million Lotto Max draw – but they only won $1 million. The record-breaking jackpot was not won meaning the prize money will roll over into the next draw.
-
Sault residents voice concerns over possible path for new North Shore transmission line
The creation of a new transmission line into Sault Ste. Marie has some residents upset due to a proposed route the line would take.
Ottawa
-
BREAKINGBREAKING 18-year-old man dead following shooting in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood
Emergency crews responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Percy and Nepean streets just before 9:45 p.m. Sunday. The Ottawa Police Service says an 18-year-old man was pronounced dead following the shooting.
-
Driver stopped for stunt driving on Hwy. 417 registers an 'Alert' on a roadside screening device, OPP says
Ontario Provincial Police say a driver stopped for stunt driving on Highway 417 in Ottawa on Sunday morning also registered an "alert" on a roadside screening device.
-
Ottawa's new 3-item garbage limit begins in 2 weeks: Here's what you need to know
Starting September 30, all households will be limited to three items of curbside waste every two weeks. Residents with garbage collection this week will be the first households to face the new three-item limit when the new rules take effect.
Toronto
-
Ontario's Financial Accountability Office probing $225M deal to speed up alcohol expansion to convenience stores
Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) is investigating a decision by the Ford government to accelerate the expansion of alcohol sales in the province to corner stores— a move that involves a payment of up to $225 million to The Beer Store.
-
Toronto drivers may soon face steeper fines for blocking intersections
Mayor Olivia Chow is set to announce new measures to prevent motorists from blocking intersections on Toronto streets, including steeper fines for those who break the rules.
-
Ontario considers further expanding pharmacists' scope to include more minor ailments
Ontario is proposing to further expand pharmacists' scope of practice by adding to the list of minor ailments they can assess, allowing them to administer more vaccines and order some lab tests.
Montreal
-
Black Lives Ruined: The effects of racial profiling by police
Racial profiling is a systemic problem plaguing Montreal police, according to a judgement by Superior Court Justice Dominique Poulin. But what does that mean in the lives of the victims?
-
Voters head to the polls for byelections in Montreal and Winnipeg
Canadians in two federal ridings are choosing their next member of Parliament, and political parties are closely watching the results.
-
Vehicle targeted by arson in Montreal North
Montreal police is investigating after a vehicle was set on fire in the borough of Montreal North.
Atlantic
-
One P.E.I. ferry out of service after crashing into wharf: NFL
One of the ferries that transfers passengers between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia is out of service after crashing into a wharf.
-
Sudden death at tent encampment in Saint John under investigation
The Saint John Police Force is investigating a sudden death following the discovery of a body at an encampment in the city on Saturday.
-
Halifax library workers accept deal to end strike, branches to reopen Thursday
Members of the union representing workers with Halifax Public Libraries have accepted a new collective agreement, ending a nearly month-long strike and paving the way for branches to re-open in the next few days.
Winnipeg
-
Parts of Northwestern Ontario under tornado watch
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a tornado watch for parts of
-
Elmwood-Transcona byelection set for today
The federal byelection in Elmwood-Transcona is set to take place on Monday.
-
Winnipeg police investigating fire as homicide after two people die in hospital
Two people are dead after being rescued from a burning Atlantic Ave. building early Saturday morning. Winnipeg police say the fire was suspicious and the homicide unit has taken over the investigation.
Calgary
-
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's Calgary memorial to be removed
After 13 days of Calgarians leaving memorabilia, purple Gatorade and Skittles on the steps of the Saddledome in memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, officials will now begin work to remove the display.
-
Protest at Tomkins Park results in 3 arrests, 12 tickets
Three people have been charged after a protest at Calgary's Tomkins Park spilled out into the street, forcing police to move in.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Frost possible overnight in central and southern Alberta
This week will begin with mild and clear conditions in central and southern Alberta.
Edmonton
-
'Craziest thing I've ever seen': Elusive salamanders make surprising mass appearance in Edmonton area
Edmontonians can count themselves lucky to ever see one tiger salamander, let alone the thousands one local woman says recently descended on her childhood home.
-
Warning issued about man who impersonated Mountie in Wood Buffalo
Alberta RCMP are warning the public after they say someone impersonated a Mountie near Fort McMurray.
-
Man's death in river valley suspicious: EPS
A man is dead after being found seriously injured in the river valley in south-central Edmonton on Saturday.
Regina
-
Regina's inner-city residents say safe, lit walking paths are lacking
Lit pathways are something that residents in Regina's suburbs often take for granted, but lights can be lacking in the inner city where some people say they must carve their own shortcuts across fields to go shopping.
-
Here's a look at how this Sask. water tower was dismantled
The community of Gravelbourg, Sask. said goodbye to a well-known landmark this weekend – as its nearly century-old water tower was taken apart.
-
Hundreds gather to celebrate 150th anniversary of Treaty 4 signing in Fort Qu'Appelle
It was the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 4 – an occasion that saw hundreds gather in Fort Qu'Appelle.
Saskatoon
-
'Human spirit does not stop': Saskatoon's Terry Fox run surpasses fundraising goal
Saskatoon’s 44th annual Terry Fox run took place on Sunday, uniting the community, and country in a shared goal of raising funds for cancer research.
-
Manslaughter charge laid after suspicious death on Sask. First Nation
Police have laid charges in relation to the suspicious death of a 28-year-old man on Beardy's and Okemasis' Cree Nation.
-
Here's a look at how this Sask. water tower was dismantled
The community of Gravelbourg, Sask. said goodbye to a well-known landmark this weekend – as its nearly century-old water tower was taken apart.
Vancouver
-
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
-
B.C. reaches agreement-in-principle for early pensions for wildfire crews
The B.C. government has reached an agreement-in-principle to provide early pensions for the province's wildfire crews.
-
Man accused of trying to kill Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president
Ryan Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump — even urging Iran to kill him.
Vancouver Island
-
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
-
B.C. municipal leaders gather to talk infrastructure, addiction, emergency management
The president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities says communities have billions of dollars worth of infrastructure that will need replacing in the next decade and the province needs to step in with new funding to help.
-
Man accused of trying to kill Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president
Ryan Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump — even urging Iran to kill him.
