Wasaga Beach residents call for transparency over beachfront development plans
Wasaga Beach residents want their voices heard as they seek transparency from the town over plans to sell portions of beachfront property.
David Schindler was among the dozens of protestors gathered outside Town Hall on Thursday, holding signs and chanting.
"They really don't want to hear from us, and we feel decisions are being made without public input."
Inside Town Hall, the Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association presented a poll to council showing 72 per cent of respondents want to have a say about the more than eight acres of property for development.
"Actions speak louder than words, and we haven't seen any action from them to support a public engagement or wishing for us to be part of this process at all," said Faye Ego, Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association.
Town council voted to formally declare the land surplus, paving the way for the sale.
The town is currently negotiating a deal with Bayloc Developments Inc. to create a mix of commercial and residential development as part of a five-block project.
Still, many residents are concerned with the town's decision.
"We aren't even going to get to see what the plan is until after they've sold the property to the developer. We won't have any input. We won't have any influence," said protestor Patrice McCammon.
Meanwhile, the town said the plans are part of the negotiation process, which is confidential, adding that public engagement had already taken place.
"We've explained the process many times that there has been public input at the appropriate time for the redevelopment of this land. Some just don't want to hear it," said Mayor Nina Bifolchi.
An agreement between the town and developer is expected to come back this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.