The piping plover bird, which was at the centre of a legal battle on Sauble Beach over the past decade, is not listed as protected in Ontario anymore, but it’s still considered endangered at the federal level.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula says in a statement, at the end of March 2026, the Provincial Endangered Species Act was repealed and replaced with the Species Conservation Act.
The town says, in the new legislation, the Piping Plover is not listed as a protected endangered species.
They say that means the town could no longer seek guidance or permits at a Provincial level for beach maintenance activities. The town is responsible for maintaining the beach in Sauble from 7th Street North to Chief’s Point. Saugeen First Nation maintains Saugeen Beach south of the town beach.
The town has been though a legal saga over the years with regard to beach maintenance and the piping plover, with it being found guilty in court in 2019 of damaging habitat of the endangered shore bird, for raking and grading the beach in prior years. It had been cooperating with a provincially overseen beach management plan since then.
The town says, “It’s important to note that while the species is not listed in the Provincial regulations, the Piping Plover remains listed as ‘endangered’ at the Federal level.”
They say throughout April and early May the town engaged with its MP, staff at the Canadian Wildlife Services and Birds Canada, they say, “To ensure that we fully understand the Federal regulatory requirements and to confirm that our beach maintenance activities remain compliant with applicable legislation/regulations.”
They say, “The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is committed to the protection of the Piping Plover regardless of what level of government provides oversight. As such, and in consultation with Canadian Wildlife Services and Birds Canada, the Town of South Bruce Peninsula continues to follow the previously provided Provincial guidance documentation as the best practice pertaining to the protection of the Piping Plover and beach maintenance activities.”
The town adds, “We recognize that Sauble Beach is a unique environment, and our maintenance practices are guided by a commitment to balancing public enjoyment of the beach with environmental stewardship.”