There is widespread opposition to the Geopark.

11 OPPOSING MUNICIPALITIES

Open accordions to read letters and motions of opposition

June 4, 2025 – Gore Bay is ‘strongly opposed’ to Georgian Bay Geopark suggestion –“Council passed a resolution that Gore Bay does not support the Georgian Bay Geopark, and council directs staff to advise that the town is strongly opposed and demand Manitoulin Island be removed as the Island has not been consulted regarding this.“

August 29, 2025 – The Township of NorthEastern Manitoulin and the Islands passes motion opposing the Geopark and issue letter of opposition: “we have no desire to be included in the proposed Georgian Bay Geopark” and “remove Manitoulin lsland from the application for the Georgian Bay”.

October 15, 2025 – The Town of Billings passes a motion of opposition. “We are all in agreement that we don’t support the geopark proposal,”

December 10, 2025 – All 9 Manitoulin Municipality Association Members Say “No” to the Geopark “MMA members were in opposition to having a meeting with the Geopark proponents. The municipalities had indicated previously that the lack of consultation, the potential for unsustainable tourism and a diversion of public funds were among their concerns and reason for opposing the proposal.”

September 23, 2025 – The Archipelago opposes development of UNESCO Geopark in Georgian Bay “As steward of approximately 26% of the total shoreline of Georgian Bay, The Archipelago places the highest priority on conservation, planning, and sustainable management.”

“The Archipelago does not support its inclusion within the boundaries of the proposed Georgian Bay Geopark and requests to be removed from all maps, plans, and promotional materials related to this initiative,” reads a letter passed by council Sept. 19.”

read letter & read motion by council

August 13, 2025 – “BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council hereby directs the Mayor to issue a formal letter of opposition to the Canadian Geoparks Network and UNESCO regarding the Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark;” “AND THAT the letter request the removal of Manitoulin Island and the North Shore from the proposed area of inclusion”

read motion by council

8 OPPOSING FIRST NATIONS

Open accordions to read letters and motions of opposition

July 28, 2025 – “UCCMM Tribal Council represents the interests of Aundeck Omni Kaning, M’Chigeeng, Sheguindah, Sheshegwaning, Whitefish River and Zhiibaahaasin First Nations on Manitoulin Island.”

“We the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising do not consent to the Aspiring UNESCO Georgian Bay Geopark and demand that Manitoulin Island be removed from this proposal.”

read letter

February 5, 2026 – “Wasauksing First Nation does not wish to be included in the proposed Georgian Bay Geopark.”

“I respectfully request that Wasauksing and our traditional territory be removed from the Georgian Bay Geopark application.”

Read letter

December 15, 2025 – “Mississauga First Nation does not consent to the use of our cultural heritage, in whole or in part, as a foundation or marketing tool for the Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark.”

“this correspondence places GBAG, its leadership, and the Crown (including federal and provincial funders and partners) on notice that the continued development, promotion, and funding of the aspiring geopark in its present form is inconsistent with the Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, 2021″

“GBAG’s own materials indicate that it is not only monetizing the land, but also monetizing Anishinaabe culture.”

“Immediately cease and desist from using Anishinaabe cultural teachings, symbols, or narratives in marketing, branding, programming, or interpretive materials”

read letter

2 OPPOSING CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS

Open accordions to read letters and motions of opposition

September 2, 2025 – “GBF cannot support and must confirm its opposition to AGBG becoming an approved UNESCO Geopark.”

“Although repeatedly promised, we have received no comprehensive plan for visitor control
measures over the 200 or so significant geosites AGBG has identified around Georgian Bay.”

“it continues to be clear that the main focus and marketing of AGBG are to expand consumptive tourism and economic development around all of Georgian Bay under the umbrella of UNESCO and based on the assumption that other conservation managers would safeguard those sites.” 

read letter

October 15, 2025 – “The negative shift in public discourse about the proposed Geopark has put the UNESCO brand at risk, and is resulting in confusion about our own involvement with the proposed Geopark initiative.”

“We are deeply concerned about how your proposal may affect the trust and understanding for UNESCO values that have been developed in the region.”

“Until our Board of Directors sees a clear development path and strong assurances for community engagement, that clearly and authentically honours UNESCO values, we cannot support the work continuing in its current trajectory.”

read letter

ADDITIONAL OPPOSING ORGANIZATIONS

Open accordions to read letters and motions of opposition

June 23, 2025 – “We are sending this letter to you to express our opposition to the Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark which would encompass our provately owned farmland on bothe Manitoulin Islqand and the North Shore.”

“MNSFA is strongly oopposed to the Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark and request that Manitoulin Island and the North Shore be removed from the proposed area of inclusion”

read letter

Want to learn more?

Read our blog.

The Georgian Bay Geopark Can No Longer Call Itself an Aspiring Geopark

In January 2026, the Canadian Geopark Network (CGN) reclassified the Georgian Bay Geopark project from “Aspiring Geopark” to “Other Projects”, and listed them under “Potential Geoparks”. The removal of the “aspiring” status is a correction from what had been permitted earlier. In a July interview with Parry Sound North Star, David Schimpky, Director Secretariat for…

Bay of Fundy Geopark Georgian Bay Geopark

Canada has 5 UNESCO Geoparks

The Georgian Bay Aspiring Geopark is not like them. At 48,000 square kilometers, it is 6.1 times larger than Canada’s largest geopark, and 86.5 times larger than Canada’s smallest geopark. With a planned 100+ geosites, it will have 3.6 times more sites than Canada’s largest geopark, and 9.1 times more sites than Canada’s smallest geopark….

The Four Fundamentals of Geoparks

These are the fundamental requirements as published on the UNESCO website. Any italicized content predicated with “Our Assessment:” is not published by UNESCO. 1.  Geological heritage of international value In order to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area must have geological heritage of international value. This is assessed by scientific professionals, as part of the…

Parks Canada’s Ability to Transport Visitors to and from Beausoleil Island Cannot Keep Up with Demand.

In 2022, Parks Canada released a report titled Georgian Bay Islands National Park of Canada and Beausoleil Island National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan You can access the full report here. The following are excerpts from the report: Established in 1929, Georgian Bay Islands National Park is Canada’s smallest national park, consisting of 50…

It Sure Doesn’t Smell Like Roses: Overtourism and Human Waste at Flowerpot Island

In 2021, Parks Canada released a report titled 2021 – 2026 Visitor Use Management – Flowerpot Island. You can access the full report here. The following are excerpts: Between 2010 and 2017, the number of annual visitors increased from 24,432 to 123,849, a +407% increase in just seven years. One-third of visitors report feeling crowded…