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 ccUNESCO explained “Organizations looking for the UNESCO Geopark status can’t market themselves as “Aspiring UNESCO Geopark” until they have an application in for the UNESCO Geopark status.”

The status of the project is now described by CGN as: Letter of intent submitted to CGN, no official application documents have been submitted

Here’s why the Geopark will not be applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status any time soon….

A requirement for the submission is successful completion of a checklist with 101 questions.

These are just a few of the criteria the geopark does not meet and questions they cannot answer successfully:

Criterion iii

(iii) UNESCO Global Geoparks should be areas with a management body having legal existence recognized under national legislation (iiiA). The management bodies should be appropriately equipped to adequately address the area of the UNESCO Global Geopark in its entirety

Q63 – Are the local population and local leaders represented on the management body?

A – No, There are no representatives from any of the northern municipalities or First Nations or conservation groups on the management body, in fact, many of these bodies have voiced strong opposition.

Criterion iv

(iv) In the case where an applying area overlaps with another UNESCO designated site, such as a World Heritage Site or Biosphere Reserve, the request must be clearly justified and evidence must be provided for how UNESCO Global Geopark status will add value by being both independently branded and in synergy with the other designations.

Q69 – Is your territory overlapping with other UNESCO designated sites (i.e. Biosphere Reserve and/or World Heritage Site)?  If Yes: Please complete questions 70-73. If No: proceed to question 74.

A – Yes, its territory overlaps with the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve Mnidoo Gamii as well as part of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve

Q72 – Do you have a formal partnership agreement with the other UNESCO designated sites?

A – No. The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve has expressed concerns about the geopark and has requested that they “seriously rethink what is being proposed; that you reimagine how you are engaging with the regional groups already working so hard toward sustainable futures, and ensure that your initiative is definitively and clearly adding value to the entire region as opposed to sowing confusion.”

Criterion v

UNESCO Global Geoparks should actively involve local communities and indigenous peoples as key stakeholders in the Geopark. In partnership with local communities, a co-management plan needs to be drafted and implemented that provides for the social and economic needs of local populations, protects the landscape in which they live and conserves their cultural identity. It is recommended that all relevant local and regional actors and authorities be represented in the management of a UNESCO Global Geopark. Local and indigenous knowledge, practice and management systems should be included, alongside science, in the planning and management of the area.

Q78 – Are your local community and local leaders actively and formally involved in your aUGGp?

A – No. Despite incorporating in 2023, local leaders widely cite lack of consultation and there is widespread opposition, including all of Manitoulin Island, the Township of the Archipelago, the Municipality of Huron Shores and 8 First Nations. See motions and letters of opposition

Q82 – Is the indigenous population represented inside the aUGGp management structure and participates in the drafting and implementation of aUGGp actions and projects?

A – No. There are multiple First Nations within the designated area and to date 8 have formally opposed the geopark. Mississauga First Nation has expressed concern about “unauthorized use of Mississauga Anishinabek culture and teachings”, “monetization of culture and promotion of sacred sites” and “lack of Indigenous governance and meaningful involvement”. See letter

Meanwhile on their fundraising site, where they have raised $529,523 as of January 2026, the Geopark continues to represent itself in a very different manner. They are:

• A “grassroots initiative to establish Georgian Bay as one of the greatest UNESCO Geoparks in Canada.”,
• Claiming they are “Partnering with Indigenous Communities: Empowering First Nations and Metis communities in education, land stewardship and geo-cultural tourism.”
• Claiming they are “Partnering with Municipalities: Building deep connections in each of the seven unique Geopark regions, fostering a shared vision that unites all of Georgian Bay.”

Nothing could be further from the truth.