News

September 21, 2023 - Today, Premier Ford announced the reversal of the Provincial Government's plan to open up the Greenbelt lands for housing development, including the lands in our hamlet of Cherrywood.

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that the City of Pickering will abide by the wishes of the Provincial Government, as we have consistently demonstrated throughout. The Government’s decisions reflect the broader interests of our province and its people, and we respect the direction it has chosen to take in this matter.

September 20, 2023 - The “1 Million March 4 Children”, taking place today throughout the country, has raised many questions and concerns within our community.  Current plans for anti-2SLGBTQIA+ demonstrations at Esplanade Park and City Hall have garnered support from a segment of our residents as well as some far-right hate organizations.

It is important to shed light on the impacts of these nationwide protests. While the campaign claims to advocate for children's rights, its underlying objective is the elimination of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum and policies, which play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and educating youth about diversity, respect, and acceptance.

August 11, 2023 - The City of Pickering was proud to mark the important economic and community benefits of being a host gaming site through a cheque presentation at today’s opener of the Pickering Food Truck Festival.

Since Pickering Casino Resort opened in July 2021, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has issued non-tax gaming revenue payments, totaling $24,484,059 (up to March 31, 2023), to the City of Pickering for hosting the facility, as part of its Municipal Contribution Agreement with Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG).

August 11, 2023 - “The Auditor General’s Report on the Government of Ontario’s site selection process has raised a number of concerns that I share with my Colleagues on Council as well as many residents who have contacted our offices.

While it is encouraging that the Province will accept and implement almost all of the recommendations made in the Auditor General’s Report, it has made it clear that development on Pickering lands will proceed. With this decision being imposed on us, we will vigorously fight for our city’s best interests."

Proposal

Sphere Developments (Kingston) GP Inc. has submitted applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit two 17-storey residential towers connected by a shared 5-storey podium, containing 400 dwelling units and 629.9 square metres of at-grade commercial/retail uses.

Proposal

1334281 Ontario Limited has submitted applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 12-storey residential condominium building, containing a total of 262 dwelling units. A total of 393 parking spaces are proposed, including 65 spaces located at grade and 328 spaces located within a two-level underground parking garage.

• Regular Meeting of Council
  Council decides not to implement urban farming pilot project at this time
• Council endorses commission of new public art piece for West Shore Community Centre Skate Spot
• Council endorses commission of new public art piece for Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park
• Council endorses commission of temporary public art for Millennium Square, as part of the Winter Wonderland event
• Council approves moving forward with Recreation & Parks Master Plan and Arena Strategy
• and more [select the date above to view all]

June 16, 2023 - “Today, the Government of Ontario expanded strong mayor powers to 26 of the province’s large and fast-growing municipalities, including the City of Pickering and all of Durham’s lakeshore municipalities, in order to meet its target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031.

The diverse housing needs of individual municipalities call for tailored tools and approaches, and the granting of strong mayor powers will empower us to achieve our new housing targets. I understand the responsibility that comes with this authority.  I am committed to transparent and inclusive decision-making, and actively seeking input from all stakeholders prior to exercising these new powers."

Previously titled “Census Five,” the Batten Disease Memorial Sculpture is meant, as the name makes clear, to be a memorial to all the children who have lost or will lose their lives to Batten Disease.

May 24, 2023 - At last night’s Council meeting, the City of Pickering passed a motion in support of Pride events and all Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives across the City and Durham Region, in honour of Pride Month and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through this motion, the City also reaffirms its commitment to advancing respect and inclusion for all 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies. The motion passed 6 - 1 on a recorded vote.

“I am proud that Pickering Council made a strong statement about supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the tenets of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are also aware of a recent video circulating online and corresponding commentary, and denounce all forms of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and bigotry directed at the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and equity-deserving groups."