Pickering was highlighted in fin free five minute documentary produced by Roop Gill & Maja Zonjic.  Click on the link below to view the celebration of the Fin Free campaign successes in six Ontario cities including Pickering.  At the end of the filrm note the supporting Municipalities and Councillors

View the film

Pickering, ON, January 25, 2011 - Councillor David Pickles will be releasing a draft Code of Conduct for the City of Pickering that would, if adopted by Council, apply to the Mayor, Councillors and City Advisory Committee members, and replace the existing Council Code of Practice which was implemented back in 1997.

In 2007, Mayor David Ryan formed a Task Force on Accountability and Transparency which was comprised of a cross representation of the greater community along with key City staff.  After several months of review, research, and discussion, the Task Force developed a revised Code of Conduct which was ultimately received for information by the previous City Council.

At the beginning of this term of Council, Councillor Pickles committed to working with the existing document created by the Task Force in the hopes of successfully introducing a robust and accountable Code of Conduct for Council's adoption.  As such, he benchmarked other municipalities' codes of conduct and examined the expanding role of Integrity Commissioners in the municipal landscape.  Additionally, all Pickering Councillors were invited to provide input during the review process.

Following this review, Councillor Pickles now advises that on March 26th through a Notice of Motion to Council, seconded by Councillor Kevin Ashe, City Councillor, Ward 1, he will introduce the Code of Conduct for Council's consideration and adoption.  Councillor Pickles sees the adoption of the new Code of Conduct and Integrity Commissioner a common interest to all Councillors and residents and encourages Council support.

“I am confident that this Code is right for the City and raises the bar for Codes of Conduct in the GTA,” said Councillor Pickles.  “I will make the proposed Code of Conduct available on my website: www.davidpickles.com, the City's website: www.pickering.ca and to City Advisory Committees, registered residents associations and the public to provide the opportunity for review and input.  As always residents are welcome to contact me at dpickles@pickering.ca.”

Some of the key highlights of the draft Code of Conduct include:

• hiring of an Integrity Commissioner to review matters related to the Code
• prohibition on gifts other than moderate hospitality with fixed limits and disclosure requirements
• clear rules for interaction with the public and staff
• prohibition of undue influence in City administration
• disclosure of conflicts
• rules to ensure the protection of confidential information
• clear rules on use of City property
• rules governing involvement in charitable activities
• rules governing election campaigns
• provision for residents to seek a formal review

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Councillor Pickles is pleased to represent the resident of Ward 3. He was first elected to Council in 1997 and re-elected by Ward 3 residents in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010. He represents the City of Pickering on a number of committees and boards and works with residents and City staff to ensure excellent service delivery. He is active in environmental and neighbourhood safety issues and as a former Chair of the City's Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity, he has worked with committee members and cultural organizations to celebrate our rich diversity and enhance community relations.

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NOTICE OF MOTION

Code of Conduct

WHEREAS: the residents of the City of Pickering expect and deserve the best possible performance from their elected and appointed municipal representatives.

AND WHEREAS: many municipalities have adopted Codes of Conduct to better articulate transparency and accountability by Members of Council, Council-appointed members of committees, agencies, boards and commissions.

AND WHEREAS: many municipalities have obtained the services of an Integrity Commissioner to assist with and oversee the implementation of their Codes of Conduct;

Click here to read the remainder of the motion.

“I was pleased to welcome the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board to their new offices in Pickering and attend the official opening.” -- Councillor Pickles

After Ajax headquarters plans fall through, group opens new Pickering office.  PICKERING -- Dr. Walter Rosser, chairman of the board, spoke during the grand opening of the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board's new offices in Pickering on December 13.  December 13, 2011 Jason Liebregts / Metroland

PICKERING -- After plans to build a new headquarters in Ajax fell through, employees at the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board celebrated the opening of their new offices in Pickering on Dec. 13.

PAAB is a non-profit organization endorsed by the government.  On a voluntary basis, pharmaceutical companies work with PAAB to ensure their advertising directed at physicians complies with government rules and regulations, explained PAAB commissioner Ray Chepesiuk.

The organization is a way for the industry to self-regulate as opposed to working with Health Canada directly.

On Dec.  13, there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new PAAB offices, located at the corner of Pickering Parkway and Liverpool Road in the building formerly occupied by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

The third floor of the building has been upgraded to suit PAAB's needs.

“Now we're in the heart of Pickering.  I think we're in a very good spot,” said Mr. Chepesiuk.

The organization's head offices have been in Pickering since 1977 and three years ago staff began searching for a new home that would accommodate growth.

In 2009, the organization purchased a 0.46 acre piece of Ajax land at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Kingston Road for $500,000 from the Town of Ajax.  The plan was to build a new headquarters at the site and the building was to include rented-out retail space in the bottom floor and a public square.

However, that project was cancelled because of the poor soil conditions at the site.  To make up for the poor soil condition, the building would have needed a reinforced foundation, perhaps something like piers, said Ajax officials.  The project was cost prohibitive.

Instead, PAAB re-sodded and restored the site and the land is currently up for sale.

Meanwhile, Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan and councillors said they were happy the organization remained in Pickering.

“This is class A office space and you are part of building the next step in our future,” said the mayor.

The area of Pickering includes a new office building for the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, and a pedestrian bridge over Hwy.  401 connecting to the GO station, giving the site a public transportation link to Toronto.

“We deal with advertising agencies that are in downtown Toronto and it allows them another means to visit us,” said Mr. Chepesiuk.

Most of the offices have large windows with lots of natural light and the walls are hung with artwork purchased from local artists through the Cultural Expressions gallery in Pickering Village.

“We local source as much as possible, we've always done that,” said Mr. Chepesiuk.  “I've known Esther (Forde) from Cultural Expressions for a few years and we needed to decorate the place and I thought it would be great to use real works of art.”

He also added he appreciated the fact that the mayor and councillors attended the ribbon cutting.

“We feel welcome and we look to a prosperous future in Pickering.”

PICKERING -- City staff said thank you to several area businesses that have stepped up for pets with its Pawsitive Partners Awards.

During a council meeting on Dec. 12, Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan presented awards to Invisible Fence of Durham Region, the Dog Pad, PJ's Pets and Pet Valu's Karen Sloan.

“We know it's not every day that these organizations are recognized for their hard work and dedication,” said Lindsey Narraway, supervisor, Animal Services for the City of Pickering.  “We wanted to share our appreciation with the rest of our community.”

Invisible Fence was recognized for its contribution of pet oxygen masks for Pickering's fire trucks.  Each kit contains reusable masks sized for animals, since animals are also susceptible to health risks posed by a fire.

Ms. Sloan and Pet Valu were recognized for their ongoing support of Pickering's animal shelter.  In addition to acting as a satellite facility for cat adoptions for the city, Pet Valu has collected thousands of dollars worth of food and merchandise for City animal shelters through donation bins and was the first store to sell animal licences.

Since 2009 the City has run its animal shelter at the Dog Pad facility.  It will be opening a new City-owned animal shelter in 2012, and awarded a Pawsitive Partners award to the Dog Pad in recognition of the facility's support and generosity in housing the animal shelter for the past few years.

The City's newest community partner, PJ's Pets, was recognized for promoting Pickering's Animal Services programs through its store and social media.  It also acts as a satellite adoption facility for cats.

For more information on Pickering's Animal Services or Pawsitive Partners awards program visit www.cityofpickering.com/animals.

PICKERING -- Plans to transform Pickering's Frenchman's Bay into a tourist destination has attracted attention at Queen's Park.

Proposals for improvements to the Frenchman's Bay Harbour entrance have been in the works since 2005, when the area was first identified as a priority for the city.  Improvements would include constructing a new breakwater and implementing a dredging program to reduce navigational difficulties caused by heavy siltation.  The project would also develop the area as a tourist destination by improving public amenities, waterfront access and trails.

“It's a long-standing desire of the City to complete this project,” said Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan.

“It's essentially shovel-ready and there's been a lot of work already.  A breakwater would make this a destination, it would be fully accessible for people who want to go out and enjoy it as a viewpoint or for fishing.  This project would increase accessibility of the waterfront and its desirability as a destination.”

A suggestion that the Ministry of Infrastructure look at financially supporting the long-gestating project was brought up by Pickering-Scarborough East MPP Tracy MacCharles in the legislature on Dec. 8.

While the motion does not equal a promise for funding, it invites the ministry to review the project.  Mayor Ryan said it is welcome because it will help to raise awareness of the plan for the bay.

“We're well aware this does not translate directly to funding but we think it's a good first step,” he explained.  “It's certainly raised the profile of the project and the fact that it obtained unanimous support is significant.”

The motion was passed unanimously, with MPPs from across Durham, and from differing parties, voicing support.  Among those voices stating support were Liberal MPP Joe Dickson and Conservative MPP Christine Elliot, both of Durham Region.  Ms. MacCharles, who tabled the private member's motion stating that the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure should explore the feasibility of supporting the project, called it a win for the area.

“This project is appealing because, one, it's ready to go, but there's also so many potential benefits not just for Pickering but for all of the region and even the province,” Ms. MacCharles said.

“I call it a win-win-win because it addresses safety, there are economic benefits through job creation and it will also increase tourism and boost commercial interests.  There's so many benefits.”

The planned harbour entrance improvements are part of a larger waterfront plan.  An environmental assessment was completed in 2007 and in 2008 Pickering partnered with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to undertake the work.  The City is currently seeking a funding commitment from upper-tier levels of government in order to proceed with the project, which would head directly into the construction stage once funding is secured.

Pickering, ON, December 14, 2011 - At Monday's City Council meeting, the City of Pickering recognized four animal related businesses in its Pawsitive Partners Awards program.   Below is information on each award winner.

Earlier this year, Invisible Fence of Durham Region supplied pet oxygen masks for the City's fire trucks.   Each kit contains reusable masks appropriately sized for animals.  Pets are not immune to emergency situations and like humans are susceptible to health risks associated with a fire.   The supplied kits are vital instruments that will help save a pet's life.

Karen Sloan opened her Pet Valu at 705 Kingston Road just over a year ago, and has been a strong supporter of Animal Services ever since.   Through its donation bins, Pet Valu has collected thousands of dollars worth of food and merchandise for the animal shelter.   Further, Pet Valu was the Dog Sponsor of the 2011 Petapolooza event, and was also the first store to start selling animal licences.   Additionally, Pet Valu is one of the City's satellite facilities for cat adoptions.   Ms. Sloan adopted one of the cats which became her store's resident mascot.

Since October 2009, the City has utilized the facility and services of the Dog Pad as its animal shelter.   As the City will be opening its own animal shelter in 2012, it has awarded a Pawsitive Partner Award to the Dog Pad in recognition of its generosity and support over the past couple of years.

The City's newest community partner is PJ's Pets which has been promoting Pickering Animal Services programs and services through its store as well as social media since July.   PJ's Pets is also a satellite adoption facility for cats, and is where City Councillor David Pickles adopted his family's newest pet.

The Pawsitive Partner Awards program was created to recognize individuals, groups or businesses that have made a significant contribution to the City's Animal Services division.   “We know that it's not everyday that these organizations are recognized for their hard work and dedication, and we wanted to share our appreciation with the rest of our community,” said Lindsey Narraway, Supervisor, Animal Services.   For more information on Animal Services or the awards program, please visit cityofpickering.com/animals.   Pictures of the awards recipients may also be requested by calling 905.683.7575.

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As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet.   Pickering is an affluent community that boasts 200 years of history, along with unrivalled natural beauty, and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer.   The City of Pickering is a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of cultural, sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents.   Pickering's $23-million pedestrian bridge connects directly to the GO train station and serves as an icon of infrastructure, sustainability and downtown revitalization.

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Pickering to lease 10 heritage homes on federal lands.  PICKERING -- Pickering council voted to save 10 heritage homes from demolition on the federal airport lands, including this one at 3570 Brock Road.  December 7, 2011.  Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland

PICKERING -- Ten homes located on Pickering's federal lands may be escaping the wrecking ball after council moved to preserve several sites of heritage interest.

Councillors voted to approve a staff report recommending that 10 properties slated to be demolished by Transport Canada be leased by the City.  Of those properties, four would be evaluated for long-term use by the City, while six would be held short-term in order to gauge interest from private buyers.

“Our exposure is only six months,” said Tony Prevedel, chief administrative officer for the City of Pickering.

“At that point either someone will take the house and move it or we hand these properties back.  We're trying to protect heritage in the area but also be fiscally responsible because this is money that is going to have to be budgeted for in the coming year.”

The cost to protect the homes, including leasing, security and maintenance, is estimated at $15,000 for the four potential long-term properties and $16,000 for the short-term properties.

Mr. Prevedel likened the City's interest in the six short-term properties as necessary to embark on a program to gauge private interest in the properties, similar to the Province's current campaign to promote the sale of heritage homes in the path of the Hwy. 407 extension.  Should the city be successful, those six homes would be moved to other locations by private interests.

The six short-term properties include Brophy House at 4355 Brock Rd., a classic Ontario frame house at 140 Seventh Concession Rd., frame houses at 840 Eighth Concession Rd. and 575 Ninth Concession Rd., a stone house at 5050 Sideline 24 and a rare plank-on-plank home at 5245 Sideline 28.  The four properties identified as possible long-term leases include a Craftsman cottage at 3570 Brock Rd., Ever Green Villa at 3970 Brock Rd., a two-storey Edwardian brick home at 3656 Brougham Rd. and the 1911 Altona school house at 5460 Sideline 30.

While the move to preserve properties is welcomed, it is possibly too little, too late, for the community of Brougham, already ravaged by demolitions.

“Kudos to the City of Pickering and the people still fighting at that level, but it is cold comfort,” said Mary Delaney, a resident of Brougham for more than 30 years and founding member of Land Over Landings, which advocates to have the federal lands turned into a land trust.

“These homes that anywhere else would still be viable are now being torn down and that is a testament to the successive levels of bureaucracy that have destroyed this town.”

While she laments the fate of Brougham, which she estimates has about 42 occupied homes remaining, Ms. Delaney was happy to see the properties saved.

“Certainly to know the Brophy house won't be torn down right away is great,” she said, noting that it's been disheartening to watch the beautiful old homes fall into disrepair.

“Evergreen Villa, when it was expropriated, was absolutely gorgeous and very well-maintained.  To see it as it is now, a wreck inside and out, is a testament to everything that's gone wrong over the last 40 years.  At this point I don't even know if it can be saved, and that's tragic.”

Councillor Jennifer O'Connell echoed the sentiment.

“I think in Pickering's bicentennial year that we are demolishing these heritage buildings is appalling,” she said during a planning and development meeting on Dec. 5.

“It's absolutely terrible that this council chamber is not filled with residents, and I would bet most people don't know these buildings exist or that Transport Canada is doing this.  In a year where we've heard speeches about Pickering's inaugural speech and all the history here, to see this is disgusting.”

Coun. O'Connell also questioned the motives of Transport Canada.

“I don't know what private interest would even have the means to negotiate with Transport Canada alone, since we are having a difficult time and, I struggle to find a nice word, but we are getting shafted,” she said of the City's ongoing efforts to halt demolitions, which have proved futile.

“It is absolutely unbelievable to me that we have to use taxpayers' money to pay another level of government to try to save these heritage homes, it's disgusting.  I do think it is the best of a horrible situation, but I hope residents see this and realize what their tax dollars are being used for because it's so wrong and they need to contact their MPs, somebody should be looking out for this municipality on those federal lands.”

One positive element included in the report was the Province's concession of a 1.4-hectare property at 1607 Hwy. 7 as a relocation site for the Don Beer Memorial Park in Brougham.

“I'm cautiously hopeful about the relocation of Don Beer Park,” Ms. Delaney said.  “It gives me some hope that they recognize there is still a community here.”

Councillors voted to approve the recommendation to lease the 10 identified properties and relocate Don Beer Memorial Park.  A final vote on the report will be held at the upcoming regular council meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.

Crossing guard recounts run-in with car in Pickering.  PICKERING -- Crossing guard guided students across the street at the intersection of Major Oaks Road and Pepperwood Gate, October 19.  October 19, 2011 Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

PICKERING -- Residents in the area of Major Oaks Road and Dellbrook Avenue, where a crossing guard was clipped by a car this fall, will have to continue waiting for new stop signs.

“All you'll get from me now is anger,” said resident Joe Zullo of a council decision to defer a recommendation from city staff to install three new stop signs in the area.

“This really goes over the top; why delay it?  We've already said this is what we want, now we've got to wait longer.  A crossing guard has already been hit by a car, and no one was held accountable.  If someone gets hurt while we're waiting, I'm going to hold council accountable.”

Mr. Zullo addressed council previously in October regarding concerns with the lack of stop signs along Dellbrook Avenue and Major Oaks Road, a situation he said is creating danger for pedestrians trying to cross the street in between speeding vehicles.  Although the crossing guard who was clipped, Nadine Vangelisti, escaped the encounter with bruising and soreness, Mr. Zullo worries that the next incident could be much more serious.

“We've told them as a community we need this taken care of,” Mr. Zullo said, noting speeding and safe crossing have been issues since he moved to the area 10 years ago.  “I drive these streets every day and the fact of the matter is we need stop signs.”

Councillor David Pickles put forward a motion requesting four new stop signs in the area in October.  At the City's executive committee meeting on Dec. 5, councillors debated a staff report recommending three new stop signs at Major Oaks Road and Greenmount Street, Major Oaks and Duberry Drive and Dellbrook Avenue at Meriadoc Drive.  While Coun. Pickles supported the recommendation, he was concerned that one location suggested in his motion, at Dellbrook and Denby, was passed over for a stop, since many children cross there on their way to St. Anthony Daniel school.

“I do think this fourth site is going to continue to be an issue,” he said.

Staff recommended signs be installed in April to allow for community consultation, which staff did not have time to complete before the report was due to come back to council.

“I would recommend that last step be allowed and maybe the bylaw not be passed until we can come back and say we've consulted with the community,” said Richard Holborn, head of engineering services for the City.

“I don't think it's a good time of year to install new all-way stops because of road conditions, so if we're able to come back in March and indicate results of consultation and have signs installed in April I think that would be more appropriate.”

A motion to defer the recommendation back to staff for consultation, put forward by Coun. Jennifer O'Connell, was passed by councillors.

“How can we support this if we haven't gone out to the community and haven't got their feedback?” she said.

“The whole point of consultation is to make sure these are the most appropriate locations for the community so I have serious concerns with approving anything, unless it's just in principle, because essentially what we're doing is approving something then going out letting the community know.  That's not consultation, that's education.”

While he was angry at the delay, Mr. Zullo noted that the recommendations would be an improvement.

“I think the fact that they excluded Denby and Dellbrook was an oversight, any way you look at it, it deserves a stop sign,” he said.

“But I like the recommendations.  The new stops are going to be an improvement.  We have nothing right now so anything is going to be a step in the right direction.”

Toronto - Pickering-Scarborough East MPP Tracy MacCharles tabled a Private Members' Motion in the Legislature today stating that the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure should explore the feasibility of supporting the Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Project in Pickering.

Calling the project “well composed, shovel-ready, and both economically and ecologically warranted”, Ms.  MacCharles addressed the Legislature on the merits of the project.  Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson and Donna Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre) also spoke in support of the project.  City of Pickering Deputy Mayor Doug Dickerson, CAO Tony Prevedel, Councillor David Pickles and Nancy Gaffney from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority were at Queens Park in support of the Motion.  

As part of Ms.  MacCharles presentation to the House, she commented that, “Thanks to the hard work from the City of Pickering and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in preparing this proposal, this project was well received by the Ministry of Infrastructure and is currently under review.”

In addition, Ms.  McCharles spoke about the economic benefit this project would bring to Pickering saying, “The Frenchman's Bay is an important part of Pickering's heritage and adds significantly to the appeal of the community.  The improvements associated with the Habour Entrance will result in an improved economy for the City of Pickering.”

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For more information contact:
Scott Maxwell
Executive Assistant
289-200-1354

Between a rock and a hard place, Pickering is at least trying to save some of the airport lands houses and this is a good thing.

The City recently approved a staff report calling for 10 properties scheduled to be torn down by Transport Canada to instead be leased by the City.  Four would be examined for long-term use by Pickering while six would be held for a short time to see if there is interest from private buyers.  The latter include Brophy House at 4355 Brock Road, a classic Ontario frame house at 140 Seventh Concession Road and a unique plank-on-plank home at 5245 Sideline 28.

The price is certainly right as the houses are virtually free.  But there is a catch: if you buy one of the houses, you have to move it off of the lands and that's a pricey proposition.

The houses are on federal government lands expropriated decades ago for an airport that's never been built.  The ongoing saga of whether an airport will be built and, if not, what is to become of the lands has been the overriding issue in the city.

Time has not been kind to the houses and their condition has deteriorated over the years.  Others have simply been demolished.  Some of these structures are important pieces of our past.  With unique architecture and stories to tell, these are houses that should be preserved.

“I give kudos to the City of Pickering and the people still fighting at that level, but it is cold comfort,” said Mary Delaney, a resident of Brougham for more than 30 years and founding member of Land Over Landings, which wants the airport lands turned into a land trust.

“These homes that anywhere else would still be viable are now being torn down and that is a testament to the successive levels of bureaucracy that have destroyed this town.”

She says it's been disheartening to watch the beautiful old homes fall into disrepair.

While Pickering taxpayers are on the hook for the costs to protect the 10 properties, an estimated $31,000, in the grand scheme of things this is not a lot of money.

If there is a chance that these homes can be saved, it's well worth the investment.

Pickering celebrates eco-friendly home.  PICKERING -- Home owners Jason Uher and Michelle Boohoo inside their sustainable home December 2.  Focal point of the room is the masonry heater.  December 2, 2011 Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

PICKERING -- After a fire ripped through a Pickering home, rendering it uninhabitable, its owners decided to replace the building with an environmentally friendly structure.

Architects, designers and builders were on hand at the home on Pickering's Sideline 4 for a ribbon cutting and tour of the eco-friendly structure on Dec. 2.

Neeraj Jain, of NatureBuilt Wall Systems, became involved with the project early on when the owners decided to use his company's environmentally friendly walls, which use a solid bio-fibre core surrounded by one inch of concrete.

“These offer more than double the installation of other walls, both heat and sound insulation,” Mr. Jain explained.

“They also stand up better to earthquakes and even fire.  Because the straw used for the bio-fibre is so compact, it's like trying to burn a phone book.”

The home was built using a passive solar design, which uses strategically placed windows to allow heat from the sun to warm the house in winter while preventing too much sun in the summer.  The windows also offer a lot of natural light, cutting down on the need for electric lighting.  Other eco-friendly features of the home include eco-bat insulation and a masonry stove that uses heat from a central fireplace for cooking.

“Pretty much everything is green,” Mr. Jain explained, noting the owner wanted to lessen the environmental impact.

“Their old house was very old, so when it burned down the owners wanted to stay in the same spot but decided they wanted to be very environmentally friendly since they had the opportunity to start from scratch.”

Architect Francis Lapointe, along with his students, and a contingent from the China Academy of Building Research were on hand for the unveiling and to tour the home.

On Friday, December 2, 2011 a ribbon was cut to symbolize the completion of Pickering's first Passive Solar Modular Straw Bale home.  The builder (Construct & Conserve Building Inc.) included some of the newest green building technology available.  They worked in co-operation with Nature Built Wall Systems to build/install the modular straw bale units.  The house has a very modern look with low slope roof lines and large overhangs.  Through proper orientation of the house on the site they managed to harness the sun to passively heat the home.  As a secondary heating source there is a large Tempcast masonry wood burning fireplace.  The Uher family have many reasons to be proud of their new home; their commitment to sustainability is inspirational and will help us on our journey to become a more sustainable city.

November, 2011

Dear Mr. Pickles

On behalf of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, we wish to thank you for the generous donations you provided for our recent fundraising initiative...

Read the entire letter here.

Shark fin ban.  PICKERING -- Diane Peck is a local activist helping to promote Pickering's proposed shark fin ban.  November 17, 2011 Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

PICKERING -- The GTA may soon be fin-free as Pickering joins municipalities such as Toronto, Brantford and Mississauga in banning shark fin products within the city.

Activists and opposition parties had turned their focus to Pickering in recent weeks after a similar battle in Toronto ended in council approving a ban.  Pickering resident and activist Diane Peck was one of many people supporting the ban who reached out to council.

“I always wanted to be a marine biologist and I volunteer at the Toronto Zoo in my spare time so I've always loved animals,” she explained of her passion for sharks, noting that after watching the movie Sharkwater in August she began spending her spare time advocating for a ban on shark fin products.

“The movie just horrified me.  Since then all my spare time has gone to doing anything I can to raise awareness.  I was involved in the Toronto fight and when I heard about it happening at home I had to be involved.  We may be a small community compared to a big city but we are part of leading the way in showing the rest of the country this needs to be banned.”

While some councillors have questioned the necessity of a ban when no Pickering-area restaurants are currently serving shark fin products, Ms. Peck says the ban is an important symbolic gesture.

“Nothing is a waste of time if you're doing anything to protect any species,” she explained.  “People say if we don't have shark fin here why should we ban it, but I see it as proactive.  If we don't have it here, why bother to bring it in?”

Others have argued it doesn't make sense to ban one part when the fish as a whole is legal within Canada, which does have a small shark fishery.

“We want to stress that we do care about the ecosystem and the environment, but this is not under municipal jurisdiction,” said Barbara Chiu, president of the Toronto Chinese Business Association, which actively opposed Toronto's ban.

“We don't want municipal governments to waste their money on something the federal government is already taking care of.  Sharks are just like any other type of fish, but people are emotionally looking at finning.  We don't want any inhumane finning either, but our point is if you're only banning one part of a fish that is legal in Canada that's unfair.”

Ms. Chiu said most of that association's members don't see the issue as a business issue.

“Most businesses I talked to mentioned banning shark fins doesn't affect their business because people don't consume shark fin soup on a daily basis,” she said.

At a lively council meeting on Nov. 21 that saw 10 delegations on the shark fin ban alone, Ms. Chiu was joined in opposition by Benedict Leung of the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association and Tao (Thomas) Qu, president of the Durham Chinese Canadian Culture Centre.

“The Canadian shark fishery is totally legal and people consume shark meat everywhere in Canada, there's simply not enough evidence linking shark fin soup to fins from illegal finning,” he explained, likening the ban to taking all cars off the street due to one car accident.

“Many friends have told me they really have no problem giving up eating fins, it's not a big deal, even business people have already said this is not a big deal so economics are not an issue.  Let's work on increasing enforcement at the federal level instead and work together to protect endangered animals.”

Rob Sinclair, executive director of WildAid, which works to combat the billion-dollar trade in illegal animal products, likens the issue of shark fins to that of ivory or bear gall bladders in that it is impossible to tell legal products from illegal.

“Of all wildlife that's harvested for parts, the greatest trade is for shark fins.  It's estimated at $750 million to $1 billion annually,” he explained, noting he has extensive experience in the area having worked with the provincial government on legislation to ban bear gall bladders, used in Asian medicinal practises.

“The simple truth is we can't tell the difference between legal and illegal shark fin.  Banning is the only effective way to safeguard the species.  Just as the Province took action on gall bladders and nation states took action on ivory before wider regulations, it is simply time to act.  A ban locally may only save a dozen sharks, but it is acting with leadership and municipal governments, as the level of government closest to the people, have a role to play in this.”

In addition to the many delegations councillors also received countless e-mails from all over the globe supporting a ban on shark fins, including notes from scuba divers, dive instructors and activists from China, the Bahamas, Britain, France, Belgium and more.

Council voted to approve the ban on the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins or derivative products within the city by a vote of five to one, with Coun. Peter Rodrigues dissenting while Coun. Jennifer O'Connell was absent.  The bylaw will come into effect one year from the date of approval, on Nov. 21, 2012, in order to allow time for public education.

Pickering has joined the growing list of municipalities that have banned shark fin products in a bid to help preserve the world's shark population.  Council approved the ban in a vote of 5 to 1 on Monday.

Councillor David Pickles, who initiated the move, said his city of 94,000 is a “small part of an important effort to stop shark finning,” a practice that involves cutting off a shark's fins and tossing it back into the water to die.

“We are concerned that, as bans come into effect in other municipalities such as Toronto and Mississauga, the sale of shark fin products could shift into Pickering on a large scale,” Pickles said.  “We want to stop this before it starts.”

Sharks are being slaughtered at the rate of more than 70 million per year, with experts predicting they could be extinct within 10 or 20 years.

The City of Pickering has approved to ban the sale of shark fins, but it won't come into effect until a year from now.

In a 5-1 vote, council approved it Monday night.

A city official in Pickering told 680News the delay will provide Pickering with an opportunity to see how other municipalities like Oakville, Mississauga and Toronto, approach the issue of enforcement.  

Pickering moves to ban shark fin products.  TORONTO -- Shark fin soup.  September 2011 Torstar News Services

PICKERING -- Pickering could become the next GTA municipality to ban the sale of shark fin products after a staff report said such a ban is viable.

In a report presented to councillors Nov.  14, City solicitor Paul Bigioni concluded that a shark fin ban could be justified under several sections of the Municipal Act, namely those allowing the City to pass bylaws relating to the “health, safety and well-being of persons,” and the “economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality.” However, the report also noted that legal challenges are a possibility.

“There are legal arguments both for and against the validity of a municipal shark fin ban,” the report stated.

“It is therefore impossible to predict with certainty whether or not such a ban would survive a legal challenge.”

Councillor David Pickles, who originally put forward the motion requesting the staff report, said he had heard from many residents in support of the ban.

“This is a perfect example of thinking globally and acting locally,” he explained.

“We are doing our part to stop the practice of finning of sharks, which is an atrocity and could lead to the extinction of some shark species within our lifetime.”

Finning is a fishing practice where the fin of a shark is removed and the animal is thrown back into the sea.

Other councillors argued that the ban was a waste of council's time, with councillor Peter Rodrigues noting it was “not Pickering's place to resolve this.”

Council voted five to two in favour of endorsing the report, with councillors Rodrigues and Jennifer O'Connell dissenting.

If the ban is approved, Pickering would join Mississauga, Brampton and Brantford as municipalities that have banned the sale of shark fins.  A final vote on a bylaw to enact the ban will be held at the council meeting on Monday, Nov.  21.

Pickering Supports Recommending Ban on Shark Fin Products

On November 14th, 2011, Pickering's Executive Committee of Council approves the next step to banning shark fin products in the City!  A final decision on the ban should be made at the November 21st Council meeting.

Councillor Pickles, who has led the charge on a shark fin ban in Pickering, commented that “I am very pleased our Council, with the support of residents that I have spoken with, is close to getting this shark fin ban in place”.  “This is a prime case of acting locally to get things done nationally and globally”.  At the Pickering Council Executive Committee meeting of November 14th, 2011, per a previous motion by Councillors Pickles and Dickerson, Pickering Council accepted a staff report regarding a ban on shark fin products.  The report indicated a shark fin ban is within the authority of the municipality and presented a draft By-law for consideration.  The Executive Committee passed a resolution 5-2 with Councillors' Rodrigues and O'Connell dissenting, recommending that Pickering Council adopt a ban and By-law on shark fin products in the City of Pickering.  The recommendation of the Executive Committee will now go to Pickering Council for a final decision on November 21st, 2011.  Councillor Pickles noted that he is optimistic that this ban will be passed at the next Council meeting given the support of the Executive Committee and the general public.  “Due to the bans in Toronto and Mississauga, It is even more important for Pickering to put a ban in place as early as possible; we do not want the shark fin trade relocating to Pickering”.

Councillor David Pickles notes “We believe Pickering residents do not support shark finning and would support a ban.” “We are concerned that, as bans come into effect in other municipalities such as Toronto and Mississauga, the sale of shark fin products could shift into Pickering on a large scale”.  “We want to stop this before it starts”.

A blog with further information and to encourage support has been set-up at www.pickeringlovessharks.blogspot.com.

Pickering has not completed a review of whether or not shark fin products, including shark fin soup are presently available in Pickering but wants to be proactive.

Sharks are being slaughtered world-wide at the rate of over 70 million per year; with experts agreeing that sharks could be extinct within 10 - 20 years at the current rate of slaughter.

Shark finning is a wasteful, inhumane practice that involves cutting off a shark's fins and then tossing the still-live shark back overboard to drown, bleed to death, or be eaten alive by other animals.  While shark fins are considered a delicacy in some restaurants, they have no significant nutritional value and are considered unhealthy for human consumption due to the accumulation of high levels of mercury and other toxins in the fins and flesh.

The Canadian government has banned “shark finning” in Canadian waters since 1994 as has the United States (2009) and the European Community (2003); but the sale of shark fins continues in cities across Canada and the world.  States and municipal governments - including Hawaii, Guam, Washington State, Oregon and California - representing over 47 million people have introduced or proposed bans on the trade and consumption of shark fins; with legislators in mainland China and Indonesia initiating bans and restrictions as well.  The City of Brantford, Ontario is the first municipality in Canada to ban shark fins.

Canadians are becoming better informed about this important issue but there is still a great lack of appreciation of the damage shark finning is causing and how a ban in Canadian communities would help stop this practice.  Councillor Pickles hopes that as more information comes forward and the matter is debated Councillors and residents will lend their support to the motion.  Municipalities can show a leadership role on this issue just as they did on the regulation of smoking and use of pesticides by enacting local bans and encouraging higher levels of government to enact broader bans.

The motion:

• better informs Pickering residents of shark finning practice
• supports the protection of sharks and address the concerns regarding endangerment and possible extinction of sharks
• directs City staff to consider and prepare a draft By-law to ban shark fin products in the City Pickering for Council's consideration in October
• ensures that as result of bans in other municipalities, particularly a ban being considered by Toronto, the sale of shark fin products does not shift to Pickering
• encourages other municipalities to likewise consider bans
• requests that provincial and federal governments enact legislation to ban shark fin products provincially and federally

Deputy Mayor, Doug Dickerson notes “Pickering is once again showing leadership in bringing greater awareness to the matter of shark finning and taking local measures to encourage federal and provincial government to action”.

Councillor Pickles notes that the passing of this motion supports the efforts of Toronto Councillors' Glenn De Baeremaeker and Kristyn Wong-Tam in their efforts to bring forward a ban in Toronto and the efforts of other municipalities.  Councillor Pickles contacted Councillor De Baeremaeker on this matter to ensure cooperation and not have the concern move from one municipality to another.

The provincial election also provides an opportunity for the matter of a ban to be discussed.

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet and has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies.  Pickering's downtown has been named by the Province of Ontario as an Urban Growth Centre and future Mobility Hub.  The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment.  In 2008, it received the FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.  With its direct access to major highways, educated and skilled labour force, prime employment lands, a world class EN3 (energy/environmental/engineering) sector, and supportive municipal government, Pickering offers unrivalled competitive advantages for business.

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Ajax-Pickering hospital auxiliary celebrates 60 years. AJAX -- Bev Carmichael, left, president of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital, surveys a scrapbook detailing the organization's 60-year history compiled by Shirley Rowland, who served as historian and treasurer for much of her 50 years with the Auxiliary. October 31, 2011. Moya Dillon / Metroland

AJAX -- Members of the Auxiliary to Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital continued their long tradition of giving during this year's 60th anniversary celebrations.

Members, hospital staff, guests and officials gathered at the St. Andrew's Community Centre in Ajax on Oct. 30 to mark the organization's 60-year anniversary.

“There would be a big void in my life if I weren't a part of the hospital auxiliary,” said Bev Carmichael, auxiliary president.

“This is a very happy time for us, it's exciting to be celebrating 60 years.  The auxiliary is all about giving back to the community because this is our community hospital.  I just want to say thank you to everyone for their support and all the dedication, all the hours they put in both on the floor at the hospital and through fundraising.”

As part of the celebrations, the auxiliary presented the hospital foundation with a cheque for $50,000, which is the first installment in its overall commitment of $500,000 towards the Image is Everything campaign to pay for the hospital's new MRI.

The latest donation was one in a long history of both monetary and volunteer support by auxiliary members.

“When the auxiliary was created what followed it was the creation of our hospital, which was built around this great group of volunteers,” said Chad Hanna, president of the hospital foundation, noting that auxiliary members went above and beyond to assist hospital staff in the early years, including laundering clothes for the maternity ward and other patient supports.

“Auxiliary members were, and are, incredible leaders in our community.”

Hospital CEO Rick Ganderton echoed the sentiment.

“We're here to say thank you from the hospital for 60 years of giving by the auxiliary,” he said.  “You are incredible members of the hospital team and you contribute every day to the care of our patients.”

In addition to providing volunteer staff, the auxiliary also raised funds for hospital equipment through the gift shop, lottery sales and fundraising.

Alison Greenslade, who runs the hospital gift shop, volunteered at the hospital in the 1970s but moved away from the area.  She rejoined the auxiliary in 2007 when she moved back.

“I think giving back to the community is important,” she explained.

“I'm so pleased with all my volunteers.  They're very dedicated, we always have every shift covered even though we're a 100-per cent volunteer operation.  I really enjoy the work and it's well worth it because now you start to see the impact with things like the MRI donation.”

Honourees at the celebration included the auxiliary's student volunteers, who together contributed more than 6,000 volunteer hours, and long-time members such as Edie Murray, who received a pin in honour of her 10 years of volunteer work.

“I have always volunteered and this is another way of helping the community,” the 82 year old said.  “I plan to continue on as long as I'm allowed.”

We urge Pickering council to ban the sale of shark fin products in the city and urge all other local councils in Durham to do likewise.

Normally, when an issue such as this comes before a municipal council, we tend to roll our eyes and think, ‘why don't they deal with local matters only’?  But the truth is this could become a local issue, as Councillor David Pickles noted at a recent meeting.

The non-profit Canadian shark-preservation group Shark Truth is urging Toronto and other cities to follow the lead of California, which instituted a state-wide ban on the sale of shark fins Oct.  10.  Mississauga has already followed suit and Toronto considers the matter on Monday night.

“People will be looking for a place to go to sell these products and Pickering is very close,” Coun. Pickles said recently.

“This is all the more reason for us to move quickly, it certainly puts some pressure on Pickering.”

Who can forget the 1975 movie Jaws, which remains hugely popular.  But Jaws had a horrible effect: it demonized sharks, making the harvesting of shark fins far more acceptable than, for example, killing cute baby seals for their hides.  After all, who could stand up for an ugly creature that prowls the world's oceans and seas seeking human victims?

Truth be told, sharks do nothing of the kind.  We've come to understand that sharks, like the bear and the wolf, don't have it in for us.  They don't have people on their grocery list.  In many cases, shark attacks come about as a result of mistaken identity: great whites often mistake a surfer sitting on his board, dangling his legs in the ocean, for a seal, their favourite prey.

In fact, it's sharks who are on our menus, especially in some countries and in some cultural groups.

Shark populations are falling all over the world and catching them for their fins is a major cause.  This barbaric practice sees sharks de-finned while they're still alive and thrown back into the ocean, helpless and to a certain death.  It's like killing an elephant for its tusks.

It's worth noting that Jaws author Peter Benchley greatly regrets the impact his book and the movie had on our attitudes to these amazing creatures and is now actively involved in saving sharks.

The matter comes before Pickering council's executive committee Nov. 14.  We urge council to go ahead and ban shark fin products here and think other councils should do the same.

Council moves to calm traffic woes in Pickering subdivision. PICKERING -- Tim Wood is an area resident concerned with traffic in his neighbourhood along Dellbrook Avenue.  October 18, 2011 Jason Liebregts / Metroland

PICKERING -- Residents looking for relief from what they call a dangerous pedestrian situation in the Major Oaks area could get a solution as council voted to have staff look at the situation.

A number of residents turned out to a regular council meeting on Oct. 17 to express their concerns with the lack of pedestrian crossings along Dellbrook Avenue and Major Oaks Road in Pickering, which they say results in a dangerous situation for pedestrians trying to cross the busy streets.

“Our major concern is pedestrians trying to cross Dellbrook and Major Oaks, especially because there's some blind corners,” said Joe Zullo, who has lived in the area for almost 10 years.

“It happens a lot where pedestrians start to cross the street and have to turn back running because of a car speeding by; it's certainly very hair hair-raising.”

Mr. Zullo acknowledged that speed plays a part in the problem, but said pedestrian safety is the major concern.

“I wouldn't say it's an issue of epidemic proportion but it certainly needs to be addressed,” he said of the speed of vehicles.

“Prior to coming tonight I spoke to a number of my neighbours and pretty much everyone shares concern in this pedestrian issue.  Some people have been there since ground was broken on this subdivision and crossing has been a problem since day one.  I'm there every morning getting my kids off to school and watching people come across the street to bus stops or to catch a school bus and it's a torturous affair.”

Mr. Zullo's neighbour Tim Wood was also at the meeting, and described how the dangerous crossing situation has affected his own family.

“Outside my home dozens of people use bus stops, including students,” he said of stops located near his home at the intersection of Dellbrook and Denby Drive.

“The corner is somewhat blind due to parking and the grade of the hill and I've witnessed students having to run across the street to avoid being struck.  My personal experience with this issue concerns my own family.  My own daughter, as well as my neighbours' children have been put in danger by cars moving quickly around this corner.”

Mr. Wood urged councillors to consider a motion put forward by Councillor David Pickles asking staff to look at the feasibility of installing stop signs or pedestrian crossings at some of the major intersections along the two streets.  Currently there are no stop signs on either Major Oaks or Dellbrook from Brock Road west for about one kilometre to the intersection of the two streets, which is located just east of Valley Farm Road.

“We have a subdivision of thousands of people, with two schools, three parks and a plaza, two streets in excess of one kilometre and only one four-way stop,” Coun.  Pickles explained.

“That's just not appropriate, we have to have more safe crossing locations.  The motion we are looking at this evening is to ask staff to review safe crossing opportunities in the neighbourhood, noting that presently there's only one, and report back.”

Councillors engaged in a debate over whether to request staff to conduct public consultation, which passed after much deliberation.  Mayor Dave Ryan took the opportunity to call councillors to task for the ongoing debate over a simple motion.

“This is embarrassing,” Mayor Ryan said.  “All this to-ing and fro-ing and back and forth is embarrassing.  This is a straightforward question from the community.  As the residents say, it's dangerous and they want staff and council to respond to it.  This is a straightforward motion asking staff to go out and do their job.”

Council voted to approve the recommendation, which will see a report on the situation, including possible solutions, coming back to council at a future meeting.

Mr. Woods said he was glad to see the motion pass, but was still waiting on concrete action in terms of implementing a solution.

“I think they're moving in the right direction,” he explained.  “I just hope to see it come to fruition soon.”

At the October 17th, 2011 Council meeting, a Notice of Motion was put forward to name the new pedestrian bridge Veteran's Walkway.  City procedure requires that prior written notice be provided a week in advance of a Council meeting so that Councillors, City staff and the public can be made aware, and have an opportunity to consider the matter and provide their views.  I understand that it could be considered by Council on November 14th.  This allows an opportunity to speak to the two Royal Canadian Legions in the City, the federal and provincial governments who paid for the bridge, and GO Transit who owns the bridge.  I have been using the last couple of weeks to speak with veteran organizations and others about the naming of the bridge.

The matter of naming the bridge in honour of the veterans has not been dismissed.  Some Members of Council had previously been discussing some potential names such as the Bicentennial Veteran's Memorial Bridge or the Highway of Heroes Bicentennial Bridge.  No Member of Council has said anything disrespectful about veterans.  In fact, if you talk to any veterans in the City, I think you will hear that they are very pleased with the respect and support from Council.

I also note that on October 17th, Council considered and approved a motion, for which notice had been provided in advance, recognizing and thanking the Canadian Armed Forces for their ten-year combat mission in Afghanistan.

As for Remembrance Day observations, I will be respectfully and proudly attending the several Remembrance Day services in the City, as I do every year.  This year is particularly special to me as my grandfather, who served in the Second World War in the Royal Canadian Navy in the North Atlantic on the HMCS Saguenay and the HMCS Huron, passed away last Christmas Day.  I encourage residents to attend the Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday, November 6th and the Remembrance Day Service on Friday, November 11th at the Cenotaph at the Pickering Civic Complex and at the Royal Canadian Legion in Claremont, at 4937 Old Brock Road on Sunday, November 6th at 2:00 pm.

David Pickles
City Councillor
Ward 3
City of Pickering

Pickering history brought to life. PICKERING -- Pickering Museum volunteer Catherine Hodge (left) chats with Dawn Gailer(2nd from the left), a descendant of Peter Matthews as they stroll along the pathways at the museum with descendants of Samuel Lount, Laura (3rd from the left) and Sharon Recalla (right). The descendants of the two men who were hung for treason in Toronto in the mid 19th Century.  Sept 24, 2011 Photo by Walter Passarella

PICKERING -- Descendents of early Pickering settlers had a chance to walk back in time.

The 2011 Spirit Walk attracted 146 descendents of settlers to the Pickering Museum Village on Saturday.  Part drama, part living history, the event recreates Pickering history from 1790 to April 12, 1838.  That's the day two men -- Peter Matthews of Pickering and Samuel Lount of Newmarket -- were hung for their part in the Rebellion of 1837.

John Edmonds, the director of the walk and a museum volunteer, said the rebellion was the start of democratic government in Upper Canada, what's now Ontario.

“We're celebrating that.  The show is based on Pickering people.  We try to say this is what happened.  This is what was going on in the world at the time,” Mr. Edmonds stated.

The show has 70 actors representing real people “and we have history to match up with that.”

The audience makes its way from the entrance to the village, meeting actors along the way.

This year's show was the first one for Dawn Gailer, a descendent of Peter Matthews.  He's her great-great-great-grandfather.

“When my dad died, I got hold of a lot of his papers,” she said, and she began researching her family's history.

“I devoted a lot of time to it way back when.  This was all I did,” noted Ms. Gailer, who lives in Woodstock.

She started a website, www.dawngailer.com, in the 1990s, including a section on her family's history.

Being tied to an important part of Canadian history is “cool.  We have an interesting history.  We all go on about the States and their interesting history.  Ours is just as interesting.  It's not all boring,” Ms. Gailer stated.

She thinks Matthews was hung because the authorities couldn't get hold of William Lyon Mackenzie, the leader of the rebellion.  Following the rebellion, Mackenzie fled to the United States.

Mackenzie had left behind a carpet bag that included the names of his supporters, including Matthews and Lount.

“There were jailed for three months before they were hanged.  Neither recanted.  When the reverend came to lead him to the gallows, Matthews hugged him and said he (the reverend) was just doing his job,” she said.

The Family Compact ran everything in Upper Canada, yet a few years after the rebellion, an election was held.  “It was the beginning of the end of British rule.  At the time, it seemed like an insignificant event.”

Ms. Gailer praises Pickering staff and museum volunteers for their efforts.  “They've done an excellent job.  They've tied everything together.”

Katrina Pyke, co-ordinator of museum operations, said the Spirit Walk “employs drama and historical fact.”

Performing it at night makes it “compelling,” she said.

She went to her supervisors about staging the event and through research “we knew we had the kernel of something good.  We focus on the rebellion.  It's become more of a portrayal of Pickering through the years.

“Without the rebellion, we wouldn't have the form of government we have,” Ms. Pyke stated.  “They were no longer satisfied with little say.  It made people care.”

Following the rebellion, many who took part had their land taken from them, so they move to Michigan.

“Their punishment was they couldn't own land, so a lot went to the States,” she noted, adding “Matthews was a martyr for Canadian democracy.”

Those who moved “would have lead a productive live here in Pickering, but they couldn't, so they did down there.”

Ms. Pyke noted many of the settlers in Pickering were United Empire Loyalists who “came here and 30 years later, they were all back in the United States,” Ms. Pyke said.

Laura Drake is a descendent of George Barclay Jr., a captain during the rebellion.

“He was sentenced to be hanged.  He was in Kingston and the family got the money and got him out,” she said.

George Jr.  had been charged with treason.  “The family wasn't welcome in the community, so he took his family to western Ontario.  That's where I was raised.”

His father, George Barclay Sr., came to Upper Canada in 1816 was a 'circuit rider', preaching to Baptist congregations between Uxbridge and Pickering.

“Pickering staff have been really good doing research and they share with us.  Every time we turn around, another family appears,” Ms. Drake stated.

Mr. Edmonds noted this year's staging is special because it is the 200th anniversary of the founding of Pickering.

This is the 16th year for the Spirit Walk and some of the descendents came from Houston, Texas, Hew Hampshire, New York, Illinois and Michigan.

“These are the descendents who have kept the story alive,” Mr. Edmonds stated.

The rebels “weren't criminals.  They believed in things that came to pass,” Mr. Edmonds noted, adding Canada became a country 30 years later.  “They had the right idea.  It may not have been the best way, but it was the right idea.”

Pickering moves to ban shark fin products. TORONTO -- Shark fin soup.  September 2011 Torstar News Services

PICKERING -- Shark fin soup could be a thing of the past in Pickering if council is successful at instituting a ban on shark fin products.

On Sept.  19, council heard a presentation from Jennifer Zabawa, a representative of Fin Free Toronto who also worked on the documentary Sharkwater, regarding the devastation that the international shark fin trade has wreaked on shark populations worldwide.

“Sharks are in trouble,” she explained.  “Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year and the population has dropped by more than 90 per cent, with some species considered extinct.”

Ms. Zabawa explained the process of “finning,” which has been banned in more than 90 countries, as a method of fishing where a shark is pulled from the water, the fin is cut off and then the shark is thrown back in.  Without fins sharks are unable to move normally and either suffocate or fall prey to other predators.  Although banned, enforcement is spotty at best and the practice remains widespread.

“Unfortunately the value of fins is enormous, going for $300 to $400 for a pound of fin, compared to $3 for a pound of shark meat,” Ms. Zabawa said.

“Fins take up less space on a boat and are more valuable.  If you look at fishing in a lot of the world's protected waters there's not a lot of enforcement, it's mostly a manpower issue.  Curbing demand is the main step to ensure shark preservation.”

Although shark fins have no flavour, they have a gelatin-like consistency and are flavoured with chicken broth before being added to soup.  Popular in Chinese cuisine, shark fin soup is traditionally served at important events such as weddings or banquets.  Ms. Zabawa noted that as awareness grows demand will lessen, which could encourage more restaurateurs to use eco-friendly options such as imitation shark fin made from gelatin.

Councillor David Pickles had put forward notice at a previous meeting to introduce a motion requesting staff look into instituting a ban on shark fin products in Pickering.

“The purpose of the motion is to demonstrate that the City of Pickering and its residents support a ban on shark fin products,” he explained.

“This is important not only due to whether product is available but because as other municipalities bring in bans the sale of these products could move to adjoining municipalities.  You may see a ban in Pickering as a small thing but as more and more municipalities bring in bans that sends a strong message to the federal government and shows on a grassroots level that the government needs to bring in a national ban to stop the extinction of sharks.”

Coun. Pickles expressed worry over attempts to institute bans in nearby municipalities such as Toronto, noting that the sale of shark fin products could spill over to Pickering, if the ban is successful, given its close proximity to GTA markets.  Although he was not aware of any restaurants serving shark fin soup in Pickering, Coun. Pickles suggested staff consult local businesses when researching the possibility of a ban.

Council approved the motion for staff to investigate and report back to council on the matter of banning the sale, possession and consumption of shark fins and related products in Pickering.

Staff will report back to council on the matter at a future meeting.

Show your support by joining the Pickering - Save Our Sharks BLOG.

PICKERING -- The City of Pickering will mark the grand opening of its Bicentennial Arboretum on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The event will take place at the southeast corner of Finch Avenue and Rosebank Road at 1 p.m.  Pickering is one of 23 municipalities to be selected from more than 100 applications to receive a grant from the TD Green Streets program.  The arboretum, with an educational focus, will become a learning ground for schools and residents who wish to learn more about native trees and shrubs.  The number of trees at the arboretum equals the number of schools in Pickering, giving each school the job of being a steward for a tree.  School will also be contributing items that will be placed into a time capsule, buried in the park, to be re-opened in 100 years.

“This is a wonderful initiative that will help inspire our students to become stewards of our environment,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “Thank you to the TD Green Streets program for investing in our community's future.”

The arboretum was designed to showcase plants from southern Ontario, including 28 species of native deciduous and coniferous trees as well as native shrubs.  The entire community is invited to the official opening.

“We congratulate the City of Pickering for developing an initiative that will create an important green space in their community,” said Michael Rosen, president of Tree Canada.  “We're pleased that we have been able to support the efforts of the Bicentennial Celebration and we look forward to seeing their plan come to life.”

On September 6, 2011 Pickering City Councillor David Pickles gave notice that he will bring forward a motion seconded by Deputy Mayor Doug Dickerson at the Pickering Council meeting on September 19, 2011 to ban the sale of shark fin products in the City of Pickering.

Councillor David Pickles notes “We believe Pickering residents do not support shark finning and would support a ban.” “We are concerned that, as bans come into effect in other municipalities such as Toronto and Mississauga, the sale of shark fin products could shift into Pickering on a large scale”.  “We want to stop this before it starts”.  

Pickering has not completed a review of whether or not shark fin products, including shark fin soup are presently available in Pickering but wants to be proactive.

Sharks are being slaughtered world-wide at the rate of over 70 million per year; with experts agreeing that sharks could be extinct within 10 - 20 years at the current rate of slaughter.

Shark finning is a wasteful, inhumane practice that involves cutting off a shark's fins and then tossing the still-live shark back overboard to drown, bleed to death, or be eaten alive by other animals.  While shark fins are considered a delicacy in some restaurants, they have no significant nutritional value and are considered unhealthy for human consumption due to the accumulation of high levels of mercury and other toxins in the fins and flesh.

The Canadian government has banned “shark finning” in Canadian waters since 1994 as has the United States (2009) and the European Community (2003); but the sale of shark fins continues in cities across Canada and the world.  States and municipal governments - including Hawaii, Guam, Washington State, Oregon and California - representing over 47 million people have introduced or proposed bans on the trade and consumption of shark fins; with legislators in mainland China and Indonesia initiating bans and restrictions as well.  The City of Brantford, Ontario is the first municipality in Canada to ban shark fins.

Canadians are becoming better informed about this important issue but there is still a great lack of appreciation of the damage shark finning is causing and how a ban in Canadian communities would help stop this practice.   Councillor Pickles hopes that as more information comes forward and the matter is debated Councillors and residents will lend their support to the motion.   Municipalities can show a leadership role on this issue just as they did on the regulation of smoking and use of pesticides by enacting local bans and encouraging higher levels of government to enact broader bans.

The intent of the motion is to:

• better inform Pickering residents of shark finning practice
• support the protection of sharks and address the concerns regarding endangerment and possible extinction of sharks
• request that City staff consider and prepare a draft By-law to ban shark fin products in the City Pickering for Council's consideration
• ensure that as result of bans in other municipalities, particularly a ban being considered by Toronto, the sale of shark fin products does not shift to Pickering
• to encourage other municipalities to likewise consider bans
• request that provincial and federal governments enact legislation to ban shark fin products provincially and federally

Deputy Mayor, Doug Dickerson notes “Pickering is once again showing leadership in bringing greater awareness to the matter of shark finning and taking local measures to encourage federal and provincial government to action”.

Councillor Pickles hopes that this motion is passed and will support the efforts of Toronto Councillors Glenn De Baeremaeker and Kristyn Wong-Tam in their efforts to bring forward a ban in Toronto and the efforts of other municipalties.  Councillor Pickles contacted Councillor De Baeremaeker on this matter to ensure cooperation and not have the concern move from one municipality to another.

The provincial election also provides an opportunity for the matter of a ban to be discussed.

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet and has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies.  Pickering's downtown has been named by the Province of Ontario as an Urban Growth Centre and future Mobility Hub.   The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment.  In 2008, it received the FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.   With its direct access to major highways, educated and skilled labour force, prime employment lands, a world class EN3 (energy/environmental/engineering) sector, and supportive municipal government, Pickering offers unrivalled competitive advantages for business.

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PICKERING -- The fight to salvage several heritage buildings in Pickering continues as demolition crews began surveying sites on the Pickering federal lands prior to submitting tenders.

A request for proposals for the completion of demolitions was posted by Transport Canada on Aug. 3 and proposals will be accepted until Monday, Aug. 22. As a first step in the process, Transport Canada has arranged for potential contractors to visit the demolition sites in order to provide an estimate.

“Transport Canada is proceeding with its proposed 2011 demolition program to eliminate vacant structures on the Pickering lands site that pose health and safety risks to the public and first responders, including vacant structures within the community of Brougham,” said Paula Fairfax, a spokeswoman for Transport Canada, in an e-mail.

“Transport Canada is working closely with the City of Pickering officials to allow access to properties slated for demolition to research, document and determine whether there are elements of value that need to be recorded, or that City staff would like to retrieve for other uses.”

An agreement is in place that will allow City officials to conduct heritage inspections and document 17 homes deemed to have heritage significance during the week of Aug. 15.  Transport Canada has given the City the opportunity to lease any buildings they may want to save, with the stipulation that the City would be responsible for any repair and maintenance costs and that the buildings may only be leased to third parties for non-residential purposes.

A deadline of Sept. 15 was set for the City to decide on what to do about the properties.  A previous request from the City for funding from Transport Canada to conduct heritage surveys of the homes slated for demolition was denied.

Mary Delaney, a member of Land Over Landings, which is advocating for the federal lands to be turned into a land trust and preserved in perpetuity, was disappointed to see the crews surveying sites in Brougham that she said hold important heritage value.

“It really brings us up short,” Ms. Delaney said of seeing the crews on site, noting she would especially like to see a stone house at 4355 Brock Road saved.

“It catches your breath because it makes it very real.  This huge, long list of scheduled demolitions has been floating around for many months now and the deadline is coming up.  It's very distressing because once these heritage buildings are gone, they're gone forever.  And once farmland is paved over, it's also gone forever.  You can't go back.”

There are currently 52 structures listed for demolition, 24 of which are listed on the Pickering Heritage Register.  Ms. Fairfax said that demolitions are expected to begin shortly after a tender is awarded, and that all demolitions are scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2012.

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland PICKERING -- Christopher Childs, 10, played a water balloon toss game as the Pickering Ajax Italian Social Club celebrated its 19th anniversary with a party at Centennial Park Sunday afternoon, July 10. July 10, 2011.

PICKERING -- The bocce balls were rolling and the horseshoes were flying during a picnic hosted by the Pickering Ajax Italian Social Club.

Based out of Centennial Park, the group hosted a community picnic on Sunday, July 10 to celebrate its 19-year anniversary.

“For me it means a lot for us to represent the Italian community in Pickering,” said John Conte, president of the club.

“For us it's simple, it's not a big thing but we usually host about one event a month and do things such as the Seniors' Games, which encourages seniors in Durham to get out and have some fun.  The club is really about bringing the community together and getting people out and having fun.”

Councillor David Pickles praised the group for its positive relationship with the city and the work it's done to improve Centennial Park.

“The club has been very helpful at getting washrooms in here and also created the bocce courts and horseshoe pits,” he said.

“They do a lot of work in the park and make very good use of it.  It's a really good club for getting people out and is very inclusive, you see people here from the young to the young at heart.  It's a partnership that's worked really well between the City, the club and the Province.  Everyone here is having a great time and the club is great at getting families out who bring their young ones and you don't see that a lot, so it's a great partnership and a great use of the park.”

Tony Conti, who was one of the three founding members who created the club in 1992, says the purpose of the group was just to inspire community involvement.

“It's important because it gets everyone together, both the Italian community and others in the area,” he said.

“We're here to have fun and enjoy everything and just bring people out to have a fun time together.”

For more information on the club visit www.paisc.org.

First a national park, then an international airport; residents near the junction of Markham, Pickering and Scarborough have been hearing a lot about the federal government's plans for the area lately - and it has left some wondering if the two proposals are a good fit for each other.  

Transport Canada released a study Monday that suggested an airport would be needed on federally owned land in northwest Pickering some time in the next 16 to 26 years.

Many area environmentalists are still revelling in the June Throne Speech announcement that Rouge Park, just seven kilometres to the west, is slated to become a national park.  Tuesday's announcement of a “plan to make a plan” for a Pickering airport now raises questions about the effect of road infrastructure beside - and busy flight paths above - the park, and also concerns about what will happen to the airport lands that have been so well preserved for 40 years since being expropriated for just such a development.

Andy McKinnon is affiliated with about half a dozen groups dedicated to preserving green space in the Rouge Valley and Duffins Creek areas.  He sees a contradiction in the two proposals.

“Airports want to keep birds to a minimum, which is really at odds with the idea behind a park that celebrates them,” said the Pickering resident who claims he visits Rouge Park almost every day.  In fact, Transport Canada commissioned a study in 2002 to identify which neighbouring land uses would be acceptable for keeping airplanes safe from bird collisions.  Their consultants identified wildlife refuges as a “high risk” use.

Though the airport would be in the Duffins Creek drainage basin, just east of the Rouge watershed, Mr. McKinnon points out that the rivers are connected by underground aquifers.

Duffins Creek remains a relatively pristine watershed, according to Chris Robinson of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.  His group has been part of a rehabilitation effort that has stocked the river with close to a million Atlantic salmon since 2006.  Duffins Creek was one of three waterways chosen from more than 60 across Lake Ontario based on its chances for a successful salmon reintroduction.

Though salmon are a sensitive species, Mr. Robinson said he is confident that airport planning has come a long way in the 40 years since the government expropriated the airport lands.  He said Transport Canada has been great to work with on habitat regeneration and is hopeful that any development could do a good job of mitigating the detrimental effects of runoff containing road salt and de-icing fluid.

Mike Bender is also trying to be optimistic.  As general manager of Rouge Park, he has a good working relationship with Transport Canada and said he expects the ministry to be diligent in studying how any airport would reduce impacts on wildlife through measures like runway alignment and runoff treatment.

Bonnie Littley is not so hopeful.  The former Pickering regional councillor helped found the Rouge-Duffins Greenspace Coalition in 2001.  The land in question, she said, is some of the best farmland in the country and losing any of it is not justified.

“They say an airport would create jobs.  What if we get stuck with cargo like Mirabel in Montreal? We'll be left with nothing but warehouses, with one night watchman in each one,” she said

Brian Buckles has been concerning himself with the fate of that prime farmland since 1972 when he had his 20-acre property expropriated.  His former Georgian brick farmhouse was soon vandalized and eventually bulldozed.  He is now a director of the Green Durham Association, a group that tries to involve itself in land-use issues.  He'd like to see the area preserved as farmland and natural areas, with some limited public use such as a trail network that connects to the adjacent Oak Ridges Moraine.

Mr. Buckles said the land needed for an airport would only occupy about a quarter of the 18,000 acres the government owns.  But he is hopeful that the economic case for another airport serving Toronto will not be made.

“I'm not a seer.  I don't know what will happen in 20 years,” said Mr. Buckles.  “But I remember going to Ottawa in the 1970s and hearing [then federal transport] Minister Don Jamieson tell me that by the end of the 1970s there would be trouble in Toronto's skies if the airport wasn't built.”

While he waits to see if the airport idea gets off the ground, he'll continue to watch over 18,000 acres of farmland and natural areas that, absent the threat of an airport, might have been developed long ago.

Special to The Globe and Mail

Hamilton Inernational Airport. The federal government's revived interest in a Pickering airport will have "severe implications" for passenger levels at Hamilton's own airport, according to a city councillor. Cathie Coward

The federal government's revived interest in a Pickering airport will have “severe implications” for passenger levels at Hamilton's own airport, according to a city councillor.

A land needs assessment study released Monday by Transport Canada suggests that a new airport will be required in the greater Golden Horseshoe region as soon as 2027 and a site in Pickering that's sat dormant for nearly 40 years would be the prime location.

“I think there's a domino effect,” said Hamilton Ward 5 Councillor Chad Collins, a longtime watchdog over airport operations.  “With more competition within the industry and specifically in that area, Hamilton will face even more challenges than it does today.”

Passenger levels at John C.  Munro Hamilton International Airport rose above 1 million in 2003, when the city served as the eastern Canada hub for WestJet.

But the airline eventually shifted many of its flights to Toronto and passenger levels have dropped steadily since.  By 2008, the numbers had been cut in half to about 550,000 passengers annually and last year, the total slid further to about 388,000.

The city has owned the airport since 1994 and TradePort International signed a controversial 40-year lease with the city in 1996 to operate the airport.

“When we initially privatized it, the thrust was to see more passenger traffic through the airport,” said Collins.  “We haven't reached the levels that we had anticipated when the contract was originally bid on by TradePort.

“We've been holding our breath for quite some time and I'm not sure at what point we shift gears and start talking about options and alternatives,” Collins added.  “The fact that Pickering may be back in the picture, so to speak, is concerning.

“I think it will make the attempt by TradePort to reach the passenger levels that they promised when they bid on the contract much more difficult.”

Nearly 40 years ago, the federal government spent $120 million to acquire more than 7,500 hectares of land in Pickering in order to build an airport.  But the plan was put on hold, in part because of strong local opposition to the idea.

The assessment study released Monday has revived both the airport idea and a new wave of concern in the Pickering community.

Richard Koroscil, president and CEO of Hamilton's airport, acknowledged that the study raises concerns in Hamilton as well.

“It's never good to see new competitor airports coming into the marketplace, especially in a very competitive market,” he said.

But Koroscil also pointed out some positives contained in the study.

For one, he said, the potential need for a new airport has been pushed far further into the future than previous estimates.  For another, the study suggests that passenger capacities for the Hamilton airport could rise to anywhere between seven and 10 million passengers annually by 2027.

“They've listened to the idea that you've got Hamilton and other airports out there that can pick up a lot of this capacity in the short term and we should in fact take advantage of that capacity rather than building new, which is going to cost you a lot more,” said Koroscil.

Koroscil also said there's been no discussion by TradePort to abandon passenger traffic and concentrate solely on the airport's booming cargo business.

“We are absolutely convinced the market is there for the passenger side as well as cargo,” he added.

sbuist@thespec.com

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A study released by Transport Canada is reviving the idea of an airport in Pickering, east of Toronto.

The study concludes the Golden Horseshoe area will need a new airport in the next decade or two, and an ideal location would be Pickering.

The report recommends the federal government should hang onto lands it acquired in 1972 and use it for a new airport.

Residents who live near the proposed site in north Pickering have fought plans for an airport for years over concerns about noise, pollution and a decline in property values.

Others who favour building the airport say it would bring much-needed jobs and money to the area.

The study looked at the capacity of airports in the area and what the needs will be for passenger, cargo and recreational traffic over the next 25 years.

It determined that an additional airport will be required between 2027 and 2037.  But the project will depend on economic factors, the development of existing airports and population growth.

The federal government says it will prepare a plan for the Pickering lands in the next few months.

“The Pickering lands represent a unique economic and environmental opportunity to help transform a key area of the GTA through job creation, economic activity and environmental stewardship,” said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

“This brings us one step closer to a resolution on this issue.”

End of flight. A plane lands at Markham's Buttonville Airport, which is slated to close to allow the land to be redeveloped. file photo

Derek Sifton wants to transfer Buttonville airport to Pickering.

The president of Toronto Airways Ltd., which owns and operates Buttonville airport, said today he welcomed the “good news” that a study released by Transport Canada yesterday identified the contentious Pickering Lands as “a prime location” in the Greater Golden Horseshoe for a new airport as early as 2027.

“Definitely,” Mr. Sifton said.  “But we need it as soon as we close this airport.”

The Buttonville site is currently undergoing redevelopment plans to be turned into a high-density, mixed-use urban subdivision, including office space, condos, hotels, retail shops and restaurants.

The airport could close anytime in the next three to 10 years, Mr. Sifton said, adding more likely three to five years.

He said there is an average of 170,000 aircraft movements at Buttonville every year and that Pickering would be an “easy transfer” for the outgoing airport.

He said what they are proposing is consistent with why the Government of Canada bought the Pickering lands 40 years ago.

“Our proposal is not the 747 of the world - it's a smaller scenario,” Mr. Sifton said.  “But I'd like to put on a magic carpet and transfer it over... use it as an embryo for development in the next 10 to 15 years, when the demand is determined for a bigger commercial airport.”

Mr. Sifton said he sees it as a “classic” public-private partnership that will fill the need of an aviation facility in the northeast quadrant of the region.

“The most logical step (for us) is Pickering,” he said.  “It's just on the other side of Markham and it's an ideal opportunity for us to get on site now.”

The debate over a proposed airport for rural lands in north Pickering has raged for four decades.

PICKERING - Lorne Almack is incredulous he's still fighting the federal government over a contentious 39-year-old plan to build an airport beside his farm in Pickering.

The 88-year-old engineering and businessman was an original member of the People Over Planes (POP) organization which convinced the feds after public pressure to cancel the Pickering airport proposal in 1972.

On Monday, the federal government released a March 2010 needs-assessment report to the public, saying the 18,600 acres of land (7,530 hectares) in north Pickering expropriated in 1972 should be kept as such, as a new airport will be needed within the Golden Horseshoe Area between 2027 and 2037.

The federal Tories said building the airport will stimulate job growth.  The next step will be for the federal government to devise a plan.

“In 1972, the federal government claimed there would be 64 million people flying out of Toronto by the year 2000 and that didn't happen.  They were off by 200% at only 24 million,” Almack said.  “They make up numbers to justify spending.  Politicians are not very honest or clever, which makes for a bad combination.

“The land should be conserved for the future.  We need that land to grow food,” he added.  “Building an airport in Pickering is a stupid idea and a colossal waste of money.  The whole proposal since 1972 has been grossly planned.”

Almack said a variety of crops at high yields on the land.

“In Saskatchewan they will grow 30 bushels of wheat per acre, whereas Pickering's land can grow 80 bushes of wheat per acre.  The land can be used for not only grains, but vegetables and fruits,” said Almack, who is now a member of the Green Door Alliance, the successor group to POP.

“By not building the Pickering Airport in 1972 and expanding Pearson airport, that move solidified Toronto as the international gateway to Canada, surpassing Montreal,” said Almack.

Mary Delaney, spokesman for the environmental group Land Over Landings, said “it is stunning how short-sighted the federal government is when the world is facing the destruction of ozone, fresh waters, rainforest and farmland.

“It is stupidity on a grand scale to suggest we need an airport when people are starving and we have good farmland to grow crops and feed people,” said Delaney.

In 2010, 31.8 million passengers travelled through Pearson International Airport.

Hamilton's airport handles about seven million passengers per year, while Waterloo has 4.6 million passengers travel through the airport annually.

While local politicians take sides in the Pickering airport debate, the area's federal representative maintains there's nothing to argue about - yet.

Chris Alexander, Conservative MP for Ajax-Pickering, said a Transport Canada report calling the Pickering Lands a “prime location” for an airport doesn't equal a decision to build one.

“Today there is no # proposal to build an airport,” said Alexander, who “absolutely opposed” the airport during the spring election.

The report released Monday found that the Greater Golden Horseshoe will require another airport as early as 2027.  It recommended that Ottawa retain the Pickering Lands, which it acquired in 1972, for future development of an airport.  Transport Canada will now work on a land use and management plan for the 7,530 hectares.

Alexander told the Star he was happy the government was moving ahead after decades of “inaction and of limbo.”

He said that when he opposed the airport during the campaign, he was “essentially arguing that 40 years is too long for this issue to go unresolved.  Secondly, there wasn't a business plan for an airport, and thirdly, that the community wanted at least some of these lands to be considered for other purposes.”

David Pickles, a Pickering city councillor staunchly opposed to the airport, said he hoped for support from Alexander.

He said he was “disappointed and angry” the federal government is considering building the airport, particularly adjacent to the Rouge Valley, the urban national park Stephen Harper vaunted in his throne speech.

Pickles said Pickering should receive federal funding for an independent review of the government report, saying he wasn't convinced that Pickering is the best choice when there are already airports in Hamilton and Waterloo.

“We've got communities with existing airports trying to attract more airport-related business and more flights and more airlines,” he said.  “Why build one on a greenfield site from scratch?”

Meanwhile, Durham Region chair Roger Anderson welcomed the report's findings, saying an airport would “substantially transform the region.”

The standard of living in Durham and neighbouring York Region would rise, he said, along with the number of jobs created through construction, airport operations and in the hospitality industry.

Gerri Lynn O'Connor, the mayor of Uxbridge township, said she also considered the airport an economic boon.

“Yes, we'll have planes flying overhead, but I'm trying to look at the positive things that can come out of this,” she said.

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade has been more reserved.  It issued a statement supporting the report's release but didn't go so far as to support its recommendations.  

Claremont resident Pat Horne, a co-founder of the original protest group People or Planes, calls it a "crime against humanity" if valuable farmland is wasted on an airport. CAROLA VYHNAK/TORONTO STAR

Claremont resident Pat Horne, a co-founder of the original protest group People or Planes, calls it a “crime against humanity” if valuable farmland is wasted on an airport.

Pat Horne clearly remembers the day in 1972 when Pickering was picked as the site of a new airport.

“We were in total shock,” says the Claremont resident and co-founder of the original protest group, People or Planes.  “Farmers who were milking their cows that night heard the next day they were losing their land.”

Almost 40 years later, the on-again off-again mega project is on again with the release of Transport Canada's report on Monday confirming the need for an airport in about 15 years, with Pickering as the ideal location.

The news this time comes as no surprise to Horne, whose 80-hectare crop farm overlooks a not-yet-built runway near Brock Rd.  north of Highway 7.  But she's no less dismayed at the idea of paving over agricultural greenbelt.

“When you hear about the famine in (Somalia), it's a crime against humanity to even consider wasting that prime farmland,” says Horne, now a member of the newer conservation group, Land Over Landings.

In concluding that the Greater Golden Horseshoe area will need an airport as early as 2027, Transport Canada recommended the federal government hang on to the 7,530 hectares it acquired four decades ago for that purpose.

Seven hundred homes and farms in north Pickering have dwindled to about 150 that are still occupied following expropriation by the government.  It's left a stark contrast between vast green spaces alive with corn and soybeans, and boarded-up buildings ravaged by neglect in ghost-town-like settings.

“It's very sad when these old farmhouses are abandoned,” says Andrew McKay, who rents an 80-year-old homestead smack-dab in the middle of airport lands.  The dusty, bone-jarring rural route he takes to get there is marked “Caution.  Broken road.”

“There's a house through the trees that's been empty for five or 10 years,” says McKay.  “It's dangerous if kids play there because of the rotting stairs and roof falling in.”

Transport Canada's report has revived concerns over noise, pollution and lower property values in a community that's been in limbo for decades.  But some residents are just now waking up to reality.

“We stupidly didn't look into it beforehand,” admits Carol Pistchik, whose family moved into a 5,000-square-foot luxury home in Claremont six years ago.  “We'll be able to wave at passengers as the planes fly overhead.”

The new subdivision with a million-dollar view is “a beautiful community and I think the airport will ruin it,” she says, adding property values will take a big hit.

Just off Brock Rd., Terry Griffiths runs a doggie daycare and grooming pad in a house he leases from year to year.  He doesn't think the airport will ever happen.

“There are way too many hurdles - the environmental guys, the heritage committee.  Then they have to convince everyone there's a need, then find the money ...”

Around the corner, a resident recalls an 1853 heritage building at Brougham's main intersection being renovated for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.

“They said if people had questions about the airport, they were right there to answer them,” she says.  “Well, we all laughed, saying, `Wow, they spent a lot of money for us.'”

The stately mansion, whose renovations were rumoured to have cost close to $1 million, has been empty for two years.

A map of the proposed Pickering airport. CITYNEWS.

A federal study released Monday by Transport Canada recommends building a new airport in Pickering.

The report said the Golden Horseshoe will need a new airport in the next 20 years, and it should be built east of Toronto.

The federal government already owns land in the area thanks to a 1972 purchase.

“I'm very pleased the report is being released.  It has been 40 years,” Pickering mayor David Ryan told CityNews.

“Nearly 11,000 acres have been held in limbo.  Now we can move on with the discussion and determine whether or not an airport is the right thing to do.  I can't deny the economic potential for an airport.  We need jobs in Pickering,” Ryan said.

However, residents near the proposed site have long opposed the idea, saying the airport would increase noise and pollution, and decrease property values.

“The first runway will be put in right where our house stands,” Gabrielle Untermann of Land over Landings told CityNews.  She has been fighting the airport for over 20 years, arguing that the area is valuable farmland.

“There's such a crying need for local food and with the coming global food crisis, we just feel it's a travesty that this land should not be growing food.”

Click here to read the 2010 Pickering Lands Needs Assessment Study.

With files from The Canadian Press

Transport Canada published this week a study that determined one additional airport will be needed in central Ontario between 2027 and 2037 and that the federal government should keep land it has owned northeast of Toronto since 1972.

Although no specific construction plans have been released, the Pickering Lands Needs Assessment Study, published Monday by the federal government, stated Ottawa will “prepare a federal plan for the Pickering Lands in the coming months.”

The main airport in the region is Lester B. Pearson International northwest of Toronto in the community of Malton, now part of the city of Mississauga.  Since 1972, the federal government has owned about 7,530 hectares (18,600 acres) of land northeast of Toronto for the purpose of eventually building an additional airport, which would be about 50 kilometres east of Pearson International Airport.  Since 1975, the federal government has leased properties on that land to residential, farm and commercial tenants.  The land straddles parts of three municipalities northeast of Toronto: the town of Markham, the township of Uxbridge and the city of Pickering.  A map of the Pickering Lands Site is available on the Transport Canada Web site.

The study published this week, originally launched in May, 2007, looked at different scenarios of projected air traffic rates at Pearson International Airport and the regional airports in Hamilton and Waterloo.  The study concludes that it would be “prudent” to retain the Pickering Lands to preserve the option of building an airport “if and when required.”

“Even though an additional airport will not be needed within the Greater Golden Horseshoe before 2027 at the earliest, the study concludes that the Pickering Lands should be kept and protected for future aviation needs,” the executive summary of the needs assessment states.

DCN DIGITAL MEDIA

PICKERING, Ont.  - A study released by Transport Canada is reviving the idea of an airport in Pickering, east of Toronto.

The study concludes the Golden Horseshoe area will need a new airport in the next decade or two, and an ideal location would be Pickering.

The report recommends the federal government should hang onto lands it acquired in 1972 and use it for a new airport.

Residents who live near the proposed site in north Pickering have fought plans for an airport for years over concerns about noise, pollution and a decline in property values.

Others who favour building the airport say it would bring much-needed jobs and money to the area.

The study looked at the capacity of airports in the area and what the needs will be for passenger, cargo and recreational traffic over the next 25 years.

It determined that an additional airport will be required between 2027 and 2037.  But the project will depend on economic factors, the development of existing airports and population growth.

The federal government says it will prepare a plan for the Pickering lands in the next few months.

“The Pickering lands represent a unique economic and environmental opportunity to help transform a key area of the GTA through job creation, economic activity and environmental stewardship,” said Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

“This brings us one step closer to a resolution on this issue.”

PICKERING -- An airport in Pickering could become a reality by 2027 after a new study by Transport Canada confirmed the need for greater aviation capacity in the area.

On Monday, July 11 Transport Canada released the results of its Needs Assessment Study on the Pickering lands, 18,600 acres acquired by the government in 1972 for the purpose of building an airport.  Although the plan was put on hold, the government retained the lands for future aviation options.

The Needs Assessment Study, which was launched in 2007 and completed in March 2010, concludes that aviation constraints based on increasing commercial passenger traffic will necessitate additional aviation capacity in the GTA by 2027, with Pickering declared a “prime location” for a new airport.  The study considered the possibility of increased capacity at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Hamilton and Waterloo airports.  With increased or “enhanced” capacity at all airports and “pessimistic” commercial passenger growth, the need for a new airport could be pushed back as far as 2041.

“Even though an additional airport will not be needed within the Greater Golden Horseshoe before 2027 at the earliest, the study concludes that the Pickering lands should be kept and protected for future aviation needs,” reads a summary of the study.

“This is based on a number of factors such as the site size, proximity to a large potential market, accessibility to Highways 401 and 407 and a relatively low population in the immediate vicinity of the lands.  The study also notes that it is inconceivable that a large parcel of land comparable in size to the Pickering Lands could be amassed again in the future.”

Gabrielle Untermann, secretary of Land Over Landings, a conservation group that promotes maintaining the Pickering lands for farming through the creation of a land trust, said she was disappointed with the results of the study.

“Whenever something like this happens you get a sock in the gut, but then you think 'well, has anything changed?'” She said.  “They've been saying the same thing all this time, we knew they were never going to let those lands go.  It's not a surprise.”

Ms. Untermann emphasizes that there are more important things in the world than moving people and cargo, such as feeding people.

“We are in the middle of a global food crisis and no one seems to notice,” she says, noting that at least the 2027 date gives the group more time to convince people of the need to retain the lands for farming.

“This gives us a longer time without an airport here and time to reach the peak of the global food and oil crisis, and hopefully then politicians will take notice.  It's a travesty that this land is sitting here growing ethanol.”

Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan welcomes the report as a means to end the uncertainty of local residents, who have been waiting more than 40 years for a final verdict on whether the government would pursue an airport.

“I think it's positive that the uncertainty has been removed, we've had 40 years of airport questions and I'm very pleased to have this study made public,” Mayor Ryan said, noting Durham Region's Official Plan has allowed for an airport at that location since the lands were expropriated.

“The economic benefits of an airport are obvious.  They drive development and attract jobs and industry.  We've seen that in existing airports such as Oshawa, Buttonville and certainly Pearson.  What we need to do is see the big picture here.”

Mayor Ryan praised comments by Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, calling the airport a unique opportunity for the region.

“The Pickering lands represent a unique economic and environmental opportunity to help transform a key area of the GTA through job creation, economic activity and environmental stewardship,” said Mr. Flaherty in a release announcing the study results on Monday.  “This brings us one step closer to a resolution on this issue.”

“The federal government now has a clear direction to pursue,” Mayor Ryan continued.

“Our role is to provide comment to the government and ultimately to make the best of the opportunities provided to us by this process.”

The government will be releasing a more detailed plan for the future of the lands in the coming months.

“With more certainty regarding timing for the need for an airport, our government's next step is to come up with a plan for the Pickering lands, taking into account the needs of the region and stakeholders,” said Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

“We will develop a plan for the short- and long-term development and use of these lands, including the potential for a future airport.”

Ajax-Pickering MP Chris Alexander called the report a positive development as it seemed to promise a resolution to the issue.

“The most exciting thing for all of us is that the government agreed to put together a plan to help bring us forward to a resolution of this issue that's been postponed for decades,” he said.

“During the election I said 40 years was too long to have waited and that a business case hadn't been made; today's announcement responds to those concerns.  We've never had this kind of commitment to determine the use of these lands before.  There's been a long period of uncertainty and this is the beginning of the end.”

He said many things would have to be considered during final planning, such as economic development, industrial development and environmental stewardship, specifically in regards to the adjacent Rouge Valley lands, which the government has committed to expanding and turning into a national park.

“The key word here is resolution,” he said.

“It's too soon to tell exactly what the outcome will look like because there's a lot of stakeholders.  This is an opportunity to draw on the best of all those visions and craft a plan for the future.”

For members of Land Over Landings, the fight will continue.

“We'll continue doing what we're doing and keep lobbying,” Ms. Untermann said.  “We will be awaiting the release of the plan and ready to pounce.”

Submitted photo PICKERING -- Members of the Pickering Power U16 girls' soccer team were honoured by Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan and members of council for their 2010 national championship victory. July 2011

PICKERING -- The Pickering Soccer Club U16 girls were recognized by mayor and City of Pickering council for winning the 2010 Canadian National Championships.

The players captured the championship by defeating Montreal Extreme in the final with a resounding 4-1 victory.  This is the umbrella tournament for Canada's premier amateur soccer competitions.  The 2010 championships featured 12 competitions in six venues, with more than 3,000 players, staff and officials.

Mayor Ryan presented the team with a certificate of recognition and sport chairs for every player with their winning title screened on the back.

Included in the presentation were Mayor Ryan, and players Kayla Adams, Katelyn Arathoon, Colleen Beesley, Tessa Edwards, Rachel Hoekstra, Madeline Iozzi, Ashley Nater, Danielle Pierce, Nichelle Prince, Chanice Rhoden, Danielle Rotheram, Diarra Simmons, Amani Thomas, Paul DeAbreu, Lola Leon, Mario Iozzi, Phil Frampton, Gino Sgovio and Nina Cancellara.  Players absent were Katharyn Avery, Margaret Carmichael, Lauren Henderson, Noelle Leon-Palmer and Tamara Orlando.

This year's grade: B+

Last year's grade: B

Pickering residents can look to encouraging business development, the arrival of a Toronto-based college student centre and a stellar bicentennial celebration year as early benchmarks of this term of office for city council.

Led by Mayor Dave Ryan, who continues to grow in the role as the city's political chief, Pickering has been well-governed by this mix of municipal councillors.  In terms of business activity, residents need only look at the mixed-residential development taking shape on Bayly Street near Liverpool Road, ongoing improvements at the Pickering GO station and construction of a pedestrian overpass from the Pickering Town Centre to the commuter rail and bus station, as well as the arrival of Pickering Learning Centre in partnership with Toronto's Centennial College.

The seeds of these projects were planted by an earlier council, but were shepherded through the process to the point where shovels are now in the ground.  That characterizes the importance of consistency and commitment as demonstrated by this council.

Regional councillor Bill McLean brings a wealth of experience to his role, having served as a ward councillor before moving up to serve at Durham council in 2004.  He's knowledgeable and friendly and cares deeply about people and the issues that affect them in Pickering.  Fellow regional councillor Jennifer O'Connell continues her populist approach and is well-liked by constituents who call on her to address problems.  Newcomer Peter Rodrigues has been impressive so far serving residents in north Pickering at the regional council table, though still learning on the job.  His strengths lie in being fully engaged in the issues confronting his rural community and in advocating on behalf of his constituents.

In city wards, councillors Kevin Ashe (Ward 1), Doug Dickerson (Ward 2) and David Pickles (Ward 3) are a study in contrasts.  Coun. Ashe was returned to council last fall after serving from 2003-2006, and prior to that sat as a trustee on the Durham Catholic District School Board.  He picks his spots for speechifying at council and is not afraid to go against the tide.  He is knowledgeable and willing to offer solutions.  Coun. Dickerson has built a reputation as a politician who stands up for his constituents, but he's also built a reputation as council's biggest spender, and currently faces an audit of his campaign expenditures, which are alleged to have exceeded the limit by $14,000.  He's challenging the audit, as is his right, but the optics aren't the greatest for the Ward 2 councillor.  Coun. Pickles, meanwhile, continues to provide top-notch representation for his rural constituents and remains engaged on the important local files: heritage preservation, airport lands, Seaton.

Overall, Pickering residents continue to be well served by their mayor and councillors.  The remainder of this term of office will tell the whole tale.

-- Pickering News Advertiser

DURHAM -- Lane restrictions will affect motorists through much of July.

One restriction is at the intersection of Taunton and Brock roads in Pickering.  The restrictions are in effect until July 22 to allow for road resurfacing.  Also, weather permitting, milling and paving operations are to be done between 7 p.m.  and 5:30 a.m.  on July 14, 18 and 19.

The other restriction is in Oshawa, along a portion of Taunton from Simcoe Street to Ritson Road.

Road rehabilitation and resurfacing work is taking place and the restrictions will be in place until Aug.  22.

To cause as little disruption to traffic as possible, milling and paving operations will be done from 9 p.m.  to 6 a.m.  Monday to Thursday until the work is complete.

At both sites, motorists should expect delays and they're also asked to be extra cautious while travelling there.

Unfavourable weather could lengthen the time of the restrictions.

PICKERING -- Motorsports Pickering will be getting a new home after councillors agreed to remove a land conveyance stipulation from a bylaw amendment that will grant the company occupancy at the site of Kahn Auctions,

On Monday, July 11 council voted to approve a temporary bylaw amendment allowing Motorsports to operate a recreational vehicle sales and service establishment out of an existing building on the property at 2695-2699 Brock Rd.  However, councillors voted to remove a condition requiring the owner, Henry Kahn, to convey a portion of lands to the City for future road development and shortened the term from three to two years.

“First of all, we weren't made aware of this condition that we had to convey land when we made the application in February, and secondly all we're asking for is the usage of an existing building,” Mr. Kahn said.

“We're not putting up office towers, we're just going to utilize an existing building.  I don't think that necessitates a conveyance of land at this time, that's purely asinine in my opinion.  From me you're not going to get any conveyance of land at any time, so it's up to you if you turn these people down.  You're not going to get a conveyance from me if it's five years down the road or 10 years down the road.  As long as I'm here, it's not going to happen.”

Mr. Kahn's refusal to convey lands put Motorsports owners Rick Hunter and Dave Osborn on the verge of losing their business.

“The human side of this is basically we had to let our landlord know whether we were moving or not and at that point things looked pretty good so we told our landlord we would not be resigning,” Mr. Hunter said during a delegation to council, noting he had to inform his landlord by June 1, while the Kahns were not notified of the conveyance condition until June 9.

“There was no opportunity to turn around and go backwards when all of this came about.  If this gets turned down, tomorrow six people are out of work and essentially everything my wife and I have done is all on the line starting tomorrow morning.  I really plead with councillors to please put temporary zoning on this and carry it through.”

The road conveyance was being requested to protect lands for possible future road expansion to accommodate the development of Duffin Heights.  The planned connector road would link William Jackson Drive with Brock Road and then connect with Tillings Road.

“Right now staff feel this road is not needed as we stand today, but we don't know the timing of how that development will proceed,” said Neil Carroll, director of planning, noting that by shortening the time period councillors could increase the chance of another development agreement coming forward.

“We would be more likely to get a redevelopment application sooner because this shortens the commitment on that land.  Once another application comes forward we can put a condition on that for conveyance of lands.”

Councillors voted to approve the amended motion, but Mayor Dave Ryan made it clear that he voted reluctantly.

“I would personally have preferred a one-year term, which would match other properties on Brock Road that have a one-year renewal for the very same reason,” Mayor Ryan said, referring to the planned development of Duffin Heights.

“I am going to support this but with a very clear message to everyone, please do not come back and ask us to make this a permanent zoning because with this group of people it's not going to happen, because it's not the best thing for this city.”

PICKERING -- Rouge Valley Health System Ajax-Pickering is one step closer to realizing its goal of an in-house MRI machine after receiving the first of five scheduled donations from the City of Pickering.

On Monday, July 11 Mayor Dave Ryan and councillors presented members of the hospital's Image is Everything MRI campaign with the first of five cheques for $100,000, for a total commitment of $500,000, which was approved as part of the City's 2011 budget.

“I'm very proud, on behalf of Pickering, to present this cheque to the Ajax Pickering hospital,” Mayor Ryan said.

“The hospital does not have an MRI today and I want to thank the community at large for getting behind this project and supporting what is seen as a dire need in our community.  This machine will be used to run diagnostic tests to help diagnose diseases and will contribute to the well-being of our community.”

Lucy Stocco, chairwoman of the Image is Everything campaign, said staff have been very busy since starting the campaign in June 2010, hosting one event per week over the last year.  It seems that hard work has paid off, bringing the campaign to 75 per cent of its $5 million goal, with a possible contribution by Durham Region that would take them all the way there being considered in the region's 2012 budget.

“It's unbelievable that there isn't an MRI at the Ajax-Pickering Hospital,” Ms. Stocco said.

“I want to thank the City of Pickering for its generous donation.  I also want to let everyone know that the MRI is scheduled to arrive at the hospital on Monday, Aug. 29.  It's so unbelievable and so exciting.  The doctors and the medical community are so excited about having this ability, about having this diagnostic tool that is available to most hospitals and not ours.”

For more information on the campaign or to contribute visit www.rougemri.ca.

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland PICKERING -- City Councillor David Pickles, left, and first vice-president and poppy chairman of Legion 606 Gil Barrett were among a group of volunteers planting poppies in a Peace Garden around the cenotaph in Esplanade Park as part of Pickering's Bicentennial celebrations July 10. July 10, 2011.

PICKERING -- Pickering now has one more feature with which to honour its veterans thanks to one charitable resident.

On Sunday, July 11, residents, councillors and City staff gathered to plant a Peace Garden of poppies at the Pickering cenotaph in Esplanade Park as part of a project proposed by a resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

“A local resident came to the City about a year ago with the idea of doing something great for the community,” said Krystal Ferguson, acting co-ordinator, marketing and revenue for the City of Pickering, noting that the resident provided funding for the garden.

“That turned into the idea of planting poppies around the cenotaph and the City loved the idea.  The poppies are being planted today and with the proper maintenance they should be ready to bloom for the Legion's D-Day ceremony next year, and every year after that.”

Ms. Ferguson said there are plans to install an obelisk at the site identifying the planting as a Peace Garden, although at this point it's not known when that part of the project will be completed.

Gil Barrett, first vice-president and poppy chairman for Pickering Legion 606, was on hand to help with the planting.

“I think it's wonderful,” he said of the project.

“It's another simple reminder to everyone that freedom isn't free.  I think the City and the citizens of Pickering need to be commended for what they've done and for all the support they've provided to veterans in the past and ongoing.”

Councillor David Pickles noted that the garden was a nice addition and would complement further planned improvements to the cenotaph area.

“I think this is a really nice addition with the work we've previously done in improving the cenotaph area and the work we're about to do,” he said, explaining that council is currently reviewing tenders to have interlocking brick around the cenotaph replaced.

“It's kind of a little wobbly and uneven right now, which makes it difficult for people putting out wreaths, so it's all going to be taken out and redone.  I think the park is really coming along nicely; there's a real theme to honouring our veterans and the Peace Garden just adds to that.”

PICKERING -- Residents will no longer have to risk their safety when walking along sections of Kingston Road after council approved the installation of temporary sidewalks.

On Monday, July 11, councillors approved a tender to install asphalt paving along the south side of Kingston Road between Walnut Lane and Glendale Drive in order to address accessibility and mobility needs.  The move is part of an ongoing process to fix several sidewalk gaps along Kingston Road that have forced residents to walk along the gravel shoulder of the busy thoroughfare.

“I'm pleased we've got something coming forward here since council for many years has talked about gradually putting those sidewalks into place,” said Councillor Doug Dickerson.

“This sidewalk is another aspect of putting in those pieces of the puzzle.  As the sidewalk proceeds westward my suspicion is we're going to have to tunnel under the railroad tracks and knowing the length of that process is that something we are undertaking?”

Pickering CAO Tony Prevedel said the installation of sidewalks would be an ongoing process and tunnelling under the track would likely be looked at in the future.

“We have the entire length of sidewalk missing links along Kingston Road that myself and staff are reviewing,” he explained.

“You're absolutely right, further to the west in order to get the sidewalk in it's going to require a pedestrian tunnel, which will probably be a very expensive section of sidewalk.  At this point we have put $250,000 in the 2011 budget to start the process of fixing these links because as the Region moves forward with planned urbanization they will be putting in concrete walks along those areas.  So at this time we are not actively pursuing a tunnel.”

Several councillors praised the project, noting that completed sidewalks have been an ongoing goal of council for several years.

“I have supported this vision to complete sidewalks on both sides of Kingston Road and this certainly fills a big hole,” said Councillor David Pickles.

“This has been a priority for many years and it's very nice to see this being done.  This project is a big step to reaching our goal and will be well used by pedestrians, bikes and strollers.”

The new sidewalk will be a temporary asphalt path that will eventually be replaced with proper concrete sidewalks once development in the area moves forward.  The project will cost $115,135.  

The federal government is revisiting a contentious decades-old plan to build a new airport northeast of Toronto under a scenario that could also see explosive growth at airports in Hamilton and Waterloo.

A Transport Canada study released Monday found that the Greater Golden Horseshoe - a sprawling conurbation centred on Toronto - will likely require another airport in 16 to 26 years' time and determined a rural site 50 kilometres northeast of Toronto in Pickering, Ont., would be a good fit.

The government expropriated 7,530 hectares of land at the site in 1972 in anticipation of a new airport.  However, the facility was never built and the government opted instead to expand and upgrade Lester B.  Pearson International, the country's busiest air hub.

Under the scenarios envisioned by the study, Pearson will likely reach a maximum capacity of 54 million to 60 million passengers annually between 2027 and 2037, up from 32 million now.  Meanwhile, John C.  Munro International airport in Hamilton and Waterloo International Airport could see as many as 10.5 million and 6.9 million annual passengers, respectively - exponential increases, given that both airports currently serve a combined total of just 500,000 people every year.

When Pearson reaches its capacity will mostly depend on whether Munro and Waterloo are expanded to take on extra traffic.

Regardless of what happens, the report recommended that the federal government hold on to its lands in Pickering so they can be available for a new airport when the time comes.  The study found that the size of the site; it's accessibility via Highway 401, the country's busiest; and relatively little population immediately nearby made it a good site.  What's more, it would be “inconceivable” that the government could amass another piece of land the same size in the future.

The proposed airport has long been controversial among area residents and environmentalists, who have protested against it since the 1970s.  Work on the proposed airport was halted in 1975 after the provincial government of the day refused to build necessary infrastructure - such as sewers - to service it.

Transport Canada said its next step would be to draw up a plan for the Pickering lands, after considering the needs of “stakeholders.”

“We will develop a plan for the short- and long-term development and use of these lands, including the potential for a future airport, for the benefit and economic growth of the Greater Toronto Area,” Transport Minister Denis Lebel said in a written statement.

If it were built, such a project would likely be the largest entirely new airport in the country since Mirabel International was built north of Montreal in 1975.  That airport, once intended to be one of the largest in the world, is now primarily used by cargo flights.

In addition to Pearson, Toronto is also served by Billy Bishop airport, on an island near downtown.  However, its runways are only long enough for small, turbo-prop planes serving domestic destinations and nearby American cities.

Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, said on Monday the federal government will prepare “a plan for the short- and long-term development and use” of the Pickering Lands, including the potential for a future airport. Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO

Nearly four decades after it acquired the land to build it, the Government of Canada is one step closer to developing an airport in Pickering, reviving a heated land-use dispute within the community.

A study released by Monday by Transport Canada has concluded that an airport will be required in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area as early as 2027, and that “Pickering Lands would be a prime location.”

The findings, which considered passenger, cargo and recreational traffic needs, conclude the federal government should retain the site for the future development of an airport.

The potential airport has been a fear within the community since 1972, when the federal government acquired the 7,530 hectares of land.

Gabrielle Untermann, spokesperson for Land over Landings, a conservation group dedicated to halting the airport, said the findings were a “blow to the stomach,” but don't come as a surprise.

Untermann said her group knew the assessment was being conducted by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, “who are in the business of making airports.”

Indeed, prior to the May 2 federal election, opponents accused the Conservative government of sitting on plans to make the airport a reality once the election was over.

Chris Alexander, the Conservative MP for Pickering-Ajax, was unavailable for comment Monday night.  But in an email to the Star in April, the then-candidate said he was “absolutely opposed to the construction of an airport.”

“If elected, I would work with area residents and communities to determine how best to move toward resolution of this issue,” Alexander wrote.

Those comments came after he told CPAC in an interview that “if we get a stronger government I think you will see a government that will take action on this issue.”

In Monday's release, Jim Flaherty, minister of finance and responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, said the Pickering Lands provide an “economic and environmental opportunity” through “job creation, economic activity and environmental stewardship.”

But Untermann questions his comments, particularly when it concerns farm land being paved over.

“To think that transporting things and people around the world is more important than people eating is just a travesty.  It was wrong 40 years ago and it's still wrong,” she said.

Bonnie Littley, a former Pickering councillor and member of the Rouge-Duffin Greenspace Coalition, said the Transport Canada study is going to hurt property values in nearby Seaton.

The area next to the federal land was expropriated by the provincial government some 40 years ago to create a town to serve a future federal airport in Pickering.  But in the past decade, as the prospect of a new airport seemed unlikely, the province has been working with developers and Pickering Council to build an environmentally sustainable community in the area.

“When people hear that the airport is back on, property values are going to plummet,” Littley predicted.  “How can you sell environmental sustainability with airplanes flying overhead?”

In the release, Denis Lebel, minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, said the government will prepare “a plan for the short- and long-term development and use of these lands, including the potential for a future airport.”

Transport Canada said the Government of Canada will prepare a plan for the lands in the coming months.

With files from Laurie Monsebraaten

Last month members of staff from the City of Pickering rode the Big Bike for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Over the last 5 years, the City has raised ...

2006 = $847
2007 = $1,789
2008 = $1,143
2009 = $1,379
2010 = $1,275

This year they were able to raise $6,250.50.  That is nearly the amount raised in the last 5 years combined!

An incredible group of employees participated and their energy and enthusiasm made this event especially fun and meaningful.

For a detailed account, read the News Advertiser's Report.

Participants from the City included ...

PICKERING -- The City wants residents to keep an eye out for a truck that's been illegally dumping fill in and around Sideline 26 and Concession Road 8.

Over the past couple weeks, there has been an increase in illegal dumping in the north Pickering area.  Illegal dumping is a common occurrence in many municipalities, and particularly in Pickering which still has large area of open and undeveloped space.  Dumped fill could contain toxic or hazardous elements that can pose a threat to residents, wildlife and the local environment, said a City of Pickering press release.

If residents spot a truck dumping fill, they're asked to contact Eyes on the Street, a program that was created to help the community become proactive on problems such as dumping, littering, graffiti and vandalism.

Mayor Dave Ryan said the program has been a great success.

“The more support there is behind this initiative, the better chance we have of mitigating such incidents early on and preventing further impact on our community,” he said.

CALL 905-683-7575

E-MAIL customercare@cityofpickering.com

PICKERING -- Whitevale residents aren't willing to give up their quiet, quaint community without a fight.

The small hamlet on Concession Road 5, nestled just east of Altona Road, is also set to neighbour the future Seaton development.  Seaton is a provincial development that's expected to attract 70,000 people and 35,000 jobs and will include schools, neighbourhood parks and mixed-use buildings.

A group of Whitevale residents attended the April 26 special council meeting in an attempt to keep the development from sprawling into the village.

After lengthy discussions and Ontario Municipal Board hearings, the City, the Province, the Seaton landowners and the Toronto and Region Conservation came up with the latest plans.  By May 1, council was required to endorse the neighbourhood plans for Seaton or, according to Pickering staff, the item would most likely be challenged at the Ontario Municipal Board.  City planners said this challenge could result in the Province going back to the initial plans, ones the City didn't favour.

“From my perspective I certainly wouldn't want to go back to the initial plans,” said planning and development director Neil Carroll.

Lloyd Thomas, president of the Whitevale and District Residents Association, listed a number of concerns with the latest plans that include elementary schools and neighbourhood parks in the buffer area, an expanded bridge on Whitevale Road, and a sewer system that will service Seaton but not Whitevale.

Mr. Thomas was concerned to learn the bypass that's meant to divert traffic around the village is set to go up after construction starts.

“We need the bypass before the construction starts,” he said.  “You have to look at everything together.”

Residents fear if the bypass goes in after construction begins, drivers will get used to travelling through the quiet village instead of bypassing it.

Mr. Thomas and the other residents shared a common concern: development encroaching the buffer area.  They felt schools and neighbourhood parks set to be built in the buffer area will take away from its natural significance.

“Parks with ... swings and cement just doesn't seem to cut it,” Mr. Thomas said.

Resident Mark Lowe expressed similar concerns.

“We're not standing here saying we don't want development, but when looking outside from in the hamlet, we don't want to see sprawl,” he said.

Mr. Lowe moved into Whitevale in 2005 and knew of the plans for Seaton, but said the neighbourhood is a complete turnaround from original ideas.

“There has been a 180-degree shift in the thought of what that buffer should be used for,” he said.

Other concerns included plans for the “monster bridge” planned to cross Duffins Creek, which has been damaged and deteriorating over the years and needs to be replaced.

“It's way bigger than what this town really needs,” Marion Thomas said.

Pickering chief administrative officer Tony Prevedel said the bridge is currently undergoing an environmental assessment and is envisioned as a two-lane bridge with a sidewalk on both sides.

The City's consultants assured they've fought for what the City and residents have shown concern over.  And council agreed the City should continue the fight and supported amendments presented by Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles.

Council accepted the plans in a four-to-three vote to keep them from the OMB, but stipulated that Whitevale should be given the opportunity to hook up to the sanitary sewers if residents choose, bypass construction be included in phase one of development and to let the Province know current buffer uses are inappropriate.

PICKERING -- While residents and local politicians are questioning a recent construction update regarding an airport in Pickering, the local Conservative election candidate says it doesn't mean it's a go.

The federal government expropriated land in north Pickering for a possible airport in 1972 but no decision has been made.

Construction data service, Reed Construction Data, sent out e-mail alert on April 18 specifying a Pickering airport would include two 3,000-metre long east/west runways and a shorter cross-wind runway that angles from northwest to southeast.

“The airport will handle approximately 10,000,000 passengers,” the e-mail stated, which also estimated the cost to be around $2 billion.

The e-mail ended up in the hands of local residents and Ajax-Pickering Liberal incumbent MP Mark Holland.

Mr. Holland said in a press release this e-mail is alerting the development community to possible tender schedules for the airport.

“Is it any wonder that the community is up in arms by evidence that developers may have been tipped off on a decision in order to avoid public backlash during the current federal election?” he said.

Conservative election candidate Chris Alexander said in a letter posted on his Facebook page the e-mail does not mean an airport is going ahead.

“The Pickering airport remains strictly a proposal, as it has ever since a Liberal government expropriated the land from us in 1972,” he wrote.

He also assured readers, “I am absolutely opposed to the construction of an airport.”

Transport Canada communications adviser Pamela Mintern said in an e-mail, “The needs assessment study has been completed and the government is in the process of completing its due diligence with regard to this study.”

Jason Liebregts / Metroland PICKERING -- Lorne Almack and Pat Horne were founding members of People or Planes and are concerned with recent developments regarding the federal lands designated for an airport in Pickering. They are shown in front of a Pickering heritage building, one of seven that was once designated to be saved.  April 25, 2011

PICKERING -- Pat Horne has been fighting an airport proposal for the past 40 years and continues to speak out.

An original member of People Or Planes, she's still a member of the newer version of the anti-airport group, Land Over Landings.  The Claremont resident has seen the government demolish homes in the formerly vibrant community of Brougham since the land was expropriated by the federal government for an airport in 1972.  Landowners Transport Canada recently announced the next 60 homes to be demolished, but no decision has been made on whether an airport will go ahead.

“Every house that goes, it kind of breaks your heart,” Ms. Horne said.

The latest list was sent to the City of Pickering as part of correspondence from Transport Minister Chuck Strahl.  The City had asked the government for financial aid to save seven locally significant homes that were slated to be destroyed in the previous round of 40 demolitions revealed last summer.

The City has convinced the government to hold off on demolishing the seven homes until deciding what to do with them, but Transport Canada recently gave word it will not pay the costs to save them.  Mr. Strahl said local costs such as conservation, planning, liability and cost are municipal responsibilities.

“Transport Canada cannot replace local responsibility in this regard,” he said in a letter to Mayor Dave Ryan.

The government is willing to lease those properties to the City, he said, but all liabilities would be transferred to Pickering.  Transport Canada would contribute an amount equal to the cost of demolition to help the City relocate the homes, but he said the City would have to pay all other costs.

“It would fall totally to the City to do all this work,” said Pickering planning and development director Neil Carroll.  “There would be major financial implications if the City were to decide to take action.  It's concerning certainly.”

Transport Canada communications adviser Pamela Mintern explained in an e-mail the government “is demolishing vacant, dilapidated structures because they pose a health and safety risk to the public.”

Occupied homes are not on the list, she said.

Safety issues include structural integrity problems, the presence of substances such as asbestos, lead and mould, she said.

“The structures pose serious security concerns, as they often attract trespassers, vandals and arsonists,” she said.

But Ward 3 City Councillor Dave Pickles says the cause of the deterioration is the lack of care by the federal government.

“I think it's the federal government that's allowed properties to get into this state and should have taken care of them,” he said.

Ms. Horne has similar thoughts.

“I know that some of the houses are so deteriorated it's probably safer for them to come down, but it's a shame they were allowed to deteriorate in the first place,” she said.

Ms. Mintern said if the City foregoes the option to lease, Transport Canada will consider leasing the properties on commercial terms.

“If arrangements are not possible, Transport Canada will act in the interest of public safety and proceed with demolition of the structures, as appropriate,” she said.

The City is currently discussing what to do with the seven homes and will also see if the next 60 contain structures of heritage value.

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland AJAX -- Martin Ward, deputy general manager of operations with Durham Region Transit, posed for a photo at the garage on Thursday, April 28. DRT is working through a three-year program to enhance service in Ajax and Pickering including additional buses on routes and better on-time performance.  April 28, 2011.

AJAX-PICKERING -- After years of waiting, transit riders in Ajax and Pickering will see increases in service starting this year with more service hours and better on-time performance in both communities.

Martin Ward, deputy general manager of operations for Durham Region Transit (DRT), said an increase in council funding means DRT is adding almost 14,772 hours of transit this year in Durham and of that 10,377 of those hours will go to Ajax and Pickering.  This year, there will be an additional $1.6 million for routes in the two municipalities.

“2011 is a great year for us because council supported a three-year proposal to enhance service in Ajax and Pickering,” said Mr. Ward.

In Ajax the additional hours mean the restoration of midday service to the 226 Duffins route, which was cut in 2008, and midday service for the 222 Audley South route, which currently only runs during rush hour.

The bus routes in Ajax-Pickering will be streamlined with fewer routes but the number of buses on the routes increase.  All the areas that are currently being serviced will continue to be serviced and there will be additions when new communities come online as well as improved evening and weekend service.  Routes with poor on-time performance are being changed and improved.

For example, in Pickering the 107 Rosebank is being shortened and part of the route will go to the 103 Amberlea.  Because it's being lengthened, an additional bus will be added to the Amberlea route.

Changes in Ajax take effect in June while the Pickering changes take effect in October once the pedestrian bridge over Hwy. 401 from the Pickering GO station to the Pickering Town Centre is complete.  The bridge will allow DRT to service a Pickering Parkway terminal instead of having to pull into the GO station.

“Customers won't have to endure sitting in a bus in the traffic going over the 401 on Liverpool and Brock, so it's going the reduce some of the traffic wait and make the buses more efficient,” said Mr. Ward, adding that DRT and GO are still negotiating exactly where the new pickups will be.

As well, DRT has committed to running a bus from the Whitby GO station along Victoria Street then Bayly Street out to the Rouge Hill GO station once the Region widens Bayly Street in the Lynde Creek Marsh area between Ajax and Whitby to two lanes, likely in 2012.

Mr. Ward said DRT identified the need to improve service in Ajax and Pickering years ago.

“In 2008 we identified the routes were becoming inefficient due to traffic and ongoing delays and drivers just didn't have enough time to go around the loops,” he said, adding that this often left buses running late.

In 2009 DRT told the Region's transit executive committee that Ajax and Pickering routes were in big trouble but Regional councillors left the situation as it was.

“There was no money in the budget and there were no service improvements going on,” said Mr. Ward.

Then in 2010, DRT was forced to make emergency changes in Ajax due to the Fairall Street construction near the Ajax GO station.  At the time, DRT was able to make the routes in Ajax more efficient and Mr. Ward said the feedback from residents, especially in the northwest and northeast part of the town, has been good.  Pickering's routes have remained the same since the transit service was amalgamated and desperately needed fine tuning, Mr. Ward said.

Pickering residents are invited to an information session at the Pickering Town Centre on May 5 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. They can take a look at the proposed changes and get their questions answered by DRT.

All upcoming changes will be communicated to riders through flyers and bulletins on buses as well as advertising in the News Advertiser, said Mr. Ward.

Information will also be available at durhamregiontransit.com.

Today Brampton council will vote on changes to the city's rules around public delegations at council and committee meetings.  In January, council directed staff to bring forward alterations to the city's procedural by-law to enhance opportunities for the public to communicate with council and com- mittees.

The central issue concerns the public's ability to speak at council meetings.  Public delegations are required to address specific matters included on council and committee agendas.  A request to speak before council or committee must be submit- ted to the city by 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week before the meeting takes place.

However, agendas are typically finalized and published the Friday before the meeting is set to take place.  As such, requests submitted after the agenda is published are subject to the city's procedural rules for new business, meaning unanimous approval is required for the individual to speak at council and a two-thirds vote for committees.

Brampton staff is now recommending that any request to speak before council or a committee on an agenda item will be permitted as-of-right up until the start of the meeting.

“The proposed rule change would permit a delegation request after the agenda is published and the public has an opportunity to review the agenda,” the staff report reads.

As well, though no by-law changes were proposed, staff addressed the issue of council members' use of smartphones and other electronic messaging devices during council and committee meetings.  The report urges meeting chairs to enforce existing by-law provisions to ensure minimal disruptions.  As well, staff notes it is imperative that councillors are “not perceived to be influenced by or influencing others through electronic messaging during a meeting.”

This issue has also recently popped up in Pickering, where Councillor David Pickles introduced a motion to amend council's procedural by-law to state: “the use of electronic devices by members of council is prohibited at in-camera and public meetings of council and committees.”  Pickles introduced the motion at council's April 18 meeting, though despite Mayor Dave Ryan's support, the motion was voted down 4-3.

Brampton staff had also been asked for a report on adding a new section to committee of council, for the city's buildings and property management department.  However, staff is not recommending such a section be added. The staff report notes the existing sections of the committee of council “were not established to mirror the organizational structure of the city's administration.”

The subject matter of a given staff report determines which section of the committee it will be directed towards, not the author's department.

Opponents to 39-year-old plans to build an international airport near Pickering accuse the federal Conservative government of sitting on plans to make it a reality once the election is over. (Dec. 1, 2009) David Cooper/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Fears over federal plans for the Pickering airport are flying high again.

Local politicians and opponents to 39-year-old plans to put an international airport on a land accumulated in 1972 accuse the Conservative government of sitting on plans to make it a reality once the election is over.

Among other things, these fears are being fuelled by an April 11 email from a construction data company informing its clients of a $2 billion project to build an airport with three large runways that would serve 10 million passengers a year.

Besides that, the government is sitting on a needs assessment study, critics say, adding that the number of homes on the 7,530 hectares (18,600 acres) straddling Pickering, Markham and Uxbridge to be demolished has increased dramatically.

“My concern is there might be legitimacy to it for a couple of reasons.  One, they have been hiding this needs assessment, refusing to release it,” Mark Holland, who is running for re-election for the Liberals in Ajax-Pickering, told the Toronto Star Tuesday.

And then there's a comment from Chris Alexander, a high-profile Conservative candidate, who told CPAC in an interview that “if we get a stronger government I think you will see a government that will take action on this issue.”

On Tuesday, Alexander, the former ambassador to Afghanistan, told the Star in an email: “I am absolutely opposed to the construction of an airport, and that if elected, I would work with area residents and communities to determine how best to move toward resolution of this issue.”

Transport Canada spokeswoman Maryse Durette said no decision has been made on whether an airport at Pickering is needed.  But she said in an email that the government is taking a close look at the findings of the Needs Assessment Study.

All of this has stirred the emotion of groups who have long opposed prime farmland being paved over for an airport they say the GTA does not need.

“At each all-candidates meeting he (Alexander) has said firmly that he's personally opposed to an airport but as we all know individual MPs don't necessarily carry any weight,” said Mary Delaney, a spokeswoman for Land Over Landings, who was just 17 when the so-called Pickering airport came onto the scene.

Paul Calandra, a Conservative MP seeking re-election in Oak Ridges-Markham, recently told an all-candidates meeting that he would like to see a small airport while the Conservative's Bev Oda, seeking re-election in Durham, has refused to denounce the federal airport plan, Delaney said.

“Again, door left wide open,” she said.

Neither Calandra nor Oda were available for an interview.

But the thing that “terrified” opponents the most was an email from Reed Construction Data laying out the Pickering airport project details for its construction company clients around the world and informing them that “design, tender and construction will be set when funds are in place.  Further update early winter 2011.”

An unnamed Pickering contractor passed it along to a People or Planes member who gave it to Land Over Landings.

“If they (the Conservatives) get their majority that's our fear that this airport will finally, after all these many decades, go in,” Delaney said.

As of March 2012, the Pickering airport issue will be 40 years old.

A few years ago, opponents of the Pickering airport proposal changed their tact from just being opposed to an airport to now calling for the land, much of it farmland, to be protected.

“That's really the issue going into the future is the land itself,” Delaney said.  “It is the most valuable commodity there.  It's right up there with water.”

PICKERING -- Councillors aren't willing to give up their smartphones during their meetings.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles' motion to ban the use of cellphones in council chambers during public and in-camera meetings failed at the April 18 council meeting.

The motion stated electronic devices at meetings can be “distracting, disruptive and disrespectful.”

“I don't think there's any need to use BlackBerries or other tablets or cellphones during the conduct of meetings and I hope other councillors will support this,” Coun. Pickles said at the meeting.

Some did, such as Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson, who brought the motion forward along with Coun. Pickles.

“I understand the need for something for emergencies but not for continuous use of them within, whether that be a delegation or member of council,” he said.

But the majority didn't support a ban.

“I do believe we should treat our colleagues and delegations with respect but it's not necessarily about having a BlackBerry or not,” said Ward 1 City Councillor Kevin Ashe.

Electronic devices are the way of the future, said Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean, who likes to know family members, residents and clients can reach him day or night.

“My BlackBerry's always on, even when I'm sleeping -- my wife will attest to that,” he said.  “I also have a business that is not a nine-to-five business.”

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues, who noted he hardly has his BlackBerry with him at meetings, said banning an object isn't the answer to making council more respectful.

“Should we ban screwdrivers because the odd person will stick someone with it?” he said.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Jennifer O'Connell complained the motion didn't spell out that the use of assistive electronic devices would be allowed for someone with a disability.

“We're asking council to move backward in time?” she said.

But Coun. Pickles said the clerk would make sure those details were ironed out in the bylaw process.  He added after the meeting that such allowances go without saying, like guide dogs accompanying the visually impaired when a sign says 'no pets allowed.'

The mayor supported the motion.

“I think it's well-intended and I think it would work,” he said.

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland PICKERING -- The City of Pickering has received a grant of $15,000 from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Tree Canada to put an arboretum containing 26 different species at the corner of Finch Avenue and Rosebank Road. That's good news to Arnold Mostert, City landscape and parks development co-ordinator.  April 13, 2011

PICKERING -- A rather bare corner in Pickering will soon be lush and green thanks to a $15,000 grant awarded to the City.

Pickering was one of 23 recipients of the 2011 TD Green Streets program, run in partnership by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Tree Canada.  The funding will go toward a small arboretum that will contain 26 different species of native deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, located at Finch Avenue and Rosebank Road, currently called Sequin Park.

“The staff here are excited that it's going to go ahead and are looking forward to working with the community and making it come to fruition,” said Arnold Mostert, Pickering's co-ordinator of landscape and parks development.

The City had been preparing for this grant for the past couple of years with help from the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee.  They figured it would be a great legacy to leave for 2011 Pickering's bicentennial.

“We're currently doing our urban forest study and strategy as well,” Mr. Mostert said.  “We're trying to get the public to buy into importance of trees in the urban area.”

The grants were open to municipalities, business improvement areas and First Nations communities across Canada.  Mary Desjardins, executive director of the Friend of the Environment Foundation, said out of a stack of more than 100 applications, Pickering's stood out because of the community involvement aspect.

“They're actively involved in local schools and community organizations in the planting of the trees and in the ongoing care and maintenance,” she said.

Mr. Mostert said plans include labeling all of the species and to have a sign at the park explaining them.  What can't fit on the sign will go online.  Also, since there are 26 schools in Pickering, Mr. Mostert hopes each will care for one of the 26 trees.

Ms. Desjardins said plans include encouraging schools to use the space for scientific studies, as an outdoor classroom, where the students can learn about trees such as red maple and white birch, and native shrubs such as winterberry.

She added the arboretum can also be a tool for homeowners to visit and get ideas on the types of trees and shrubs they'd like to plant on their own properties.

The City hopes to set up a planting date sometime in mid-September, and Mr. Mostert said a name change might be in order, possibly calling it Bicentennial Arboretum.

The TD Friend of the Environment and Tree Canada teamed up about a year ago to create the project.  TD has provided more than $54 million to more than 19,500 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada since 1990.  Tree Canada, a not-for-profit charitable organization, engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support planting trees, greening schoolyards, and other efforts to promote the benefits of trees.

PICKERING -- A Pickering councillor is tired of his colleagues using their smartphones during public meetings.

While the doors entering council chambers have a sign that says no cellphones are permitted, and a security guard keeps a watchful eye out for offenders in the public gallery, Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles says it's time councillors start playing by the rules.  He says any time he looks down the row of his colleagues, it's common to see them looking at their phones, possibly checking their e-mails, while members of the public or fellow councillors are talking.

“We've got to show more courtesy our way,” he said.

He plans to bring a motion forward at the council meeting on Monday, April 18 to control their use.  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and will take place at the Pickering Civic Complex, One The Esplanade.

PICKERING -- The Ajax-Pickering hospital is $500,000 closer to getting an MRI thanks to the City of Pickering.

In its budget, Pickering approved the money for the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation's Image Is Everything campaign to raise $5 million to buy the hospital's first MRI.

“I look forward to when patients of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital no longer have to travel for this much-needed service,” said Mayor Dave Ryan in a press release.  “Having an MRI right here in the community is essential to providing our residents with the convenience and urgency their medical situation requires.”

The MRI will produce detailed, clear images of the body while providing greater comfort with no side effects.  Currently, Ajax physicians rely solely on different procedures such as X-rays, ultrasounds or nuclear scans.  These often require additional follow-up tests to support a diagnosis and may not get the most accurate results.

The campaign team is thrilled with the gift.

“This gift is an amazing example of the generosity of the City of Pickering and its residents; and is a reflection of the community's high regard for the hospital and its services,”said Chad Hanna, RVHS Foundation president and CEO.“We are getting closer and closer to reaching our $5-million goal and Pickering has really given the campaign a boost with this announcement.”

PICKERING -- Residents will see a property tax hike of 2.99 per cent this year.

Nearly one month after 2011 budget talks began, Pickering council has approved the budget, meaning homeowners living in a semi-detached home assessed at $350,970 will pay about $31 more this year, or $1,317.

Staff originally proposed 4.75 per cent on March 10, and then 3.56 per cent.  When most councillors still found it too high, Mayor Dave Ryan challenged them to bring a list of budget items to cut to the next meeting.

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson and Ward 1 Regional Councillor Jennifer O'Connell met the challenge, both offering a list of about $250,000 of cuts on April 4, to bring the tax ratio down by about half a percent.

Coun. O'Connell's plan included reductions in the areas of mayor and council salary increases, staff salaries, computer hardware replacements, and the office of sustainability.  She said her goal wasn't to come up with a magical number for the tax ratio, but to find ways to make the budget responsible.

Coun. Dickerson's plan included decreasing expenditures in the library and the office of sustainability, and deferring some capital projects, such as a new fire hall sign and new council chamber chairs, to 2012.

His plan also stipulated that if there is a savings on the capital projects in the budget, staff put the deferred items back in on a priority basis.

CAO Tony Prevedel explained Coun. Dickerson's list met the financial target without cutting programs and suggested council go with his plan.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean supported both plans, and felt the two could be combined to reduce the tax increase to 2.5 per cent.

Council ended up taking Mr. Prevedel's advice and supported Coun. Dickerson's work.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles pointed out staff and council will scrutinize numbers as projects go forward.

“The scrutiny and the wise spending doesn't end here,”he said.

Despite Coun. O'Connell, Coun. McLean and Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues voting in opposition, both the $45.6-million current and $25-million capital budgets were passed with four votes.

Pickering, ON, April 7, 2011 - The City of Pickering is proud to announce its donation of $500,000 to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital's Image is Everything campaign, which aims to bring a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner (MRI) to its new expanded Diagnostic Imaging Centre.  The contribution, which will be donated in $100,000 increments over five years, was confirmed at last Monday's Council meeting.

The new MRI scanner will produce detailed, clear images of the body, while providing greater patient comfort, with no side effects.  Consequently, physicians would not have to rely solely on different procedures like x-rays, ultrasounds or nuclear scans which might produce a less accurate result, or require additional follow-up tests to support a diagnosis.

The City of Pickering supports the hospital's mission of ensuring that the residents of West Durham have the best health-care services possible.  “I look forward to when patients of the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital no longer have to travel for this much needed service,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “Having an MRI right here in the community is essential to providing our residents with the convenience and urgency their medical situation requires.”

The Image is Everything campaign team is thrilled with the generous community support it has received to date, and will continue in its efforts until the $5 million goal is ultimately reached.  “This gift is an amazing example of the generosity of the City of Pickering and its residents; and is a reflection of the community's high regard for the hospital and its services,” said Chad Hanna, RVHS Foundation President and CEO.  “We are getting closer and closer to reaching our $5 million goal and Pickering has really given the campaign a boost with this announcement.”

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As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet.  Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer.  The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents.  Pickering has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies and received the 2008 FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.

Media Contact:
Name: Mark Guinto
Title: Coordinator, Public Affairs, Office of the Mayor
Email address: mguinto@cityofpickering.com
Phone number: 905.420.4660 ext. 2013
TTY: 05.420.1739

Reka Szekely / Metroland PICKERING -- More than 200 people showed up as Pickering councillors debated the development of lands in northeast Pickering on February 22.  At issue was whether Pickering should ask Durham Region to stop appealing a decision from the Province that would prevent development before 2031.  Ultimately, the motion failed. February 22, 2011.

PICKERING -- It was passionate arguments and a packed house on Tuesday as Pickering councillors considered the issue of when lands in northeast Pickering are to be developed.

The lands are near Greenwood between concessions 7 and 8, bordered by Ajax to the south and Whitby to the east.  The Region of Durham wants the lands designated for urbanization in its official plan update.  However the Province has said slating the land for development is not warranted and refused to sign off on the Region's official plan.

The Region is taking the Province to the Ontario Municipal Board over the issue and Pickering councillors were considering a motion to ask the Region to drop the challenge.

More than 200 Pickering residents packed council chambers and 17 citizens spoke on the issue, including Greenwood residents who don't want to see the rural character of their community change and farmers who wanted the City to support the development.  Ultimately, the motion to drop the challenge, from Regional councillors Bill McLean and Jennifer O'Connell, failed.  The two councillors were joined by Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues in voting for it while local councillors Doug Dickerson, David Pickles, Kevin Ashe and Mayor Dave Ryan opposed it.

Coun. McLean said he was disappointed at the loss and vowed this isn't the end.

“I'm sure the community will continue to fight this and I'm sure we're going to be hearing more from residents,” he said.

He was supported in his position by people including Sue McInerney, who lives in north Pickering and spoke passionately about the beauty of nature in the area.

“Do we really want to see that lovely little hamlet of Greenwood essentially obliterated by development?  I don't,” she said.

Ajax councillor Colleen Jordan also spoke at the meeting.  She said the northeast Pickering lands sit on the headwaters of the Carruthers Creek and development would cause flooding issues to residents downstream in Ajax, pointing out that parts of south Ajax around the Carruthers Creek are already designated flood plain.

Coun. Jordan said developing the lands would put more homes at risk for flooding and would result in costly remediation efforts paid for through taxes.  She said there should be a watershed study done on the area.

“I would ask the question why would you not take the (conservation authority's) advice that those studies be done before that land is designated for development?”

Coun. Jordan also responded to accusations that Ajax doesn't want the lands developed because it would hurt the Town's ability to attract jobs.

“Let's be clear our opposition is not, as some delegation have stated, for the reasons they have given, in other words to protect our own employment lands.”â?¨ But Coun. Pickles argued that developers must do a series of studies before putting shovels in the ground and appropriate measures would be taken to prevent flooding, pointing to similar plans for the Seaton area.  He promised Ajax would be consulted.

“The two municipalities share the majority of that watershed, the two communities have to work together.  I think Pickering can learn some of the lessons from Ajax,” said Coun. Pickles, alluding to the flood plain issue in south Ajax.

He also pointed out that more than half of Pickering is already designated greenbelt and that the lands in question aren't included, meaning it's not a question of if the lands will be developed, but when they'll be developed.

Although only two people spoke on behalf of the farmers and land owners in northeast Pickering, it was clear about half the room supported the development after spokesman Leslie Fisher asked them all to stand up.

Donald Beach said farming in the area is no longer viable because services such as machinery sales have moved.

“Speak to the farmers themselves, there are a lot of them here, they can't make a living farming in north Pickering,” he said.

He said he supported the Region's appeal.

“It struck me this evening as I heard many people waxing about the pleasures of living in the rural area ...  it struck me that this is not really the issue before you tonight, that is an issue to be considered by the OMB when the process is taken to its conclusion.”

PICKERING -- Pickering does a good job promoting safety in the community, according to Safe Communities Canada,

Mayor Dave Ryan presented CAO Tony Prevedel and Marisa Carpino, supervisor culture and recreation, with the National Ambassador for Safety Community Service Partner Award at the latest council meeting.  The award, which was announced by Safe Communities Canada in the fall, recognizes a community group, government entity or charity that has made a significant contribution to promoting a culture of safety and reducing the risk of injury.

Pickering is one of 47 Safe Communities across Canada.  The national charitable organization is dedicated to helping communities build the capacity and resources they'll need to commit to safety initiatives.

The organization's president Paul Kells said in a press release the City, from council to employees, has gone beyond the call to make the community a safe play to live, work and play.

“The fact that through their Swim to Survive program, which targets Grade 3 students, providing them with the skills to survive in water, reaches over 1,300 children, proves this commitment like none other.” he said.

According to the press release, Pickering has been a leader in community safety since 2002 when it introduced its First Response program, which involved training first response teams in first aid and CPR within all City facilities.  More than 100 City staff members are trained in first aid, CPR and defibrillation.  There are 12 public access defibrillators in various City locations, at least one in each facility.

David Johnson Photo PICKERING -- Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues, Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland and Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles stood in front of the Bentley-Carruthers farmhouse on a recent tour of homes believed to be of architectural significance in north Pickering. December 29, 2010.

PICKERING -- As demolitions continue on the federal lands, a couple of Pickering councillors and a local MP are determined to keep heritage homes alive.

In December, Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland, Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles and Ward 3 Regional Councillor Peter Rodrigues assessed the homes facing demolition on federal land in Pickering, that the City of Pickering believes are of heritage value.

“We're going to try to make the case that these are of architectural significance,” said Coun. Pickles in an interview.

Landlord Transport Canada is currently demolishing vacant structures on the federal lands, as it intends to remove 42 by the end of March.  The federal government has been renting out houses and boarding up others on the land since it expropriated 18,500 acres in 1972 for a possible airport.

“This is the soul of our community if you will,” Mr. Holland said of the heritage homes in an interview.

Transport Canada spokeswoman Paula Fairfax confirmed in an e-mail Transport Canada is currently working with the City regarding nine structures, which have been included in the Pickering Heritage Register.

“City staff and consultants are in the process of inspecting these structures in order to undertake a detailed assessment of the buildings and to salvage structural and decorative elements within them for potential display at the Pickering Museum (Village),” she said.

The properties Mr. Holland and the councillors visited included the Hoover-Watson house, a rare plank-on-plank construction, and one of six workers' cottages along Uxbridge-Pickering Townline Road.

“These are very rare examples of southern Ontario architecture that are in real peril of being demolished,” Mr. Holland said.

They also stopped by the Bentley-Carruthers farmhouse since it's been recently boarded up.  This concerned some that the federal government was planning to destroy it, despite plans to consider other uses for the building.  But Ms. Fairfax eased some of the concern.

“The Bentley-Carruthers house has been winterized and secured to protect against trespassing, vandalism, arson and other illegal activity,” she said.  “While it is unoccupied, it is not among the 42 structures slated for demolition.”

The two councillors and Mr. Holland believe the demolitions are for one reason only.

“It's very much a depopulation of the area,” Coun. Rodrigues said.

Ms. Fairfax said Transport Canada is demolishing “vacant, dilapidated structures because they pose a health and safety risk to the public.”

She said problems range from structural integrity issues to the presence of asbestos, lead or mould.  They pose “serious security concerns,” she said, often attracting trespassers, vandals and arsonists.

“In fact, some of our tenants have requested that vacant structures next to their rented residences be taken down,” she said.  “Transport Canada is acting as a responsible landlord in addressing these security concerns.”

But Coun. Pickles said it's Transport Canada's failure to maintain the structures in the first place that has deemed them unlivable.

“When you look at property to south and east, people invest in them, they don't have health issues,” he said.  “Some are maintained for decades, even hundreds of years.”

Jason Liebregts / Metroland file photo PICKERING -- Mary Delaney is a long-time member of Land Over Landings, a group that is opposed to a possible Pickering airport.  Mrs. Delaney checked out old newspaper stories about the issues on Jan. 20. January 20, 2010

PICKERING -- The planned closing of Markham's Buttonville airport oughtn't impact the decision on moving ahead with the long-discussed Pickering airport, but should have been part of the debate leading up to Monday's municipal election, say people opposed to development of the Pickering facility.

Sale of the Buttonville land to make way for commercial development was announced Wednesday, though the sale actually took place almost three weeks before.

Wednesday, Derek Sifton, president of Toronto Airways, which owns Buttonville, said it wasn't the end of his family business, and alluded to the possibility of relocating to the as-yet-undeveloped Pickering airport.

But that could just be Mr. Sifton's “own personal way of talking,” said Mary Delaney, of Land Over Landings, a group that has long opposed development of the Pickering land for any purpose, much less an airport.

“I don't think Mr. Sifton's dreams and schemes have anything to do with” how the federal government handles the Pickering airport issue, Ms. Delaney said.

Mr. Sifton did not return calls Thursday.

Thousands of acres in north Pickering were expropriated nearly four decades ago for a future airport, but as yet, no decision on whether to proceed has been announced.  The federal government completed a needs assessment months ago, but has thus far, despite extensive lobbying by a number of different groups, not released it publicly.

There is room at other airports, including Oshawa, to handle what will leave Buttonville, Ms. Delaney said.

Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland agreed, noting Buttonville mostly deals with “very small aircraft”.

“Building a $2-billion airport for a few Cesna planes would be crazy,” he said.  But, he does “worry this (federal) government could try to use this as cover to push an airport we don't need.”

He also questions the timing of the announcement, coming weeks after the sale took place Oct. 7, and after Monday's municipal election.  “It's suspicious that it's coming immediately after the municipal election,” he said, noting during the campaign would have been a perfect time to debate the matter.

That could have impacted Monday's results, Ms. Delaney contended.

“I believe if this had come out prior to the municipal election, we might see a different council, and we certainly might have seen a different mayor,” she said.

Council hasn't changed its position on the proposed Pickering airport, said David Pickles, the councillor for the area.

“I want to re-affirm that Pickering council is on record of not supporting an airport in Pickering; I have been clear and consistent on this matter,” he said in an e-mail.

Still, it ought to have been part of the discussion, Mr. Holland said.

That's “the way this debate is being handled, is to avoid public debate at every turn,” Mr. Holland said.

The MP and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff co-signed a letter last summer, calling on the federal government to release the needs assessment study.

“I'm concerned it will never see the light of day,” Mr. Holland said, speculating the assessment wouldn't support the need for the airport.  “I feel that document is something the public deserves to see.”

-- With files from Torstar News Service and Kristen Calis

To the Residents of Ward 3:

To put your name forward for an elected office is a humbling and character building experience.  Asking your friends and neighbours to work on your campaign is just as humbling.

I thank residents for placing their trust in me once again and giving me their vote.  I will, as I have in the past, listen to residents and act in what I believe to be the best interests of the City of Pickering and you the residents.  I thank my family and campaign team, you're awesome!

I congratulate ALL the candidates that put their name on the ballot, all of the campaign workers that contributed their valuable time to candidates' campaigns, and all those who came out to vote.  I understand that the turn out of votes has improved and that is a victory as well.

I thank Bonnie Littley and Rick Johnson for the work they have done in serving the city on Council.  I welcome back Kevin Ashe and I welcome Peter Rodrigues to what I expect will be four productive years in the next term of Council.

With Sincere Thanks

David Pickles
City Councillor
Ward 3
City of Pickering

The municipal election votes have been counted in communities across Durham Region.  The winning individuals are candidates no more, they've become councillor-elect, mayor-elect, trustee-elect.

Now the real work begins, work that will take Durham's municipalities into the next four years of municipal governance.  There will be bylaws to research and vote on, developments to approve or deny, roads to maintain and schools to repair.  The expectations are high and the work even harder.  The following are the characteristics that municipal councils must exhibit over the next four years if they are to be functional, responsive and efficiently representative of the people who elected them:

Mutual respect: Debate can become polarized in government.  Contrary views seen as unworthy of consideration.  The best solutions are borne of competing views that are respectfully embraced, respectfully debated and respectfully concluded.  There is no losing side if the debate is sincere, respectful and dutifully considered.

Compromise: Related to demonstrating mutual respect for supporters and opponents, the art of compromise has been lost in recent years.  Few municipal issues have clearly defined black-and-white borders.  Councillors -- and councils -- that give a little on their position in the interests of seeing an issue to conclusion will build trust with the electorate and demonstrate that they not only hear what politicians and taxpayers have to say, but that they listen.

Patience: Everyday citizens who have a sidewalk that needs repaired, or a water bill that requires explanation, or who oppose a development near their home aren't familiar with the rituals and protocols required when appearing before council.  We encourage patience and indulgence with those who want to address their municipal representatives but who feel alienated when they are brusquely ruled out of order.  A kind and patient approach to delegates both familiar and unfamiliar with council or school board business will make them more accountable and more approachable.

Team Play: Too many politicians at municipal councils around Durham fight and re-fight old battles.  A regional councillor might lose a vote of his or her preference at the municipal level -- in a democratic, majority vote -- then argue the same position at length at Regional council, only to lose the vote again.  Re-fighting lost political battles might gain a supporter or two, but rarely results in getting the job done.  A team approach will create clarity and efficiency in municipal decisions.

Listening: Durham's municipal councils have highly trained and well-paid staff members who provide much of the research and background work that leads to recommendations.  Their work is sometimes given short shrift by politicians who have a contrary agenda and it costs untold amounts of taxpayer money for staff work to be ignored.  We strongly encourage municipal politicians to listen more closely, work more effectively and consider more deeply the suggestions of staff.  Their expertise exists for municipalities to benefit.

The next four years beckons.  There's plenty of work to be done.  Good luck.

-- Metroland Durham Region Media Group

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland PICKERING -- Mayor Dave Ryan smiled as he entered City Hall in Pickering October 25, as the election results suggested he would continue on as mayor for another term.  October 25, 2010

PICKERING -- The results are in and Pickering council will look a little different when the group starts its new term in December.

After months of buildup, debates, and campaigning, Pickering residents have chosen who they believe will best represent them at Pickering City and Durham Regional council.

Dave Ryan has reclaimed his seat for the third straight term with 10,361 votes.  Maurice Brenner ran a close second with 8,661 ballots cast in his favour.

“It feels great,” Mayor Ryan said.

“I thank the people of Pickering because what they did was acknowledge that Pickering can go forward with a positive message.”

Voter turnout was up in the 2010 municipal election, with 32.2 per cent of eligible voters heading to the polls.  In the end, 20,560 of the 63,938 eligible voters cast their ballots.  That's compared to 28 per cent in 2006 when of 65,406 eligible voters, 18,311 voted in that election.

In the 2003 municipal election, there were 63,015 registered voters and 18,051 cast their votes, meaning 28.65 per cent came out to vote.

Rick Johnson lost his Ward 3 Regional seat to his only challenger, Peter Rodrigues.  He attended the Pickering Civic Centre as the results came in and took his loss gracefully.

“It's been a really great ride,” he said.  “I'm very proud of my accomplishments.”

He wished Ward 3 constituents and Mr. Rodrigues all the best.  He said he's looking forward to living the retired life, and spending more time with his wife and family.

One of the more interesting races of the night was for the seat of Ward 1 City councillor.  Kevin Ashe, a former councillor, who lost his seat to Jennifer O'Connell in the 2006 election, was voted in again.

“It's great to be back,” he said.

He congratulated his opponents.

“It was an open seat with no incumbent, so there was a good exchange of ideas, and five quality candidates,” he said.

Coun. O'Connell beat out incumbent councillor Bonnie Littley for the Ward 1 Regional council seat with 4,065 votes.  Her challenger received 3,313 votes.

“It feels amazing but also overwhelming right now,” Coun. O'Connell said.  “I'm still in shock.”

Councillor Doug Dickerson reclaimed his Ward 2 City Council position, and Councillor David Pickles reclaimed his Ward 3 City seat.  Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean went unchallenged, and was acclaimed.

Chris Braney and Paul Crawford were voted in to represent Pickering residents at the Durham District Public School Board.

“I'm very happy to continue the work that we've done in the past four years and I'm looking forward to another term,” Mr. Braney said.

Jim McCafferty, chairman of the Durham District Catholic School Board, has also been re-elected, beating out Gino Sgovio.  Sylvie A.  Landry is the trustee for the French public school board, and Olga Lambert is the trustee for the French catholic school board.

DURHAM -- Overwhelmingly, the voters have said they want a say in who runs Durham Region.

In percentages ranging from the mid-60s to the high-80s, voters were unequivocal in their desire.

To be binding, however, at least 50 per cent of voters had to cast a ballot -- an almost unheard of total in municipal elections.

For instance, unofficial totals show 26 per cent of eligible voters in Ajax cast a ballot, while just over 32 per cent voted in Pickering.

Now, it will be up to the new Regional Council on what happens next.

Should Regional Council decide to move forward with an elected chairman, a request would be made to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to pass a regulation allowing Durham to go ahead.  After that, Durham would have to approve a bylaw making the change.  The bylaw would need a 'triple majority -- support of Regional Council, support by a majority of municipalities and the number of residents in the municipalities supporting the change are a majority of residents in the Region.

Current Regional Chairman Roger Anderson isn't surprised at the results.

“It's not anything I wasn't expecting in the urban areas of Durham Region,” said Mr. Anderson.

In Ajax, where politicians have been for an elected chair, 13,788 per cent of voters supported a direct election, while 2,375 voted for the current system.

In Oshawa, more than 21,100 supported an elected chair, against just over 5,800 opposed.

Whitby saw 19.171 in favour, while almost 4,400 opposed an elected chair.

In Scugog the vote was 5,082 yes and 2,566 no.  In Uxbridge, 4,765 said yes and 2,158 said no.

It's the second time some voters have had a say on how the chairman is selected.  In 2006, Ajax, Pickering and Oshawa included a question on the ballot and in Ajax, 89.3 per cent voted in favour of an elected chair.  In Pickering, the vote was 89.2 per cent in favour and in Oshawa, it was 86.3 per cent in favour.  Overall, it was 87.9 per cent in favour.

An attempt was made to have a question on all ballots in Durham for the 2006 election, but Regional Council voted it down.

Mr. Anderson expects the issue to move forward.

“Hopefully we'll have it in the hands of the local municipalities by June,” he said.

The change would be in place for the 2014 municipal election

Kate Allen

The waters of Durham politics rippled on Monday, as early results predicted three incumbent mayors had been unseated in the region's eight municipalities.

But a tidal wave of change looked to be forming in the distance: a critical, region-wide referendum on whether the area's top political job should be changed from appointment by council to election by general vote appeared to be carried by a landslide.

In Whitby, Ajax, Uxbridge, and Brock, where unofficial results were available at press time, electors voted lopsidedly in favour of democratically electing the chair of regional council --- in Ajax, as many as 85 per cent of voters inked ‘Yes’ on the ballot.  The chair is currently appointed by council's 28 members.

“Tonight has been a victory for democracy in Durham Region,” said John Mutton, the former mayor of Clarington who fought to have the referendum question on the ballot.  He is campaigning to be appointed chair until the decision takes effect in 2014.

“It's just what we had always thought --- the voters are overwhelmingly in favour of having a directly elected and accountable chair,” Mutton said.

Roger Anderson has been regional chair for the past 13 years.  On Monday, he said the referendum results were not a vote on his performance.  “I don't think it's a mark against the regional chairs, I just think it's that (voters) want the right to vote for the regional chair.”

The referendum is not binding unless 50 per cent of the region's voters cast a ballot, but Mutton said the results give council their “marching orders.”

Meanwhile, mayoral incumbents Steve Parish in Ajax, Dave Ryan in Pickering, and Pat Perkins in Whitby were voted back into power, partial returns indicated.

But in several other races across the region, early results predicted the defeat of several incumbents, notably in Oshawa where John G. Henry defeated two-term mayor John Gray.  In Uxbridge, Gerri Lynn O'Connor was beating incumbent Bob Shepherd, and Clarington incumbent Jim Abernethy was losing to Adrian Foster.

The most dismal showing was not for any candidate: in Ajax, where voter turnout for the 2006 election was only 23.2 per cent, only three per cent more residents bothered to get out and vote.  The city tried to boost participation with celebrity-filled ads, but with every vote counted, Ajax's turnout was still only 26 per cent.

Councillor Pickles was pleased to attend the 8th Annual Durham Regional Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night on Thursday, October, 21, 2010.

“The night celebraed some of the extraoridary stories of our police, it was a very moving evening and I was pleased to be there to represent Council and the residents of Pickering and to thank DRPS for their work and efforts in providing for our safety.” - David Pickles

Election day looms for voters in Pickering to choose the men and women who will lead their municipal government for the next four years.  Candidates have formed their positions, debated their points and made the effort to make a difference in the community.  Following are the candidates whose enthusiasm, ideas and experience the News Advertiser believes would create the best municipal council to lead Pickering over the next term of office.

Mayor:
Incumbent Dave Ryan has proven that he's a competent leader who isn't opposed to consensus building, who is willing to make tough decisions that might be politically unpopular, and who always has Pickering's best interests within sight.  He's presided over an effective, hard-working council that has seen jobs created locally over the last four years and has led the charge to kick-start development in Pickering's downtown core with the ongoing support of most council members. He believes in green development, is an advocate of Pickering's growing and vibrant arts community.  But perhaps most importantly, Mr. Ryan is a rare political leader who accepts challenges from constituents and council colleagues with grace and professionalism, fostering wider debate and often leading to greater consensus.

Ward 1 Local Councillor:
In a ward open with Jennifer O'Connell's move to challenge another incumbent for the Ward 1 regional seat, several able candidates have challenged for the local ward.  Kevin Ashe has emerged as the most credible candidate who has built experience as both a Catholic school board trustee and as a previous Ward 1 council representative.  As a former member of Durham's police services board, he's got a law-and-order interest and cares deeply about youth in the community.  He's active and knowledgeable and should be ready to represent Ward 1 residents well over the next four years.

Ward 2 Local Councillor:
A strong business and environmental background will serve newcomer Ian Cumming well as he represents taxpayers in Pickering's local east ward. He'll bring some of business's best practices to the council table to encourage efficiency and fiscal stewardship, and has been an active member of the ward.  He's been a member of the Citizen's Group for Traffic Calming on Fairport Road and promises to address such local issues as crime, planning and taxes.  He's a promising candidate we believe will bring a fresh perspective and keen work ethic to Ward 2.

Ward 3 Local Councillor:
David Pickles is a long-serving, able and energetic councillor who is well respected by council colleagues and citizens alike. He's responsive, professional and has built a depth of knowledge that serves the Millennium City and his local constituents well.  He provides a fair and balanced voice to the issues confronting council and can always be relied upon to offer rational judgment.  His motions are well researched and practical, which often result in support from the majority of councillors. That's precisely the approach that helps Pickering Council remain a productive and effective municipal government.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor:
Incumbent Bonnie Littley remains one of the most environmentally conscious council representatives in Durham Region.  But she's also practical, as demonstrated in her support of council's decision not to pursue a costly and unwinnable legal battle against York Region and it's 'Big Pipe' development in northwest Pickering.  She's well versed on the issues closest to her political heart, including sustainable development, preserving green space and promoting local agriculture. She ably served in the last term at the Regional level and we expect she'll continue to bring her energy and knowledge to the table locally and regionally.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor:
Bill McLean was the sole acclaimed candidate in Pickering this election.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor:
Love him or hate him -- there doesn't seem to be any in between for this fellow -- incumbent Rick Johnson continues to get things done at the region on behalf of Ward 3 ratepayers and the larger Pickering community.  He's built a strong local base of supporters over his years of service and has encyclopedic knowledge of the issues that affect his area. But there is room for improvement.  We strongly encourage the councillor to reign in the spending excesses -- modern communication technology could help reduce to costs of travelling through a large geographic area while still keeping residents informed -- be more transparent with constituents about his activities and achievements and stay focused on what people need.  He's been an effective representative but could be much more of a leader at the council table.

Public School Board Trustee:
Chris Braney has proven to be a successful trustee in the past. His focus on improving student performance and promoting school safety are key components of his approach, and that has resonated with parents. He should be returned to continue his work at the school board. Veteran Paul Crawford is highly cognizant of the public purse and has the courage to stand behind his convictions.  He, too, puts a strong emphasis on student performance and achievement.

Catholic School Board Trustee:
Venerable trustee Jim McCafferty has years of experience but can still approach issues creatively.  He's a believer in engaging stakeholders, which serves both his faith and his constituents.  He's earned the opportunity to continue representing local Catholics around the school board table.

PICKERING -- In a small pocket of north Pickering, residents came out in droves in Claremont to hear what the candidates seeking their vote had to say.

The all-candidates debate at the Claremont Community Centre Oct. 15 was hosted by the Claremont and Residents Community Association, in partnership with Land Over Landings.  All Ward 3 and mayoral candidates were in attendance, except Laurissa Hraiki, who was ill.

The question of an arts centre had all of the candidates in agreement that it would greatly benefit the community financially and culturally.

City council candidate Brian Evely agreed with current City councillor David Pickles and fellow candidate Michael Odle when they agreed an arts centre is the cornerstone of any community, but he said “My question is why hasn't it been built yet?”

Current Regional Councillor Rick Johnson said the City is maturing, and with that, a process for an arts centre is taking place.  He said “certainly one of these days we will have a Durham Arts Centre.”

Regional candidate Peter Rodrigues agreed there should be one, but pointed out there are many questions that must be taken into account, including who will pay and what it will cost.

“You need to know all the specifics to give a proper and clear answer,” he said.  “The details are critical.”

The candidates were questioned about providing more outlets for Claremont kids, and their position on whether a bus could be allotted to take residents to south Pickering.

Councillor Rick Johnson suggested the City could perhaps work with the community association to find a solution.

“We need to do a lot of fundraising in the community as well,” Coun. Johnson said, adding a lot of community groups in South Pickering, for example, are able to help purchase equipment by 50/50 partnerships with the City.

Peter Rodrigues said huge buses aren't needed, but perhaps smaller ones that won't break down.  But he agreed healthy people are needed in communities and said “regarding a recreation facility, it's absolutely important to have one.”

Brian Evely said he'd support a youth advisory council, plus partnerships to come up with finances for local projects.

Mr. Odle agreed with the need for more community facilities and activities, but suggested using the schools after hours for some more activities.

“You own them.  Why not use them?” he said.

Coun. Pickles suggested there are many possibilities such as skate parks, ice rinks and baseball diamonds, but said it should be up to the youth themselves.

“What we need to do is work with youth, see what they want,” he said.

When questioned about supporting the Claremont Fire department's need for more resources, all agreed it's needed.

“Fire protection is a No. 1 issue,” said Coun. Johnson.  “I will not rest until we give them what they need.”

Mr. Rodrigues called it a “no-brainer.”

Although the question didn't come up, most candidates stated their stance on a possible airport in Pickering in their opening or closing statements.

Coun. Johnson said he's been opposed to an airport for the past 40 years.

“I continue to be opposed to it,” he said.  “That's on my track record.”

Peter Rodrigues said everyone is obviously opposed to an airport, but council should be considering what to make of that land if an airport is quashed.

Brian Evely said “I am against an airport.  I don't see there's a business case for it.”

Coun. Pickles said he's continuously been clear and concise in his opposition against an airport.

“I'm not afraid to fight for this community,” he said.

Councillor Pickles was pleased to attend the Fire Services Awards Reception on October 19th hosted by the Pickering Fire Services and Pickering Professional Firefighter's Association.

“It is important to take the time to attend this event to recognize the committment and hard work of our firefighters.” - Councillor Pickles

Councillor Pickles, along with Mayor Ryan and Councillor Johnson and Dickerson were please to help cut the ribbon and have atour of the The Wolf Den Fitness & Wellness facility at Dellbrook Drive and Brock Road as they hosted their grand opening on Saturday afternoon, October 16, 2010.

“I am always pleased to see and support new businesses coming to Pickering and existing business re-investing in our community.” - Councillor Pickles

On October 14th, 2010 Councillor Pickles attended the Southeast Collector Advisory Committee meeting with the residents representatives.

“This was an opportunity to spend the day reviewing York's Regions progress in complying with the Minister of the Environment's conditions on the project and to raise concerns and questions with the new facility and the retrofit of the existing odour control facility.” - David Pickles

Councillor Pickles will be providing a web link to the information provided at the meeting.

Jason Liebregts / Metroland PICKERING -- Wayne Robbins, chief nuclear officer with OPG, spoke during a a tenant announcement at the new office tower near the Pickering Town Centre. September 30, 2010

PICKERING -- Another business has announced it will move into the $30-million office tower that's quickly rising from the ground near Hwy.  401 and Liverpool Road.

Ontario Power Generation will move about 170 of its employees from various locations into the new spot, taking up two floors and 35,000 square feet of the new building, said Wayne Robbins, OPG chief nuclear officer Thursday.

“OPG values its leadership role in the community and we're pleased to continue contributing as a positive economic driver and as a proud community partner,” he said.

The building will be a Class 'A', LEED-Silver office tower and is currently being constructed on Pickering Parkway, in the southwest corner of the Pickering Town Centre's parking lot, and is acting as a catalyst for the development of Pickering's downtown core.

“The building you see behind us is a symbol of a vision of what Pickering can and will be,” said George Buckles, of 20 Vic Management Inc., the building's developer and owner of the Pickering Town Centre.

Office tower plans were announced in 2009, and has attracted a number of investments in Pickering's downtown core.  The tower is part of a $50-million commercial and infrastructure project, which will include a 700-vehicle GO Transit and office parking deck.

The development has also secured the long-anticipated, fully enclosed $10-million pedestrian bridge that will span Hwy.  401 and provide a direct connection from the Pickering GO station to Pickering Parkway, the Pickering Town Centre, the office tower and a future transportation hub.

“The bridge will span the 401 by March 31,” Mayor Dave Ryan said.

The mayor sparked negotiations for the office tower in 2006 when he learned the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation had outgrown its current space on Pickering Parkway and would be forced to seek office space elsewhere.  The mayor contacted 20 Vic Management and said he had an ideal tenant in mind if the company wished to build a new tower.

MPAC was the first company to confirm tenancy, and more than a year later, the building is almost full.

“We're now 90 per cent full,” Mayor Ryan said.  “We expect to make the final announcement in the very near future.”

OPG announced in February that operations at Pickering B station will come to a halt in a decade, but representatives said at the time the company wouldn't abandon Pickering altogether.

“There are many years we'll need staff here in Pickering,” Mr. Robbins said.

Staff will be needed for a number of support purposes for the Darlington station, which is scheduled to open in 2016, as well as continuing to run, and eventually shut down, Pickering B, for example.  The office will also house a centre of excellence for the decommissioning of nuclear plants.

“It's the access that's really key to us,” Mr. Robbins said, noting the nearby GO station, the future transit hub and Hwy.  401 will make OPG's new Pickering home very accessible for all OPG employees

PICKERING -- The City and York Region have reached a settlement regarding the long battle over the Big Pipe.

The settlement means York Region will go ahead with its twinning of the southeast collector trunk sanitary sewer, which brings 90 per cent of York's sewage to the water pollution control plant in Pickering for treatment.  But the City will get a $10.3-million commitment in community enhancements, including $2.6 million toward the Waterfront Trail, plus $1.6 million in road improvements and an a dditional $377,000 in staff funding.

“I'm pleased that we were able to negotiate a settlement that is in favour to the City of Pickering,” Mayor Dave Ryan said in an interview.

He added the settlement includes a one-hour response time commitment by York Region in case there are any complaints, specifically with odours, and keeping an inventory nearby of the equipment needed to address any problems.

The pipe was originally built in the 1970s, and York made plans in 2008 to expand the plant to accommodate future growth.  After residents, especially those from the Cherrywood West subdivision, where York was planning to build an odour control facility to accommodate the expansion, found out, the group Stop the Stink was formed.

After constant pressure from the citizens' group, Durham Region voted against hosting the facility in Pickering.  York Regional Chairman Bill Fisch and Durham Regional Chairman Roger Anderson later signed off on an agreement to move the facility within York Region boundaries last summer.

Still unsatisfied with the plans, and citing York Region's lack of consultation with the residents of Pickering, the City last fall initiated legal action against York Region.

In the meantime, the minister of the environment, John Gerretsen, approved the environmental assessment for York's plans, adding a number of conditions to his approval.

At the last council meeting before summer break, Mayor Ryan announced the City chose to drop the lawsuit, claiming a number of legal opinions indicated the City would lose the battle.

Residents, including mayoral candidate Maurice Brenner, challenged the City's decision at a recent protest at City Hall.

“We thought the mayor was leading a fight on our behalf,” Mr. Brenner said.  “What has changed?”

Mayor Ryan said dropping the suit and negotiating a settlement was the responsible course of action, especially since Mr. Gerretsen approved the EA and said in a letter to Mayor Ryan he would not reverse his decision.

“It was important and it was the right thing to do,” said Mayor Ryan.  “We understand that not everybody is pleased that we've taken this course of action.  The important point is we couldn't win.  All of our legal opinions were telling us we couldn't win at this point.”

Mayor Ryan said the costs could have gotten out of hand.

“We were literally talking potentially tens of millions of dollars in liability,” he said.

Mayor Ryan said although the pipe's expansion couldn't be stopped, he thanked the community, especially Stop the Stink, for playing a big role in pushing the odour control facility out of Pickering.

“It was their involvement and their collective energy that helped us (gain) the political opposition to ensure that happened,” he said.

The City ended up paying about $320,000 in legal fees before dropping the suit, Mayor Ryan said.  Although Pickering's legal costs weren't recovered, York is paying $377,000 so the City can support a staff engineer to monitor the pipe's expansion.

-- With files from Jeff Mitchel

To the editor:

I am a proud opponent of the Big Pipe.  I've attended Stop the Stink meetings, carried a sign in minus-30 temperatures and my letter to the Minister of Environment is posted on the group's website.

The protest over Pickering Council's decision to cease legal action against York Region, though, seems misguided.  The lawyers hired by the City, who presumably stood to earn hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars by continuing the suit, told Council it had no chance of success.

Continuing the lawsuit in those circumstances would have been utterly irresponsible.

As a lawyer, I understand why the meeting had to be closed; council was receiving confidential and privileged advice and if the meeting was open, that privilege would be lost.  Until the entire dispute with York is resolved, the legal advice must remain confidential.

Mr. Brenner, in spite of his dramatic indignation, participated in many closed meetings when he was a member of council.  There is an election coming.  Thankfully, most members of council aren't playing cheap politics but doing what's best for all Pickering residents.

Don Harvey

Pickering

Pickering, ON, August 5, 2010 - The City of Pickering and Regional Municipality of York (York Region) have signed off on the Minutes of Settlement with respect to the Southeast Collector Trunk Sanitary Sewer (SEC) and Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant.

In 2009, the City initiated legal action against York Region over the twinning of the SEC and the location of its related odour control facility.  However, as the legal proceedings unfolded, the City received a broad range of legal opinions indicating that it would find itself on the losing end of a costly legal battle.  These concerns were validated by correspondence received from the Minister of the Environment, dated June 3, 2010, which effectively approved the SEC, while essentially quashing the City's hopes of stopping the project.

In addition to the possibility of footing a multi-million dollar legal bill, the City of Pickering risked having York Region rescind its original agreement to fund a number of key community enhancements.  It became evident that the City needed to settle with York Region to not only avoid a crippling legal outcome, but also renegotiate community benefits, environmental controls and safety commitments while it still had any leverage.

Council has worked diligently over the years to present a balanced and fiscally responsible budget so that Pickering's taxes would remain the lowest among Durham's lakeshore municipalities.  Had the City continued on its previous course, it ran the risk of accumulating millions in legal fees, and possibly tens of millions more should York Region have successfully sued Pickering for damages.  The City would have then been faced with the prospect of raising taxes by a minimum of 2.5 per cent to cover the shortfall.  Clearly, that was a risk that Council as a whole was not willing to take.

After much negotiation, York Region has agreed to implement more stringent monitoring and response guidelines with respect to the odour control facility.  In addition, it has agreed to uphold its $10.3 million commitment in community enhancements, along with $1.6 million in road improvements, plus an additional $377K in staff funding.

“While we regret that we were not able to stop this project, we can take solace knowing that our desired environmental controls and safety concerns were incorporated, along with millions in community benefits and infrastructure,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “We acknowledge that some people wanted us to keep fighting until the bitter end, but that's not responsible governance.  We are confident that the vast majority of residents, businesses and stakeholders will agree that we made absolutely the right decision for Pickering as a whole.”

-30-

As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet.  Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer.  The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents.  Pickering has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies and received the 2008 FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.

Media Contact:
Name: Mark Guinto
Title: Coordinator, Public Affairs, Office of the Mayor
Email address: mguinto@cityofpickering.com
Phone number: 905.420.4660 ext. 2013
TTY: 05.420.1739

PICKERING -- The City of Pickering wants to help residents get green with energy.

The City has posted easy-to-understand information online so residents and businesses can better understand the Ontario Power Authority's renewable energy feed-in tariff program.

The program allows businesses and homeowners to generate renewable energy through solar, wind and water power, and bioenergy; feed the energy back into the electrical grid; and get financially reimbursed as a result.  The premise is simple, but filled with information, so the City wanted to relay the details in a concise manner for its residents and businesses.

Frequently asked questions, industry and community links and other key information on the program can now be found on the Sustainable Pickering website.

Also, Pickering's building services division is willing to meet with those interested in the program to discuss possible energy installations.

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson, chairman of the Sustainable Pickering advisory committee, encourages all Pickering residents and businesses to get involved in the “innovative” program.

“The City of Pickering has embarked on a journey to become the most sustainable city in Ontario,” he said in a press release.  “As such, it's important that we provide our residents and stakeholders with the right knowledge and tools so that they may also participate in our sustainability journey.”

VISIT www.sustainablepickering.com

It's difficult sometimes to believe that a thing of picture-perfect beauty can hide a nasty surprise, but the pretty hogweed plant fits the bill.

The plant, which can grow to six metres, is considered a severe toxic plant by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which is monitoring sightings of the plant here in Pickering following the recent discovery of some growing locally.

The plant's clear sap contains a chemical that can lead to burning skin blisters, severe irritation or dermatitis.  If it gets into the eyes, it can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.  In that context, it is imperative that City and Regional officials take quick action to identify plant locations and manage their growth.

In the simplest terms, don't touch the plant if you think you've discovered one in your neighbourhood.  Contact City officials to report the sighting, provide location and descriptive details and ensure that pets or children are kept away.

For their part, City officials must provide area residents with necessary information to protect them from exposure and ensure that sighting reports are duly followed up, recorded and managed appropriately.

Even one injury from hogweed sap is one too many.  Pickering residents must be aware of their surroundings when out and about in any of the various outdoor areas in Pickering, exercise caution and take note of their discovery.

In the meantime, City and Regional officials must remove the hogweed that has been identified, either through herbicide use or complete removal of the offending plants.  And because the plants are biannual -- they grow one year and bloom the next -- it provides some breathing room for an eradication program, should officials choose that option.

The bottom line is that hogweed can't coexist with Pickering residents without the potential for serious injury.  It blooms beautifully but packs a nasty, blister-inducing surprise.

Be careful when you're out and about.  Stay away if you think you've discovered a hogweed plant in your neighbourhood.  Use common sense and care and finally, inform the proper officials.  It doesn't take much to share the information, but it could prevent unnecessary pain, injury and suffering.

-- Metroland Durham Region Media Group

WE THINK...

Kingston Road sidewalk network's time has come in Pickering.

Pickering councillors are thinking with their feet -- to the benefit of citizens from the east side of the Millennium City to the west.

City councillors last week ...

See the full article here.

Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland PICKERING -- Bill Hendricks walked along the gravel shoulder of Kingston Road approaching Brock Road June 28. Hendrick, who walks the route a couple of times a month, said cars will drive on the shoulder during rush hour in order to get into the turning lane.  The City plans to install sidewalks along the length of Kingston Road within Pickering's boundaries.  June 28, 2010.

PICKERING -- In the coming years, Pickering residents should be able to walk along Kingston Road comfortably and safely, from Toronto to Ajax if they want to.

It's not uncommon to see mothers pushing strollers, cyclists walking bikes, residents with mobility issues using wheelchairs and people of all ages from seniors to youth walking along the unpaved shoulder on Pickering's main street, Kingston Road.

But council unanimously hopes that will change and the puzzle will soon be pieced together.

Council has supported Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles's motion that Pickering become connected from Toronto in the west to Ajax in the east with sidewalks, making the entire road accessible for pedestrians throughout Pickering.

“The vision is to have safe, continuous sidewalks on both sides of Kingston Road, our main street, from Toronto to Ajax,” said Coun. Pickles.

Staff will prepare an inventory of the sidewalk network on Kingston Road and a plan identifying gaps and deficiencies in the network, will consider bike routes, and recommend priorities to council in time for the 2011 budget.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean pointed out the lack of sidewalks along the road from Whites Road to Liverpool Road.

“It scares the heck out of me to see trucks and cars whiz by, getting so close to these people,” he said.

The sidewalk won't be linked immediately, but the plan will help the City budget for an earlier completion rather than the current piecemeal approach of creating sidewalks alongside development.

All members of council agreed.

“There are few things council agrees on unanimously but Kingston Road and sidewalks affect every ward,” said Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley had similar thoughts.

“It's dangerous and we definitely need to do something about that,” she said, referring to often seeing a woman pushing a stroller on the shoulder near Walnut Lane.

Coun. O'Connell appreciated bike lanes being listed in the motion, and suggested putting in clear and distinct bike lanes, such as using curbs rather than simple lines.

“We've seen that bike lanes don't get used if it's simply a line painted on a shoulder,” she said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson expressed difficulty with using taxpayers' money for something that development charges should fund, but said he would support the initiative because the sidewalk is needed and the bottom line is safety and accessibility.

Coun. Pickles said the City has waited long enough for the sidewalks to be improved along the regional road, and added some areas without sidewalks, such as the south side of Kingston Road close to Denmar Road, will most likely never be developed and could never get a sidewalk if the City doesn't take initiative.

“We're just going to have to bite the bullet and do it,” he said.

If staff comes back with a three- to five-year plan, that will allow the City to set aside money each year and get Pickering on its way to having a fully accessible sidewalk for all, he said