Even as Pickering was set to approve the city-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, concerned citizens, environmental activists, the Town of Ajax, and the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN), continued to oppose the plan.
“Discussions are continuing with the City of Pickering, but no agreement has been finalized at this time. MSIFN’s position with respect to the secondary plan remains the same,” said a statement issued by Chief Kelly LaRocca and MSIFN Council.
The statement said MSIFN has consistently expressed opposition to the proposed Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan due to unresolved concerns regarding the:
- adequacy of meaningful consultation prior to approval of the draft secondary plan,
- inconsistency with the provincial planning statement 2024,
- unaddressed cumulative impacts concerns, and
- the potential for adverse impacts to aboriginal and treaty rights.
Chief LaRocca and MSIFN representatives had met with Mayor Kevin Ashe and Pickering staff on April 20 (see below) to discuss establishing a consultation protocol to address these issues.
“MSIFN is open to developing strong partnerships and participation in meaningful engagement,” said Chief La Rocca. “We are committed to proper consultation, and we are willing to participate in such a process.”
Opposition by Residents
Mike Borie, a resident led a delegation of environment advocates to yesterday’s council meeting.
“I am here to register our strong opposition to Report PLN 08-26 and Official Plan Amendment 54,” he declared.
“To approve this secondary plan tonight is to put the cart before the horse in a way that risks catastrophic environmental and financial fallout. This council is being asked to lock in land-use designations and pave over the Carruthers Creek Headwaters before completing the critical Phase 3 Scoped Subwatershed Study. Passing this amendment tonight means this council is choosing to make irreversible planning decisions blindly, substituting developer-driven promises for independent, conservation-first science,” said Borie.
He referred to Recommendation 4, which Borie said directs staff to negotiate agreements where the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group—a consortium of private developers—that, he said, either directly prepares or fully funds the Master Environmental Servicing Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.
“When a pro-development group holds the purse strings and drives the terms of reference, objective science is compromised. A municipal ‘peer review’ is a reactive shield, not a proactive planning strategy,” Borie pointed out.
Risk of Flooding
He said this is not just a Pickering issue. “It is a downstream crisis in the making. The Carruthers Creek watershed is uniquely sensitive. Unlike other regional systems, its headwaters are not protected by the Oak Ridges Moraine or the Greenbelt. It relies entirely on the agricultural and natural lands of Northeast Pickering to act as a natural buffer.”
When you pave over these headwaters, you create massive impervious surfaces. Stormwater runoff will swell in volume and velocity, rushing south straight into Ajax. We have already seen the devastating impact of downstream flooding across Durham Region when headwaters are compromised. If you approve this plan, Pickering will be directly liable for exacerbating severe flood risks, putting downstream homes, infrastructure, and lives in jeopardy, the activist said.
Borie said it is the council’s duty to ensure that the following strategic goals are more fully met before any final decision is imposed:
- Do not approve major land-use changes before the Phase 3 Scoped Subwatershed Study is complete.
- Ensuring environmental and servicing studies are led by public interest (which is considered good planning practice), not primarily by the landowner/developer group.
- Councils’ approval imposes risks to Carruthers Creek, private wells, downstream flooding, and agricultural lands which would lead to irreparable damage to critical resources for these communities.
By institutionalizing these land-use changes tonight, you are telling the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Williams Treaties First Nations, that their input doesn’t matter because the final outcome is already bought and paid for. Consultations with all First Nations must be held and completed with a signed and mutually approved agreement before this motion can be approved, said Borie.
He demanded:
- Deferment of Report PLN 08-26,
- Rejection of Amendment 54,
- Protection of the Carruthers Creek Headwaters until independent, complete watershed science proves it is safe.
“Science must be led by the public interest, not private developers,” Borie added.