The City of Pickering yesterday confirmed that the key parties are now in place to establish the framework for a funding agreement and management model for the acquisition of Frenchman’s Bay.
This collaborative effort brings together the City of Pickering, the Government of Canada, including Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Parks Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
Together, these organizations are united in vision and purpose, the city said, with a shared goal of protecting Frenchman’s Bay, preserving its natural and recreational value, and ensuring it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
“Using a tri-party funding model, the city has committed $10 million toward acquiring Frenchman’s Bay and its associated land parcels. We are in the final stages of confirming support from the province and are now focused on securing a $10 million contribution from the federal government to complete the $30 million purchase and bring this vision to life,” said Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe in an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney last October (see below).
Final Agreements Being Worked Out
Important work remains. Discussions are continuing as the parties work through the final agreements and arrangements necessary to complete the acquisition of Frenchman’s Bay. The city said it looks forward to sharing further details as the process advances.
“Frenchman’s Bay is the shimmering jewel of Pickering and an integral part of our identity. We are encouraged by the progress we have made and the shared commitment of everyone involved,” said Kevin Ashe, Mayor, City of Pickering. “There is still work ahead, including ongoing discussions with indigenous community partners, but we have a strong path forward toward bringing the bay into public ownership and ensuring it remains a treasured part of our community.”
Large Portions Owned by PHC
Frenchman’s Bay, located in the City of Pickering, is one of the most significant coastal wetlands on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Unlike most water bodies, which are typically Crown-owned, large portions of the bay have been privately owned by the Pickering Harbour Company (PHC) since 1853 under a pre-Confederation Charter granted by the Crown.
Acquisition of the privately held portions of the bay supports the City of Pickering efforts regarding the long-term protection, restoration, and enhancement of the Bay’s ecological functions in partnership and or consultation with municipal, provincial, and federal governments, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and the public.
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