After approving the development of northeast Pickering lands, the City of Pickering announced it is now “advocating for the the protection” of nearly 80 per cent of the federal lands. It, however, is asking to unlock 1,900 acres for economic opportunities.
Councillor Lisa Robinson publicly condemned the two major votes taken by Pickering Council that she claims will dramatically alter the future of Pickering’s rural, agricultural, and environmentally-sensitive lands.
Council voted to advance both the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and the Pickering Federal Lands Recommendation Framework — decisions Robinson says represent a clear shift toward long-term urban sprawl, infrastructure expansion, and development pressure despite significant public concern.
Leave The Lands Untouched
Robinson says residents were never truly given the option many of them actually wanted: An option 4 – to preserve the lands, expand Greenbelt and Rouge National Urban Park protections, and leave the lands largely untouched.
“Once these lands are paved, fragmented, and opened to long-term urbanization pressure, we do not get them back,” Robinson stated.
7,500 Acres of Land Area
At Monday night’s council meeting, Pickering endorsed the Pickering Federal Lands – Land Use Review and Economic Analysis Recommendation Report, which calls for the protection of more than 7,500 acres of federal lands in north Pickering, with over 6,500 acres proposed for agricultural use within an expanded Rouge National Urban Park.
The report recommends 30-year farming leases be offered to encourage long-term agricultural investment.
$3.7bn Investments Projected
A city statement said resulting economic impacts from setting aside 1,900 acres for prestige employment uses would be significant, with an estimated $3.7 billion in investment, $244 million in upfront revenues, and $18 million in annual tax revenues.
From a property tax perspective, if applied to the 2026 residential tax levy, the annual $18 million in commercial and industrial tax revenues would effectively reduce property taxes by approximately 17 per cent, it claimed.
It said this employment area is expected to generate some 16,000 jobs for local residents.
“Economic development and job creation are powerful antidotes to sprawl, and by creating commercial investment and employment opportunities close to home, the city can reduce the need for residents to commute to Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, or Mississauga for work. This shift will ease congestion on highways, lower emissions, and give residents more time to spend where it matters most – at home with family and friends,” the statement said.
The Background
In 2025, the federal government launched a consultation process to determine the future of what was formerly known as the Pickering airport lands. In response to this ongoing work, the city completed its own review to clearly articulate Pickering’s priorities. The now‑endorsed report, prepared by SGL Planning & Design Inc., outlines a vision that reflects public engagement and aligns with federal priorities such as environmental protection, Rouge National Urban Park expansion, agricultural preservation, and economic development, and will be submitted to the Government of Canada as Pickering’s formal contribution to the federal consultation process.
Ultimately, it is the Government of Canada that will decide the future use, management, protection, and long-term direction of these federally-owned lands.
“This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to shape the future of these lands in a way that reflects who we are and where we want to go as a community. By protecting the vast majority of the federal lands through the expansion of Rouge National Urban Park while strategically planning for high‑quality employment uses, we are advancing a vision that supports environmental stewardship, strengthens agriculture, and creates thousands of good‑paying jobs close to home. It’s a balanced approach that will reduce sprawl, ease congestion, and give more families the opportunity to build their future right here in Pickering,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe.
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