Key Highlights
- The Official Plan Application (OPA) for the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan faces significant opposition from local residents and activists.
- Activist Mike Borie claims that the developer-driven proposal will cause severe financial burdens on taxpayers and environmental harm.
- The plan involves removing vital green space, prime agricultural land, and critical habitat for endangered species like the Redside Dace.
- Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe has proclaimed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, but Borie argues it does not constitute an agreement to develop Northeast Pickering lands.
Community Pushback Against Development Plan in Pickering
The Official Plan Application (OPA) for the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan has encountered substantial pushback from community members and activists, highlighting concerns over financial viability, environmental impact, and indigenous rights. At the heart of the controversy is a vocal resident named Mike Borie, who has been at the forefront of opposing what he describes as an “urban sprawl” that will significantly harm both residents and the land itself.
Financial Concerns
Borie argues that the proposed development is not financially sustainable without additional taxation. He points out that while the total growth-related capital program for the city is estimated at $1 billion, only about $505 million will be recovered from development charges (DC). This leaves a shortfall of approximately $498 million to be covered through non-DC sources, which Borie fears will be shouldered by existing taxpayers. He cites an example where the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is expected to increase property taxes for homeowners by 11.71% over 20 years, adding around $255 extra per year on average.
Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns
Beyond financial concerns, Borie highlights severe environmental risks associated with the plan. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) study warns of a 77% greater risk that development in these lands will lead to increased stormwater runoff and higher flood risks for thousands of existing homes downstream in Pickering and Ajax. Additionally, the proposed development involves removing approximately 1,600 hectares of green space, prime agricultural land, and critical habitat for endangered species like the Redside Dace, a species listed as Endangered under both federal and provincial laws.
Indigenous Consultation Issues
Borie also raises concerns about the lack of proper consultation with indigenous groups. He states that there is no public record of other indigenous groups involved in the broader Williams Treaties explicitly supporting this development, focusing instead on the concerns raised by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). The MSIFN has stated that proceeding without genuine consultation on these contested lands is “morally and constitutionally wrong” and demands a pause until treaty rights are properly addressed.
Mayor Kevin Ashe claims there is an MOU with the MSIFN, but Borie argues it only represents an agreement to further talks rather than approval for development.
In conclusion, the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan faces intense scrutiny from community members like Mike Borie, who advocate for prioritizing intensification and completing planning for Seaton before allowing any further greenfield land developments. The debate underscores broader issues of financial sustainability, environmental protection, and indigenous rights in urban expansion plans.
