Dear neighbours,
I’ve been hearing from so many of you about the Pickering Airport Lands in my inbox, at community events, and through the incredible grassroots organizing happening right across our riding. The passion and determination you’ve brought to this issue has been remarkable, and I want you to know that I am listening.
The case being made by environmental and agricultural organizations is a compelling one. These 9,300 acres are part of a living, interconnected ecosystem linking Lake Ontario to the Oak Ridges Moraine, home to over 1,700 species, and holding some of the most irreplaceable Class 1 farmland in the country. The opportunity before the federal government right now is rare, and the stakes are real.
I have been in close contact with organizations who have spent years fighting for these lands long before I joined the fray, including the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Land Over Landings, and Friends of the Rouge Watershed. Their expertise, their dedication, and their deep knowledge of this ecosystem have shaped my understanding of what is truly at stake here, and I am grateful for the work they continue to do on behalf of all of us.
What is clear to me is that the voices of this community must be at the centre of whatever decision is made. The consultation period closes today April 17th, and I am urging every one of you to participate. Transport Canada will be producing a “What We Heard” report based on these consultations, and your submission within this period is how your position gets captured in that record. Make it count. The more clearly and concisely our community speaks, the harder it becomes to look past us.
For more information on how to participate in the process, please visit this webpage:
Public Consultation on the Future Uses of the Pickering Lands
I am following this issue closely, and I am committed to ensuring that the concerns of our community are heard and taken seriously with the Minister of Transport as this process unfolds.
Regards,
