RED ALERT: Pickering City Hall Just Got Caught Playing Games With Our Prime Farmland
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Hey everyone, Councilor Lisa Robinson here.
Right now, we have an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity regarding the 9,300 acres of federal airport lands just north of Highway 7.
This is some of the best Class 1 farmland in Canada—active farms producing food today—and a large portion sits right here in the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine.
The federal government has already said “no” to an airport, and thousands of us want to see the entire area protected forever as farmland and added to the Rouge National Urban Park.
That would be a huge win for farming, clean water, nature, trails, and future generations right here in our own backyard.
Open House: City of Pickering, Apr22
But here is what is not sitting right with me at all: tomorrow, the city is holding an open house.
It is a drop-in session on Wednesday night, not even a formal presentation.
At this event, they are only going to show you three options for this land, and every single one of them turns some of that prime farmland and Greenbelt land into employment or industrial uses.
When I asked staff during a meeting yesterday, they confirmed there is no “Option 4″—the option that simply says, “Leave the lands exactly as they are, provide full agricultural protection, and expand the Rouge National Urban Park.”
They said, “Well, you know what, maybe if we get enough feedback we’ll add it,” but you all know what that means.
The last time I called out a skewed survey like this, I lost three months’ pay, so I guess I am qualified to spot one.
Development vs Agricultural continuity
Seriously, this feels exactly like that; it is not a real choice, it is a loaded question.
It is pushing everyone toward the question of “How much of our farmland do you want us to pave?” instead of asking the obvious: “Do you want to keep it as farmland?”
Why are the only options focused on development when we don’t even want or need it?
Here in Pickering, Seaton—right next door—is only 30% to 39% built out and already has room for decades of growth and over 35,000 jobs.
These federal lands do not need to be touched at all.
100% farmland vs. controlled expansion
If you believe, as I do, that these lands should remain 100% farmland and become part of the Rouge National Urban Park, here is what you need to do.
Attend the open house this Wednesday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at City Hall and tell them loud and clear that you want to see an “Option 4“: full agricultural protection, no employment lands, and a full transfer to Parks Canada.
Even if you cannot make it in person, email the city before May 1st and copy Pickering’s Clerk, Mayor, and Council.
Use the subject line: “Federal Lands: Demand an Option 4 be given to keep it all as farmland and park.”
This is our land; this is our food security and our Greenbelt.
The city works for us, so let’s make sure they hear what the people actually want, not just the options they want us to pick.
I am Councilor Lisa Robinson, the People’s Councilor, and I will never whisper the truth to protect a lie.
Until next time, stand strong, stay fierce, and God bless.
