Councillor David Pickles

"It is a pleasure to work on behalf of the residents of the City of Pickering on both City of Pickering Council and Region of Durham Council. I continue to work together with residents to see real improvements in our City.”

Regional Councillor David Pickles and wife, Brenda (a self-employed accountant and small local retail business owner and employer), and their two daughters have been residents in the Brock Ridge neighbourhood of Ward 3 in Pickering for over 30 years.

"As with many of the residents I represent, my wife and I raised a family, own a home, pay a mortgage, pay home expenses, and pay property taxes. We too want value for our property taxes."

David holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies - Honours Geography Degree from the University of Waterloo and was employed in senior positions for 32 years with the Ontario provincial government. Councillor Pickles has significant career experience in budgeting, planning, and environmental protection prior to joining Council.

David was first elected to Council in 1997 and re-elected by Ward 3 residents as City Councillor in 2000, 2003, 2006, 2010, and as Regional Councillor in 2014, 2018 and 2022. He has consistently had high attendance and the highest report card ratings by the local media. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee medal for community service in 2013, and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award for community service in 2022.

David currently represents you on a number of committees and boards, including, but not limited to the following:

• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA)
• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Fund
• City of Pickering Budget Committee
• City of Pickering Council
• City of Pickering Executive Committee
• City of Pickering Planning & Development Committee
• Durham Regional Council
• Durham Regional Planning & Economic Development Committee (Vice Chair)
• Elexicon Corporation Board
• Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association 
• Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Regional Watershed Alliance

David previously served on the following committees: 

• Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity (Chair, 2003 - 2010)
• Affordable and Senior Housing Task Force (Vice Chair)
• Ajax-Pickering Police Liaison Committee (1999 - 2006)
• Ajax-Pickering Transit Authority (2000 - 2006)
• Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board of Directors (2015 – 2021)
• Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board of Health Section (Vice Chair, 2015 - 2021)
• Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Health Section Executive Committee (Director, 2015 - 2021)
• Carruthers Creek Watershed Task Force (1999 - 2007)
• Chair Accessibility Advisory Committee (Chair, 2003 - 2006)
• City of Pickering Museum Advisory Committee (1997 - 2000)
• Civic Awards Committee (2010 -2014 )
• Community Communications Working Group – GTAA (2001 - 2005)
• Deputy Mayor, City of Pickering ( 2021 to 2022)
• Development Charges Complaint Committee
• Duffins Creek Watershed Task Force (1999 - 2007) 
• Durham Active Transportation Committee (DATC)
• Durham Advisory Committee on Homelessness (2014 - 2022)
• Durham Health & Social Services Committee (Chair, 2014 - 2018)
• Durham Health & Social Services Committee (Vice Chair, 2014-2022)
• Durham Non-Profit Housing Corporation (2014 - 2022)
• Durham Region Local Housing Corporation
• Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change (Alternate)
• Durham Regional Strategic Plan Development Task Force (Vice Chair, 2018 - 2020
• Durham Region Transit Executive Committee (2018 - 2022)
• Glen Major Management Plan Advisory Committee (1997 - 2000) 
• Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council
• Pickering Public Library Board (1997 - 2003)
• Roadwatch Committee (2003 - 2006)
• Rouge Park Neighbourhood Advisory Committee (1998 - 2000)
• Site Plan Advisory Committee (1997 - 2014 )
• Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee (2007 - 2014)
• Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee (Vice Chair, 2011 - 2014)
• Veridian Connections Board
• Veridian Corporation Board
• Veridian Governance Committee (Chair)
• Veridian Human Resources Committee

David initiated and led the drafting of the City of Pickering Code of Conduct that was adopted by Council. He has supported infrastructure improvements, youth and seniors’ services, and attracting businesses and jobs. He also prepared and successfully brought to Council for approval the motion to make Pickering a willing host for a casino/conference centre and tourist destination which led to the Durham Live project. The Pickering Casino and Resort that opened in July 2021 in Pickering could provide up to $20 million per year in non-tax revenue and 10,000 jobs. 

"As former Chair of the City's Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity, I worked with committee members and cultural organizations to celebrate our rich diversity and enhance community relations.” 

Prior to sitting on Council, David served the Pickering Community on the City of Pickering Official Plan Community Working Group advising on a new Official Plan; on Heritage Pickering the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) advising on the protection of historic and unique buildings.

"I am working hard and getting results while representing the residents of Pickering! Working with residents and City staff to ensure that our City facilities and operations continue to deliver excellent service to residents, from youth to seniors, balanced with reasonable property taxes, takes a great deal of time and dedication." 

"I work to attract business and jobs, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and ensure sustainable growth that enhances an already great city. We are seeing the result and businesses and investment services are being attracted to our City.”

"I spend a great deal of attention on the small, but important, safety and neighbourhood issues such as traffic concerns, better lighting, and new sidewalks near schools and parks where our children walk and play. I am always available for residents and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Please feel welcome to contact David at his direct number 905.706.5077, at the City Council Office at 905.420.4605, or by email at dpickles@pickering.ca.

Visit DavidPickles.com for further information on matters in Pickering and copies of David’s Newsletters.