Councillor Shaheen Butt

Shaheen was appointed to Pickering Council in December, 2016.

Shaheen brings over three decades of corporate experience to his role in public service, with a significant tenure of 25 years at IBM. Shaheen has honed his skills in business consultancy and facilitation, which he now applies to his work with the community on various City projects and initiatives.

Shaheen was raised and educated in London, England, and moved to Canada in the mid-seventies. He has lived in the Region of Durham for over 28 years, and was the proud recipient of a 2014 Civic Award, presented to him by the City of Pickering in recognition of his significant contributions to the City. His wife and three children share in his passions, and are also actively involved in serving the community.  

Shaheen is dedicated to working with both seniors and youth, as well as in family health. His charity involvement includes raising funds for the Rouge Valley Hospital's MRI machine, Emily House (a hospice for children), youth leadership training and working with the local food bank. His commitment to assisting less fortunate families in the community is unwavering and is a fundamental aspect of his work. Recognizing the important role that local volunteers play in the success of these services, Shaheen organizes an annual appreciation lunch for community volunteers, to build connections, and celebrate the many ways they give back, and enhance their community.

Shaheen's vision for Pickering is for it to become a thriving community that will attract more small businesses and corporations to start or expand their business, ultimately resulting in job creation and added services for residents. In addition, he would like to build upon affordable and accessible facilities, while maintaining and protecting the City's natural heritage and rural composition. Shaheen recognizes the valuable role that youth play in shaping a safe and healthy community, and strives to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where youth can collaborate, learn, and engage with one another and City staff.   

An avid cyclist and former track and field competitor, Shaheen attributes Pickering's many trails, open spaces, and natural beauty as some of the primary reasons for choosing to build a life here. His experience with living on his brother's 100 acre farm in Shelburne, Ontario has provided him invaluable insight and appreciation for both suburban and rural ways of life.

Shaheen currently sits on several committees and boards, including, but not limited to the following:

1. City of Pickering Council
2. City of Pickering Executive Committee
3. City of Pickering Planning & Development Committee
4. City of Pickering Animal Services Appeal Committee
5. City of Pickering Civic Awards Committee
6. City of Pickering Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee
7. City of Pickering Site Plan Advisory Committee
8. Pickering Public Library Board
9. Alternate Regional Councillor

Additional projects:

• Shaheen organizes an annual community celebration, aligning with the City's sustainability objectives of connecting residents within the community, and doing activities that make Pickering a better place, environmentally, socially and economically.