News and Announcements

September 20, 2023 - The “1 Million March 4 Children”, taking place today throughout the country, has raised many questions and concerns within our community.  Current plans for anti-2SLGBTQIA+ demonstrations at Esplanade Park and City Hall have garnered support from a segment of our residents as well as some far-right hate organizations.

It is important to shed light on the impacts of these nationwide protests. While the campaign claims to advocate for children's rights, its underlying objective is the elimination of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum and policies, which play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and educating youth about diversity, respect, and acceptance.

August 11, 2023 - The City of Pickering was proud to mark the important economic and community benefits of being a host gaming site through a cheque presentation at today’s opener of the Pickering Food Truck Festival.

Since Pickering Casino Resort opened in July 2021, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has issued non-tax gaming revenue payments, totaling $24,484,059 (up to March 31, 2023), to the City of Pickering for hosting the facility, as part of its Municipal Contribution Agreement with Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG).

August 11, 2023 - “The Auditor General’s Report on the Government of Ontario’s site selection process has raised a number of concerns that I share with my Colleagues on Council as well as many residents who have contacted our offices.

While it is encouraging that the Province will accept and implement almost all of the recommendations made in the Auditor General’s Report, it has made it clear that development on Pickering lands will proceed. With this decision being imposed on us, we will vigorously fight for our city’s best interests."

June 16, 2023 - “Today, the Government of Ontario expanded strong mayor powers to 26 of the province’s large and fast-growing municipalities, including the City of Pickering and all of Durham’s lakeshore municipalities, in order to meet its target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031.

The diverse housing needs of individual municipalities call for tailored tools and approaches, and the granting of strong mayor powers will empower us to achieve our new housing targets. I understand the responsibility that comes with this authority.  I am committed to transparent and inclusive decision-making, and actively seeking input from all stakeholders prior to exercising these new powers."

May 24, 2023 - At last night’s Council meeting, the City of Pickering passed a motion in support of Pride events and all Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives across the City and Durham Region, in honour of Pride Month and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through this motion, the City also reaffirms its commitment to advancing respect and inclusion for all 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies. The motion passed 6 - 1 on a recorded vote.

“I am proud that Pickering Council made a strong statement about supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the tenets of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are also aware of a recent video circulating online and corresponding commentary, and denounce all forms of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and bigotry directed at the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and equity-deserving groups."

April 17, 2023 - The City of Pickering and Province of Ontario have recently completed the sale of 151 acres of provincial lands in Pickering’s Innovation Corridor to FGF Brands, for the development of a high-tech, food manufacturing campus, which will be known as the Wonderbrands Innovation Business Park.

In addition, Council recently approved FGF Brands’ (Caplink Limited) draft plan of subdivision application and zoning by-law amendment application to permit the food manufacturing campus. The first phase of development will consist of three manufacturing plants and a distribution centre, with an overall gross floor area of over 1,000,000 square feet and the creation of 1,000 new jobs, with another 2,000 jobs coming in the second phase. Once full build-out is complete, the business park will be the largest food manufacturing campus in the GTA, as well as one of the largest employers in Pickering with its 3,000 new jobs.

March 23, 2023 – Today, Mayor Kevin Ashe and Members of Pickering Council, along with Regional Chair John Henry, marked the City of Pickering’s commitment to voluntarily share its gaming revenues with the Region of Durham, which will act as a critical source of funding in advancing shared priorities for the broader community.

March 20, 2023 - The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has recognized Pickering as one of the world’s Smart21 Communities of 2023.

The ICF’s annual awards program recognizes the world’s leading municipalities that are successfully leveraging the power of technology to develop inclusive and prosperous communities.

February 10, 2023 - Today, the Region of Durham released Envision Durham – Draft Regional Official Plan.  This Municipal Comprehensive Review looked at how and where Durham municipalities may grow; how to use and protect land and resources; what housing types and jobs are needed for residents; and how goods and people will move across the region and beyond.

“Congratulations to Chair Henry, Regional Councillors, staff across all Durham municipalities, outside agencies, and all of the stakeholders for their collective and exhaustive efforts in conducting the Municipal Comprehensive Review and finalizing the Envision Durham – Draft Regional Official Plan.

October 11, 2022 - The City of Pickering is pleased to announce that CAO, Marisa Carpino, has been named one of this year’s Clean50 Award honourees.

The annual awards program, led by Delta Management Group, celebrates Canada’s top leaders in sustainability, and is selected from 16 diverse categories that transcend industry, academia, government, thought leaders, and advocates.