First Nation reaffirms opposition to major development in northeast Pickering, Ontario

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation has reaffirmed its opposition to the City of Pickering’s desire to open up 1,600 hectares of land for development without “meaningful and legally required” consultation.

The First Nation has been on record against developing the lands in northeast Pickering for long-term housing and employment opportunities since 2021 and is asking Durham Region to honour the bilateral agreement renewed in July that formalizes both parties’ intentions to develop strong partnerships and participate in meaningful engagement.

Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca, in a letter sent Feb. 10 to the region’s Committee of the Whole, is asking Durham Region to not enter into an Environmental Assessment funding agreement with the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group for the regional services required to support the development in Northeast Pickering.

The First Nation officially filed a request with the housing ministry in November for an individual comprehensive environmental assessment to address “potential adverse impacts” from the development of the lands. Their request, however, “continues to be unaddressed.”

“It is also critical that Durham Region is aware that MSIFN has not entered into any form of a relationship agreement with the City of Pickering,” LaRocca said, “and any claims otherwise are misinformation.”

Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca

The letter cited four parts of the Bilateral Agreement that are being breached, noting Scugog Island’s position on northeast Pickering “has not changed.”

“It is crucial that Durham Region does not take actions that will fast track commencement of the EA.”

“We trust that Durham Region will act in the spirit of reconciliation and uphold the MSIFN-Durham Bilateral Agreement.”

City staff in Pickering have prepared an Official Plan Amendment for the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, with the potential for the lands to attract as many as 70,000 new residents.

The plan will set the vision and guiding principles for how the area will grow over the next 30 years and will determine the land use, transportation, placemaking, built form, streetscape, and sustainable design for the area.

The land, bounded by Westney Road to the west, Eighth Concession to the north, Lake Ridge Road to the east and Highway 7 to the south, has long been the battleground of residents and activists who want to see it preserved for farmland.

Environmental groups like Land Over Landings and their predecessors, fresh off a celebration half a century in the making in stopping the Pickering Airport just to the west a year ago, are expected to voice their opposition to the plan at the meeting, along with representatives from Scugog Island Firat Nation.

Residents are invited to check out the proposal at a virtual meeting March 2.