Ontario First Nation reaffirms opposition to development plans in northeast Pickering

While environmentalists and others opposed to the plan to develop 16,000 hectares of farmland in northeast Pickering and add 72,000 residents over the next 25 years are preparing for what could be a long council meeting tonight, one of the key players in the proposal remains firmly in the ‘against’ category, despite meeting with Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe last month to try and hash out their differences.

Mississaugas of Scugog Island Chief Kelly LaRocca said the First Nation has “consistently expressed opposition” to the plan to develop the lands and a meeting with Ashe on April 20 to establish a protocol for future discussions resolved little.

LaRocca said her issue with the proposal start with “unresolved concerns” about meaningful discussions, inconsistency with provincial planning, unaddressed “cumulative impact concerns” and the potential for “adverse impacts” to Aboriginal and treaty rights.

“Discussions are continuing with the City of Pickering but no agreement has been finalized at this time,” she said in a statement. “MSIFN’s position with respect to the secondary plan remains the same.”

The ambitious plan was sent back to staff for another report two months ago, with Ashe also agreeing to meet with LaRocca, who has long been unhappy with the lack of “meaningful dialogue” with Ashe and council.

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca

“MSIFN is open to developing strong partnerships and participation in meaningful engagement,” LaRocca said. “We are committed to proper consultation and are willing to participate in such a process.”

Environmental organizations like Stop Sprawl Durham are calling for an “immediate pause” on the plan based on fiscal, environmental and “social irresponsibility” and want the proposal – initiated by the developer-led Northeast Pickering Landowners Group – deferred until all necessary studies have been completed.

Pickering Councillor Maurice Brenner, however, said at a recent meeting that stopping development from eventually happening in northeast Pickering is largely out of Pickering Council’s hands because of recent actions by the provincial government in their quest to get more homes built.

“It’s like a speeding train,” Brenner said of the future of housing on the lands, “and we don’t have the power to stop it.”

The lands are roughly bounded by Sixth Concession on the south, Eighth Concession on the north, Westney Road on the west and Lakeridge Road on the east.