Council Highlights

City to Provide Emergency Relief Support for Jamaica Hurricane Recovery

Council approved a $2,000 emergency relief contribution to the New Beginnings Community Hurricane Relief Fund to support the Jamaica Recovery Aid initiative. The funding will be provided to New Beginnings Community Church to assist with recovery efforts following recent hurricane impacts.

Refer to Corr. 46-25 on page 2 of the Agenda for details.

 

Council Approves 2026 Community Festivals and Events in City Parks

Council approved park permits, licence agreements, and related authorities to support a range of community festivals, cultural events, and initiatives scheduled to take place in Pickering throughout 2026. This includes returning events such as the Pickering Dragon Boat Festival, Rotary Ribfest, the Pickering Food Truck Festival, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Canada Day celebrations, and several cultural and community-led events hosted in City parks and public spaces.

Read Report CS 30-25 for details.

 

Council Approves Consulting Services for Greenwood Community Centre Remediation and Demolition

Council approved the award of consulting services to support the remediation and demolition of the Greenwood Community Centre, an aging facility located at Greenwood Road. This work supports the transition to the new Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, opening in 2026, and aligns with ongoing planning for the future redevelopment of Greenwood Community Park. The project will be funded through the Facilities Reserve as approved in the City’s capital budget.

Read Report Report CS 35-25 for details

Council Approves Purchase of New Street Sweeper to Support Road Maintenance

Council approved the purchase of a new street sweeper to replace an aging unit that has reached the end of its service life. The new equipment will support routine street cleaning and seasonal maintenance across Pickering, helping to maintain road safety and cleanliness. The purchase will be funded through the Equipment Reserve Fund as approved in the 2025 Capital Budget.

Read Report INF 13-25 for details.

 

Council Advances Official Plan Updates to Align with Provincial Planning Changes

Council approved updates to the Pickering Official Plan to align with recent provincial changes to the Planning Act. The amendments clarify the City’s authority to review and approve certain land consent applications, update parkland dedication policies, encourage early consultation between applicants and the City, and remove density bonusing policies that are no longer permitted under provincial legislation. These changes are administrative in nature and have no direct financial impact on the City.

Read Report PLN 23-25 for details.

 

Beachfront Park and Alex Robertson Park Project Update

Council received an update on the completion of Phase 1 of the Beachfront Park Master Plan and the Alex Robertson Park gravel parking lot project. The park was substantially completed in June 2025 and officially opened to the public in July, with additional elements such as Indigenous artist-designed steel panels and enhanced security features installed following the opening. The project was delivered under budget, with total construction costs approximately $854,000 below the approved net project cost, and was funded through existing reserve sources.

Read Report CAO 21-25 for details.

 

Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre Construction Update

Council received a semi-annual update on the construction of the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, a major community facility currently nearing completion. The project remains under budget, with construction expenditures tracking at approximately 71 percent of the approved contract value as of fall 2025. While the target occupancy date has shifted to January 2026 due to material delivery delays, final commissioning is underway and remaining landscaping work will be completed in spring 2026 to ensure quality and durability before the facility opens to the public.

Read Report CAO 22-25 for details.

 

Harvey House Restoration Consulting Services Approved

Council approved the award of consulting services for the restoration of Harvey House at Pickering Museum Village. The project will support the preservation and adaptive reuse of this historic prefabricated home as a flexible, publicly accessible space for programs, meetings, workshops, and community rentals. The restoration design work will be funded through previously approved capital budgets and reserve sources, with the project proceeding under the City’s established heritage and facilities planning framework.

Read Report CS 37-25 for details.

 

2026 Interim Property Tax Levy and Due Dates Approved

Council approved the 2026 interim property tax levy for all property classes and confirmed interim instalment due dates of February 24 and April 24, 2026. The interim levy is set in accordance with provincial legislation and helps fund ongoing municipal, regional, and school board operations until final 2026 tax rates are approved later in the year.

Read Report FIN 19-25 for details.

 

Fire Protection and Emergency Management Agreement with Ontario Power Generation Approved

Council approved a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario Power Generation to support coordinated fire protection services and community emergency management. The agreement formalizes mutual aid, joint training, and equipment compatibility, and provides ongoing financial support to Pickering Fire Services to enhance emergency preparedness and public safety for the community.

Read Report FIR 07-25 for details.

 

Motions and Notices of Motions

Visit page 10 of the Agenda for details.

• Automated External Defibrillator Awareness
• GO Lakeshore East Express Service
• Protecting Whitevale School House
• Closure of Pedestrian Bridge over Rouge River
• Review of Safety Code 6 Communication Towers
• Seaton Trail