June 22, 2026 Council Highlights

Draft Cultural, Museum, and Public Art Plans presented to Council 

Council received an update on the draft Cultural Strategic Plan, Museum Strategic Plan, and Art in Public Spaces Plan, which will help guide Pickering’s cultural programming, museum services, and public art over the next decade. 

The plans reflect extensive community and stakeholder feedback and respond to Pickering’s continued growth and changing demographics. Together, they focus on placemaking, intercultural arts, youth and family programming, the creative economy, public art, and the future of Pickering Museum Village. 

The draft plans will be released for a final phase of public consultation in July 2026, giving residents and key stakeholders another opportunity to provide input before the plans return to Council for final consideration and approval. 

Read Report CS 15-26 for details.  

Council endorses new Economic Development Strategic Plan 

Council endorsed Building Our Future: Pickering’s Economic Growth Roadmap, the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. 

Developed through research, economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement, the strategy provides a roadmap to help guide investment attraction, business growth, job creation, and economic diversification over the next five years. It also positions Pickering to respond to evolving market conditions, infrastructure investments, and continued population growth. 

The strategy identifies opportunities to strengthen Pickering’s competitiveness, attract new investment, support local businesses, and expand the City’s non-residential tax base while advancing broader community and economic development objectives. 

Read Report ECD 04-26 for details.  

Council approves 2027 Committee and Council Meeting Schedule 

Council approved the City’s 2027 Committee and Council Meeting Schedule, which sets the dates for regular Council, Executive Committee, Planning & Development Committee, and Statutory Public Meetings under the Planning Act. 

Approving and posting the annual schedule supports openness, transparency, and accountability by giving residents advance notice of regular meeting dates and opportunities to follow Council business throughout the year. 

The schedule follows the City’s Procedure By-law, with adjustments made where needed for statutory holidays and significant dates. 

Read Report CLK 05-26 for details.  

Council approves traffic by-law updates for Pickering roads  

Council approved updates to the City’s Traffic and Parking By-law to address parking, stopping, and traffic control changes on several roads. 

The updates include new parking or stopping restrictions on sections of Azalea Avenue, Canso Drive, Earl Grey Avenue, and Twyn Rivers Drive, as well as a new all-way stop at Palmers Sawmill Road and Four Seasons Lane. 

The changes respond to area resident concerns and are intended to support safer traffic flow, improve visibility, and help manage parking and stopping activity in these locations. 

Read Report ENG 09-26 for details. 

2026 Corporate Asset Management Plan Update received by Council 

Council received the 2026 Corporate Asset Management Plan Update, which tracks the condition, performance, and long-term funding needs of the City’s infrastructure assets. 

The update shows that Pickering is making progress in several areas, including inspections, maintenance compliance, fire asset readiness, climate restoration, and parts of capital renewal delivery. It also identifies areas where several metrics remain challenging, particularly in roads, structures, culvert inspections, facility condition, energy performance, and long-term funding alignment.  

Council directed staff to continue monitoring and reporting annually on key performance indicators, implementation challenges, and strategies to support sustainable service delivery. Staff will also continue refining the City’s long-term infrastructure funding strategy to help manage risk and reduce future backlogs. 

Read Report FIN 08-26 for details.   

Official Plan Amendment approved for lands near Brock Road and Highway 407 

Council approved Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-004P for lands located near Brock Road and Highway 407 within the Thompson’s Corners Neighbourhood of the Seaton Community. 

The amendment updates land use designations in the area to support a broader mix of uses, including residential, institutional, office, service commercial, employment, and community-serving uses. The changes reflect updated provincial planning policy, evolving market conditions, and the emerging development context in this part of Seaton. 

The amendment supports a more complete and integrated community structure while maintaining opportunities for employment-generating uses. Detailed development matters will be addressed through future planning applications, including zoning, subdivision, and site plan approvals. 

Read Report PLN 12-26 for details.  

Council affirms heritage designation for 681 Pleasant Street 

Council declined an objection submitted by the property owner’s legal representative and affirmed its previous decision to designate 681 Pleasant Street, known as the Mansfield House, under the Ontario Heritage Act. 

The designation recognizes the property’s cultural heritage value, including its physical character, historical associations, and connection to the surrounding area. Protecting properties like this helps preserve Pickering’s local history and ensures significant heritage resources are considered as the city continues to grow and change. 

The designation by-law will be finalized and forwarded to Council for enactment. If the decision is appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, staff have been directed to take the necessary steps to support Council’s position. 

Read Report PLN 13-26 for details.  

Municipal Infrastructure and Servicing Agreement with OPG approved 

Note: Report CAO 06-26 was deferred at the May 25, 2026 Council Meeting. 

Council authorized the City to enter into a Municipal Infrastructure and Servicing Agreement with Ontario Power Generation, establishing a framework for infrastructure, servicing, and community coordination related to OPG’s ongoing operations and refurbishment plans in Pickering. 

The agreement includes significant commitments from OPG, including contributions of up to $10 million toward the design and construction of Fire Hall #5 and up to $10 million toward the City’s acquisition of 591 Liverpool Road. OPG is also undertaking rehabilitation work on Sandy Beach Road and reconstruction work on Montgomery Park Road to support the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment project and the surrounding community. 

The agreement supports long-term coordination with one of Pickering’s largest employers and strategic partners while helping protect the City’s financial and operational interests. 

Read Report CAO 06-26 for details. 

Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre Project Update received by Council 

Council received Milestone Report #5 on the construction of the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, which is now open to the public and serving residents as a new community, cultural, and heritage destination. 

The report confirms that the construction phase is substantially complete and that the project remains under budget. Partial occupancy was achieved earlier this year and has since expanded, allowing public access and operations to begin while remaining close-out work continues. 

The Centre brings together community programming, heritage services, cultural space, and public amenities in one facility, supporting Pickering’s commitment to inclusive, welcoming, and connected community spaces. 

Read Report CAO 08-26 for details.   

Automatic door reliability at City facilities referred for review 

Council endorsed advice from the Accessibility Advisory Committee and directed staff to review the reliability of automatic and accessible doors at City facilities. 

The Committee raised concerns that inconsistent door operation can create barriers for residents with disabilities, particularly for those who rely on automatic doors for independent access to municipal buildings and services. 

Staff will review current practices, identify gaps, and report back on options to improve maintenance, monitoring, inspections, and accountability for accessible door infrastructure across City facilities. This work supports more consistent and equitable access to public spaces and programs. 

Read Report CAO 09-26 for details.  

Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar appointed for 2026–2030 Term of Council 

Council appointed Boghosian + Allen LLP as the City’s Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar for the 2026–2030 term of Council, beginning November 15, 2026. 

The appointment ensures these independent accountability roles are in place at the start of the new Council term. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice and oversight related to Council and local board codes of conduct, ethical obligations, and conflict of interest matters, while the Lobbyist Registrar supports transparency in lobbying activity. 

Council also approved the related agreement and by-law to confirm the appointment. 

Read Report CLK 06-26 for details.  

Playground equipment replacement and fitness station construction approved 

Council approved the contract for playground equipment replacement and fitness station construction at several City parks. 

The project includes playground replacements at Bay Ridges Kinsmen Park, Clearside Park, Glengrove Park, and Pinegrove Park, as well as new fitness stations at East Woodlands Park, Alex Robertson Park, and Glengrove Park. 

The work supports safe, welcoming, and active outdoor spaces for residents of all ages. The City also secured provincial grant funding through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to help offset eligible playground replacement costs. 

The tender was awarded to Gray’s Landscaping & Snow Removal Inc.  

Read Report ENG 10-26 for details.  

Annual Treasurer’s Statement Report received by Council 

Council received the Annual Treasurer’s Statement Report: Summary of Activity for the Year Ended December 31, 2025, as required under the Development Charges Act and Planning Act. 

The report provides an annual summary of the City’s development charges, community benefits charges, and cash-in-lieu of parkland reserve funds. These growth funding tools help pay for new infrastructure needed to support development, while reducing the burden on existing property taxpayers. 

The Annual Treasurer’s Statement Report will be posted on the City’s website for public access. 

Read Report FIN 10-26 for details.  

Sixth Concession Road Reconstruction and Greenwood Bridge Rehabilitation approved 

Council approved the award of Request for Tender T2026-6 for the Sixth Concession Road Reconstruction and Greenwood Bridge Rehabilitation project. 

The project will address aging infrastructure, bridge deficiencies, and stormwater servicing needs along Sixth Concession Road between Highway 7 and Greenwood Road. The work continues previous improvements in the area and supports safe, reliable, and well-maintained road and bridge infrastructure. 

The tender was awarded to Nuroad Construction Limited, with contract administration and construction inspection services awarded to JP2G Consultants Inc. 

Read Report INF 09-26 for details.  

Heritage Permit approved for Phase 1 of Whitevale Road Reconstruction Project 

Council approved Heritage Permit Application HP 01/26 for Phase 1 of the Whitevale Road Reconstruction Project, between Golf Club Road and West Duffins Creek, including a portion of North Road. 

The work is part of the broader Whitevale Master Drainage Plan Implementation Project and will help address flooding, drainage, erosion, and aging infrastructure in the hamlet of Whitevale. 

Because the project is located within the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District, the permit includes conditions to help protect the area’s cultural heritage landscape during construction. These include tree protection and preservation measures, pre-construction condition surveys, vibration monitoring, arborist oversight, landscape restoration, and best management practices to reduce impacts on the district’s rural character. 

Read Report PLN 16-26 for details.  

Visit pickering.ca to view the agenda and meeting minutes.