RED ALERT: Pickering City Hall Just Got Caught Playing Games With Our Prime Farmland

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]Hey guys, Councillor Lisa Robinson here.

[00:00:02]Right now we have an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the 9,300 acres of federal airport lands just north of Highway 7. These are some of the best class one farmland in Canada. Active farms producing food today and large parts sit right here in the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine.

[00:00:21]The feds have already said no to an airport and thousands of us want to see the whole area protected forever as farmland and added to the Rouge National Urban Park. That would be a huge win for farming, clean water, nature, trails, and future generations right here in our own backyard. But here's what's not sitting right with me at all.

[00:00:41]Tomorrow, the city is having an open house. That's Wednesday night. It's a drop-in. It's not even a presentation.

[00:00:48]And there, they're only going to show you three options for this land. And every single one of them turns some of that prime farmland and Greenbelt land into employment or industrial uses. When I asked them yesterday during a meeting, they confirmed with me that there is no option four. You know, the one that simply says leave the lands exactly as they are. Full agricultural protection and expand the Rouge National Urban Park.

[00:01:12]They said, well, you know what? Maybe if we get enough feedback, we'll add it.

[00:01:16]But you all know what that means. The last time I called out a skewed survey like this, I lost 3 months pay. So I guess I'm qualified to spot one. But seriously, this feels exactly like that.

[00:01:27]It's not a real choice. It's a loaded question. It's pushing everyone toward how much of our farmland do you want us to pave? Instead of asking the obvious, do you want to keep it as farmland? Why are the only options about development when we don't even want it or need it here in Pickering? Seaton, right next door, is only 30 to 39% built out and already has room for decades of growth and over 35,000 jobs. These federal lands don't need to be touched at all.

[00:01:56]So if you believe like I do that these lands should stay 100% as farmland and become part of the Rouge National Urban Park, here's what you need to do. Go to the open house this Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 at City Hall and tell them loud and clear that you want to see an option four. Full agricultural protection, no employment lands, and full transfer to Parks Canada. Even if you can't make it in person, email the city before May 1st and copy Pickering's clerk, mayor, and council. Put in the subject line, federal lands, demand an option four be given to keep it all as farmland and park. This is our land. This is our food security and our Greenbelt. The city works for us. Let's make sure that they hear what the people actually want. Not just the options that they want us to pick. Share this video, bring a friend Wednesday night, and let's protect this treasure together for our kids and our grandkids. I am Councillor Lisa Robinson, the people's counselor, and I will never whisper the truth to protect a lie. So if you believe real power belongs to the people, follow me, subscribe, and please share this message.

[00:02:57]Until next time, stand strong, stay fierce, and God bless.