Black History Month, is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities. We reflect on how they have contributed greatly across Durham Region and Canada as a whole; to be culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous.

Black Canadians have been a part of shaping our heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.

The role of Black Canadians has largely been overshadowed as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who travelled to Canada after the American Revolution settled in the Maritimes, and were in fact people of African descent. It should also be noted that many soldiers of African descent made incredible sacrifices during wartime, and dated as far back as the

War of 1812. Let us not forget that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada; and many of those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society we are able to live freely in today.





Black History Month is a time to learn more about these stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians have made throughout history.

Join myself along with the Rougemount Community and Recreation Association (RCRA) on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the George Ashe Library & Community Centre - located at

470 Kingston Road in the Paris and Franklin Rooms. The feature topic is on the City's Rouge Valley Park and more.

Please join us - all are welcome!

For future Town Hall Meeting information, including dates & locations, please contact the Council Office by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 905.420.4605.

The Mayor's Proposed 2024 Budgets are now available to view online at: LetsTalkPickering.ca/Budget. It is an opportunity for the public to view the budget and provide feedback through comments. Get informed on Pickering's 2024 Budget Process.

• View the Mayor's Proposed Capital Budget & 2025-2033 Forecast and Mayor's Proposed Current Budget 
• Learn more about the Strong Mayor Powers
• Learn about the Financial Impact of Bill 23
• Watch the Budget Presentation and Q&A with the City's Director, Finance & Treasurer

A breakdown of our Council Meeting Highlights are available on the City's website here.

The official meeting minutes are also publicly available through the City's website calendar and Corporate Records webpages.

The next public Council Meeting is being held on February 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of Pickering City Hall.

Regional Council continues to be an Advocate on all fronts, be it through a membership with Association Ontario Municipalities (AMO), Federation of Municipalities (FCM) along with pressing for changes to current Provincial Legislation that is negatively impacting

Tax Payers.

The Region plays a significant role in providing essential services and resources to all of their corresponding municipalities. Check out the January 31,

Durham Region CAO Briefing Note summary to learn more. 

I want to express my appreciation to the cross-section of Durham residents along with the many bus drivers and operators who attended the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee on February 7th.

The many delegations provided important insight into how the recent changes to service has negatively impacted numerous riders, resulting in them being left behind.

Subsequent to the implementation of the January 1st changes in service levels,

I have been working with those impacted to encourage DRT to revisit the changes. In response, DRT committed to a

mid-January review.

Following the mid-January review, DRT announced improvements (including restoring the Sunbird Trail Loop with limited services commencing February 19th from 8 am - 10 am and 3 pm - 7 pm).

Even with these changes, there still remains many left behind unable to access Public Transit. This prompted me to successfully introduced a motion asking staff to report back to the next DRT Executive Committee Meeting (March 6th) on the costs to reinstate the lost services that were implemented January 1st.

I remain optimistic that through the continued support and input from transit users, a balance can be found that will leave no one behind.

MOVED BY Commissioner Brenner

SECONDED BY Commissioner Anderson

A) That Report #2024-DRT-01 be received for information; and

That staff be directed to report back as part of the budget discussions at the next Transit Executive Committee Meeting the cost of reinstating the lost service through the January optimization without reducing the positive changes made.

DATED this 7th Day of February, 2024.

Carried on a Recorded Vote.

Starting January 6, Pickering residents can enjoy indoor skating for free at the CHD Recreation Complex Arena.

Free Public Skating will be available on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 pm.

Reservation required: Skate time must be booked in advance and can be booked up to one week in advance; now booking for the week of January 6.

Book online at pickering.ca/active

Spaces are limited. See website for complete details: pickering.ca/arenas

Come out to the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex on Monday,

February 19 for some free Family Day fun! All activities are free however, some require

pre-registration to reserve your spot. Visit our website to see the schedule and full details.

The CHD Recreation Complex Health Club hours are 6:00 am - 5:00 pm for family day.

For a full list of operating hours visit the following website here.

The waterfront trail will be closed from Bruce Handscomb Memorial Park to Elvira Court to permit the reconstruction of that section of the trail. This temporary Trail closure is anticipated to Summer 2024.

For more information, visit the City's website Notice here and see attached.

The second draft of the Consolidated Zoning By-law (formerly Comprehensive Zoning By-law) is now posted on Let’s Talk Pickering's website here and the City of Pickering website here. This includes:

1. Second Draft Consolidated Zoning By-law text
2. Updated Interactive Mapping
3. Comment response table

Site-specific By-laws (now called exceptions) and an exception review rationale table will be posted by

mid-February 2024. 

An in-person Open House about the second draft will be held on March 12, 2024 between 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm.

The statutory public consultation will be held on April 2, 2024. 

Notice for these events will be posted on the City’s website, social media platforms, community boards, and in the

Toronto Star.  

The Lobbyist Registry is up and running, and it is now mandatory for those that lobby Public Officer Holders. The team from the Clerks Department has played a lead role in not only preparing the Lobbyist Registry By-law, but also the tools that will assist Public Office Holders and Lobbyists to understand the definition of a Public Officer Holder.