Why Should a Ward 1 Councillor Be Concerned About What Happens in the Other Wards?

                                                                                                                                                      By James Blair

                                                                                                                    Candidate for Nomination – City of Pickering, Ward 1

                                                                                                                                                   Policy brief 1 of 6

 

Over the past few weeks, several residents—primarily through Facebook community pages and directly at the recent Ward 1 community function hosted by the Pickering Ward 1 Riding Association—have asked why I am running in Ward 1 while speaking about issues affecting North Pickering and Ward 3. Some have questioned why my advocacy focuses on matters such as the loss of Grade A agricultural farmland, the future of the former airport lands, the continued threat of urban expansion, developer-driven planning concerns, and my work supporting Pickering’s agricultural community and agricultural organizations throughout Durham Region. The suggestion has been made that Ward 1 councillors should focus on Ward 1 issues.

                                         

                                                         The answer is simple: every major land-use decision made anywhere in Pickering impacts the future of our entire city.

 

While councillors are elected to represent their individual wards, they are also entrusted with making decisions that serve the broader interests of all Pickering residents. The choices made today regarding agricultural lands, the former airport lands, and future development patterns will directly affect our taxes, infrastructure costs, environmental sustainability, food security, and economic opportunities for generations. Responsible municipal leadership requires looking beyond ward boundaries and understanding how today’s decisions shape tomorrow’s realities.

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The Reality of Pickering's Economy

Unfortunately, there remains a misconception that Pickering’s only path to economic growth and financial stability is through continued urban development. The reality is that Pickering is much more than an urban community. Nearly two-thirds of our municipality consists of rural agricultural land, representing a significant economic opportunity that has not been fully recognized. While agriculture alone cannot solve all of Pickering’s taxation challenges, it is an important economic sector sitting idle in our backyard. It is ready to be looked at as a true economic resource. Within the municipal boundaries of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Durham has the largest expanse of agricultural land and generates the highest overall agricultural GDP among GTA municipalities at $413 million annually. https://ofa.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/local-snapshot-2024-Durham.pdf

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                 When an opportunity cost assessment is applied, the answer is clear.

This is a question that you might want to ask potential candidates knocking on your door, especially those with a background in business or economics.

 

Farmland as an Economic Engine

Our agricultural lands are not simply vacant fields—they are a foundation for a broader economic ecosystem that supports farmers, local businesses, equipment suppliers, transportation networks, food processing, research, and employment opportunities throughout the region. Durham Region has the largest concentration of agricultural land within the Greater Toronto Area and generates significant economic activity from this sector. When farmland is protected and actively farmed, it continues to provide economic benefits while requiring far less municipal infrastructure investment compared to low-density urban expansion. In contrast, suburban growth requires costly roads, water and sewer systems, stormwater management, emergency services, and ongoing maintenance—costs that ultimately fall on taxpayers.

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The Long-Term Cost of Urban Development on Prime Agricultural Land

Once prime agricultural land is lost to "flash in the pan" development schemes resulting in unwarranted urban expansion, and further destruction of neighbouring agricultural properties occurs due to land fragmentation, it is gone forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlYm3vn4-3Y

Protecting farmland is not about opposing growth; it is about ensuring growth is responsible, financially sustainable, and balanced. A strong agricultural sector strengthens our economy, supports local food security, and provides long-term value for residents. That is why every member of Council should care deeply about the future of Ward 3’s agricultural lands, the former federal airport lands, and our rural communities.

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Responsible planning is not a Ward 1 issue or a Ward 3 issue—it is a Pickering issue. The decisions we make today will determine whether future generations inherit a city with a strong, diversified economy and manageable tax burdens, or one facing increasing infrastructure costs and fewer opportunities.

 

Yours in good faith,

James Blair

Candidate for Nomination – City of Pickering, Ward 1