March 12, 2021, Toronto, ON – In accordance with Ontario Regulation 159/21 issued by the Provincial government, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Board of Directors, under duress, has provided permission to interfere with and develop within a Provincially Significant Wetland and place fill and site grade the property known municipally as 1802 Bayly Street in the City of Pickering for the purposes of future development approved by the Province through a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO).
At today’s hearing TRCA’s Board of Directors, as required by amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act made in December 2020, granted the permission and added conditions to lessen negative impacts. Until the agreement is executed, the applicant is prohibited from commencing any fill or site grading works on the property.
Unequivocally, TRCA’s Board of Directors and staff, using a science-based approach to decision making and TRCA’s Living City Policies, would have declined permission of this permit had the Province not intervened. TRCA’s Board of Directors continues to raise substantial concerns with the Provincial directive, which appears to directly conflict with TRCA’s mandate to further the conservation, development, and management of natural resources in watersheds within our jurisdiction, and its regulatory role regarding flooding and interference with wetlands.
Subsequent to the hearing, TRCA has learned that the Province is planning to reach out to the City of Pickering and Regional Municipality of Durham to ask if they would like the MZO amended to exclude the Provincially Significant Wetland portion of the lands that would allow for the construction of a distribution centre. Additionally, the Mayor of Pickering has issued a statement noting that the appropriate next step is to pause any immediate disruption to the wetlands.
Based on this new information, TRCA is unclear on whether this agreement will ever be executed, however, TRCA has fulfilled its Provincially compelled obligation under duress.
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
With more than 60 years of experience, TRCA is the largest of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario, created to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities through the protection and restoration of the natural environment and the ecological services the environment provides. Well over ten percent of Canada’s population (five million residents) live within TRCA-managed watersheds, and many others work in and visit destinations across the jurisdiction. These nine watersheds, plus their collective Lake Ontario waterfront shorelines, span six upper-tier and 15 lower-tier municipalities. Some of Canada’s largest and fastest growing municipalities, including Toronto, Markham and Vaughan, are located entirely within TRCA’s jurisdiction.
Media Contact:
Michael Tolensky
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
416-706-9093 | michael.tolensky@trca.ca