From a small town once sprawling with farm fields to a municipality that continues to expand, Pickering is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
To mark the occasion, City Hall hosted the mayor’s New Year’s levee event for residents to enjoy on Jan. 11.
“We were a population of about 18,000 people, and today we’re a population of over 100,000 people,” said Dave Ryan, the former and longest-serving mayor of Pickering.
Attendees were invited to enjoy refreshments, activities and live entertainment while reflecting on the city’s achievements.
Kevin Ashe, the current mayor of Pickering, said it’s been an “exciting year for the city, marked by growth, innovation and achievements that will benefit our community for years to come.”
Ashe recalled how the city approved its first corporate strategic plan and announced the refurbishment of Pickering’s nuclear generating station, with a goal of creating more jobs and providing green, sustainable energy across Ontario.
He also introduced Pickering’s first EDI strategy (equity, diversity, inclusion), which focuses on five main areas: education and awareness, structure and resources, community consultation and engagement, policies and practices and measurement and accountability.
As the town continues to welcome new residents into the community, Ryan discussed the municipality’s need to balance residents’ needs and incomes with external demands.
Ryan explained that many Pickering residents bought their homes in the late 1960s and early 1970s for $12,000 to $18,000, and have since raised their families and retired on modest pensions. “They’re retired now on relatively small pensions, and their taxes today are costing them more than their mortgage did when they moved here in the first place,” he said.
Ashe acknowledged that taxes are one of the main concerns raised by residents but assured that the city is working to keep the issue under control.
“ We had the smallest tax increase for 2025, 3.75 per cent. I’ve been happy to work with my council colleagues to keep our tax at about the rate of inflation,” he said. “There is a need as we grow to have monies to invest in our infrastructure, and that’s a priority for me.”
Ashe added that the city is aiming to expand healthcare facilities to accommodate the growing demand for senior care, including a new rehabilitation hospital and the recently opened Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre. A 200-bed long-term care home is also under construction and is expected to open in the summer of 2026.
Before concluding the New Year’s Levee, Ashe announced plans to commemorate the city’s 25th anniversary with a curated art installation by local artists at Pickering City Centre and the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex this spring. Additionally, City Hall will plant 25 silver maple trees across all three wards, including Esplanade Park, as part of the celebrations.