The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Opposes Development (MSIFN) has reaffirmed its strong opposition to the City of Pickering’s plan to open up 1,600 hectares of land in northeast Pickering for long-term housing and employment opportunities. The First Nation claims the development plan has proceeded without the necessary “meaningful and legally required” consultation with Indigenous communities.
The issue has been ongoing since 2021, when the First Nation initially voiced its concerns about the proposed development. In a letter sent on February 10, 2026, to Durham Region’s Committee of the Whole, Scugog Island First Nation Chief Kelly LaRocca asked the region not to enter into an Environmental Assessment (EA) funding agreement with the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group, which is working on the required regional services for the proposed development.
In the letter, Chief LaRocca also highlighted that the First Nation had filed a request in November 2025 with the housing ministry for an individual, comprehensive environmental assessment to address potential negative impacts from the land development. However, this request has yet to be addressed by the authorities, according to the letter.
Chief LaRocca emphasized, “It is also critical that Durham Region is aware that MSIFN has not entered into any form of a relationship agreement with the City of Pickering, and any claims otherwise are misinformation.” The letter also cited several breaches of the Bilateral Agreement signed in July 2025 between MSIFN and Durham Region, which was intended to formalize both parties’ commitments to building strong, cooperative partnerships and ensuring meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities.
The Bilateral Agreement has been a key element in fostering better relations and ensuring that Indigenous voices are part of the development discussions. Chief LaRocca urged Durham Region to act in the spirit of reconciliation and to uphold the terms of the agreement, particularly as the development process moves forward.
The development plan in question involves creating housing for up to 70,000 new residents in northeast Pickering, with a vision for the area’s growth over the next 30 years. The land in question is bounded by Westney Road to the west, Eighth Concession to the north, Lake Ridge Road to the east, and Highway 7 to the south. The land has long been contested by residents and environmental groups, including Land Over Landings, who advocate for preserving the area as farmland.
A virtual meeting will be held on March 2, 2026, where residents and stakeholders can view the proposed Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and voice their concerns. Alongside the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, environmental groups and local activists are expected to speak out against the development at the meeting.
The development of the northeast Pickering lands is likely to remain a hot topic of discussion in Durham Region as consultations continue and the community prepares to weigh in on the future of the area.
