The Pickering Frenchman’s Bay acquisition effort is moving forward as the city continues working toward a proposed purchase that would bring the bay and associated waterfront lands into public ownership.
Pickering council recently met behind closed doors to discuss a proposed or pending land acquisition involving Frenchman’s Bay, continuing a years-long effort to protect the waterfront from development the city considers inappropriate.
The financial and negotiating details of the latest discussions have not been publicly disclosed.
However, the City of Pickering says it remains committed to acquiring the privately owned bay and returning the property to the public realm.
Pickering Frenchman’s Bay Acquisition Has Long History
Frenchman’s Bay has an unusual ownership structure.
While most bodies of water are under Crown ownership, Pickering says Frenchman’s Bay is governed by a Crown charter issued in 1853, 14 years before Confederation.
The charter formally incorporated the Pickering Harbour Company, which has owned the bay since that time.
Because the company was created before Canada and its modern constitutional framework existed, the city says development of the bay may not be subject to exactly the same legal and planning framework as development elsewhere in Pickering.
That history is one of the reasons municipal officials have pushed to bring the bay into public ownership.
Previous $30-Million Offer Rejected
The Pickering Harbour Company placed its waterfront holdings on the market in 2023.
The first listing sought $60 million for property at 600 Liverpool Road, consisting of approximately 34 acres of land in Lake Ontario and 133 acres within Frenchman’s Bay.
A separate commercial property at 591 Liverpool Road, containing a marine services and boat-storage operation on just under six acres, was listed for $20 million.
Pickering retained KPMG to conduct a competitive market analysis and help establish the fair market value of the properties.
The city subsequently made a $30-million proposal to acquire Frenchman’s Bay and all related Pickering Harbour Company lands.
That proposal was rejected.
Pickering then submitted another proposal seeking only the bay itself and a portion of the eastern spit lands. That offer was also rejected.
City Now Seeking Provincial and Federal Funding
The city has continued pursuing the acquisition despite those earlier setbacks.
Pickering says it has committed $10 million toward purchasing Frenchman’s Bay and associated land parcels.
Under the proposed three-government funding model, Pickering would contribute $10 million, with another $10 million sought from Ontario and $10 million from the federal government.
Mayor Kevin Ashe has written to the federal government requesting support for the acquisition.
In the city’s latest public material, Pickering says it is in the final stages of confirming provincial support and is focused on securing the federal contribution required to complete the proposed $30-million purchase.
City Says Public Ownership Would Protect Waterfront
Pickering argues that public ownership would provide greater long-term protection for Frenchman’s Bay.
The city says its goals include maintaining public access and recreational opportunities, improving environmental stewardship and protecting the waterfront from overly intensive development.
Municipal officials have also pointed to the ecological, recreational and cultural importance of the bay and surrounding lands.
Frenchman’s Bay remains one of Pickering’s most prominent waterfront areas, with marinas, trails, beaches and recreation facilities surrounding the bay.
The city has previously opposed waterfront development applications it considered inappropriate and says it will continue applying rigorous planning standards to future proposals regardless of ownership.
The Pickering Frenchman’s Bay acquisition remains subject to negotiations, funding arrangements and due diligence. No completed sale has been publicly announced.
