Bundle 10, which includes the Whitevale Marsh, is now being offered for sale to developers by IO's realtor. Offers will be looked at in the new year. We are still determined to advocate for the preservation of the marshlands. On Tuesday, December 10, we met virtually our MPP, Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy and Minister of Infrastructure Surma, in the presence of Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe. Minister Bethlenfalvy and Mayor Ashe have long supported our cause. Mayor Ashe, as Mayor Ryan did in the past, had written a letter of support for our project to Minister Surma. Minister Surma listened to our arguments but insisted that the process of selling the land was in motion.  Her staff indicated that the marsh area that will be protected will be larger (see image below), following the results of an ecological assessment recently done for IO, which, we were told, recommend putting low density housing only in the flat areas. We are trying to get a copy of that ecological report. The marsh is not sold yet. The IO staff suggested a process of collaboration between the city, the future owner and our group once it is sold. We still hope to save this site, 36 acres of forests and marshlands in a former aggregate pit, with a striking topography of cliffs and valleys, in proximity to the Seaton trail and pristine West Duffins.










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Some Background

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The Whitevale Nature and Marsh Committee is dedicated to preserving and restoring the former quarry located immediately North of Whitevale and West of North Road. This area is for now in public hands, owned but the Province of Ontario but Infrastructure Ontario has included in Package 10, which is presently offered for sale to developers. Infrastructure Ontario has even applied for rezoning with the City of Pickering, and has proposed a residential plan, which seems superimposed to the site, without consideration to its ecology nor topography. This site has not been recently studied for its environmental significance. This area is in the process of regenerating. Its flora and fauna are rich, including milkweed where monarch find the ideal habitat, numerous patches of thyme thriving in the sandy areas, woodlots and meadows with diverse habitats for birds and other wildlife. Its striking topography of valleys occupied and marshes, as well as dramatic cliffs overlooking these lower a...
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 The City of Pickering council has reiterated its support for the protection of the Whitevale marsh at the September 3, 2024 Council meeting and Mayor Ashe subsequently sent a support letter to Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Surma. We need to continue putting pressure on the Province for them to work with the City of Pickering to stop the planned development of the marsh and instead create a nature park for the community with a trailhead connecting to the Seaton trail. Email Uxbridge-Pickering MPP Bethlenfalvy  (peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org)  and  the Minister of Housing and infrastructure: The Honourable Kinga Surma (Minister.MOI@ontario.ca)
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