2026 Budget Engagement - What we Heard

2026 Budget Engagement: What We Heard Summary

Below is a summary of key themes from the 2026 budget engagement activities.

The focus was on education, awareness, and providing residents with an accessible way to share general feedback, which was provided to Mayor Ashe and the City’s Treasurer for consideration in preparing the 2026 budgets.

• Let’s Talk Pickering project site visitors: 1,440+
• Social awareness and education
  1. 540+ Engagements (engagements includes likes, comments, and shares on Facebook, Instagram, and X, as well as eNewsletter click throughs)
  2. 40,500+ Reach (reach is the total number of social media users who have seen the content)
     
     

About This Input

Residents provided open-ended comments through Let’s Talk Pickering, the City’s online engagement platform.

This tool is designed for quick pulse checks, idea-gathering, and identifying high-level themes among engaged participants.

This should not be interpreted as a statistically representative sample of Pickering’s full population.

1. Property Taxes and Affordability
This was the most frequent theme.
Residents expressed strong concerns about increasing property taxes, pressure on affordability, and a desire for minimal or inflation-level increases. Several highlighted concerns that rising costs were not matched by tangible service improvements. Many asked for greater transparency and fiscal restraint.

2. Growth, Development, and Pace of Intensification
Many residents raised concerns about rapid development. This included apprehension about condominium density, pressure on neighbourhood character, and loss of greenspace. Residents requested more measured development and stronger alignment between growth and supporting infrastructure.

3. Traffic, Roads, and Transportation Planning
Traffic was identified as a major quality-of-life issue. Residents highlighted congestion related to Brock Road, Kingston Road, Seaton, and major development areas. They requested improved traffic flow, better road maintenance, safer cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and stronger long-term planning.

4. Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Residents emphasized the value of recreational amenities. They requested improvements or expansions to arenas, ice pads, pools, and community centres, as well as stronger maintenance of existing assets. Some comments offered specific concerns or suggestions about facilities such as Delaney Ice Rink.

5. Seniors’ Needs and Aging in Place
A strong theme came from older adults or those advocating for them. Comments focused on aging in place, affordability challenges, improved accessibility in public spaces, and programming that supports seniors’ wellbeing.

6. Community Safety and Enforcement
Residents shared concerns about crime, break-ins, and general safety in some neighbourhoods. They requested more visible enforcement, better coordination with policing, and stronger measures to address speeding, parking issues, and youth-related disturbances.

7. Infrastructure Capacity and Long-Term Planning
Several residents noted concerns about whether public infrastructure can support ongoing growth. Feedback referenced roads, stormwater systems, transit integration, school capacity, and healthcare access. Respondents emphasized the importance of long-term planning for sustainability and livability.

8. Environmental Protection and Greenspace
Residents expressed strong interest in protecting natural areas, including trails, forests, farmland, and the waterfront. Comments supported tree planting, urban greening initiatives, and ensuring environmental impacts are considered in planning decisions.

9. Community Services and Events
Residents suggested expanding library services, cultural programs, and local events. Some encouraged more support for agritourism and activities that strengthen community identity and small businesses.

10. Transit and Connectivity
Comments highlighted limited transit options and the need for stronger connections with GO Transit, Durham Region Transit, and TTC links. Residents also raised concerns about how limited transit options affect young people who rely on buses to access school, work, programs, and social activities.

Overall Tone and Sentiment
Feedback was concerned but constructive. Residents expressed a desire for prudent financial management, balanced growth, and stronger protection of quality-of-life features. There was appreciation for existing parks and recreation amenities, coupled with expectations for more responsive infrastructure planning and clearer communication.

Examples of Specific Resident Suggestions
Residents offered a range of detailed ideas and location-specific suggestions. While these reflect individual input rather than broad themes, they help illustrate the types of issues residents are thinking about. Please note that some roads listed are under the Region of Durham’s jurisdiction and not the City of Pickering’s.

Examples include:

• Interest in the future of the Twyn Rivers bridge and questions about whether a replacement is planned.
• Requests for improvements or repairs to Delaney Ice Rink, including lighting and maintenance.
• Concerns about road conditions north of Taunton Road and requests for resurfacing in specific neighbourhoods.
• Suggestions to widen Brock Road north of Taunton to improve traffic flow.
• Expressed strong support for the new Seaton Recreation Complex & Library, noting they are pleased the project is moving forward and view its future programming and community resources as essential for the area.
• Requests for additional lighting, traffic calming, or pedestrian safety measures in select areas.
• Suggestions to expand or improve library services and community programming
• Interest in additional recreation facilities, including pools, splash pads, and indoor amenities.
• Suggestions related to agritourism, local business support, and unique cultural or tourism opportunities.

Additional Notes

• Participants provided thoughtful input and demonstrated strong interest in Pickering’s future.
• The themes reflect the views of engaged residents and should not be interpreted as representative of the full population.
• These findings should complement other data sources including capital condition reports, long-term financial planning, and departmental service needs.
• The feedback will help inform budget planning, communication priorities, and future engagement efforts.