The Pickering Lands

What’s the issue?

The Pickering Lands have been under development threat since 1972, when the Government of Canada acquired 18,600 acres of land to develop a new airport. It was later determined that a smaller footprint was required, and portions of the lands were transferred to Parks Canada to form part of Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP) in 2015 and 2017. In January 2025, the government announced that the Pickering Lands would not be used for a future airport site, and on March 2nd, 2026, announced the opening of public consultation to decide the ultimate fate of these lands, which could see residential or commercial development, a corridor for the Alto High Speed Rail line, or, they could be added to RNUP and protected as agricultural lands. Approximately 9,300 acres remain with Transport Canada – the majority of which are Class 1 agricultural lands.

Learn More

“Class 1 farmland is a rare natural resource in Canada, representing only 0.5% of the country’s total land mass. Municipalities in Southern Ontario collectively house 50% of this finite land – the Pickering Lands up for debate hold 6,700 acres of Class 1 land. The lands represent a rare opportunity to safeguard this gift for future generations, and protect against global market uncertainties by investing in food security and sovereignty.”

 NFU-O Calls on Transport Canada to Permanently protect the Pickering Lands

“Adding the remaining 9,600 acres of unprotected ‘airport’ lands to RNUP and offering the arable land to new, young and equity-deserving food-producing farmers through 30-year renewable leases would help transform the area into a permanent regional food hub, serving Canada’s largest urban market.

 Expansion of RNUP has the potential to: 

• strengthen local agriculture and the local economy
• protect some of the best farmland in the province
• provide ecological services and reduce GHGs
• support the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry soil report recommendations, and help meet Natural Heritage Conservation targets
• support new, young and equity-deserving farmers with a new farmer entrant strategy, and connect new and young farmers with farmland leases on public farmland, as well as support them through the initial development of their agricultural businesses
• restore and revitalize the local community within and adjacent to the park.”

A Vision for a Regional Food Hub on the Federal Pickering Lands

Our Goals

Add the remaining 9,600 acres of unprotected ‘airport’ lands to RNUP and offering the arable land to new, young and equity-deserving food-producing farmers through 30-year renewable leases would help transform the area into a permanent regional food hub, serving Canada’s largest urban market.

Our Actions

• January 27th, 2025: The Minister of Transport announces the Pickering Lands will not be used for a future airport site
• March 2026: NFU-O holds a town hall with 30 attendees from various sectors (ag, conservation, environment). High level outcomes of our town hall: The group emphasized the importance of preserving the land for agriculture and discussed strategies to advocate for its transfer to Rouge National Urban Park. They highlighted the need for broader consultation with Indigenous communities and called for increased RNUP staff support for diversified farming initiatives on the land. The conversation ended with participants agreeing to take actions like attending in-person consultations, completing surveys, and writing letters to advocate for the land’s protection.
• March 2026: NFU-O leadership members (Local 345 Youth Representative and Youth Advisor) attend a Greenbelt Foundation meeting to organize.
• March 2026: NFU-O leadership members (Local 345 President and Youth Advisor) attend a consultation meeting with Transport Canada.
• NFU-O runs a letter writing campaign
• April 2026: Leadership & staff connect with RNUP staff to connect on the vision for the lands
• April 2026: Leadership & staff reach out to the other AFO’s to coordinate a joint letter to the Minister of Transport
• April 2026: NFU-O included in Environmental Defence Canada media release
• April 2026: NFU-O representative attended City of Pickering presentation on ideas for TC lands
• April 2026: NFU-O representative starts attending regular Greenbelt Foundation Pickering Lands strategy meetings
• May 2026: NFU-O representative & staff meeting with RNUP staff
• May 2026: RNUP staff confirmed that applications for the six public positions on their advisory board will be available in mid-2027
• May 27th, 2026: Ongoing Greenbelt Foundation meetings are put on hold until further notice/ until Transport Canada makes a decision on the future of the lands

Take Action

Farmland is finite. Do your part to protect it!

Send a letter to direct Transport Canada to permanently protect all 9,300 acres of these lands by transferring them into an expanded Rouge National Urban Park:

93 Letters for 9,300 Acres – Protect the Pickering Lands!