Pickering, Ontario

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For other uses, see Pickering (disambiguation).
Pickering
—  City  —
Nautical Village on Lake Ontario
Nickname(s): P-Town, P'ring
Map showing Pickering's location in Durham Region
Coordinates: 43°50′22″N 79°4′53″W / 43.83944°N 79.08139°W / 43.83944; -79.08139
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
Region Durham Region
Established 1811 (township)
1974 (town)
2000 (city)
Government
 • Mayor David Ryan
 • Governing body Pickering City Council
 • MPs Corneliu Chisu (Pickering—Scarborough East)
Chris Alexander (Ajax—Pickering)
 • MPP Wayne Arthurs (Pickering—Scarborough East)
Joe Dickson (Ajax—Pickering)
Area
 • Total 231.58 km2 (89.41 sq mi)
Elevation 83.8 m (274.9 ft)
Population (2009)[1]
 • Total 100,273
 • Density 379.3/km2 (982/sq mi)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC−5)
 • Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) (UTC−4)
Area code(s) 289 / 905
Website cityofpickering.com

Pickering is a city located in Southern Ontario, Canada immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, the largest metropolitan area in Canada.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early Period

This was Native Canadian territory for thousands of years. The first recorded history of this area was in 1669, when the French Jesuit missionary M. Fenelon noted reaching the Seneca village of Gandatsetiagon, on the shores of Frenchman's Bay. He wintered here, and started missionary work.[2]

[edit] European Settlement

Surveying of the township was probably completed by 1776.[3] An 1813 census gives a population of 180 -- 40 more than neighbouring Scarborough. A large influx of Quaker settlers from the eastern United States came in the early 1810s.[4] The main thrufare at this time was the Kingston Road, which cut through the south of the township on its way from York (now Toronto) to Kingston.

Pickering was involved in the Mackenzie Rebellion of 1837. One of the leaders, Peter Matthews had formerly been one of the most prominent members of the community.[5]

[edit] Twentieth century

In 1941, the southeastern portion of the township became the independent town of Ajax. This has caused confusion, as one of the population centres of the original township, Pickering Village, is now found in Ajax, along with its eponymous secondary school.

[edit] Demographics

Census Population
1981 37,754
1991 68,831
1996 78,989
2001 87,139
2006 87,838
Est. 2009 100,273
2011 94,200

Pickering has experienced rapid growth in the post-war period. Between 1996 and 2009, the municipality experienced a growth rate of 12 percent (78,989 people to 100,273). Population growth has slowed considerably in recent years, growing only slightly between the 2001 and 2006 census. This is due mainly to development restrictions on land in the northern portion of the city. Negotiations are ongoing to permit development in this area. Consequently, the city has estimated that by 2023, Pickering will be home to nearly 170,000 residents.[6] The province of Ontario has also designated Pickering as one of two municipalities in Durham Region as an urban growth centre.

A significant portion of Pickering residents are classified as visible minorities. According to the 2006 census, 10% of the city's population is Black, 9% South Asian, 3% Filipino and 2% East Asian. 70% of the population identifies as White.[1]

[edit] Communities

The southern part of the city is mainly suburban, with industrial areas mainly restricted to the area around Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. Most of the suburban areas were built as subdivisions after World War II, starting in the area around Frenchman's Bay. Prior to the war, the few suburban areas in the township were the communities of Dunbarton, Fairport Beach, Liverpool Market, and Rouge Hill. Squires Beach, located by the lakeshore in the southeast part of the city, is now a ghost town.

The northern part of the municipality is mainly rural, primarily used for agricultural purposes. However, a number of communities exist in this area, and the locally controversial Seaton area also falls within this part of the city. The primary rural communities in Pickering are Claremont, Brougham, and Whitevale; however, a number of smaller communities exist throughout northern Pickering. The abandoned ghost town of Altona is located there.

[edit] Economy

Traffic congestion on Highway 401 in Pickering.

Pickering is home to the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, an eight-reactor facility with a capacity of 4,120 megawatts. The first station, Pickering A, opened with four reactors in 1971. Ontario Power Generation, the plants' operator, is the largest single employer in the city. In 2001, the wind-powered OPG 7 Commemorative Turbine was opened on the generating station site.

A number of manufacturers are also located in the city. Major employers include Yorkville Sound (audio equipment), the Canadian headquarters of Purdue Pharma (pharmaceuticals and health & beauty products), Hubbell Canada (electrical equipment), PSB Speakers - Lenbrook (stereo equipment) and Eco-Tec Inc. (industrial water purification and chemical recovery systems).

Pickering is also the home of the head office of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. MPAC is responsible for value assessment for property tax purposes for all municipalities in Ontario.

Pickering is a founding member of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance or DSEA. The nucleus of the DSEA is primarily Pickering businesses such as Ontario Power Generation, Veridian, Wardrop Engineering, AECL, Intellimeter, Areva and Eco-Tec Inc.

In 2006, Profit magazine recognized Pickering as one of the top 10 cities in Canada to grow a business.

[edit] Malls

[edit] Nautical Village

This picturesque popular summer tourist destination by the lake and Frenchman's Bay features free musical entertainment at Millennium Square, a playground and waterfeature for children, a great boardwalk along the waterfront as well as cafes, restaurants, shops and an art gallery. It is part of the Waterfront Trail in Pickering. Shoppes to explore in our Nautical Village by the Bay: Carberry Soap Co., Loran's Gifts, My Spa, SilverStone Gallery (featuring original works by Durham artists) Restaurants and Cafes: Cafe Crème Brûlée, Hy-Tea Teahouse, PORT on Frenchman's Bay

[edit] Restaurants

Pickering is home to several popular and unique restaurants that keep its residents and newcomers consistently returning as regular customers. Some of these enticing and relaxing restaurants include Lonestar, with its lively patio, Massey's, Wild Wing-with 101 wing flavours and Big M, a burger joint that consistently is voted as having the top hamburgers in all of Pickering. In addition, bars and restaurants such as The Harp, Fox and Fiddle Mansion, Shagwells, and The Bear and Firkin not only offer excellent bar grub such as wings and beer, but often provide nightly entertaining environments for residents to go out, enjoy live music and great food.

Boats and benches by Frenchman's Bay by Millennium Square
Trees in blossom in the springtime in the Nautical Village
Boats docked by the Waterfront Trail in Frenchman's Bay, Pickering

[edit] Government

The city council consists of a mayor, three regional councillors and three city councillors. The mayor and regional councillors sit on the council and also represent the city at Durham Regional Council. The city councillors sit on city council only. Pickering is divided into three wards, with one city councillor and one regional councillor representing each ward.

The current mayor is Dave Ryan.

[edit] Emergency services

Police services in Pickering are provided by the Durham Regional Police from a division office located in the eastern section of the city. Officers from this location also patrol Ajax. Pickering Fire Services operates from four stations with a force of all full-time firefighters. Claremont Fire Hall is now fully staffed by full time firefighters 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ambulance/emergency medical services are provided by Durham Region.

[edit] Education

Pickering is served by the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. As of early 2007, the public board operates 17 elementary schools and two secondary schools, Dunbarton High School and Pine Ridge Secondary School (Pickering High School was previously located in Pickering, but was transferred to Ajax when the city boundaries were changed). The Catholic board runs eight elementary schools and one secondary school, Saint Mary Catholic Secondary School. Blaisdale Montessori School, a private school chain, has several locations throughout Pickering serving children from preschool age to grade 8. There is also a private elementary and junior high school there called Montessori Learning Centre. Also serving the Durham Region is Durham Secondary Academy & Middle School, an inspected private high school and middle school for grades 5 to 12. In August 2011 it was announced that a new joint learning center will be opening as a result of a partnership between Durham and Centennial colleges.

[edit] Famous people and groups

[edit] In film

  • The 1957 CBC/Hollywood production of the classic television show Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans was filmed in Pickering. A farm at the corner of Valley Farm Rd. and 3rd Concession, owned by Arthur Gottlieb, was the setting for the 25-episode series. A fort and pond were built specifically for the show. The site is now a residential area.
  • The Canadian television show Paradise Falls' first season was filmed in the village of Whitevale, as was David Cronenberg's The Dead Zone.
  • The 1994 comedy "The Ref" with Dennis Leary and Kevin Spacey was filmed in part at Port Pickering Marina, on Frenchman's Bay.
  • The 1995 family/adventure film Salt Water Moose starring Timothy Dalton and Lolita Davidovitch was filmed in and around Frenchman's Bay.
  • The 1998 comedy/action film The Big Hit with Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Avery Brooks, Christina Applegate and Elliot Gould, was filmed in part in Pickering near Petticoat Creek.
  • The 2008-09 comedy/family soap Jimmy was filmed in Pickering near Dunbarton High School.[citation needed]
  • The 2003 two-part mini-series Lives of the Saints based on Nino Ricci's award-winning trilogy co-starring Sophia Loren films scenes on a farm just north of Pickering.
  • Pickering Museum Village has been used in the filming of Road to Avonlea, Little Men, and the films Anne of Green Gables and Lantern Hill.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b 2006 Community Profiles - Census Subdivision
  2. ^ Wood 1911, p. 11.
  3. ^ Wood 1911, p. 17.
  4. ^ Wood 1911, p. 18.
  5. ^ Wood 1911, p. 27.
  6. ^ "City of Pickering Economic and Community Profile". City of Pickering. 2005. http://www.cityofpickering.com/business/economic/pdfs/Profile2006.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-03. [dead link]

[edit] References

  • Wood, William Robertson (1911). Past years in Pickering : sketches of the history of the community. Retrieved at the website "Our Roots - Nos Racines", University of Calgary / Université Laval. http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=604545

[edit] Art

Pickering Pioneer Family by Andreas Drenters
  • Homeplace by Dorsey James ~ sculptures
  • Dreamscape by Edward Falkenberg ~ sculpture
  • Millennium Mast by Ron Baird ~ sculpture
  • Pickering Pioneer Family by Andreas Drenters ~ sculpture

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pickering, Ontario


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Toronto Lake Ontario Ajax
Municipalities of Durham Region, Ontario
Largest city: Toronto
Regions
Durham • Halton • Peel • York
Toronto
Cities
Brampton • Burlington • Mississauga • Oshawa • Pickering • Vaughan
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Townships and municipalities

Coordinates: 43°50′07″N 79°05′20″W / 43.8354°N 79.0890°W / 43.8354; -79.0890

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