Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford
Ontario Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Marit Stiles
Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner
Mayor of Clarington, Adrian Foster
Durham Region Chair, John Henry
Clarington Regional Councillors Wards 1&2, Granville Anderson; Wards 3&4 WIllie Woo
Clarington Local Councillors; Sami Elhajjeh, Lloyd Rang, Corinna Traill, Margaret Zwart
Ken Hartwick, President & CEO, OPG
Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ontario Minister Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, Todd McCarthy, MPP Durham
Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, MPP
Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Andrea Khanjin
Environmental Defence
Toronto Star
Toronto Sun
Globe and Mail
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
Durham Radio News
Torres Media
Orono Weekly Times
RE: Land east of Darlington Provincial Park
I am writing to express my dismay at the prospect of ~86ha of land east of Darlington Provincial Park becoming a subdivision with the possibility of any type of housing, as part of a deal to establish a municipal waterfront park that Clarington has hoped to establish there for years.
Land is non-renewable, and lakeshore is even more scarce. Clarington has 34km of lakeshore (Broward County/Fort Lauderdale only has 38km) and some of it is protected and available, but so much of it is occupied with industrial uses; nuclear plants, cement plants, 2 waste to energy incinerators, and sewage treatment. The area around this patch of land consists of a provincial park and a protected marshland, and then a nuclear station, incinerator, sewage treatment plant, several office buildings and warehouse operations. This land’s use is dominated, currently, by a large orchard operation…an ideal agricultural use. However, the possibility of massive returns looms, even after the threat of an MZO would have guaranteed a massive return with the construction of a subdivision, literally next door to the provincial park.
Somehow, the possibility of a development like Grimsby On The Lake seems incompatible with a neighbouring provincial park. Perhaps even absurd.
The fact that the then Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks and MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South was not even aware of Clarington’s plans for this land including this subdivision when I spoke with him in December, 2022, is stunning. Mr. Piccini’s ED covers the east part of Clarington. This tells me that Darlington Provincial Park is not that important to this government, or that the integrity of the experience isn’t important, or the environmental benefits from this land being used for something more than a subdivision is just not important. Meanwhile, parks in areas that are not under threat of development (Big Wind, Uxbridge) are being heralded and used as evidence of this government’s commitment to the environment, conservation and parks. Mr. Piccini also celebrated the public purchase of private land on his social media. Ostensibly, the purchase was made to protect the integrity of the local environment.
Despite many attempts, I have not been able to speak with MPP McCarthy or Minister Khanjin.
Casually raising this idea with people, like Premier Ford’s experience in a furniture store with regard to financial literacy, they are appalled at the idea of this land being developed into a subdivision of any variety.
The value of this land and lakeshore cannot be overstated. As Clarington, and Courtice particularly, is about to explode with population and new business development, and higher density housing than Clarington has ever seen before, a large park with access to the lake, possibly lakefront restaurants (34 km and no lakefront restaurants) access to a municipal waterfront park would provide respite, mental health relief, opportunities for sports fields, walking and cycling trails, as well as other facilities like a bandshell, but certainly, wonderful access to the lake and an addition to the waterfront trail like Clarington has never experienced.
Imagine a park with the range of activities of Sunnybrook Park in Toronto, or Lakeview Park in Oshawa, with the space of two Lakeview Parks. All along the shore of Lake Ontario with a unique view of downtown Toronto on a clear day, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets, almost every day.
A large portion of this land is privately owned and there needs to be compensation for the landowner. Currently one of the largest employers and certainly the largest orchard in Clarington, Algoma Orchards and its ownership, is an outstanding corporate citizen. Given the rewards for building a multi-rise condominium building in Courtice promises a $900 000 set of tax breaks, I am certain that adequate compensation can be arranged. I believe that there is a significant reward for owning the land that Highway 413 will be built on.
Sadly, recent changes to how municipalities generate revenue from development limits the flexibility the municipality has to get this done, so it is even more important that the provincial government steps up. Frankly, silence on their part will reflect their indifference to this, and quite possibly will give an indication of how they value Darlington Provincial Park. Perhaps long term plans are for residential development in Darlington, rather than to sustain a valued, urban-based park.
Unfortunately, the media, even the local media, is silent when it comes to this area. Very little is known about the plans for this land. Short of a coolant spill at OPG, or a massive crash on the 401, Clarington, and especially Courtice, gets very rare coverage in the media. Because of this, this will likely squeak by, unnoticed.
This new park can provide a location for families and individuals to spend quality time together; time that is gained by an improved network of highways and public transportation.
Clarington and Durham, have a rare opportunity to do the right thing when it comes to development. The right thing is to not allow this land to be paved over, while emphasizing the importance of all the things the protection of this land represents to the people of Ontario, and the immediate benefits of a waterfront park to the people of Courtice, Clarington and Oshawa. The right thing also means compensating the land owner appropriately. Greenspace is and will be as valuable as some believe a highway to be…landowners need to be treated equally well.
My understanding is that negotiations for the park are proceeding. My fear is that the municipality is aiming too low in terms of what it wants. I am also concerned that the provincial government has no idea or does not care what happens to this land next to Darlington Provincial Park. Once again, David Piccini’s social media has celebrated the purchase of private land by the government, for the greater good. Here is another opportunity.
Among others, Doug Ford has told us that if we call, he will answer the phone. He ‘listens to the people’. I can’t get my MPP to ‘answer the phone’. I hope someone answers this call!
Steve Rae
p.s. No one ever answered the call!
