Focus On The Lands, 2011-2012
Number of Articles: 37
Efforts continue to save historic stone house
Publication Date: November 9, 2012
Tags: Historical
As the clock winds down on a reprieve for several historic homes in danger of demolition on Pickering’s federal lands, Councillor Peter Rodrigues takes a last look to see if he can save one. durhamregion.com
LOL laments destruction of Ever Green Villa, home of POP
Publication Date: November 9, 2012
Tags: Historical
For one Pickering resident, watching the demolition of Evergreen Villa meant more than just watching history laid waste. durhamregion.com
Farmland more important than park
Publication Date: October 4, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, RNUP
Lorne Almack, founding member of People or Planes and long-time environmentalist and farmer, explains why farming should trump park use for new Rouge National Park. Article cites recent statistics on farmland loss. durhamregion.com
Fate of heritage homes hangs by thread
Publication Date: June 22, 2012
Tags: Historical
The fate of several heritage houses on Federal Lands remains uncertain as Pickering Council votes to extend the leases until September. At least one house will likely be moved to the Museum Village. durhamregion.com
Writing is on the wall of Pickering houses
Publication Date: June 21, 2012
Tags: Historical
(editorial) Sadly, the time has come to stop throwing good money after bad and to give up trying to save heritage properties owned by the federal government, writes the editor. durhamregion.com
GTAA wants decision on Pickering Airport
Publication Date: April 12, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority tells Durham Region’s planning committee it wants Transport Canada to make a decision on an airport in Pickering. durhamregion.com
Pickering federal lands: what now?
Publication Date: March 7, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, Historical
Part 3: 40 years since expropriation of the Federal Lands, Moya Dillon looks to the future with politicians and residents, including the only family farmer still on the lands. durhamregion.com
Celebrating 40 years of People or Planes and No Airport
Publication Date: March 3, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, Historical
As the coffin made its way down Brock Road to its final resting place, the church bells tolled throughout Brougham and passing vehicles honked in support of the procession.durhamregion.com
How clowning around won People or Planes an audience
Publication Date: March 2, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, Historical
A look back at 40 years of activism to save the Lands from an airport.thestar.com
Landowners mark 40 years
Publication Date: March 2, 2012
Tags: Historical
Writer got it a bit wrong; most of us weren’t landowners, certainly not any more. But we did gather and tell our stories.thestar.com
Life in limbo for rural Pickering residents
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, Historical
Part 2: Looking at the history of the Pickering Federal Lands and the experiences of the residents who live on and near them. durhamregion.com
Pickering resident recalls “devastating news”
Publication Date: February 29, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports, Historical
Part 1 (first of a three-part series): Journalist Moya Dillon reports on the stories of those who were evicted 40 years ago. It began as a day like any other. Expropriation still haunts them. durhamregion.com
Build high speed rail, not airport: Transport Action Ontario
Publication Date: January 19, 2012
Tags: Aviation/Airports
In an open letter to Transport Minister Denis Lebel, Transport Action Ontario (formerly Transport 2000) argues against an airport and in favour of protecting the Pickering Federal Lands. Open letter
A Waste of History
Publication Date: January 12, 2012
Tags: Historical
(editorial) The writer laments Transport Canada’s destruction of the historic Altona Inn, on the Uxbridge portion of the Federal Lands. Uxbridge Cosmos
Heritage expert argues to save homes
Publication Date: December 12, 2011
Tags: Historical
Dr. John Sabean, president of the Pickering Township Historical Society and past chair of Heritage Pickering, spoke to Council in favour of the proposed action to preserve selected heritage structures on the Federal Lands. Report to Council
Community airs desires for airport lands in Pickering
Publication Date: November 28, 2011
Tags: Food/Water/Agriculture, Historical
Against a backdrop of dozens of demolitions, residents and community groups pack the Claremont Hall to urge MP Chris Alexander to fight to protect the prime farmland of North Pickering.Oshawa This Week
A hamlet on the verge of extinction
Publication Date: August 23, 2011
Tags: Historical
Forty percent of the remaining structures in Brougham, including eight heritage buildings, are destined for destruction. Transport Canada takes no responsibility for the dereliction of the property and annihilation of the community that was the seat of government here for a century.theglobeandmail.com
Demolition crews survey Pickering federal lands
Publication Date: August 15, 2011
Tags: Historical
D-Day (demolition deadline day) of September 15 moves closer, as crews tour Lands and prepare their tender bids.durhamregion.com
Dispute over boundaries at Rouge Park
Publication Date: August 13, 2011
Tags: Food/Water/Agriculture, RNUP
Park proponents want farmland included and kept as farmland within a new national park, while farmers want the security of ownership. CBC News
New airport won’t happen: Markham councillor
Publication Date: July 14, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.yorkregion.com
Environmentalists question wisdom of airport near park
Publication Date: July 13, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Environmentalists react to Transport Canada’s latest study.theglobeandmail.com
Pickering airport foes prepare to fight once more
Publication Date: July 13, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.National Post
Possibility of Pickering airport revived
Publication Date: July 13, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.durhamregion.com
Politicians at odds on reviving Pickering airport plan
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.thestar.com
Forty years of peaceful protest
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.Toronto Sun
Controversial Toronto-area airport plan may soon take flight
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.theglobeandmail.com
Pickering a “prime location” for new airport: Transport Canada
Publication Date: July 11, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
Reaction to Transport Canada’s latest study.thestar.com
Transport Canada Releases Findings of Needs Assessment Study
Publication Date: July 11, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
(news release) Transport Canada releases long-awaited Pickering Lands Needs Assessment Study. Its conclusion: Pickering is a “prime location” for an airport. Transport Canada press release
Ottawa refuses to assist with protecting heritage structures
Publication Date: May 1, 2011
Tags: Historical
Pickering’s heritage community and opponents of an airport are left wondering and worrying after Transport Canada gives notification of more demolitions on the Federal Lands.durhamregion.com
Residents question Pickering airport e-mail
Publication Date: April 29, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
While residents and local politicians are questioning a recent construction update describing a 3-runway airport in Pickering, the local Conservative election candidate says that “doesn’t mean it’s a go.” durhamregion.com
Pickering Airport issue dominates Ajax-Pickering debate
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
At an all-candidates’ meeting hosted by Land Over Landings, the federal candidates tell a packed house they oppose an airport on the Pickering Lands. The Conservative candidate is challenged on whether he would stand up to his party over the issue. durhamregion.com
Election candidates disagree over airport at Uxbridge meeting
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Tags: Aviation/Airports
While every other candidate says no to an airport on the Federal Lands, Conservative Bev Oda is the lone voice saying it should be considered for economic growth.durhamregion.com
Arson blamed for loss of century home
Publication Date: March 25, 2011
Tags: Historical
Local historian deplores loss of “Ontario classic” built in the mid-1800s. Fire investigators warn of risk to human life if security not tightened on the Federal Lands.durhamregion.com
Blaze destroys home
Publication Date: March 20, 2011
Tags: Historical
(news release) Fire official confirms a century home on the Federal Lands was destroyed by arson. Neighbours blame policy of neglect by federal government. Land Over Landings
Pickering heritage homes spared for now
Publication Date: February 15, 2011
Tags: Historical
(news release) Following protests from politicians and the public, Transport Minister Strahl says Ottawa will not proceed with the demolition of heritage structures on the federal “airport” lands – yet.Office of Mark Holland, MP
Feds let slip policy of demolishing heritage during bicentennial
Publication Date: January 6, 2011
Tags: Historical
Transport Minister reveals ultimate plan is to demolish all structures on the Federal Lands. No response, however, to wide-spread demands for the release of the long overdue Needs Assessment report, says MP Mark Holland.Office of Mark Holland, MP
Pickering politicians work to save heritage homes on airport land
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
As demolitions continue on the Federal Lands, a couple of Pickering councillors and a local MP are determined to keep heritage homes alive.durhamregion.com