Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you Read by hand. We read Pickering's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.
Questions · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Pickering's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 6 similar Ontario places. These are the things that stood out.
What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking
Worth asking
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
3.49%the 2026 City levy increase; the Treasurer says it would have been at least 5.63% without one-time funding
The levy is the part of the tax bill the City itself raises, as opposed to the Region and the school boards. For 2026 the Mayor’s budget raised it by 3.49%. The Treasurer’s own note in the budget says that figure was reached with one-time money taken from reserves (savings set aside for later), and that without it the increase would have been at least 5.63%. One of those one-time uses pays the running costs of a new facility, and those costs come back every year. The budget was deemed adopted on December 29, 2025.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$32.8 millionthe yearly gap the Treasurer reports between what the City spends and what it needs for its assets
The City owns roads, bridges, buildings and pipes that wear out. Its asset management plan, approved by council in May 2025, says the City should be spending $61.7 million a year (in 2025 dollars) to repair and replace them. The Treasurer says the City’s contribution leaves a gap of $32.8 million a year, and that closing it with extra yearly levy increases would take until 2043. The Treasurer adds that the new Seaton Recreation Complex and Library will limit how much the City can borrow for this work.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$1.710 millionthe yearly dividend the City says it will not receive, replaced in the 2026 budget by casino money
Pickering owns 27.88% of Elexicon Corporation, the holding company of its local electricity utility, and has also lent the company $25,069,000. A dividend is a share of profit paid to owners. The City says Elexicon will not pay a dividend for 2025 and most likely 2026, and that dividends could be paused up to 2031. The City removed about $1.710 million of dividend from its 2026 budget and is covering the hole with casino money. The City’s own budget says Elexicon “has underperformed as an investment”.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
80.3%of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library’s $266,365,000 cost financed with debt, in the City’s own table
The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is the largest project in the City’s capital forecast. The City’s table shows $146,797,731 of the cost financed by “DC Debt” (borrowing to be paid back from development charges, the fees developers pay for growth) and $66,986,000 of “City Debt”, which taxpayers pay back. The Treasurer says the project will “significantly reduce the City’s debt capacity” and make it harder to fund repairs to what the City already owns.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
November 17, 2025the date of the auditor’s report on the December 31, 2024 statements
Audited financial statements are the City’s year-end accounts, checked by an outside accounting firm. The auditor’s report on the 2024 statements is dated November 17, 2025, almost eleven months after the year ended on December 31, 2024. The 2023 report is dated December 11, 2024 and the 2021 report May 8, 2023. When we read the City’s financial statements page on October 5, 2026 the latest posted year was 2024. The opinion on 2024 is a clean one: the statements “present fairly, in all material respects” the City’s position.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$17,451,454casino revenue in 2024, against a budget of $18,830,000 and $18,460,408 in 2023
Pickering receives a share of the revenue from the Pickering Casino Resort. In 2024 that was $17,451,454, below both the $18,830,000 budget and the $18,460,408 received in 2023. For 2026 the budget draws $2,938,744 from the Casino Reserve to hold down taxes, including $1,710,000 that replaces the Elexicon dividend. The Treasurer says the lower 2025 revenue “may indicate that there is an anomaly or that there may be some financial challenges to consider”, and suggests online gambling may be a cause.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
Nine reportspublic Integrity Commissioner reports about one councillor since August 2023, the ninth dated June 15, 2026
An integrity commissioner is an outside officer who investigates complaints that a member of council broke the City’s Code of Conduct. In its June 15, 2026 report, Principles Integrity says it was “the ninth time” it had reported publicly on conduct of Councillor Lisa Robinson found to breach the Code, and that “on each occasion, a further suspension of pay has been imposed.” In that report it recommended a 90-day suspension, the most the Municipal Act allows. Councillor Robinson disputed the findings and the process; her objections are summarized in the report and below. The commissioner’s 2026 periodic report says its fees were about $70,000 for the almost 16 months to August 2026, “the vast majority” for complaints filed by City staff about a member of Council. The commissioner will wind up its work by the end of January 2027.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
In 2025, Pickering collected $7.4M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 6 similar places raised theirs by more.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 3 sources
At the end of 2025, $38.5M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 11% of everything billed. None of the 6 similar places had a higher share. A year earlier it was $27.6M.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 2 sources
$126,496,414of development charges held by the City at December 31, 2024, against $9,760,363 recognized as revenue in 2024
Development charges are fees developers pay so that growth helps pay for roads, parks and other services. In the audited 2024 statements the line “Development charges and developer contributions earned” shows a budget of $43,965,767 and an actual of $9,760,363. The City held $126,496,414 of development charges at the end of 2024. The statements explain that this kind of money is counted as revenue only once the related spending happens. The City’s capital spending was $46,344,957 against a $107,412,900 budget.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
3.49%the 2026 City levy increase; the Treasurer says it would have been at least 5.63% without one-time funding
The levy is the part of the tax bill the City itself raises, as opposed to the Region and the school boards. For 2026 the Mayor’s budget raised it by 3.49%. The Treasurer’s own note in the budget says that figure was reached with one-time money taken from reserves (savings set aside for later), and that without it the increase would have been at least 5.63%. One of those one-time uses pays the running costs of a new facility, and those costs come back every year. The budget was deemed adopted on December 29, 2025.
Why it matters
One-time money can only be spent once. When it covers costs that repeat every year, the same costs have to be paid from taxes the next year. The Treasurer says as much: the 2027 budget has to carry the full cost. The 2027 budget will be set by the council elected on October 26, 2026.
It could be because…
Council chose to ease the burden on households during an uncertain economy. The Treasurer says the 3.49% “reflects today’s economic environment”.
Using reserves is what they are for, and the City has told the public that it did so. The Treasurer’s note is in the budget book itself.
The 2027 increase may be smaller if the economy improves, or if the City finds savings or new revenue such as the Municipal Accommodation Tax the Mayor describes in the budget highlights.
Questions you could ask
In dollars, how much of the 2026 budget is paid for with one-time money from reserves, and how much of that pays for costs that come back every year?
What levy increase does the City’s own 2027 forecast show for 2027, and what would it be if no reserves were used?
How much is left in the Rate Stabilization Reserve and the Casino Reserve after the 2026 draws?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The Mayor’s message in the budget highlights says: “I am pleased to present a budget with a modest 3.49 percent levy increase.”
The Treasurer’s analysis says the 3.49% “was achieved by using one-time funding to reduce the budget increase to a level that reflects today’s economic environment”, and that “if the current economic fog did not exist, the 2026 levy increase should have been at a minimum of 5.63%.” Table One adds deferred increases for asset management (1.00%) and the new Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre (1.14%) to the 3.49%.
The budget summary shows a “Total Budget Increase” of $106,683,114 (6.38%) and a “Total Reduction” of -5,552,374 (-2.89%) under “Property Tax Reduction (Funded From Reserves)”: Rate Stabilization -2,613,630 and Casino Reserve -2,938,744. The recommended budget increase is then 3.49%.
The Treasurer writes: “the operating cost of $1.113 million is funded by the Rate Stabilization Reserve. This means that the City is using one-time dollars to fund on-going costs. For the 2027 Budget, you now have to accommodate this budget pressure and fund the operating costs for 12 months from property taxes.”
$32.8 millionthe yearly gap the Treasurer reports between what the City spends and what it needs for its assets
The City owns roads, bridges, buildings and pipes that wear out. Its asset management plan, approved by council in May 2025, says the City should be spending $61.7 million a year (in 2025 dollars) to repair and replace them. The Treasurer says the City’s contribution leaves a gap of $32.8 million a year, and that closing it with extra yearly levy increases would take until 2043. The Treasurer adds that the new Seaton Recreation Complex and Library will limit how much the City can borrow for this work.
Why it matters
When maintenance is put off, repairs usually cost more later. A gap this size is closed by higher taxes, more debt, or letting things wear out. The Treasurer’s Table One lists the extra asset management increase among the increases deferred in 2026.
It could be because…
Most Ontario cities are in the same position. The Treasurer says “Majority of municipalities in Ontario, find themselves in a similar financial position”.
The City has a plan: an added 1.0% levy increase each year from 2027 to 2030 and 2% from 2031.
The Treasurer’s figures are an estimate of long-term needs, not a bill that is due this year.
Questions you could ask
Which assets are rated poor or very poor today, and what do they cost to fix?
If the extra asset management levy increase is not added in 2027, what does the City’s plan say the gap will be in 2030?
Is the 2043 date still the City’s plan once the debt for the Seaton Recreation Complex and Library is counted?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The Treasurer writes: “the City’s average annual capital requirements (2025 dollars) should be $61.7 million. Based on City’s annual contribution for funding capital, there is an annual funding gap of $32.8 million.” The City “should have a special levy increase of at least 1.0%”, and with the planned yearly increases “the City would close the funding gap by 2043”.
The Treasurer adds: “The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library (SRCL) will significantly reduce the City’s debt capacity, limiting future borrowing for asset management.”
The Treasurer says that with the Seaton project “the City would have to double the annual asset management increase from 1 % to 2%”, but that “the City’s ability to increase its funding for asset management may be challenging.”
$1.710 millionthe yearly dividend the City says it will not receive, replaced in the 2026 budget by casino money
Pickering owns 27.88% of Elexicon Corporation, the holding company of its local electricity utility, and has also lent the company $25,069,000. A dividend is a share of profit paid to owners. The City says Elexicon will not pay a dividend for 2025 and most likely 2026, and that dividends could be paused up to 2031. The City removed about $1.710 million of dividend from its 2026 budget and is covering the hole with casino money. The City’s own budget says Elexicon “has underperformed as an investment”.
Why it matters
The City counted on this dividend to help pay for services, so it is now paid from savings. The City’s statements show a large amount of public money tied up in the company, which is not available for roads or recreation while it stays there.
It could be because…
Elexicon may be holding back dividends to pay for its own capital program. The City says this is the reason given.
The City treats the shares as a long-term investment, like a household holding stocks. Dividends can start again.
The loan to Elexicon keeps paying interest: $1,035,350 in 2024.
Questions you could ask
What did Elexicon’s board or the shareholders tell the City about when dividends will return, and is that in writing?
Has council considered asking Elexicon to repay some of the $25,069,000 the City can demand back on sixty days’ notice?
If dividends stay paused to 2031, how many years of casino money will it take to replace them?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The Treasurer writes that Elexicon “will not pay dividends on the common shares of Elexicon Corporation for the fiscal year 2025 and most likely 2026 and these dividend payments could be paused up to 2031.” The loss “represents lower revenue to the City by approximately $1. 710 million”, and “the financial hole will be filled by the use of casino dollars.”
The same sentence gives the lost dividend as "approximately $1.710 million". The PDF prints it as "$1. 710 million", with a stray space after the point.
The Treasurer says Elexicon “has not delivered the anticipated economic benefits as set out in the business case analysis” used to approve the merger, and that “Elexicon, which the City owns, has underperformed as an investment.” The dividend pause is tied to money being redirected “to invest in their capital program.”
The statement of financial position shows “Investment in Elexicon Corporation” of $70,955,721 and “Promissory notes receivable” of $25,069,000 at December 31, 2024.
The City received dividends from Elexicon of $2,187,639 in 2024 (2023: $1,704,952). Of the promissory notes, the statements say: “The City may demand full or partial repayment with sixty days’ notice of the principal and accrued interest.” Interest revenue on the notes was $1,035,350.
80.3%of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library’s $266,365,000 cost financed with debt, in the City’s own table
The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library is the largest project in the City’s capital forecast. The City’s table shows $146,797,731 of the cost financed by “DC Debt” (borrowing to be paid back from development charges, the fees developers pay for growth) and $66,986,000 of “City Debt”, which taxpayers pay back. The Treasurer says the project will “significantly reduce the City’s debt capacity” and make it harder to fund repairs to what the City already owns.
Why it matters
A large building lasts decades and Seaton is growing, so borrowing for it is common. The question is the size of the bill: the debt is repaid over many years, and the Treasurer says it leaves less room to borrow for anything else. If development slows, the development-charge share is also at risk.
It could be because…
Most of the debt is “DC Debt”, to be repaid from fees paid by developers, not from property taxes.
The City says that in the first phase (2022 to 2026) it is “in a strong financial position” with reserves that can cover its debt, and that borrowing in the second phase is sensitive to interest rates and tendered costs.
The project is a forecast. The numbers may change once it is tendered.
Questions you could ask
How much will the yearly debt payments on the “City Debt” of $66,986,000 be, and what does that add to the levy in each year?
If development charges come in below forecast, who pays for the “DC Debt” of $146,797,731?
What other projects in the 2027 to 2035 forecast move or shrink because of Seaton?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library total project cost is $266,365,000. Funding: “DC Debt” $146,797,731 and “City Debt” $66,986,000. The chart is titled “SRCL Funding Breakdown (80.3% Debt Financed)”.
The Treasurer writes: “The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library (SRCL) will significantly reduce the City’s debt capacity, limiting future borrowing for asset management.”
On debt, the Treasurer says: “with the introduction of SRCL starting in 2027, and its corresponding cost and debt capacity usage, the reserves and DC reserve fund balances are reduced to help decrease the amount of debt borrowed.” The first phase (2022 to 2026) is described as one in which the City “is in a strong financial position”.
November 17, 2025the date of the auditor’s report on the December 31, 2024 statements
Audited financial statements are the City’s year-end accounts, checked by an outside accounting firm. The auditor’s report on the 2024 statements is dated November 17, 2025, almost eleven months after the year ended on December 31, 2024. The 2023 report is dated December 11, 2024 and the 2021 report May 8, 2023. When we read the City’s financial statements page on October 5, 2026 the latest posted year was 2024. The opinion on 2024 is a clean one: the statements “present fairly, in all material respects” the City’s position.
Why it matters
Residents, and anyone voting on October 26, 2026, would normally expect to see the last full year’s audited accounts before choosing. We did not find a published explanation for the dates.
It could be because…
The audit is a group audit that covers the library board, trust funds and the City’s share of Elexicon, which can take longer.
The auditor’s opinion is clean, so the dates do not by themselves mean a problem with the numbers.
The 2025 statements may be complete but not yet posted, or approved at a council meeting we did not read.
Questions you could ask
When will the 2025 audited statements go to council and be posted?
What caused the 2024 and 2023 statements to be signed in November and December of the following year, and is the City aiming for an earlier date?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The independent auditor’s report is signed by Deloitte LLP and dated November 17, 2025. It says: “In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the City as at December 31, 2024”.
The City’s financial statements page lists the City, Library and Trust statements for December 31, 2024 and earlier years. We read it on October 5, 2026 and found no statements for December 31, 2025.
$17,451,454casino revenue in 2024, against a budget of $18,830,000 and $18,460,408 in 2023
Pickering receives a share of the revenue from the Pickering Casino Resort. In 2024 that was $17,451,454, below both the $18,830,000 budget and the $18,460,408 received in 2023. For 2026 the budget draws $2,938,744 from the Casino Reserve to hold down taxes, including $1,710,000 that replaces the Elexicon dividend. The Treasurer says the lower 2025 revenue “may indicate that there is an anomaly or that there may be some financial challenges to consider”, and suggests online gambling may be a cause.
Why it matters
Casino money is not taxes, but it is now paying for things that repeat each year. If it keeps falling, the gap lands on the tax bill. The City says it has a cautious approach: it banks one year’s money and spends it the next, and it held $25,167,400 in the reserve at the end of 2024.
It could be because…
The City follows the advice to “bank” a year’s revenue and spend it the next, so a dip does not hit the budget immediately.
Revenue fell by about 5% in 2024 and may recover. The Treasurer says the third quarter of 2025 was “slightly lower than the previous year”.
The reserve of $25,167,400 is a cushion for several weaker years.
Questions you could ask
What does the City’s forecast assume for casino revenue in 2027 and later, and what happens to the 2027 budget if it falls by 10%?
How long would the Casino Reserve last if casino revenue stayed at the 2025 level while the 2026 draws continue?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of operations shows casino revenue: budget 18,830,000; 2024 actual 17,451,454; 2023 actual 18,460,408.
The Treasurer writes: “The lower 2025 quarterly revenues may indicate that there is an anomaly or that there may be some financial challenges to consider.” and “Pickering has adopted a cautious approach in the management of its casino revenues that would assist in mitigating any negative impacts.”
Nine reportspublic Integrity Commissioner reports about one councillor since August 2023, the ninth dated June 15, 2026
An integrity commissioner is an outside officer who investigates complaints that a member of council broke the City’s Code of Conduct. In its June 15, 2026 report, Principles Integrity says it was “the ninth time” it had reported publicly on conduct of Councillor Lisa Robinson found to breach the Code, and that “on each occasion, a further suspension of pay has been imposed.” In that report it recommended a 90-day suspension, the most the Municipal Act allows. Councillor Robinson disputed the findings and the process; her objections are summarized in the report and below. The commissioner’s 2026 periodic report says its fees were about $70,000 for the almost 16 months to August 2026, “the vast majority” for complaints filed by City staff about a member of Council. The commissioner will wind up its work by the end of January 2027.
Why it matters
The system exists to correct behaviour, and the commissioner says the only tool council has is a pay suspension, which it calls a “blunt instrument”. A repeating cycle costs public money and staff time. It also matters for a fair election: the commissioner warns that complaints can be used for campaign advantage, and under the Municipal Act no complaint can be received or reported on once nominations close on August 21, 2026.
It could be because…
The process worked as designed: each complaint was investigated, found substantiated by an independent officer, and council acted on it.
Councillor Robinson says the process is unfair. In the June 2026 report she is recorded as arguing that her statements were “made in good faith and in the public interest”, that she was being sanctioned again for matters “for which she has already been sanctioned”, and that the investigation broke the Municipal Act’s election-year “restrictions”. The commissioner rejected each point.
The commissioner says complaint processes can be “weaponized” in election periods, so some complaints may be political. It also notes that Bill 9 may change the whole system and that a standard code of conduct may replace Pickering’s.
Questions you could ask
In total, how much pay has been withheld under these suspensions, and what has the City paid in integrity commissioner and legal fees this term?
Has council or the Clerk looked at other tools, or asked the Province for the power to suspend a member from meetings?
How will the City appoint the next integrity commissioner, and will it publish what the new standard code of conduct under Bill 9 changes?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The commissioner writes: “We note that this is the ninth time that we have had to report publicly in regard to conduct of Councillor Robinson that has been found to breach the Code of Conduct and on each occasion, a further suspension of pay has been imposed.” It recommends “a 90-day suspension of pay”.
The report records the councillor’s objections: statements “made in good faith and in the public interest” (paragraph [43]); a report that “purports to sanction her for “prior statements and matters for which she has already been sanctioned”” (paragraph [51]); and that the investigation “contravenes the “restrictions” of the Municipal Act applicable during an election year” (paragraph [56]). The commissioner answers: “The Councillor is in error.” (paragraph [57]).
The September 2024 report recounts earlier sanctions: after the August 14, 2023 report “Council imposed a 30-day suspension of pay”; after the October 13, 2023 report “Council imposed a 60-day suspension of pay”. It recommended a 90-day suspension, and says that the Municipal Act “lacks this simple mechanism” of suspending a member from attending meetings, which the Education Act allows for school board trustees.
The periodic report says: “we received thirty-four (34) complaints”, and that fees for the almost 16 months “including our annual retainer, totaled approximately $70,000.00 (including disbursements). The vast majority of this outlay is related to complaints filed by City staff involving allegations of inappropriate commentary and conduct by a member of Council.” The report does not name the member in that passage. (Its text also says “twenty-six (28)” for the complaints resolved informally; we do not use that count.)
The commissioner also says: “attempts are made to weaponize code provisions solely to seek electoral advantage”, and that it “will be winding up our operations by the end of January, 2027”.
In 2025, Pickering collected $7.4M more in its own property tax than in 2024. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.1%. None of the 6 similar places raised theirs by more.
Why did Pickering's property tax go up 8% in 2025?
$0$20M$40M$60M$80M$100M$120M
$105M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
City property tax
2019
$72.3M
2020
$76.2M
2021
$78.7M
2022
$82.2M
2023
$90.6M
2024
$97.6M
2025
$105M
Why it matters
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $197 more each year.
It could be because…
Costs the city cannot control went up, such as policing, insurance or county charges.
The city kept taxes too low in earlier years and is catching up.
The city is rebuilding savings or paying for a big project like a bridge or equipment.
Questions you could ask
What were the three biggest reasons for the 2025 increase, in dollars?
Is a similar increase planned for next year?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
City property tax: $97,604,469 in 2024, $104,978,694 in 2025.
At the end of 2025, $38.5M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 11% of everything billed. None of the 6 similar places had a higher share. A year earlier it was $27.6M.
Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$0$10M$20M$30M$40M
$38.5M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Unpaid property tax at year end
2019
$20.7M
2020
$26.2M
2021
$22.7M
2022
$23.4M
2023
$25.9M
2024
$27.6M
2025
$38.5M
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the city may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the city's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
It could be because…
The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
Hard times for residents, which the city may be handling with payment plans.
Questions you could ask
How much is more than one year overdue, and from how many properties?
Are the rules for chasing unpaid taxes applied the same way to everyone?
Has the city registered tax arrears certificates on properties about two years behind? If still unpaid a year after that, Ontario law lets the city sell the property.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Taxes receivable: 2019 $20.7M, 2020 $26.2M, 2021 $22.7M, 2022 $23.4M, 2023 $25.9M, 2024 $27.6M, 2025 $38.5M. Of the 2025 total, $14.2M was from earlier years.
$126,496,414of development charges held by the City at December 31, 2024, against $9,760,363 recognized as revenue in 2024
Development charges are fees developers pay so that growth helps pay for roads, parks and other services. In the audited 2024 statements the line “Development charges and developer contributions earned” shows a budget of $43,965,767 and an actual of $9,760,363. The City held $126,496,414 of development charges at the end of 2024. The statements explain that this kind of money is counted as revenue only once the related spending happens. The City’s capital spending was $46,344,957 against a $107,412,900 budget.
Why it matters
The gap is mostly about timing, not lost money: the fees were collected but the projects they pay for had not yet been built. But a large pile of collected fees, with a budget that assumed they would be spent, tells the public how fast the City is delivering growth-related projects.
It could be because…
The statements say the money is held as deferred revenue “until the related expenditures are made”. Revenue shows up when projects are built.
The statements say the budget was not prepared on the same basis as the actual results, so some of the gap is only a difference in accounting.
Large projects such as the Seaton facilities have long lead times.
Questions you could ask
Which projects were budgeted for 2024 but not started, and when does the City now expect to build them?
How much of the $126,496,414 is already committed to specific projects?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Pickering?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of operations shows “Development charges and developer contributions earned”: budget 43,965,767; 2024 actual 9,760,363; 2023 actual 7,731,580.
The statement of change in net financial assets shows “Acquisition of tangible capital assets” of (107,412,900) budgeted and (46,344,957) actual. Note 19 says: “The budget figures treated all tangible capital asset acquisitions as expenditures”.
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