At the March 22, 2021 council meeting, council voted in favour of sending a response to the province in regards to growing the Greenbelt.  The resolution asks the province to maintain the current Greenbelt boundary and not pursue expanding it at this time.

Resolution #556/21 was passed and read:

• That comments in Report PLN 14-21, on Environmental Registry Posting (ERO) 019-3136 regarding growing the Provincial Greenbelt, be endorsed;
• That the province maintain the current established Greenbelt boundary within the City of Pickering on the basis that:

Any consideration or decision regarding expanding the Greenbelt in Pickering would be premature and not in the public interest, prior to the completion of the Region of Durham's Municipal Comprehensive Review, and in particular, prior to the completion of the Land Needs Assessment, updated Natural Heritage System mapping, and review and implementation of the Provincial Agricultural System, in order to fully understand the implications and determine the appropriateness of growing the Greenbelt;

All lands within Pickering are covered by the policies of A Place to Grow and the Greenbelt Plan, which were further strengthened through the most recent updates to the provincial plans, and the Provincial Policy Statement, and which together provide the highest level of protection for natural heritage and hydrologic features and areas; as well as agricultural areas; and,

The City, by Resolutions 140/19 and 173/19 affirmed its position that the lands in Northeast Pickering, be reserved to accommodate future urban development

• That in order to minimize competing interests and priorities, the Province should explore opportunities on the outer fringes of the existing Greenbelt for further expansion, rather than the areas closest to the existing built up urban areas which may be needed the accommodate future development within proximity to transit and other existing and planned infrastructure investments by municipalities and the Province;
• That should the Province decide to consider growing the Greenbelt within the City of Pickering:

Any additions to the Greenbelt Plan be considered on the context of the Region of Durham's Municipal Comprehensive Review;

The legislated public process for amendments to the Greenbelt be followed, including consultation with City of Pickering, the Region of Durham, Indigenous communities, and affected property owners, prior to any final decision being made;

Any decision to expand the Greenbelt should not compromise the ability of the municipality to accommodate future urban growth; and,

Criteria be established and implementation guidance be provided to guide refinement to the Greenbelt Natural Heritage System by municipalities, similar to the criteria and guidance that have been established for the Growth Plan Natural Heritage System; and, 

• That staff be directed to respond to ERO Posting 019-3136 with a copy of Report PLN 14-21 and Council's resolution thereon, and that a copy of Report PLN 14-21 be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy, the Regional Municipality of Durham and other Durham area municipalities.