For the past 29 years, this city has been where I have built my businesses, established deep roots in the community, and developed a profound appreciation for everything that makes Pickering such a special place to live.
I am not a career politician.
I am a local business owner, a taxpayer, and a community advocate. I understand the value of hard work, personal accountability, and every dollar earned.
Like many residents, I am deeply concerned about the rising cost of living and the growing financial burden being placed on taxpayers.
As Mayor, I will use the budget authority available to the office to prioritize keeping property tax increases as low as possible and ensure City Hall lives within its means.
I will identify wasteful spending, improve financial accountability, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensure taxpayers receive maximum value for every dollar they contribute.
Families and businesses are expected to manage their budgets responsibly. City Hall should be held to the same standard.
That is why I am running for Mayor of Pickering.
Proven Leadership. Real Results.
Many residents know me as the person who spearheaded the grassroots movement that successfully protected Pickering's waterfront in 2019 and 2020.
When a proposal emerged to build two 23-storey condominium towers beside our protected waterfront, marshlands, and public beach, I refused to sit on the sidelines.
- I organized residents.
- I led community opposition efforts.
- I demanded transparency.
Through Freedom of Information requests, our team uncovered documents that raised serious questions about discussions involving city officials and Ontario Power Generation regarding the nuclear emergency planning zone and the proposed development.
We brought those discussions into the public eye where they belonged.
The fight attracted significant media attention across Ontario, helping shine a spotlight on concerns being raised by local residents and ensuring broader public scrutiny of the proposal.
Media Coverage
CBC News — "Pickering residents fight waterfront condo proposal over safety concerns"
Global News — "Residents voice concerns over proposed Pickering waterfront condo development"
Together, residents stood up, spoke out, and ultimately stopped the project.
That victory proved something important:
When residents are informed, engaged, and united, they can hold government accountable and achieve meaningful results.
I don't just talk about transparency and accountability.
I have fought for them—and delivered results.
The Problem at City Hall
Today, too many residents feel disconnected from the decisions being made at City Hall.
- Questions go unanswered.
- Public concerns are dismissed.
Residents increasingly feel that their voices are treated as an inconvenience rather than an essential part of the democratic process.
Trust has been eroded.
City Hall belongs to the people of Pickering—not politicians, insiders, or special interests.
It is time to restore accountability, transparency, and public confidence in local government.
More importantly, it is time to re-enfranchise the people of Pickering and ensure that residents once again have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their neighbourhoods, their businesses, and their future.
My Day-One Action Plan
If elected Mayor, I will bring the same determination to City Hall that I brought to the fight for our waterfront.
I am running on a clear and accountable platform:
Control Property Taxes and Respect Taxpayers
I will use the Mayor's budget authority to prioritize keeping property tax increases as low as possible.
I will demand a line-by-line review of municipal spending, identify waste wherever it exists, improve financial accountability, and ensure taxpayers receive value for every dollar spent.
The answer to every challenge cannot always be higher taxes.
Restore Your Right to Be Heard
I will fully restore public delegation opportunities at council meetings to their full 10 minutes, along with all Q&A sessions, and ensure residents always have meaningful access to their elected representatives.
No resident should ever be prevented from bringing forward concerns, ideas, questions, or grievances.
You deserve the right to be heard openly, respectfully, and fairly.
Re-enfranchise Pickering Residents
I will work to restore meaningful public participation in municipal government.
Residents should not feel excluded from decisions that directly affect their communities.
City Hall must become more accessible, more responsive, and more accountable to the people it serves.
Local government works best when citizens are informed, engaged, and empowered.
Launch an Independent Review of Planning and Development
I will initiate an independent review of Pickering's planning and development processes.
Independent legal, financial, and forensic experts will examine development approval procedures, compliance practices, fee collection processes, and relationships between developers, elected officials, and municipal departments over the past decade.
Transparency should never be feared.
It should be welcomed.
Audit Pickering Casino Revenues
To date, the City of Pickering has received over $75 million from the Pickering Casino through casino revenue-sharing agreements.
I will commission an independent public audit so residents can see exactly how those funds have been allocated, managed, and spent.
Every dollar must be accounted for.
Protect Pickering's Waterfront and Green Spaces
As a passionate outdoorsman who has spent years enjoying the beauty of Lake Ontario, Frenchman's Bay, our trails, conservation lands, parks, and natural areas, I will fiercely protect the places that make Pickering unique.
Future generations deserve to enjoy the same natural treasures that we enjoy today.
A More Transparent Future
Throughout my career and community involvement, I have never been afraid to ask difficult questions, challenge the status quo, or stand up for what I believe is right.
As Mayor, I will bring that same determination to City Hall.
My vision is straightforward:
- A city government that is transparent.
- A city government that is accountable.
- A city government that respects taxpayers.
- A city government that listens to residents.
- A city government that encourages public participation.
- A city government that works for the people it serves.
- I am not running to become a politician.
- I am running to restore trust in local government.
- I am running to protect taxpayers.
- I am running to defend residents' right to be heard.
- I am running to re-enfranchise the people of Pickering and return City Hall to the citizens it was created to serve.
- I am running to ensure that future generations inherit a city that is transparent, accountable, financially responsible, and proud of its democratic values.
Together, we can build a more transparent, accountable, and democratic future for our city.
Together, we can bring meaningful change to Pickering.
— Shaun Rickard