Seven candidates for mayor of Pickering laid out competing plans on taxes, development and strong mayor powers this week, at a forum that drew more than 200 people Wednesday night. Voters head to the polls on Oct. 26.

The race for the mayor's chair is the headline contest of the municipal vote, and the forum gave residents a rare chance to hear all seven contenders make their case on the same stage.

Where the candidates stand

Taxes, development and strong mayor powers were the flashpoints of the evening, Pickering Voice reported, with the seven candidates offering differing approaches to each.

Strong mayor powers, which the province has made available to heads of council in Ontario municipalities, have been a recurring point of debate in local races across the region, and Pickering's contest is no exception.

With election day set for Oct. 26, the forum was one of the last major opportunities for residents to size up the field in person before casting their ballots.

City lifts summer fire ban

In other news from City Hall, the City of Pickering has lifted a city-wide fire ban that had been in place since July 14.

The ban was put in place during a stretch of prolonged high temperatures, and the city says it was intended to support community safety.

With the ban now lifted, the summer restrictions no longer apply.

Panthers get a new look

On the ice, the Pickering Panthers are part of a league-wide rebrand unveiled by the Ontario Junior Hockey League, built around a new commitment the league calls The OJHL Standard.

The Panthers join clubs across the OJHL in adopting the refreshed identity as the junior hockey season gets underway.

School board reports EQAO gains

In education, the Durham District School Board's 2025–2026 EQAO results show gains in several elementary assessments.

Mathematics remains a priority for the board, with 48 per cent of Grade 6 students meeting the provincial standard.

The results come from the province's standardized testing program, which measures student achievement against provincial benchmarks across elementary and secondary grades.

Election day in Pickering is Oct. 26.