You can check out details of the latest decisions and discussions at Whitby Council in the monthly Council Highlights.

The March Council Highlights include:

• Direction to Town staff to do a comprehensive review of the Procedure By-law
• A new administrative penalty system for parking tickets
• A call for the Province to amend the “Get it Done Act” to remove tolls from Hwy. 407 East
• A recap of the Mayor’s Community Development Fund activity in 2023
• Approval of a revised Public Notice Policy

The Town of Whitby’s community advocacy campaign to bring a new hospital to Durham has been an incredible success so far. Thousands of people signed our call-to-action letter or shared a personal story about why a new hospital matters to them. Click here to read some of the stories we received. While it is extremely disappointing that the 2024 Ontario Budget released on March 26 did not include funding for a new Durham hospital, we will continue to advocate at every opportunity and keep up the pressure on the Province. We're transitioning to the next phase of the campaign soon, watch for details. Visit whitby.ca/newhospital to learn more. 

I’m very pleased to share that Whitby resident Joyce Marshall is a recipient of the 2023 Ontario Senior Achievement Award! This award recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through voluntary or professional activities after the age of 65. Joyce is well-known in Whitby for her incredible volunteer contributions. A retired nursery school teacher, she volunteers with the Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre and has initiated and nurtured various initiatives in Whitby such as World AIDS Day Whitby and Hospice Awareness Day. Joyce has also served as a dedicated board member with VON Durham for over two decades, including a 10-year term as board chair. We’re so fortunate that Joyce is a member of our community. 

The Town of Whitby recently received $25 million in federal funding for the new Whitby Sports Complex, through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. This funding builds on the Town’s $130 million investment earmarked for the complex to make it one of Canada's first multipurpose recreation facilities to be certified as a LEED Gold and a Zero Carbon Building through the Canada Green Building Council. Construction of the Whitby Sports Complex is underway, with an expected opening in late 2025. Click here to learn more about the project and follow along with construction progress.

Whitby is getting more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to help meet the Town’s sustainability goals, including being net zero by 2045. On March 6, it was announced that the Town is receiving $350,000 in funding as part of Round 4 of the Federal Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. There are currently 19 EV charging stations at Town facilities. This funding will enable the Town to set up additional EV chargers, including 20 at the future Whitby Sports Complex. To date, the EV charging stations we have in Whitby have helped us avoid 31,034 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s like planting 796 trees and letting them grow for 10 years!

This is our monthly shout-out to those who make Whitby proud. If you know a person, group, or organization that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Shout out to the winners of the Rotary Club of Whitby’s annual Paul Harris Awards. This award represents the highest recognition bestowed by Rotary, celebrating outstanding individuals for their contributions locally and internationally.  This year's recipients are Mike Shoreman, Clyde and Darlene Read, Melissa Schneider from Do Unto Others, and Ellen MacCrae and Aimee Ruttle from Melly's Cafe.

• Congratulations to Whitby resident Sarah Thomas for placing fourth in the figure skating singles competition at the Special Olympics Canada 2024 Winter Games in Calgary. Sarah and all the local athletes who represented Durham at the Winter Games are an inspiration to our community. 

• The annual Rivalry Week between Anderson CVI and Henry Street High School took place in March, amping up school spirit and creating memories for students, staff, and supporters. It was amazing to see the stands filled with cheering students decked out in their school colours! Rivalry Week dates back to the 1980s when the two Whitby rival schools would face off in football for the Mayor’s Cup. Today the rivalry continues with an annual series of volleyball, basketball, and hockey games. Congratulations to the Henry Street Hawks for winning the Mayor’s Cup and Rivalry Week 2024 and to both schools for showing such incredible school spirit!

Did you know that I love to do coffee chats with local groups and organizations? Non-profits, service clubs, faith groups, social groups, and everything in between! Email scheduling@whitby.ca if you’re interested in hosting a “Coffee with the Mayor” event. Looking forward to some great chats!

This new Brooklin restaurant celebrated a grand opening on Feb. 29. Located at 72 Baldwin St., Unit 105, Greeking Out offers “friendly service and a warm family atmosphere.” The menu includes authentic souvlaki, gyro, Greek pies, poutines, and burgers as well as catering options. The store also features a Greek Market stocked with traditional Greek products. Visit greekingout.ca for more information. 

• April 2 is World Autism Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about autism and have important conversations about how we can ensure our community is inclusive and supports people with autism in meeting their full potential. Here in Durham, there are many organizations that provide support and services to people with autism and their families including Durham Region Autism Services, Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Sunshine Learning Centre, and the Autism Intervention Program at Kinark Child and Family Services. 
• Registration for Town of Whitby summer camps and summer programs opens April 3 for residents and April 10 for non-residents. Summer day camps run weekly from July 2 to Aug. 30 and include options for ages four to 16!  Click here for details.

• Happy Eid al Fitr on April 9. This celebration marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is often marked with special family and community dinners. Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating!

• Earth Day is April 22 – if you’re interested in helping to clean up a local park, trail, or road, check out the Town of Whitby Anti-Litter Clean-up Program. Or, take part in the Brooklin Ashburn Myrtle (BAM) Lions Club’s 21^st annual Pitch-in Brooklin clean-up on April 27 from 9 to 11 a.m. at all Brooklin parks, excluding Grass Park, which is being renovated. This is a rain or shine event. The Whitby Public Library is also hosting Earth Day events including bird house making for Grades 3 to 8 on April 20 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Rossland Branch and an Earth Day story time and bird feeder craft for all ages at the Central branch on April 27 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Check out the library’s Spring Program Guide for details.