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

The March 2025 Council Highlights include:

• Two motions on hate symbols referred to staff for reports
• Council votes no to inclusionary zoning in Protected Major Transit Station Area
• Update on planning process for Cullen Central Park development
• Council calls for removal of Hey 407 tolls to be expedited

Council Highlights is published following every regular Whitby Council meeting

I continue to work closely with Town staff, local businesses and community partners to respond to the challenges created by tariffs. I have also joined the Ontario Big City Mayors Tariff Task Force to help with advocacy at the provincial and federal levels. Following a tariff roundtable that I hosted in March, I launched a Whitby Tariff Task Force, which has begun meeting. The Town has also created a dedicated tariff webpage with resources for businesses and residents in addition to the Invest Durham Tariff Response landing page. You can also check out the tariff motion approved by Whitby Council and the joint statement from Durham’s eight mayors and the regional chair in support of 25 per cent import tariffs on $155 billion of American goods.  

Durham Regional Police Service is once again helping local youth get outfitted for Grade 8 and Grade 12 graduation ceremonies with support from the Downtown Whitby BIA and downtown businesses. Residents are also being asked to help by donating new or gently used dresses and suits. "Gowns for Grads" is in need of new or gently used dresses, shoes, accessories, cultural formal wear and gift certificates for hair salons, make-up, spa services and florists with a donation deadline of April 16. "Suits for Youth" is in need of new or gently used suits, jackets, pants, shirts, ties and bow ties, that can be worn to grad ceremonies or job interviews -- the donation deadline is April 4. Donations for both initatives can be dropped off at at DRPS division. 

For youth in need of an outfit, the Gowns for Grads event takes place Saturday April 26 at G.L. Roberts CVI, 399 Chaleur Ave in Oshawa from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Suits for Youth takes place Wednesday April 16 at the Oshawa Centre, 419 King St. W., at the Food Court entrance from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Organizers can be reached at gownsforgrads@drps.ca or suitsforyouths@drps.ca

I’m pleased to share that Lakeridge Health has submitted its pre-capital planning grant application to the Ministry of Health, and we are waiting for a response

We are hopeful that once the Ministry of Health approves the submission, the land transfer from the Ministry of Transportation to Whitby can proceed to the Treasury Board for approval. I know the community is eager to support fundraising efforts for the new hospital. We are working closely with Lakeridge Health Foundation to prepare for a major fundraising campaign. More information is coming soon. In the meantime, we’ve launched a new webpage outlining ways to get involved. Visit Whitby.ca/NewHospital to learn more!

Festivals & Events Ontario has named the Brooklin Harvest Festival one of the Top 100 Events in Ontario for 2025! I'm so proud of the incredible staff, volunteers, businesses, and community partners who help bring this event to life year after year. Mark your calendar for the 2025 Booklin Harvest Festival on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and visit https://www.whitby.ca/en/play/harvest-festival.aspx for more details closer to the event date.

The Town of Whitby recently announced it is longer using X (formerly known as Twitter) as one of its corporate media channels. I have also discontinued use of X due to growing concerns about the platform’s accountability, direction, and viability. You can find the full media release here. Residents can still get news and updates from the Town from:

• Facebook and LinkedIn - Follow the Town’s corporate social media channels
• Instagram – Follow the Town’s Explore Whitby account
• Town’s Online Newsroom - Subscribe to “All News”

You can also follow me on social media on my official Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels.

This spring, you can help create a more sustainable and climate-resilient Whitby by planting native trees and shrubs through the LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) subsidized planting program. Participants receive personalized advice from a certified arborist who recommends the ideal native trees and shrubs for your yard’s unique conditions. These trees beautify your yard, increase property value, absorb CO2, reduce stormwater runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and contribute to a healthier environment. Whether you choose full-service planting or delivery to your door, LEAF offers ongoing expert care advice and resources to help your trees thrive. To learn more or apply visit yourleaf.org/homeowners

The next Community Open House on the Whitby Official Plan Review is coming up Wednesday, April 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Town Hall in Council Chambers. This engagement session will provide information on the fourth focus area of the Official Plan Review, which includes updates to general land use policies that have an impact across Whitby. Key themes include planning for employment areas and related uses, housing, transportation and environmental management. The Whitby Official Plan guides where and how the Town will manage population growth and provide important community land uses like housing, roads, parks and schools.  It was last updated in 2018 and is reviewed under the requirements of the Ontario Planning Act. The Official Plan Review launched in May 2024 and involves amendments related to four key focus areas. The first two amendments have now been completed and will help manage future population and job growth in Strategic Growth Areas like the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area, and along transit corridors. The third focus area remains in progress to determine future land uses to the year 2051 for the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area. Visit connectwhitby.ca/opreview to learn more.

This is my monthly shoutout 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, email follertj@whitby.ca

• Shout out to Henry Street High School for winning the Mayor’s Cup in the annual Rivalry Week against Anderson CVI! It’s amazing to see this tradition continue to build school spirit and community spirit. To learn more about Rivalry Week, check out the “Because You Asked” section in this month’s newsletter.
• A huge congratulations to this year’s winners of the Rotary Club of Whitby’s Paul Harris Community Service Awards! This year’s honourees are Elliott Smooth, Cohen Lane of Coco’s Cocoa for Kids, Clarence Keesman of the Refuge Youth Outreach Centre and Vicky Caruana of Starfish Developmental Services. Thank you for making Whitby a better place for everyone!
• Kudos to Samantha Murphy-Splane, an 11-year-old athlete who trains at Brooklin Marshal Arts and was recently named the CityNews Toronto Athlete of the Week. Way to go, Samantha!

Because You Asked is an opportunity to provide helpful context and information about issues the community is asking about. Got a question? Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

I recently shared some Rivalry Week photos on social media, which prompted lots of questions about this Whitby tradition.

A huge thank you to Henry Dewit and Wade Szilagyi from the amazing Vintage Whitby Facebook group for helping to compile this information.

Rivalry Week is a longstanding competition between Henry Street High School and Anderson CVI.

It got its start in 1968 as a one-day football game established by Mayor Des Newman, with the Mayor’s Cup trophy awarded to the winner.

The Mayor’s Cup ended in 1984 when Anderson CVI ended its football program. The idea was reignited in 2009 with the inaugural “Rivalry Week” that saw teams from Anderson and Henry face off in a weeklong series of hockey, basketball and volleyball games, with the Mayor's Cup awarded to the school that won the most events during the week.

Anderson CVI was the first winner of the Rivalry Week Mayor's Cup.

Rivalry Week also encompasses other activities that promote school spirit, such as themed dress-up days and school decorations.

Over the years, there have been some pretty memorable games, including the 2011 hockey game played at Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa that saw the Anderson Raiders win 3-2 in a shootout.Bottom of Form

In 2013, the Henry girls' volleyball team was down two sets and pulled off an incredible comeback, winning the next three sets to secure the Mayor's Cup.

Then there was the 2015 boy’s basketball game that went into double overtime, with Anderson eventually emerging victorious, winning 72-68 in a game still talked about today.

Congratulations to Henry for winning the 2025 Mayor’s Cup – it was so much fun to attend some of the games and watch crowds of students dressed in school colours cheer for their school. 

Making a Difference is my monthly spotlight on local not-for-profit organizations, which are such a critical part of our community. To suggest a not-for-profit to feature, email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

100 Women Who Care Durham Region is a community-driven initiative dedicated to making a powerful impact through collective giving. The mission is simple: bring together like-minded women who want to support local charities in a meaningful and efficient way.

Since its inception, the organization has raised $260,054 for charities serving Durham Region. Pooling donations allows for immediate, high-impact funding to organizations that make a difference in our community.

How it works:

100 Women Who Care meets four times a year for just one hour.

• At each meeting, members nominate and vote for a local charity in need
• The selected charity receives 100 per cent the funds collected that evening

With a commitment of $100 per meeting (or $50 each as a team), each member contributes to a collective donation that has the power to create real change. Whether supporting grassroots initiatives, essential community programs, or emergency relief efforts, funds go where they are needed most.

The impact:

Over the years, 100 Women Who Care Durham Region has helped over 40 local charities with immediate funding, empowering them to expand services, support vulnerable populations, and respond to urgent needs. Learn more about the impact.

Coming together for just one hour, four times a year, turns small individual contributions into big, meaningful change for our community.

If you’re passionate about giving back and want to be part of a group that makes a direct, measurable impact, 100 Women Who Care Durham Region invites you to join. Learn more at 100womenwhocareapw.ca

Predictive Success Corporation is a privately held international management consulting company and the largest partner of The Predictive Index® in the world. It was founded in Whitby in late 2005 and is a three-time Profit 500 and Globe & Mail Top 400 award recipient. This year marks the company’s 20^th anniversary, marking two decades of delivering industry-leading management consulting and talent optimization solutions to businesses across Canada. With 1,000 clients, Predictive Success has clientele across a range of industries, working with organizations ranging from start-ups to organizations with over $1 billion in revenue.

Predictive Success empowers leaders with the data and skills to maximize investment in their people though proven talent optimization methodologies, knowledge sharing programs, and an integrated technology platform,

Predictive Success recently secured its fifth consecutive Glen Garry Glen Ross New Sales Volume Award, outperforming over 350 Predictive Index agents worldwide.

The company is also committed to making a difference through philanthropic efforts. Through the Predictive Success Foundation, the organization sponsors a classroom of students in need through the Chalice.ca charity. 

• April is Earth Month! If you’re interested in cleaning up a local park, trail, or road, check out the Town of Whitby Anti-Litter Clean-up Program. 
• April 2 is World Autism Day, an opportunity to raise awareness and have important conversations about how to 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. 
• Did you know that over 140 historical artifacts have been discovered in Brooklin? Join Dr. Katherine Hull at the Brooklin library branch on April 7 from 7 to 8 p.m. as she reveals fascinating findings from a 2019 archaeological dig at the Spencer Community Centre. 
• Join West Ward Councillor Matt Cardwell and Regional Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy for updates on local issues and answers to your questions. At the West Ward Town Hall on April 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Whitby Yacht Club. No registration required. Not sure what ward you live in? Find your ward and councillor online.

• Whitby Courthouse Theatre presents “The Play that Goes Wrong” from April 10 to 26, visit whitbytheatre.ca for tickets and details.
• The Whitby Brass Band Spring Concert is Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. ay Heydenshore Pavilion. Tickets are $20, visit whitbybrassband.com to purchase.
• The Whitby Public Library is hosting a variety of Earth Day events including an Earth Day story time and craft April 26 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Central Library, upcycling an old t-shirt into a tote bag for Grades 4 to 8 on April 22 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Rossland Branch, and an all ages craft turning recycled paper into animal magnets on April 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Brooklin Branch. Find more details in the library’s Spring Program Guide. You can also check out the Repair Café and Waste Reduction Event at the Central Library on April 10.  

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