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

The December 2024 Council Highlights include:

• Work underway on new Traffic Calming Guide and Policy
• Council calls for Land Transfer Tax, GST to be redistributed to municipalities
• Province asked again to reduce or eliminate tolls on Hwy. 407 East

Council Highlights is published following every regular Council meeting.

North Ward Councillor Steve Lee and I recently partnered with Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre to bring back their annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser and host it in Whitby for the first time. This longtime tradition went on hiatus during the pandemic and it was amazing to help revive it. I'm thrilled to share that we raised $20,500 -- a new record for this event! Thank you to BarDown Gastropub for providing the food and to all the sponsors, volunteers, and attendees that made the 2024 dinner a success. Hearth Place offers support for all aspects of cancer diagnosis including individual counselling, emotional support groups, wellness programs, caregiver and grief support, and children’s programs. Visit hearthplace.org to learn more. 

In December, I had the privilege of attending Whitby’s annual Celebrating Youth Awards. This year, 20 outstanding youth from our community were recognized for their contributions which include volunteering and fundraising for not-for-profits, serving on school committees and playing leadership roles on sports teams. A huge congratulations to Abigail Knight, Abina Sutharanjan, Abisan Sutharanjan, Ally Barnaby, Amane White, Andrew Nechyporenko, Asher McElhanney, Brayden Vermette, Chase Dundas, David Pedota, Elaha Amiri, Emma Chesterm Gabriella Dolowy, Kinza Khan, Kylie Mortimore, Lani Ogunkoya, O'Neil Grose, Ratul Khan, Sydney Craven, Taylan Turner, and William Wood. Whitby is proud of you!

Did you know the Town of Whitby is responsible for clearing over 1,173 lane km of roads, 329 km of sidewalks, 34 km of trails, 295 cul-de-sac locations, 122,000 square metres of parking lots, and grooming 38 km of trails? 

Areas are salted and cleared in a specific order depending on whether it is a primary, secondary, or tertiary road, sidewalk, trail, or parking lot. Clearing the roads based on categories helps to keep traffic flowing to regional roads, schools, community centres, and industrial/commercial areas.

As a resident or property owner, you’re responsible for clearing your own driveway and any windrows left by snowplows on the road or sidewalk. It is also your responsibility to clear ice and snow from the sidewalk fronting and on each side of your property and to avoid parking on the street during or immediately after a snowstorm to allow plows to clear the roads.

Visit whitby.ca/en/live/snow-clearing.aspx for more information. 

Because you Asked is a new feature on my social media channels and in my monthly newsletter! I use this space to provide helpful context and information about issues the community is asking about. Today we’re talking about remediation work taking place at the Whitby Harbour.

The Whitby Harbour remediation project is being completed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Whitby Harbour is federal property owned by DFO.

The Town of Whitby leases the property for the Whitby Marina, and a portion is sub-leased to the Whitby Yacht Club.

This project is being undertaken because sediment at the bottom of the harbour contains levels high levels of chemicals called dioxins and furans that could be harmful to fish, birds, and humans

The contamination has been traced to an adjacent upstream property along Pringle Creek. Over time, the contaminated sediments were carried downstream into Whitby Harbour.

Remediation of the upstream properties along Pringle Creek was started in 2008 by the province.

The sediment in Whitby Harbour and a small area of Pringle Creek needs to be cleaned remediated to reduce potential risks.

Since the early 2000s, many environmental studies have been undertaken at Pringle Creek and Whitby Harbour to determine the extent and risks of the chemicals.

The studies found that the risks to birds and mammals are low. The risks to humans and fish are moderate and need to be managed.

DFO has developed a Remedial Action Plan to guide the cleanup of Whitby Harbour.

Work started this fall and will be complete in Fall 2026.

Contaminated sediment is being removed by hydraulic dredging and placed in a temporary de-watering area. De-watered materials will then be trucked off-site to a licensed disposal facility.  

The area proposed for temporary de-watering is the portion of Victoria Field, north of the Gordon Street parking lot.

The dewatering area will be constructed with two layers of geotextile liners at the bottom and sides. The liners will act as an impermeable barrier to prevent any potential leaching into the ground.

DFO says information collected to date indicates composition of the dredged sediment will not result in air emission or odour issues during the drying process.

The dredged sediment will stay wet while on site, meaning dust should not be an issue. If the sediment does dry out, a specialized fabric (geotextile) will be used as a cover to prevent dust.

The dewatering area will have two layers of specialized liners on the bottom and sides to prevent anything from leaking into the ground.

Click here for more information on the project.

To share questions, concerns, or feedback, contact DFO by email at DFO.OPInfoWhitby.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call 1-833-551-2702.

Questions and concerns can also be directed to Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull at ryan.turnbull@parl.gc.ca or 905-665-8182. 

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, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Congratulations to Victim Services of Durham Region for being named the first-ever winner of the Small Non-Profit of the Year by the New York-based International Anthem Awards. An offshoot of the Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards recognize organizations worldwide for their dedication to social justice and impactful work in driving positive global change.

• Shout out to students from St. Bridget Catholic School in Brooklin who were recently recognized by Forests Canada and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario as 2024 “Tree Bee” champions. The Tree Bee is a competition where students in Grades 4 to 6 are tested on their knowledge of tree identification and conservation. 

• I recently had the pleasure of presenting a certificate of congratulations to Durham Community Foundation in recognition of their 30^th anniversary. Since 1994, the foundation has invested $7.5 million in over 500 charities, helping to make our community stronger and more inclusive. DCF fosters philanthropy by connecting donors, volunteers, and community leaders, addressing challenges that charities face through research and advocacy, and acting as the voice for local charities. 

Located at Brock Street and Mary Street, Pearson Lanes – also known as the Promenade -- is a charming retail and service hub nestled in Downtown Whitby. With more than 40 businesses, including a mix of shops, cafes, and professional services, Pearson Lanes is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Businesses include Unique Town Boutique, the Pearson Pub, Brookstead Fine Flowers, Love Squared Kids, Blush Beauty Boutique, Lovey Preloved, Skin Essence MedSpa, Erin Interiors, Exotic Knacks, Onyx Therapeutics, J’adore Intimates, Marito’s Coffee and Things, Purrfection Cat Grooming Salon, Tai’s Vitality Massage and Wellness, RNRC Aesthetics, Osteo Genie Wellness Hub, Style Loft Boutique, Perspective Studio Productions, Ciao Ari Hair Studio, Mandzak Chiropratic, Live With Spirit Yoga and Fitness Studio, Excellent Care Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic, Mermaid Hair Extensions, Vana Glory Studio, DIS Financial Group, Branton Law, Brunt Law, and Downtown Whitby Dentistry.

The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre is Canada’s only stand-alone centre and registered charitable organization specializing in type 1 diabetes (T1D) healthcare expertise.

Located in Whitby, the Best Centre’s mission is to keep children, youth, and adults living with T1D healthy until a cure is found. Roughly 300,000 Canadians are living with TID. With no known cure, proper management is the only treatment. The Best Centre supports about 2,000 patients and conducts over 28,000 healthcare interactions per year.

Founded in 1989, The Best Centre provides, free, exceptional community-based services driven by T1D patients and their need for lifelong care, education, and support. The Best Centre provides a range of programs and services to people of all ages and through all aspects of their lives. The clinical care programs and services are delivered by registered nurses, dietitians, and social workers.

The Best Centre’s specialized care often helps keep T1D patients safe at home, avoiding hospital visits. This care includes an immediate initial assessment and T1D healthcare education, nurse and dietitian educator counselling, mental health support as needed, an urgent care after-hours program, Insulin Pump Program, Nutrition Program, Pregnancy Program, and Community Outreach and School Education Program.

The Best Centre needs to grow to continue to support the population of T1D patients and families. The Building on the Best Campaign aims to raise $8 million to help the centre triple its current footprint. Upon completion, it will include full accessibility to the second floor by elevator, 25 patient counselling spaces, a large event and education space, seven multipurpose rooms, two pediatric and one adult clinic, and a rental office.

How you can help:

• To volunteer at an event or host your own event in support of the Best Centre email fundraising@charleshbest.com

• Donate to programs and services or to the Building on the Best campaign at charleshbest.com/donate 

• Several free public skates are being offered this month, check out Whitby’s Community Calendar for full details.

- Thursday, Jan. 2 from 12 to 2 p.m. at Iroquois Park Sports Centre

- Friday, Jan. 3 from 2 to 3:45 p.m. at Luther Vipond Memorial Arena

- Sunday, Jan. 12 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Luther Vipond Memorial Arena

• Celebrate Family Literacy Day on Jan. 25 by making a personalized library card holder from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Whitby Public Library Rossland Branch.
• On Jan. 24 Whitby’s 55+ Centre hosts “Unfolding the Foundations of Indigenous History and Traditions.” This two-hour workshop explores the importance of Indigenous cultural ceremonies that support community identity and healing. Pre-registration is required, click here for details.
• Lunar New Year starts on Jan. 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake. Kids can make a paper snake decoration at any of Whitby's library branches on Jan. 24 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m