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

The February 2025 Council Highlights include:

• Town secured “unprecedented” number of grants in 2024
• Official Plan amendment approved for Whitby GO Station PMTSA
• Town to seek naming rights for Whitby Sports Complex, other facilities
• Council looks at terminating contract with closed meeting investigator

Council Highlights is published following every regular Council meeting.

The second annual progress report on Whitby’s 2023-2026 Community Strategic Plan has been released – and I’m so thrilled with the results! At the halfway point of the four-year plan, more than 95 per cent of the 62 action items are underway or complete. That includes six items complete, 54 in progress, and two that have yet to start but are scheduled to begin in 2025. When I ran for mayor in 2022, implementing a Community Strategic Plan was one of my key priorities – did you know Whitby hasn’t had a plan like this in over 20 years? Council endorsed the Community Strategic Plan in June 2023, after more than 3,000 community members provided input. The plan ensures Council and Town staff are on the same page and working together on the priorities that matter most to our residents. Learn more at connectwhitby.ca/communityplan

As of Feb. 14, The Market food bank in Whitby has expanded its hours to meet growing demand. Located at Iroquois Park Sports Centre, The Market is operated by Feed the Need in Durham with support from the Town of Whitby. It is set up like a store, allowing clients to access food in an accessible, dignified, and equitable way. There was a need to expand operating hours, because the previous 160 pre-booked time slots per week were being booked in a matter of minutes. A total of 260 time slots are now available each week.  To learn more about accessing the food bank, donating or volunteering, visit feedtheneedindurham.ca/market

The Town of Whitby is working to develop a new Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines. Traffic calming measures are intended to slow traffic and include things like speed humps, raised crosswalks and intersections, and mini neighbourhood roundabouts. The new policy will create a fair and data-driven process to assess and prioritize requests for traffic calming, ensuring resources are used effectively. It will also ensure all requests are treated equally and that consultation happens before any changes are made. Visit https://connectwhitby.ca/trafficcalmingpolicy to learn more about upcoming community engagement sessions, or share your feedback by completing a survey until March 14.

In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, check out some of Whitby’s amazing women-owned businesses! If you know a business that deserves a shout-out, email follertj@whitby.ca to suggest that it be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

-       Aspire Climbing Whitby opened in October 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Owner Sarah Kostadinov was inspired to create a “positive, encouraging space” to help grow the sport of climbing and ninja in Durham. The full-service indoor rock climbing and ninja warrior facility is almost 15,000 square feet and offers top rope, auto-belay, bouldering, lead climbing, a ninja warrior course, and a training and fitness area.

-       Brookstead Fine Flowers started in 2018 as a home-based business and transitioned to a shop at 103 Mary St. W. in downtown Whitby in 2020. “I have always been an artist, and after working in my grandfather's flower shop as a teen, I quickly found that I had found my medium -- flowers!” says owner Hilary Rambachan. 

-       Peacock Family Promotional, located at 112 Athol St. in Downtown Whitby, is a family-run business specializing in custom promotional products. Owned by Melissa Peacock, the company offers laser engraving, awards, direct-to-garment printing, corporate apparel, and team wear. 

-       Uchechi Ezurike-Bosse is a business strategist, author, publisher, and mentor who is committed to empowering others to achieve their goals. Her business My Empowered Living, offers business and life coaching, online courses, planners, publishing, and more. Uchechi's focus is fostering personal and professional development, helping people realize their business aspirations, enhance their mindset, and achieve success.

-       Located at 707 Brock St S in Downtown Whitby, Elm Law is driven by a vision to create a supportive, women-friendly work environment. Founded by Amelia Yiu and Stephanie Ostrom, the firm specializes in family law and estate litigation, catering to the unique needs of clients while fostering a collaborative culture among staff. 

-       In Downtown Whitby’s Promenade, Style Loft Boutique offers a unique shopping experience that blends luxury, sustainability, and affordability. Founded by Kendra Walker, the boutique sells pre-loved, luxury clothing and accessories at up to 80 per cent off retail prices. 

-       Founded by Dr. Hasti Sarabi, Brooklin Dental Centre offers an innovative approach to dental care. Aiming to reduce the anxiety and discomfort often associated with dental visits, Dr. Sarabi has worked to create an atmosphere more akin to a cozy coffee shop than a clinical environment.   

-  Melly's Market and Cafe was founded with the goal of providing fulfilling opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Founders Aimee Ruttle and Ellen McRae drew inspiration from their experiences mentoring young people who had yet to enter the workforce. Recognizing the need for specialized training and support, they embarked on a journey to create a space emphasizing skill development, social connections, and community engagement. 

- When Denise LaFramboise founded LaFramboise Mortgage, she wanted to simplify the home buying experience and off a mortgage advisor committed to helping people make educated decisions and save money. Denise's own home buying experience made her realize the conventional counsel she had received was outdated -- and that the housing market and mortgage laws had changed. She now provides clients with the help and direction she wished she had received herself.

I hosted my second annual "Facebook Live with Mayor Roy" on Feb. 25, which focused on growth, planning, and development issues in Whitby. I was joined by the Town’s Director of Planning, John Taylor, who helped answer questions from residents. If you missed it, you can check out the recording on my YouTube channel.

 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 100 Women Who Care Durham Region on their 10^th anniversary! Over the past decade, this amazing group has raised $251,774, in support of many charities in our region. To join or learn more visit 100 + Women Who Care Durham Region

• Whitby Council recently honoured Colin Lepre, the Town’s Junior Fire Chief for 2024. Since 1972, Whitby Fire and Emergency Services has offered a Junior Firefighter summer camp -- and Colin was one of the 2024 graduates. During his time at camp, Colin demonstrated outstanding knowledge of fire safety and was always willing to assist his peers. Since stepping into the junior fire chief role, Colin has shown leadership and a willingness to learn. Way to go, Colin!

• Shout out to the staff and volunteers at Feed the Need in Durham, who have made it possible to expand the hours at The Market food bank in Whitby from being open one day per week, to two. Thank you for all you do to meet the needs of our community members.

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

It’s a common winter frustration. You’ve just finished shoveling and the plow clears the street and leaves a pile of snow at the bottom of your driveway – also known as a windrow.

At this time of year, I get many questions from residents about why the Town of Whitby doesn’t offer windrow clearing.

The Town does provide a free windrow clearing service for people 65 and over and those with disabilities.

This year, more than 1,170 people signed up to receive this service, a significant increase from 667 participants when the program started in 2008-09.

The Town at a minimum, follows the provincially legislated standards for snow clearing, which set out what winter maintenance is required based on road classification and the amount of snowfall.

The legislation does not include requirements for windrow clearing.

A municipality-wide windrow clearing program is offered in very few southern Ontario municipalities -- Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and parts of Toronto.

The City of Toronto only offers windrow clearing in Etobicoke, Scarborough, and North York – it’s a pre-amalgamation service that has not been extended to the rest of the city.

Town of Whitby staff have provided Council with periodic updates on the cost of a windrow program.

A high-level estimate from 2023 notes that a town-wide windrow program using contracted services would cost $3.7 million annually.

Based on the costing provided in a City of Mississauga report from October 2024, the current estimate is $5.2 million annually, again through contracted service providers. 

If the Town were to provide the service in-house, it would require the purchase of 50 pieces of equipment at a cost of about $30 million, as well as additional costs for staffing, fuel and insurance.

Why is additional equipment needed? The Town currently uses dump trucks with plows for the majority of snow clearing.

Windrow eliminator blades only work on loaders, and require the loader to travel at a much slower rate of speed and then a truck will follow behind to salt the road.

Town staff also shared that a windrow clearing program can pose unique challenges:

-          Townhomes and homes in cul-de-sacs can’t be serviced because there is nowhere to push the snow.

-          Windrow programs often narrow the width of a driveway as the winter progresses and snow accumulates.

-          There are challenges with providing windrow clearing on the same day as waste collection

-          The Town would have to prevent parking in the lower portion or boulevard portion of the driveway, further exacerbating residential parking issues

-          There is currently an industry-wide staffing challenge for qualified operators, which means contractors could face challenges providing windrow clearing in a timely manner

As you can see, it’s a complex issue in terms of cost and logistics.  

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 follertj@whitby.ca

For more than 30 years, the Durham Youth Orchestra (DYO) has nurtured the talents of young musicians in our community, offering the opportunity to perform works by great composers, from Bach to Beethoven.

Founded in 1993 by Oshawa violinist and violist John Beaton, the DYO welcomes children and youth ages six to 21.

Its mission is twofold: to enrich young people’s lives through music education and to enhance Durham’s arts and culture scene with live classical performances.

Each season, the orchestra presents three main concerts at Hebron Christian Reformed Church in Whitby or St. George’s Anglican Church in Oshawa.

Small ensembles of advanced DYO musicians also perform at special events across Durham, including the Whitby Mayor’s Gala at Trafalgar Castle and the Oshawa Mayor’s New Year Levee at Parkwood Estate.

DYO collaborates with renowned ensembles like the Ontario Philharmonic, the Durham Philharmonic Choir, Resound Choir, O’Neill Collegiate Senior Choir, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Youth Orchestra.

Many DYO alumni have continued their studies at prestigious institutions such as the University of Toronto, McGill, the Glenn Gould School, the San Francisco Conservatory, and Juilliard.

To further hone their skills, members participate in coaching sessions led by professional musicians from the Toronto Symphony, the Glenn Gould School, and the University of Toronto.

DYO concerts are open to the public and the orchestra is always looking for talented young musicians. Learn more about auditions, upcoming concerts and more at dyomusic.com

Another Spin Records is an independent record store located in Whitby at 217 Dundas St. E. Since opening in December 2023, the store has earned a loyal following for its wide selection of vinyl, CDs, and music memorabilia. Another Spin offers a curated mix of genres, from classic rock and jazz to more niche and contemporary styles, ensuring casual listeners and serious collectors can find something to suit their tastes.

The store is known for its friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are always happy to offer recommendations, help find specific titles, or chat about new artists and favorite albums. Whether you're hunting for a rare pressing or simply want to explore new sounds, the store has become a local gem and an essential stop for anyone passionate about music.

Another Spin also has locations at 25 Bond St. E. in Oshawa and 62 King. St. W. in Bowmanville at Bowmanville Markets. Follow Another Spin on Facebook at facebook.com/anotherspinrecords or Instagram @anotherspinrecords

• Students in Durham are on March Break from March 7 to 14. If you're looking for ways to keep the kids busy, check out the Whitby Public Library Spring Program Guide for March Break activities! You can also visit one of the many amazing family entertainment destinations Whitby has to offer, or check out our trails and conservation areas!
• Ramadan is expected to start on Feb. 28 or March 1. Wishing a peaceful and meaningful Ramadan to all Whitby residents observing this holy month and a joyous Eid al-Fitr.
• Registration for Town of Whitby spring aquatic program starts on March 4 followed by spring recreation program registration on March 6. The summer camp wish list will open on March 12 and registration begins March 26 for residents. Click here for details.
• Chag Purim Sameach to all those celebrating Purim on March 13 and 14, wishing you a wonderful celebration with family and friends!

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