On Aug. 1, Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones announced a planning grant for a new hospital in Whitby. The announcement also outlined plans to expand Lakeridge Health’s hospital campuses in Durham, including adding 300 hospital beds, a new post-acute care centre in Pickering, and redevelopment of Bowmanville Hospital. The new Whitby hospital is expected to be operational in 10 years. Lakeridge Health will be leading the project from here, including a public consultation process and fundraising campaign. I am incredibly proud of how our community came together to advocate for this urgently needed hospital. Thank you to all the residents who supported the Town of Whitby’s hospital campaign, members of the Hospital Task Force, Town staff, members of Council, local MPPs, and the Province. You can find the announcement from the Province here and my statement on the planning grant announcement here. 

The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review, which will help set policies that manage how Whitby should grow between now and 2051. The review kicked off this past spring with community open houses in May and June. The Official Plan, which was last updated in 2018, guides where and how land should be used. For example, it sets out where housing, offices, stores, and roads will be located and what important places should be protected in both the natural and built environment. The review focuses on four key areas: general Official Plan updates, increasing the housing supply and related policies in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area, and other strategic growth areas across the Town, and planning for more jobs and homes in the new Brooklin Expansion Area. Visit connectwhitby.ca/opreview to view the open house materials, share feedback through a survey open until Sept. 13, and sign up for the interested party list to receive notice about future engagement opportunities and project updates. 

Council is back in session this month after the summer recess – here’s how to keep up with what’s happening. Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are held on a three-week cycle. Visit whitby.ca/en/town-hall/council-meeting.aspx for meeting dates, agendas, and minutes. Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings in person at Town Hall, 575 Rossland Rd. W. or watch the live stream by clicking here.

You can also check out Council Highlights, which are published on the Town’s website following every regular Council meeting. Go to whitby.ca/subscribe and select “Mayor and Council Updates” to receive a notification for new Council Highlights. 

This summer I hosted six Coffee with Mayor Roy events at coffee shops and libraries throughout the town, building on the success of these events in 2023.  Thank you for the opportunity to chat with so many of you about the issues that matter to you. I saw many familiar faces and met lots of new people.  Watch my newsletter and social media for information about future Coffee with Mayor Roy events! You’re also welcome to request a coffee meeting with me for your community group, place of worship, etc. Reach out to mayor@whitby.ca for details.

Nine-year-old Whitby resident Zoey was born with a rare congenital heart disease, leaving her with only half a heart. At just five hours old, she had her first of four open heart surgeries. Due to her compromised immune system, her family is constantly in a state of worry.

Zoey says the best day she ever had was when she was told she was getting a wish from Make- A-Wish Canada. She loves singing, dancing, and -- most importantly -- when all the attention is on her. Zoey has always wondered what it’s like to be famous and finally knows after her wish was grabted. “Zoey’s wish was like nothing we could ever dream of for her,” says Zoey’s mom Amanda. “It was honestly everything and more for her and myself!”

Zoey and her mom spent a weekend at a luxurious Toronto hotel, where they got the full VIP experience. They were escorted around the city in a limo, pampered at a spa, and went on a shopping spree with a personal shopper. Zoey had a custom dress made that she designed herself, and got her hair and makeup professionally done for her very own photoshoot. When arriving back at their hotel, Zoey stepped out onto a red carpet, where adoring fans and paparazzi got autographs and snapped photos with her.

Zoey wanted nothing more than for her beloved nanny to be part of her wish, but sadly she passed away before her wish came true. “When [Zoey] speaks about her wish, she always says how nanny would love this,” Amanda shared. Zoey’s wish was a pivotal turning point in her journey. “My wish was amazing, and [everyone] made me feel so special,” Zoey says.

Hope is essential for children with critical illnesses and its life-changing power is unlocked when wishes like Zoey’s are granted. Make-A-Wish Canada is on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness.

There are still thousands of wishes waiting to be granted across the country, including 15 wishes in the Whitby community. Help transform lives, one wish at a time by donating at makeawish.ca

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

• Congratulations to Butchie's owner Andrea Nicholson, for receiving a $10,000 Made by Women grant from DoorDash Canada and Monday Girl! Butchie's is a fantastic example of a thriving woman-owned business that makes our community a better place.
• Shout out to the Brooklin Merchants who were successful in their bid to host the 2025 Presidents Cup during the club’s upcoming 25^th anniversary season. Click here to read more.

Making a Difference is a 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

Ignite Durham Learning Foundation (IDLF) believes in the power of community and the limitless potential of every student. As a registered charity, IDLF is dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and youth throughout their educational journey.

In today’s world, an alarming number of students face the harsh realities of poverty. From the youngest learners to those on the cusp of graduation, financial barriers should never stand in the way of a student's success. That’s where IDLF steps in.

With the support of teachers, support staff, and community partners, IDLF creates life-changing opportunities for students in need. Examples include providing a food hamper to a struggling family, offering new clothing and shoes, supplying personal hygiene products, or filling a backpack with essential school supplies, and covering the costs of field trips and post-secondary applications.

IDLF is driven by belief in the dignity of every student and the strength of our community. The vision is simple yet powerful: "Tomorrow Made Brighter."

The foundation operates through five key areas:

• Starfish: Providing clothing, supplies, and transportation to those in need.
• Make A Difference: Offering financial subsidies to students experiencing poverty.
• Think Outside the Bell: Supporting specialized programs that enhance learning.
• Future Fund: Assisting with post-secondary pathways and making higher education accessible.
• S.N.A.C.K Fund: Ensuring no student goes hungry by providing access to food.

Additionally, IDLF runs the Make a Difference Depot, a unique space housing in-kind support items for student well-being and educational spaces.

How you can help:

Volunteer with IDLF, host a third-party fundraiser, share your experience as a supporter or beneficiary, or make a donation. To make a monetary donation, click here. New in-kind donations are accepted at the drop bin at the DDSB Education Centre, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or schedule a drop-off by contacting IDLF at 905-666-6991 or depot@ddsb.ca Stay informed by following the foundation on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Brunch & Co. owner Sarah Pascoal wasn’t always planning to open her own restaurant. While working as a server at Whitby’s Baton Rouge, she learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business. When the pandemic hit, Pascoal saw an opportunity and rented the Baton Rouge kitchen in the mornings when it was not in use, using the space to make to-go breakfast boxes.

“I loved being able to bring joy to people through food during such a challenging time. As we gained more customers, I realized I wanted to do this on a larger scale – I wanted to open my own restaurant,” Pascoal says.

Her father, Carlos, was her inspiration from the get-go. Pascoal has fond memories of her father taking her to Toronto to indulge in a mid-morning meal. When Carlos died unexpectedly, Pascoal found the strength to move forward with her vision of opening a restaurant. 

“I found the courage again because I knew deep down, he wanted this for me more than anyone. He was my biggest cheerleader…I know he would have been there every day and I am sure he still is, but in a different way now.”

At Brunch & Co., located at 163 Brock. St. N., Pascoal pays tribute to her late father, with a photo of him and his hat hanging side by side on the wall and a menu item dedicated to him called Carlos’ Special, which includes the classics: bacon, three eggs, and choice of toast.

The menu also features unique dishes, like cannoli-stuffed French toast, lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes, and a jalapeño popper bagel.

Pascoal received funding through the Town of Whitby’s Façade and Sign Grants to revitalize the exterior of the building, as well as funding from the Town’s Interior Heritage Building Grant to remodel the interior. 

She was also the recipient of a grant through the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator Program - a data-driven community economic development program focused on revitalizing main streets. The program, funded by FedDev Ontario and overseen by Business Advisory Centre Durham, helped purchase equipment like an industrial-size grill and fridge.

Pascoal attributes much of her success to Whitby’s welcoming and supportive community, noting that residents have a strong shop-local mindset and love to support new businesses, especially in the downtown.

For more information, visit Brunch & Co.’s website and follow the restaurant on Instagram and Facebook.

• Whitby Beer Fest takes place Sept. 13 to 15 at Celebration Square! Whitby Beer Fest started as a small event for beer lovers back in 2018 and has grown into a popular annual event that attracts residents and visitors alike. Click here for details.
• Brooklin Harvest Festival is returning Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is one of my favourite events of the year! Businesses and restaurants on Baldwin Street invite you to shop sidewalk sales, pop into unique shops, and meet the local owners. There will be family-friendly Adventure Zone with  a rock wall, inflatable slides, dinosaurs, reptiles, and more. Enjoy Grass Park’s newly renovated pathways and seating and take in the fall colours, local entertainment, and street performances throughout the day. You can find more details here. 
• The Town of Whitby’s En Plein Air Painting Culture Pop-Up is Sept. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Sunrise Lake Park. Join us for this freestyle painting event guided by local artist Diane Huson, set to the musical stylings of acoustic guitarist Daelin Henschel. This is a free event with supplies provided, click here to register.