First annual progress report on Community Strategic Plan

On Jan. 29, Council received the first annual progress report on Whitby’s new Community Strategic Plan. Endorsed by Council June 2023, the plan provides a roadmap for how Council and staff will work together to deliver on community priorities over the next four years. More than 3,000 people provided feedback on the plan as it was being developed, resulting in 62 action items. After six months of progress, 57 items are in progress, one is complete and four have yet to be started. Since the approval of the Plan in June, several one-time financial investments have been approved by Council to support the implementation of action items. These include $300,000 for the Family Physician Recruitment Incentive Partnership Pilot Program, $20,000 for the Regional 2023 Family Physician Recruitment Program; $400,000 for repairs to Rowe House; and $154 million for the new Whitby Sports Complex. Many remaining action items require additional investment of staff resources, capital, and/or operating budgets. These initiatives will be brought forward for Council approval through the annual budget process. Visit connectwhitby.ca/communityplan to learn more about the Community Strategic Plan. 

Nova’s Ark withdraws request for exemption from Town’s Prohibited and Regulated Animals By-law

On Jan. 7, Nova’s Ark formally withdrew a request for exemption from the Town of Whitby’s Prohibited and Regulated Animals Bylaw. Nova’s Ark is a registered charity based in Whitby that provides programs for people of all abilities, including animal-assisted therapy.  A May 2023 inventory provided by Nova’s Ark listed 355 animals on site 74 of which violate the Town’s by-law, including wolves, pythons, a lynx, serval, and bobcat. Nova’s Ark has indicated the prohibited animals will be rehomed to safe, appropriate facilities as soon as possible. The majority of animals on site, such as horses, donkeys, ponies, ferrets, pigs, and alpacas are permitted under the bylaw and will remain at Nova’s Ark. This issue was discussed at Council’s Dec. 11 Committee of the Whole meeting, which included many delegations. Initial plans were for further discussions and delegations to continue in January, however the decision by Nova’s Ark to withdraw the exemption request rendered this unnecessary. Town staff are working with Nova’s Ark towards compliance with the by-law.   

Update on Whitby’s Tourism Strategy

Council has received an update on Whitby’s Tourism Strategy, which outlines progress to date and plans for 2024. The four-year strategy was adopted in May 2022 and includes 33 action items. A total of 16 actions have been completed or are underway. Actions planned for 2024 -- subject to budget approval -- include participation in the “Do Something Delicious” campaign through the Globe and Mail and Culinary Tourism Alliance; working with Central Counties Tourism to host Influencers in Whitby; launch of a quarterly b2c (business to consumer/visitor) e-newsletter starting in June 2024; implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax as a new revenue stream for tourism; and development of culinary experiences related to the Whitby Food Guide including a Food Tour and Brewery Tour. 

Federal government asked to give small businesses more time to pay loans

Council approved a motion on Jan. 29 that “urgently” asks the federal government to give small businesses an additional year to pay off Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans. The repayment deadline for CEBA loans to qualify for partial loan forgiveness of up to 33 percent was extended from December 31, 2023, to Jan. 18, 2024. However, the motion notes 900,000 small businesses hold CEBA loans and 22 per cent are not currently in a position to repay. A copy of the motion and a letter outlining the request has been sent to all Durham Region MPs as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez, and the leaders of the federal Conservative Party, NDP, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party.

On Jan. 29, Council approved a new Public Art Policy, which will help grow the Town’s public art collection. Community engagement was a key part of developing the new plan, including the creation of a steering committee. The Public Art Policy includes sections on responsibilities, site selection, acquisition, installation, maintenance, storage, donations, de-accessioning, and general funding. Council also directed Town staff to report back on the establishment of a Public Art Program Reserve Fund. In 2024 a review of Whitby’s public art inventory will be undertaken to establish a baseline for ongoing maintenance, which will be requested as part of the 2025 operating budget. 

Council calls for 407 tolls in Durham to be removed during Winchester Road construction

On Jan. 29, Council approved a motion calling on the Province to temporarily remove tolls on Hwy. 407 in Durham Region for the duration of planned construction work on Winchester Road. Work to widen Winchester Road from Anderson Street to Baldwin Street will necessitate reducing Winchester Road to one lane of traffic in one direction over two construction seasons. This is expected to have a significant impact on traffic for residents and area businesses. A copy of the request has been sent to all Durham municipalities, Durham MPPs, and the Minister of Transportation.

Council asks Province to do “social and economic prosperity review” for municipalities

A motion approved by Council on Jan. 29 notes that current fiscal arrangements between the Province and municipalities are “undermining Ontario’s economic prosperity and quality of life” and that close to one third of municipal spending is for services in areas of provincial responsibility. The motion says expenditures by municipalities are outpacing provincial contributions by nearly $4 billion a year and that municipal revenues such as property taxes do not grow with the economy or inflation. The motion calls on the Province to work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to undertake a “comprehensive social and economic prosperity review” to promote the stability and sustainability of municipal finances across Ontario. A copy of the resolution will be circulated to Premier Doug Ford, Durham area MPPs, Durham area municipalities, the Region of Durham, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.