On June 19, Council endorsed a new four-year Community Strategic Plan, which will provide a shared vision and objectives for how Town Council and staff work together to deliver on community priorities. The plan includes measurable action items that will be reported on annually to track progress. More than 3,000 people participated in two phases of community engagement on the plan – one of the Town’s highest levels of community engagement to date. The 2023-2026 Community Strategic Plan includes 62 action items, 39 of which will require Council approval of additional funding in future budgets. Examples of action items include: securing property for a new hospital; developing and implementing a traffic calming and safety policy; working with partners to increase access to family physicians; attracting investment for a hotel and convention centre; and expanding the Town’s business attraction and retention program.

Council voted June 19 to terminate the environmental assessment for the Highway 7/12 alternative route. Town staff will provide a report to Council in the coming months that outlines potential next steps. A Provincial Class Environmental Assessment Study was originally initiated to determine an alternative route for provincial traffic that does not go through the Downtown Brooklin area. A report from Town staff that went to Committee of the Whole on June 12 recommended that Council approve incorporating the Columbus Road (Country Lane to Lake Ridge Road) Environmental Assessment Study into the current Highway 7/12 Alternative Route EA contract. Council did not support that direction and instead supported a motion to terminate the project.

Council voted June 19 to approve an initial expense of $20,000 to support a Regional Family Physician Recruitment Program. During public engagement on Whitby’s new Community Strategic Plan, the attraction and retention of family physicians was identified as a top priority for residents.

The Town of Whitby is looking to partner with the Region of Durham, Lakeridge Health, and Durham Region municipalities on a Durham Family Physician Program. This would include two focuses: a welcome and settlement program for students in the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Physician training program; and a plan to establish a Family Physician Retention, Recruitment, and Incentive Program. 

Work on the plan would start with a report that outlines information like the actual number of additional family doctors needed in Durham and a scan of physician attraction and retention practices across Ontario.

The Region of Durham would engage a consultant to develop this report which would be completed by Fall 2023.

The cost of the two programs is approximately $215,000 and would be shared by the Region and local municipalities, with a cost of $20,000 for Whitby’s portion.

Any ongoing costs will be included for Council consideration as part of the 2024 and future budgets.

Council voted June 19 not to support a proposed bylaw that would have prohibited the possession, sale and discharge of consumer fireworks in Whitby, instead opting to receive the report for information. In 2022, two surveys were offered to gather public feedback about fireworks and their use for specific celebrations. Of those who responded, 47.8 per cent were in favour of a consumer grade fireworks ban in Whitby and 75.3 per cent were concerned about unsafe use of consumer grade fireworks as well as the related garbage and noise. Sixty-eight per cent had no concerns with display-grade fireworks set off by professionals, facilitated by the Town and 78 per cent were in favour of display fireworks at Town events. Had the bylaw been approved, it would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2024 and still allowed professional display fireworks permits to be available for licensed professionals at any time of the year; at a cost of $225.

A new report received by Council for information on June 19 highlights work that has taken place to date on the Town’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism) Project, including hiring a Corporate IDEA Specialist in October 2022. Work that has taken place internally includes: the development and release of a corporate policy that encourages use of an Indigenous land acknowledgement; and creating the permanent ability to choose virtual or in-person delegations to Council and Committee meetings. The IDEA Project includes many recommended action items such as: reviewing the Town’s corporate and community grant policy for IDEA principles and unconscious bias in granting criteria; and developing a recruitment and retention strategy that increases the interest of people from diverse backgrounds to apply for and remain in employment with Whitby.

Council voted June 19 to partner with Whitby Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 2036 on the design and construction of a memorial to fallen fire fighters, which will be located at Whitby Civic Park adjacent to Town Hall. Council voted to establish a new capital project in the amount of $250,000 for the memorial – funding will include $35,000 from Local 2036, $35,000 from the Town of Whitby and external fundraising for the additional $180,000. The Town of Whitby will actively partner with Local 2036 to source additional public or private sources of funding or sponsorship opportunities. Construction of the memorial will only proceed once the fundraising goal of $180,000 has been achieved.

A new report received by council for information on June 19, says the Town of Whitby will require additional resources for tree maintenance in the coming years. A total of 1,845 tree related service requests were received in 2022 -- including general maintenance, storm damage, and wasp nest removal. That’s a 14 per cent increase over 2021 and a 23.4 per cent increase over 2020. A 20 per cent increase in the inventory of maintained trees is expected by 2025, including 5,167 boulevard and park trees added to the Town’s inventory in 2024, and another 6,050 trees added in 2025. Information about additional resources will be included in the Town’s Work Force Plan and future budgets for Council consideration.