Improvements coming to Roebuck Street community space

The Town of Whitby is receiving support through the My Main Street Community Activator to continue to revitalize Roebuck Street. The investment was announced by MP Ryan Turnbull, alongside Mayor Elizabeth Roy, at the Town’s annual Harvest Festival.

Improvements along Roebuck Street’s outdoor gathering space and throughout Grass Park include lighting, new bike racking, seating, a vibrant "Field to Fork" mural by local artist Chrrie, and more. 

These improvements will further the Town’s Community Strategic Plan goals to invest in, promote, and strengthen the local arts, culture, heritage, and creative sectors, as well as to implement initiatives that help our downtowns thrive as vibrant destinations.

My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to foster the stabilization and revitalization of main streets across southern Ontario. Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.

Quotes

"Thank you to the federal government and Whitby MP Ryan Turnbull for this funding to further enhance Roebuck Street and Grass Park. Helping our two downtowns become thriving destinations is a key action item in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and this grant will help us build on the momentum already underway in Downtown Brooklin. I can’t wait to see residents enjoying the enhanced space."

-       Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

"I'm thrilled to announce that our community will receive a total of $161,000 in Federal funding, with $91,000 allocated to the Town of Whitby and an additional $70,000 supporting 7 local businesses through My Mainstreet grants. This significant investment demonstrates our government's commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Whitby and across the region. I'm proud to have played a role in securing these funds, which will have a lasting impact on our community. By collaborating with the Town and local stakeholders, we've successfully attracted investments that will improve our infrastructure, boost economic growth, and enrich our community's social fabric."

-     Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Whitby

"Vibrant main streets like Roebuck Street in Whitby remind us of the value of investing in ‘place’ and the importance of participating in activities that make our shared lives more productive, creative and rewarding. The best thing about main streets is we all have one."

-        Mary W. Rowe, CEO and President, Canadian Urban Institute

"Small businesses are the heart of our communities and the backbone of our local economies. The Government of Canada, through CUI, is investing in projects through My Main Street that enhance the local experience, such as the Town of Whitby’s Roebuck Street revitalization, that boost the vibrancy of our main streets. Our main streets are crucial to the prosperity of our communities, and our government is pleased to support them as they grow."

-       The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

For more information on this project, visit connectwhitby.ca/RoebuckStreet.

More Information

For more information, check out the following links:

• ConnectWhitby.ca/RoebuckStreet
• My Main Street
• Canadian Urban Institute
• FedDev Ontario

For media inquiries, contact:

Erin Mikaluk
Manager, Communications and Creative Services
Town of Whitby
mikaluke@whitby.ca
289.314.6913

Samantha Staresincic
Communications Manager
My Main Street
Media@mymainstreet.ca

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Background Information

About the Town of Whitby

The Town of Whitby is a lakefront community that is home to nearly 140,000 residents and more than 2,000 businesses. Whitby is the second largest municipality in the Regional Municipality of Durham and located in the heart of the region. The Town is committed to building a pedestrian-focused, cycling-oriented and age-friendly community, the revitalization of its two historic downtowns and maximizing its wonderful green spaces. The Town is committed to grow as a smart, urban community where talent and businesses can flourish.

About My Main Street

The My Main Street program has returned with an additional Government of Canada investment, building on an initial investment in 2021, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to spur local economic recovery. To date, the initial investment has supported nearly 4,500 businesses and organizations, nearly 7,500 jobs and leveraged nearly $19 million in additional investment. The funding aims to revitalize neighbourhood main streets with a healthy retail mix while generating inclusive economic opportunities. The program now features two streams – the Business Sustainability Program stream and the Community Activator stream. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

About the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)

The Canadian Urban Institute is a leading organization dedicated to advancing urban solutions. CUI collaborates with city builders, researchers, and community leaders to create thriving, equitable, and sustainable urban spaces across Canada.

About FedDev Ontario

For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.