More family physicians, housing, and community partnerships to support those in need part of the action items already underway

Mayor Elizabeth Roy has released the following statement sharing a mid-way progress update on the implementation of Whitby’s 2023 to 2026 Community Strategic Plan:

 When I ran for mayor in 2022, I made a promise to introduce a Community Strategic Plan -- something our town has been without for over 20 years.

Today, we are half-way through the implementation of the result of that campaign promise – Whitby’s 2023 to 2026 Community Strategic Plan – that was shaped by the voices of thousands of residents who shared their priorities for our town, and it’s incredible to see those ideas coming to life.

In less than two years, more than 95 per cent of the Plan’s 62 action items have been started or completed. These include things like partnering on efforts to bring healthcare closer to home through progress on a new hospital in Whitby and more family physicians to serve residents; incredible progress on the construction on the Whitby Sports Complex; the opening of The Market community food bank operated by Feed the Need in Durham at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre; and new programs and initiatives to support more local housing options. All of these actions are helping to address local priorities that matter to our residents.  

I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the progress ahead in 2025, including:

• the upcoming completion of the Whitby Sports Complex
• a new signature event in Downtown Whitby
• improvements at our waterfront, including around the historic Rowe House
• continued action on our Economic Development Strategy to support and attract local businesses
• the start of implementation of Whitby’s approved Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• continued progress on bringing more housing options to Whitby
• enhanced partnerships with community and government partners to address local priorities
• and so much more.

Collectively, these actions move us closer to achieving the vision for Whitby captured in the Community Strategic Plan – naturally beautiful green spaces, a vibrant waterfront, thriving downtowns, a safe community, and an exceptional place to live, work, and explore. Together, we are doing great things, and I can’t wait to share more updates as our shared vision is brought to life.

Quick Facts

• In 2023, 8,500+ people visited the Connect Whitby project page and over 3,000 completed online surveys, with 75+ people taking part in virtual and in-person engagement sessions to help inform the CSP.
• Residents highlighted the Whitby waterfront, healthcare, green spaces, community safety, economic growth, and the desire to address social needs, like homelessness, as some of their top priorities.
• The Plan includes four pillars, 13 objectives and 62 action items to achieve this Community Vision.

More Information

Read the full 2023 Community Strategic Plan Progress Update, visit connectwhitby.ca/CommunityPlan to learn more and subscribe to the project, or subscribe to the Town’s news feed to receive all Town news.

For media inquiries, contact:

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

Jillian Follert
Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor, Town of Whitby
Phone: 289.387.9101
Email: follertj@whitby.ca