Did you know Whitby has an amazing digital food guide? The 2023 edition is launching June 6 and it’s packed with information on local restaurants, pubs, cafes, bakeries, breweries, farmer’s markets and more!  Check it out at whitby.ca/en/live/whitby-food-guide.aspx

Community Strategic Plan update and thank you

Phase 2 of community engagement for Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan took place from April 27 to May 19. This phase included virtual and in-person consultation sessions for the general public, as well as sessions for specific stakeholder groups. More than 3,000 people participated – I am so grateful that you shared your priorities with us! The final version of the Community Strategic Plan will go to Council for approval later this month.

10 things to do in Whitby this month

Our awesome staff at the Town have compiled a list of 10 things to do in Whitby this June. From Senior’s Month activities to farmer’s markets – there’s something for everyone! Check it out at whitby.ca/en/news/top-ten-things-to-do-in-whitby-this-june-2023.aspx

• Town Brewery pop-up coming to Whitby waterfront

A popular Whitby brewery will be introducing a new pop-up location at the waterfront. On May 15, Whitby Council voted for a license agreement to be executed to allow Town Brewery to use the historic pumphouse – located at 269 Water St. - for up to five years.

The pop-up will offer food, alcoholic beverages and Town Brewery branded merchandise. The Pumphouse was built in 1904 as the first water pumping station in Whitby. It has sat vacant since 1984. Earlier this year, the Town completed restoration works to the building that will protect the and preserve it until a permanent future use is determined.

• Work continuing on Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Work is continuing on a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan that will guide Whitby’s parks and recreation decisions for the next 10 years.

Community engagement for the plan took place from November 2022 to February 2023 with more than 4,700 people participating.

A new report to Council says some of the trends identified include: more demand for drop-in and unstructured activities so people can self-schedule; increased demand for multi-use recreation facilities and parks that can be used year-round; and technology improvements such as WiFi in parks. Town staff will report back to Council with a draft master plan in fall 2023.

• Report on the 2022 municipal election

A new report from Town staff provides an overview of the 2022 municipal election in Whitby. The report, which was received by Council for information on May 15, notes 45 candidates registered to run for office, including candidates for school board trustee seats and regional chair. For the third consecutive municipal election, Whitby voters were given the option to vote at any designated voting location.

A voter exit survey showed 98 per cent of voters were either very satisfied (87 per cent) or fairly satisfied (11 per cent) with the paper voting method and 99 per cent were very satisfied (92 per cent) or fairly satisfied (seven per cent) with support provided by election officials at voting locations. Voter turnout for the 2022 municipal election in Whitby was 23.26 per cent, down from 26.32 per cent in 2018. For the 2022 election, Whitby candidates were permitted to post a photo, contact information, short biography and election platform on the Town’s website. In previous elections, only names and contact information were included and voters had to research candidates and their platforms independently.

We’re proud of these Whitby Community Builders!

This is our monthly shout out to residents and groups that make Whitby proud. If you know a person or group 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

• A huge round of applause for Melly’s Workplace, which was recently announced as the lead grant recipient for the Mayor’s Gala, one of the fundraisers for the Mayor’s Community Development Fund. The $15,000 grant will support the “A Part of Life” program, which provides adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability, with individualized training and skill building to help reach their goals. I love the work Melly’s is doing in our community! Learn more at mellysworkplace.ca

• Shout out to the youth and Scouters with Whitby Scouting who planted trees along the Waterfront Trail on May 6 as part of the annual Scoutrees event. We appreciate your hard work!

• Congratulations to Vickery Electric, which recently celebrated its 100^th anniversary! This local business is Canada’s oldest family-owned electrical contractor. What an amazing asset to our community.

Whitby business spotlight: The Maker’s Hub

Owner Cheryl Wilson got the idea for The Maker’s Hub back in 2014 when she was a new mom – and a new maker. At the time, the industry norm was for makers to give out their home address and have customers pick up from the front porch. Wilson was uneasy about the privacy and security issues that scenario created – and also wanted to be able to provide better customer service than a bag left on the porch. In 2017, her vision became a reality with the launch of The Maker’s Hub, “a place for local makers, bakers, and artisans to sell, grow, and collaborate.” The multi-vendor marketplace features more than 100 makers and products ranging from clothing and jewelry to health and beauty to home and office goods. Customers have the option to shop in-person at the retail boutique located at 1380 Hopkins St., or shop online with in-store pick-up or Canada-wide shipping. From May to October, The Maker’s Hub hosts handmade pop-up markets on the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the retail boutique. Visit themakershub.shop for more information.

…the Town of Whitby is working with the Whitby Public Library to improve Celebration Square with new shade structures, seating, games tables and enhanced Wifi? If you want to play a game of chess, you can borrow a set of pieces from the library -- they were printed using the library’s 3D printer. How cool is that?

This month, I’m introducing you to Centre Ward Councillor Niki Lundquist and Regional Councillor Chris Leahy, who are working together as a team for 2023.

Niki Lundquist is serving her first term on Whitby Council. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and is a human rights and labour lawyer. Before her election to Council, she served as a Whitby trustee on the Durham District School Board, as well as Chair of Finance and Vice Chair of the Board. Niki is the founder of Caremongers Whitby, a neighbour-helping-neighbour initiative that supported thousands of community residents during the pandemic. She is an active volunteer with many charitable and community groups including Girls Inc and PFLAG Durham and is a member of the Brooklin Optimist Club.

Chris Leahy was elected to Whitby Council in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Wilfred Laurier University and an MBA in Strategic Marketing from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Prior to serving on Council, Chris was a Whitby trustee for the Durham Catholic District School Board and served as the board chair.

Chris is very active in the community including serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4895 at St John the Evangelist Parish, a volunteer coach with Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club and a volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Roadwatch. He was a founding member of the Durham Catholic District School Board's Children's Foundation and is a board member with Catholic Family Services of Durham.

Chris is a lifelong Whitby resident who attended St. Theresa Catholic Elementary School and Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. He and his wife Natalie have three children. 

• The Brooklin Spring Fair takes place from June 1 to 4, this is one of my favourite spring events! There is so much to do at the fair – from the midway and demolition derby, to homecraft exhibits and a comedy show. Check out brooklinspringfair.com for schedules and more details.

• The Town of Whitby is celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 17 and June 21. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nation, Metis and Inuit people. On June 17, the Town will be hosting an event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Celebration Square - join us to learn more about and celebrate Indigenous history and culture. On June 21, join us online to watch a video about National Indigenous Peoples Day from Kim Wheatley, Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant and ISWO Senior Advisor of Cultural Development. 

• The Brooklin Farmer’s Market opens for the season on June 10! It runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October in the municipal lot located at 3 Vipond Rd. Check out locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, handcrafted items and more. Visit whitbyfarmersmarket.ca for more information.

• June is Pride Month and there are lots of ways to celebrate. The month starts with a Pride Flag raising at Whitby Town Hall on June 1 at 10 a.m. The Pride Durham community festival is June 4 at Arbour Park in Ajax, check out pridedurham.ca for more details. Drag Queen Storytime events will be taking place at libraries across Durham, including the Whitby Public Library Central Branch on June 10 at 10 a.m. The annual Youth Pride Durham celebration is June 17 at 1 p.m. at Region of Durham Headquarters with music, dancing, a photo booth, face painting, snacks and a resource village where attendees can learn more about local services and programs. Visit yourvoice.durham.ca/youth-pride-durham for more information.