Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy has issued the following statement in response to a decision at Council’s Sept. 25 Committee of the Whole meeting to defer discussion of an interim control bylaw for 1635 Dundas for 30 days

Thank you to the many residents who took the time to attend last night’s Committee of the Whole meeting and share your feedback and questions about 1635 Dundas.

We hear you. Your concerns are valid and so is your desire for more detailed information about this project.

Last night, committee voted to defer a motion on an Interim Control By-law for new low-barrier shelters and/or transitional housing, until Oct. 30, 2023. This will allow additional time to negotiate an agreement between the Town of Whitby and the Region of Durham on the use of 1635 Dundas.

There is precedent to support this approach -- in 2021 the Region successfully reached an agreement with the Township of Brock for the Beaverton Supportive Housing Project.

On Sept. 25, I received a letter from Elaine Baxter-Trahair, CAO of the Region of Durham, which includes a draft agreement for discussion.

It is my hope that an agreement will provide clarity to our residents on several key matters, including the number of shelter spaces that will be offered at 1635 Dundas, and expectations for ongoing communication with the community.

Two public meetings are scheduled in the coming days – one on Oct. 3 hosted by the Region of Durham and one on Oct. 10 hosted by the Town of Whitby. Both are important opportunities for members of the public to ask questions, voice concerns, and get factual information about 1635 Dundas directly from Region of Durham staff. The Region is also gathering information through a survey available until Sept. 27.

This engagement is a critical part of the process and will help ensure the Region has comprehensive information to guide next steps.

I remain confident that we can work together to find solutions that prioritize the safety and security of our neighbourhoods, while also supporting the most vulnerable in our community.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jillian Follert
Public Affairs Coordinator, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 289.314.9101
Email: follertj@whitby.ca

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