Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy will join municipal leaders from across Ontario at the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, taking place in Ottawa from Aug. 17 to 20.

The annual event brings together thousands of delegates from hundreds of municipalities to address province-wide challenges and advocate for stronger, more resilient communities.

During the conference, Mayor Roy will meet with provincial ministers to advance key priorities for Whitby and Durham — with a strong focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and municipal funding reform.

High on the agenda are discussions to advance the land transfer required for the construction of a new hospital in Whitby, and the significant local costs of servicing the future hospital site, which are not covered under current funding programs.

Support for municipal infrastructure will also be discussed -- Whitby has several key infrastructure projects on the horizon including the new West Whitby Fire Hall, a new centre to support Animal Services and Bylaw, and substantial electrical infrastructure needed to service the growth of 18,000 new homes.

Mayor Roy will spotlight the ongoing funding gap between municipalities and the province, and the need for a modern funding model that reflects the realities of fast-growing communities like Whitby.

The Town’s reserve funds (money saved for future needs) and property tax revenues (money collected from property owners) are not enough to cover all the infrastructure investments needed. The costs of building and maintaining services for a growing population are rising faster than the Town’s ability to bring in money.

In her role as chair of the Region of Durham’s Health and Social Services Committee, Mayor Roy will join Regional Chair John Henry to advocate for capital funding for a dedicated mental health emergency room in Durham, and sustained support for Durham’s Primary Care Outreach Program, which supports people experiencing homelessness.

As an executive member of Ontario’s Big City Mayors, Mayor Roy will also participate in delegations focused on advancing shared priorities for Ontario’s largest urban centres.

The AMO Conference is an important opportunity to ensure Whitby’s voice is heard at the provincial level. We are committed to advocating for the issues that matter most to our residents and working in partnership with the province and other municipalities to deliver real, lasting solutions for our growing community.

Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby

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