Don Mitchell is serving his second term as Mayor of the Town of Whitby. Learn more about the mayor's responsibilities and duties, and his message to you and the community.

Contact the Mayor

You can contact Mayor Mitchell by email at mayor@whitby.ca or give him a call at the office at 905.430.4300 x2203 or mobile phone 905.706.3168.

Message from the Mayor's Office

I am delighted as Mayor and on behalf of the Members of Council to welcome you to the Town of Whitby, a smart, urban and connected community where people choose to live, work and play.

Our two historic downtowns are emerging destinations. We are committed to their revitalization through the Downtown Whitby Action Plan, a new Community Improvement Plan and supports for local businesses - including those located within our Innovation District. We are continuing to focus on local jobs and service excellence and to raise the bar on how we do business, leverage local talent and energy, and engage residents.

The Council Goals 2018 to 2022 build on the strong foundation laid over the previous term of council. Through the Goals and our shared focus on our people, places and partnerships, we will continue to realize the full potential of our Town.

I would like to thank Council, staff, our residents and our community partners for all their support. Together, we will make Whitby a place we are proud to call home.

Don Mitchell, Mayor

About the Mayor

Mayor Mitchell has served on Whitby Council for over twenty six years, twelve as a local councillor, eight as a Regional Councillor and is in his seventh year as Mayor.

Born and raised in Brooklin, Don attended Meadowcrest Public School and Anderson Collegiate before obtaining an Honours B.A. from Trent University and a law degree from Queen's University. He practised law for seven years before taking over the family lumber business in Brooklin. Don has been married to Liz for 44 years, and they are the proud parents of Julia and Chris, and grandparents of Oliver and Lucy.

Mayor Mitchell's focus has always been on building a safe and complete town with strong, walkable downtowns and maintaining the high quality of life enjoyed by Whitby residents.

Don has always been involved in local sports. He coached minor hockey, lacrosse and ringette. He was inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame with the 1970 B & R Transporters Junior B lacrosse team. He is a member of the Whitby Curling Club and the Whitby Men's Hockey League.

Community involvement

Locally, Mayor Mitchell has served on various boards and committees, including:

• Chair of the Planning, Operations and Budget committees
• Whitby Public Library Board, Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee and Groveside Cemetery Board.  

At the Region, Mayor Mitchell's involvement includes:

• Chair of Works Committee from 2018 to present
• Chair of Finance & Administration from 2010 to 2014
• Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change from 2009 to 2018, and Chair from 2009 to 2014.
• Durham Region Transit Executive from 2007 to 2019
• Durham Non Profit Housing from 2018 to present
• Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA), Chair from 2014 to 2018
• Elexicon Energy Corporation Board of Directors
• Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM)
• Auto Mayors Group