Mayor's Monthly Newsletter - August 2026

Coffee with Mayor Roy is back for summer 2026! I launched this initiative in 2023 to give residents an easy way to connect with me.

Events are held at local coffee shops and community spaces with a casual, drop-in format.  The number of Coffee with Mayor Roy events has increased every year, and in 2025 I expanded to include “Meet up with Mayor Roy events” to offer more hours and new locations.

The July events were a huge success – if you missed them, I have two dates coming up in August:

• Friday, Aug. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m.  – Starbucks, 660 Taunton Rd. E.
• Saturday, Aug 8, from 1 to 2 p.m. – Meet Up with Mayor Roy at the Brooklin Farmer’s Market, 3 Vipond Rd., Brooklin

Hope to see you there!

I’m excited to share that we will celebrate the official opening of the Fieldgare Sports Complex on Sept. 12! 

This is Whitby’s most significant recreation project to date and a key action item in Whitby’s 2023-2026 Community Strategic Plan.

The Town will celebrate the grand opening with a free community event featuring family activities, community partner displays, and opportunities to experience the complex's indoor and outdoor amenities.

Built by the community, for the community, the Fieldgate Sports Complex was shaped through years of planning, community engagement, and collaboration to support Whitby's growing population and evolving recreation needs.

The facility is located west of Baldwin Street South and south of Highway 407.

Amenities include a twin-pad arena, aquatics centre, double gymnasium with walking track, community and program spaces, and a range of outdoor amenities including sports fields, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball courts, a skatepark, and pump track.

More official opening event details will be shared in the coming weeks. For project updates, visit connectwhitby.ca/SportsComplex.

Operation Backpack, an annual community initiative that supports children and youth across Durham Region by providing backpacks filled with essential school supplies.

This is a collaborative effort supported by six community organizations: Ignite Durham Learning Foundation, St. Andrew’s Community Food Bank, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, United Way Durham Region, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, and Durham Community Health Centre.

Backpacks are provided to students in need from both the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board, as well as newcomer families, and anyone experiencing financial barriers to accessing school supplies.

Last year, Operation Backpack supported over 6,000 students!

For a list of donation locations or to register for a backpack, host a collection bin, and more, visit https://idlf.givecloud.co/operationbackpack

Whitby's second annual Home Sweet Home Festival was such an amazing day!

Tens of thousands of residents and visitors gathered in Downtown Whitby on July 25 for a day of live performances, family activities, local food, the Whitby Farmer’s Market, the Station Gallery Artist Alley – and so much more.

I had an amazing time getting dunked in the dunk tank to support Home Sweet Home Helps the Homeless, and zipping along Brock Street to open the zipline alongside Councillor Niki Lundquist. 

A huge thank you to our Town of Whitby staff, the Downtown Whitby BIA and all the sponsors, vendors, performers, volunteers, and attendees who made this year’s event such a success.

Delivering a new signature event is one of 62 action items in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and the Home Sweet Home Festival has delivered on this in a big way.

Let's do it again next summer!

The 2026 Municipal Election is coming up on Oct. 26. Here’s what you need to know!

• Residents have until Aug. 12 to add their name to the voter’s list or update their information by visiting https://www.registertovoteon.ca/
• After that date, residents can add their name to the voter’s list by contacting the Town of Whitby directly
• You are eligible to vote if you are: a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of the Town of Whitby, or the owner or tenant of land in the Town, or the spouse of an owner or tenant
• The advance voting period is Oct. 25 to 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Advance voting locations will be confirmed closer to the date.
• If you’re not sure what ward you live in, you can check here: https://www.whitby.ca/town-hall/municipal-elections/voters/
• Find out who is running here: https://planyourvote.voterview.ca/candidate-list
• Learn more about the election by visiting https://www.whitby.ca/vote or https://www.ontario.ca/page/municipal-elections

Residents who live in Port Whitby or the surrounding area recently receiving a postcard about a proposed "Transit-Oriented Community" at the Whitby GO Station.

This project is being led by Infrastructure Ontario as part of Ontario's Transit-Oriented Communities program.

The proposal includes six towers with approximately 2,355 new homes, as well as a new park, retail and commercial spaces, public spaces, and direct connections to the Whitby GO Station and Durham Region Transit.

This is one of eight Transit-Oriented Communities currently being proposed by the province along GO Transit and LRT networks

Two public information sessions took place in July for residents to share feedback.

I met with Infrastructure Ontario in July to lean more and ask some initial questions – and Town staff are also communicating with Infrastructure Ontario to understand next steps in the planning process.

I am encouraging the province to follow the standard planning process for this project – which means a statutory public meeting and approval by Council.

I will continue to update residents as more information becomes available.

For more information, visit https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/what-we-do/projectssearch/whitby-go-transit-oriented-community/

In June, we celebrated the opening of upgraded tennis courts at Folkstone Park. 

Now known as the National Bank Play Your Court, this project was made possible through a 10-year sponsorship with Tennis Canada and National Bank, alongside a Town capital investment.

This is a great example of how sponsorships and other alternative revenue sources can help us deliver projects that benefit the community with less impact on property taxpayers. Upgrades include new asphalt playing surfaces with professional tennis court coatings and line markings, as well as new nets, and signage.

Another upgraded tennis court is planned to open this summer at Palmerston Park.

From July 31 to Aug. 7, Whitby is once again hosting the Ontario Lacrosse Festival. This event is the world’s biggest youth lacrosse event and will bring 433 teams and over 8,000 athletes and coaches to our community, with an estimated 50,000 total attendees. 

Hosting this event continues to position Whitby as a premier destination for sports tourism -- and it's a big boost to the local economy in our town and across Durham Region. An economic impact study shows the 2024 event resulted in over $9 million in visitor spending and 34,000 out-of-town visitors, 80 per cent of whom stayed overnight. 

Learn more about the event at https://www.ontariolacrossefestival.com/

Whitby residents now have a free resource for going solar. Home Solar Accelerator is a nonprofit concierge service that guides homeowners through the process -- from assessing your roof to choosing a vetted installer. 

You’ll get a personalized Solar Journey Report, access to an independent advisor who works for you (not a sales quota), and transparent quotes you can compare. This is part of The Atmospheric Fund’s mission to make the GTHA net-zero by 2050, and it’s completely free. Learn more at https://solaraccelerator.ca/

This monthly feature highlights fascinating people, places, and events from Whitby’s past, courtesy of local history buff Wade Szilagyi. He is the founder of the 25,000-member Vintage Whitby Facebook group and has supported heritage projects for the Town of Whitby as well as the Whitby and Brooklin Legion branches. 

Did you know that this month marks the 175^th anniversary of the passing of Whitby’s founder, Peter Perry? Peter Perry was born on November 14, 1792, in Ernestown, Lennox and Addington County, Upper Canada. A prominent Reform politician and early community builder, he played a significant role in shaping what is now Whitby during the mid-19th century.

Perry served as a Member of Parliament for the Reform Party from 1824 to 1836, and again from 1849 until 1851. During his years of public service, he championed local infrastructure and regional development. He was instrumental in advancing improvements to Whitby Harbour and in promoting construction of the vital road linking the harbour to Georgian Bay—an important transportation route for trade and settlement. He also initiated the process that led to the creation of Ontario County.

In 1836, Peter Perry established the village of Perry’s Corners at the intersection of Brock Street and Dundas Street, a crossroads that would later become downtown Whitby. In the late 1840s, he founded the village of Port Perry, further extending his influence across the region.

Peter Perry died on August 24, 1851, at Saratoga Springs, New York. He is buried at Union Cemetery in Oshawa, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in Durham Region’s early history.

This is my monthly shoutout to those who make us #WhitbyProud. If you know a person, group, or organization that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, email follertj@whitby.ca

• Congratulations to Whitby resident Dennis Bayley, who recently received the Ontario Senior Achievement Award from Lt. Governor Edith Dumont in a ceremony at Queen’s Park. This award recognizes people who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through voluntary or professional activities after the age of 65. Dennis has earned three Paul Harris Fellowships as a dedicated Rotarian and has volunteered in many different capacities in Durham Region. Thank you, Dennis, for making our community stronger and inspiring Whitby residents of all ages!
• July 18 was proclaimed the first-ever Queen Own Rifles of Canada Day in Whitby, and the event was marked with a military parade. As Canada's oldest continuously serving infantry regiment, its members have answered the call in every major Canadian military campaign. One of the regiment's original militia companies was formed right here in Whitby -- and that connection continues today with many of its members calling Whitby and Durham home. Thank you for your service!
• Congratulations to the Whiby Yacht Club on its 60th anniversary! This milestone reflects 60 years of dedication -- not just to boating, but to building a welcoming community that people are proud to be part of. Learn more at wyc.ca/

I recently spent time dropping into businesses in Downtown Brooklin to learn more about their experiences, challenges, and successes.

Check out mini profiles of some of the amazing businesses you can find in Downtown Brooklin – and send your suggestions for future business profiles to follertj@whitby.ca

ERC Optometry

72 Baldwin St., Unit 101, Brooklin

ercoptometry.com

Owner and optometrist Dr. Megan Byer was born and raised in Durham Region and is providing eye care to our community after completing a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago. ERC is proud to provide comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages using state-of-the-art technology in a welcoming, patient-focused environment. In addition to a full-service optical with a wide selection of frames and lenses, they offer an extensive dry eye suite featuring advanced diagnostics and treatment (TriLift by Lumenis) options. The goal is to deliver personalized care that helps every patient achieve their best vision and maintain lifelong eye health, all under one roof.

Brooklin Community Fitness Club

72 Baldwin St., Brooklin

Brooklinfitnessclub.ca

Brooklin Community Fitness Club opened in January 2026 after owner Stephanie Grimbly transitioned the previous franchise to her Canadian-owned company. The club offers standard classes, tailored classes and custom training with a focus on ensuring members feel supported and well taken care of. There is also programming for teens. Grimbly is a big supporter of Canadian entrepreneurship and says one key difference about Brooklin Community Fitness Club being Canadian-owned, is programming that takes seasonality into account and the fact that Canadians change their fitness routines with the seasons.

Fiaschetteria Rosetta

72 Baldwin St. Unit 103A, Brooklin

Fiaschetteriarosetta.com

This new Italian wine bar and eatery has already become a hugely popular spot in Downtown Brooklin. The menu includes authentic pizza, pasta, antipasti, and more as well as an extensive wine list and options for catering and private events. This restaurant is a wonderful addition to the Downtown Brooklin business community and to Whitby’s buzzworthy culinary scene.

Lowlands Fire Food

67 Baldwin St., Brooklin

lowlandsfirefood.ca/

Lowlands Fire Food is a group of wood-fired restaurants and mobile catering services with a recently opened location in Downtown Brooklin. The menu includes wood-fired pizza made with organic sourdough and is guided by seasonal availability and a commitment to locally sourced ingredients. Lowlands is already a big part of Whitby's culinary scene, serving up amazing food at the seasonal pop-up at the waterfront Pumphouse.

I have received many questions and concerns from residents about coyotes this summer. Here is an overview of how the Town is responding so far and what’s happening next.

• Whitby's Animal Services team is working closely with Durham Regional Police Service to monitor reported coyote activity, increase patrols where appropriate, and install additional warning signage
• I am also in daily contact with the Town's CAO, police, and other community partners to receive updates.
• Whitby already has strong coyote monitoring tools in place, including an online reporting tool and public coyote sightings dashboard, which are both are well used by residents and provide valuable information that helps staff identify trends
• On July 20, we held a special Council education session on coyotes.
• Highlights from the meeting
• A new Coyote Coexistence and Response Strategy has been developed, aimed at reducing human-coyote conflicts while prioritizing human safety
• The Town's data shows 546 reported coyote sightings, 2 reported interactions with pets, and 2 bite incidents over the past 12 months
• Public education has been boosted in recent weeks, including social media posts, large Curbex signage, and warning signs in parks. In the past year, there were over 12,600 engagements on the Town’s social media posts providing coyote education

Next steps include:

• Updating the Town's coyote reporting tool to enhance the level of detail that can be submitted by residents
• Partnering with Coyote Watch Canada to conduct inspections of areas with a high rate of sightings and implement additional mitigation measures
• Scheduling door-to-door canvassing of areas with a high rate of sightings to provide residents with education
• Hosting a public open house in August to provide the community with information and answer questions from residents. Watch the Town of Whitby's social media accounts for updates. 
• I have also added coyote safety to the agenda for my annual Community Safety Roundtable coming up at the end of the summer. This initiative brings together Town staff, police, school boards and other partners to addressing emerging safety issues in Whitby.

Learn more about coyote safety, view the coyote dashboard, and report a sighting at whitby.ca/coyotes

Making a Difference is my monthly spotlight on local not-for-profit organizations, which are a critical part of our community. To suggest a not-for-profit to feature, email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

Whitby Brass Band is a volunteer community band that was founded in 1863. For over 160 years, this organization has entertained Whitby residents and provided opportunities for musicians of all ages to develop their skills.

With a current membership of about 36 players, it features a traditional British Brass format, using instruments unique to that style of band.

Throughout the decades, the band has weathered the challenges of two World Wars, adapting its repertoire to lift spirits during trying times. 

Much of the band’s longevity is thanks to its Junior Band Program, which ensures a steady influx of new members. Since the 1950s, the Junior Band has trained musicians of all ages to the level required to enter the Senior Band. The group provides the instrument, the music and the training, with a small fee required to cover the cost of the instruction book.

Whitby Brass Band performs at a variety of parades, events and other functions throughout the year and is available for bookings.

To see the band perform, check out Summer Songs by the Shore, a free concert being presented Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Heydenshore Pavilion, 589 Water St. in Whitby. Bring a lawn chair!

Learn more about Whitby Brass Band whitbybrassband.com or email mail@whitbybrassband.com

• Enjoy free outdoor movie nights on Aug. 14 (Lilo and Stitch) and Aug. 21 (Flashback Friday – more details coming soon!) at Whitby Civic Park, 575 Rossland Rd. E. Movies start at dusk on a giant outdoor screen with concert‑quality sound. Bring a blanket or chair and snacks! Learn more at whitby.ca/MoviesInThePark.
• Visit B’More Farm at 6900 Country Lane for an opening weekend celebration on Aug. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy sunflower fields, local makers, local food, ice cream and sweet treats, photo opportunities, family fun and more. For event updates and everything happening throughout sunflower season, follow @bmorefarm
• The Town of Whitby’s Soca on the Shore Culture Pop-Up is Aug. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Sunrise Lake Park, 269 Water St. Move to the rhythms of the Caribbean with Chris from Fire 10 Entertainment, featuring Soca cardio and playful moments like limbo and follow the leader. Learn more at https://www.whitby.ca/explore-and-enjoy/events-and-festivals/attend-an-event/culture-pop-ups/
• Station Gallery hosts Thursday Night Live every Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy live music on the patio and explore current art exhibitions.
  Doors open at 6pm, music begins at 7pm. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $20 and a cash bar. Learn more at: https://stationgallery.ca/event/thursday-night-live/
• The Town of Whitby’s Sounds of Summer Music Series offers live music every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas St. W., and Thursday at Grass Park in Brooklin, 41 Baldwin St.

Did you know there are two ways to subscribe to my monthly newsletter? Go to whitby.ca/subscribe to receive an email notification each month when the newsletter is published on whitby.ca -- or click here to subscribe via Constant Contact and get the newsletter right to your inbox.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming up in my September newsletter:

• Advance voting dates and locations, and other need-to-know municipal election info
• 2026 Harvest Festival details
• More details on the Fieldgate Sports Complex opening event on Sept. 12