Mayor's Monthly Newsletter - February 2026

Council recently received the third annual progress report on Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and I’m thrilled to share that 100 per cent of the 62 action items are now underway or complete. This includes 15 complete items and 47 progressing through various stages of work, with 83 per cent of those nearing completion.

This plan was one of my biggest priorities for this term of office. We started with extensive public engagement in 2023, with more than 8,500 people visiting the Connect Whitby project page and over 3,000 completing online surveys or attending engagement sessions. Council endorsed the final plan in June 2023 with 62 action items that reflect the priorities of our residents, including the waterfront, healthcare, green spaces, community safety, economic growth, and the desire to address social needs, like homelessness and food security. This is #YourPlaninAction

To learn more and follow our progress, visit https://connectwhitby.ca/communityplan

Recent changes are helping to make Whitby Council procedures more transparent, modern, and democratic – and there's more work to come. Good governance is one of the key themes in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and I’m very pleased with the progress we're making.

• Committee of the Whole has approved a change to prevent late motions from being introduced that do not appear on the Council agenda. Currently, motions could be introduced at the last minute if two-thirds of Council agree to waive the rules. Late motions are a growing trend. In 2025, there were 7 late motions where Council was requested to waive the rules, compared with 2 in 2024 and 0 in 2023. Under the new rules, late motions will only be allowed if they are urgent and submitted to the Clerk before 8 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Motions submitted after 8 a.m. will have to wait until the next meeting. In the event of something truly urgent, we will evaluate the situation and add an additional meeting if needed. The proposed changes also mean delegations will not be allowed to speak on late motions that do not appear on the published agenda. This matters because people deserve fair notice of what Council will be discussing. Allowing delegations on last-minute items can advantage those with inside knowledge, while shutting out residents who rely on the published agenda to participate in local democracy. Council will vote on these changes Feb. 2
• In October, Council approved a change requiring motions to include a projected property tax impact, where applicable, reviewed by finance staff before being debated.
• Council will also be considering a recommendation on Feb. 2 to allow members of the public to record Council and committee meetings on personal devices.

Many high school and post-secondary students are already searching for summer jobs. While the application deadline for the Town of Whitby’s summer job program has already passed, there are many other opportunities in Whitby and across Durham. Here are a few leads to check out:

• The Region of Durham is accepting resumes for the 2026 Summer Student Employment Program. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a post-secondary program and returning to school in September 2026. Learn more at durham.ca/StudentJobs
• The Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) manages the Summer Company program for Durham Region. The  program is funded by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and provides Ontario students ages 15-29 with a grant of up to $3,000 and hands-on training, coaching and mentoring to help start and operate a business.  Learn more at https://www.bacd.ca/start-and-grow/summer-company/
• The Ontario Public Service offers thousands of positions for students 15 and older through the Summer Employment Opportunities program, including many positions in Durham. Learn more at https://www.ontario.ca/page/careers-summer-employment-opportunities
• Ontario Parks hires 1,600 students every summer, including positions at Darlington Provincial Park in Clarington. Lean more at https://www.ontarioparks.ca/careers

I’m pleased to be hosting a Community Supports and Safety Roundtable for Whitby’s business community on Feb. 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Centennial Building. This event offers an opportunity for business leaders to learn more about homelessness and other social challenges facing our community.

Hear from Whitby MPs Ryan Turnbull and Juanita Nathan, Whitby MPP Lorne Coe, the Invest Whitby economic development team, the Region of Durham’s Homelessness Outreach Team, and Durham Regional Police. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and take part in a roundtable discussion. Click here to register: Community Supports & Safety Roundtable RSVP form – Fill out form

This is my monthly shoutout to those who make Whitby proud. 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

• The 100-Year Anniversary Medal of The Royal Canadian Legion was recently presented to Branch 152 member Steve Cosgrove, who served with the Seaforth Highlanders in WWII and will celebrate his 100th birthday on June 5. Thank you for your service, Steve.
• Congratulations to Cohen Lane and everyone who supported Coco’s Cocoa for Kids on another amazing fundraising year in 2025. This initiative has now reached a major milestone of raising $100,000 for Sick Kids. What an impressive accomplishment for a local kid who started a hot chocolate stand with the goal of raising $350. We’re #WhitbyProud of you, Cohen!
• Shout out to Jack Brumley, a Whitby resident who was recently recognized as one of the Top 15 Power Forwards/Centres in the Class of 2026 in a ranking by On Point Basketball. Jack plays for C.O.D.E. Sports Academy/Cambridge International Academy and is currently the second-highest points per game scorer in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.
• We’re #WhitbyProud of Whitby resident Kali Maechtel, a rising star in Canadian women's hockey who plays for the Whitby Wolves and recently played for Team Canada, winning a silver medal at the U18 Women’s World Championship.  

Meta Employment Services is hosting the Durham Region Automotive Job Fair on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meta is a local non-profit that helps people find employment, with a focus on working jobseekers with disabilities or other barriers to employment.

The job fair will feature auto shops, dealerships, detailers, car washes, and parts retailers from across Durham including Whitby employers like Whitby Toyota, Carquest Auto Parts, and Nurse Cadillac. Click here for more information.

Some big changes to Ontario’s recycling program took effect on Jan. 1, 2026 – and we’re receiving a lot of questions and feedback from residents. 

The Town of Whitby collects garbage, green bin waste, and yard waste, but is not responsible for recycling collection. Previously, this was the responsibility of the Region of Durham. As of July 2024, the recycling program in Durham is managed by Circular Materials.

This change was made because the province created the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act and enacted a new Blue Box Regulation under the act. The regulation involves a new system where producers of waste are fully responsible for funding, operating, and meeting performance targets for the recycling program.

Circular Materials has contracted recycling collection in Durham Region to Miller Waste – and as of Jan. 1, 2206, recycling will no longer be collected from “non-eligible” sources, including not-for-profit organizations, community centres, libraries, daycares, places of worship, shelters, post-secondary schools, and any industrial, commercial, and institutional properties.

Recycling will still be collected from single-family homes and residential portions of multi-residential buildings.

Non-eligible sources now have to pay for private recycling collection or bring their recycling to a waste management facility.

I am concerned about how this will impact many stakeholders in Whitby and I have been advocating on this issue, including sending several letters to the province.

You can read my latest editorial column on this issue here:  https://www.mayorelizabethroy.ca/_files/ugd/4e0cd1_c49df1be4afa4d9eaf98df75bb87839e.pdf

Questions and concerns about changes to recycling collection can be directed to Circular Materials at info@circularmaterials.ca or 1-877-667-2626.

Concerns about missed recycling pick-up can be directed to Miller Waste at area8@MillerWaste.ca or 1-877-667-2626.

Since opening in January, Fairgrounds Whitby has quickly established itself as a vibrant new hub for sport, connection, and community in the heart of Whitby. This purpose-built indoor pickleball club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels into a space designed to be inclusive, energetic, and community-driven.

Located in the Taunton Garden Plaza (right beside Staples), Fairgrounds Whitby is a dedicated indoor facility featuring five premium pickleball courts, built with a high-quality rubber surface and professional grip paint. The club’s bright, colourful design sets it apart, creating an atmosphere that feels fun, modern, and inviting; an environment where people genuinely want to spend time, move, and connect.

In just a few short weeks, Fairgrounds Whitby has grown to over 50 members and more than 1,000 players, reflecting both the rapid rise of pickleball and the club’s welcoming approach. The culture strikes a thoughtful balance: beginner-friendly and supportive, while still offering high-quality play for experienced and competitive athletes. A strong seniors presence plays alongside a healthy middle-aged crowd, resulting in a multi-generational space that mirrors the diversity of the Whitby community.

Programming at Fairgrounds Whitby is wide-ranging and accessible, including open play, King's Court, leagues, ladders, tournaments, lessons, clinics for kids and adults more.  Special events such as Wellness Wednesdays, Pickle and Pizza and Ladies Sip N' Serve further strengthen the sense of community. The club also works with local and national partners including Town Brewery, Lokah Yoga, KeepFit Women, Wilson, and NXT GEN, reinforcing its commitment to wellness, accessibility, and collaboration.

Beyond recreation, Fairgrounds Whitby contributes meaningfully to the local economy. As the company’s 10th location in Canada, the Whitby club has created new jobs, partnered with the DDSB co-op program, and brought consistent foot traffic to the Taunton Garden Plaza. Fairgrounds Whitby is more than a place to play pickleball, it is quickly becoming the indoor destination for residents in and around Whitby to stay active, build connections, and feel part of something local and lasting. Learn more at https://www.visitfairgrounds.com/locations/whitby

Little Forests Durham is a volunteer-run, community-based non-profit focused on helping communities plant Miyawaki-style mini forests to increase biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. Their goal is to plant 30 mini forests in Durham Region communities by 2030. Founded in 2024, Little Forests Durham is focused on providing tools and knowledge to communities and local authorities to plan, plant and care for mini forests in their neighbourhoods. Its team of land stewards, many of whom are also members of the Durham Master Gardeners, are passionate about expanding urban green spaces and empowering volunteers to transform their communities.

A Miyawaki mini forest is a multilayered and densely planted community of native trees and shrubs in an area about the size of a tennis court, although they can be larger or smaller. These mini forests typically grow faster, sequester carbon, and promote more biodiversity than conventionally planted urban trees. 

To create them, the first and most important steps are site selection and preparation. Preparing the site involves smothering the existing grass with cardboard, covering it with a thick layer of compost, and topping it with a layer of mulch. These materials are left for several months, creating a nutrient-rich site for tree planting. Small native trees and shrubs, usually one to two-year-old saplings are planted densely to create both competition and cooperation in the forest.

To date, Little Forests Durham has supported four mini forest plantings in Durham Region. Over 400 volunteers have helped to prepare the sites and plant a total of 2,400 native trees and shrubs. The first mini forest in Whitby was planted on Oct. 18, 2025 at Heber Down Conservation Area in partnership with Trees for Life, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, and the Town of Whitby. 

Over 60 volunteers from Whitby and across Durham, as well as local groups like the Whitby Rotary-Sunrise and Whitby Rotary clubs, Girl Guides, and Brooklin Whitby Garden Club helped with digging and planting.

If you are interested in volunteering with Little Forests Durham on future mini forest projects in Durham, or joining the group, email info@littleforestsdurham.ca or visit littleforestsdurham.ca

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• February is Black History Month and there are many local events taking place including Black History Month 2026: Stand Up and Stand Out hosted by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 5. This event brings together entrepreneurs, business owners, community leaders, and professionals for a celebration of leadership and economic empowerment. Click here to learn more. 
• Celebrate Family Day on Monday, Feb. 16 with family fun at Iroquois Park Sports Centre and Brooklin Community Centre, as well as free public skates and swims at several locations. Click here for more information and a schedule of activities.
• Happy Lunar New Year! This year’s celebration begins on Feb 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse, and continues for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival on March 3. Make a craft celebrating the Year of the Horse at the Rossland Branch of the Whitby Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 21 from 2:30–3:30 p.m.
• Whitby Courthouse Theatre presents “Groundhog Day” from Feb. 5 to 21 at the Whitby Centennial Building. Click here for details and to buy tickets.
• Feb. 28 is Pink Shirt Day, focused on raising awareness about bullying. The day was started in 2007 by two teens who organized a high school protest to support a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Pink Shirt Day is now recognized by the United Nations and observed in more than 25 countries. Visit pinkshirtday.ca to learn more or purchase a 2026 Pink Shirt Day shirt
• The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Feb. 17 and continue through March 19. Wishing a peaceful and meaningful Ramadan to all Whitby residents observing. Join the Whitby Public Library and Muslim Women of Durham Region to celebrate Ramadan and Eid with a story time, craft, colouring, and henna at the Central Library on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m

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

• Local things to do with the kids on March Break
• Profiles of amazing women-owned local businesses in honour of International Women’s Day
• Highlights from the February Whitby Council meeting