Mayor's Monthly Newsletter - May 2026

You can check out details of the latest decisions and discussions at Whitby Council in the monthly Council Highlights.

The April 2026 Council Highlights include:

• Hotel and conference centre attraction program approved
• Whitby asks to be part of formal engagement on Alto high-speed rail
• Luther Vipond Memorial Arena to remain open for floor programming like lacrosse, soccer, ball hockey
• Call for province to strengthen sanctions for serious misconduct by municipal Council members

Council Highlights are published following every regular Council meeting.

On April 23, I was honoured to recognize Catherine Vandenhoogen as Whitby’s 2026 Mayor’s Senior Volunteer Award winner! This recognition is awarded annually to a Whitby senior who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community involvement through volunteerism.

Catherine’s impact in Whitby spans over a decade – and at age 78 she continues to give her time generously by volunteering in multiple roles each week at Lakeridge Health Oshawa.

In her frontline role at the hospital, she welcomes and directs patients and visitors, provides comfort during difficult moments, and supports hospital operations through clerical assistance and wayfinding.

You can also find Catherine contributing to hospital events and fundraisers, including a recent holiday teddy bear drive. When she’s not helping at the hospital, Catherine volunteers at the National Bank Open each summer and is an active member of St. John’s Parish.

Congratulations and thank you for your incredible contributions to our community!

On April 14, I joined Whitby Councillor Victoria Bozinovski in hosting a joint news conference to speak out against a recent escalation in harassment, misinformation, and disrespectful behaviour in Whitby's local politics.

Last fall, Whitby Council unanimously endorsed the Elect Respect pledge – a commitment by elected officials, candidates, and community members to be respectful and truthful, and call out personal attacks when we see them.

Recent concerns include:

• An integrity commissioner report released April 14 with a finding that a member of Whitby Council breached the Council Code of Conduct by publicly disrespecting female Town staff in two separate incidents. The Town’s CAO additionally confirmed a third complaint by a female staff member.
• A vehicle displaying images encouraging Whitby residents to “Fire Victoria Bozinovski” by signing a petition was present at Whitby Town Hall and other locations across the community on April 13.
• A series of robocalls in November 2025 that spread intentional misinformation and asked residents whether they would vote for Mayor Roy or Councillor Chris Leahy in a race for mayor. The robocalls were commissioned by the Whitby Taxpayers Federation.
• Approximately $100,000 spent by the Town of Whitby during this Council term investigating allegations that were all determined to be unfounded.

Learn more here: https://www.whitby.ca/news/posts/mayor-roy-councillor-bozinovski-call-out-political-harassment-and-reaffirm-commitment-to-respectful-public-discourse/

Spring is here, and that always brings an increase in visible litter left behind after the snow and ice disappear.

The Town of Whitby’s operations team does an excellent job of keeping our community clean -- and there are also ways for residents and community groups to help.

Through the Town’s Anti-Litter Cleanup Program, you can complete a one-time cleanup of a park or trail, or adopt a park, road, or trail for ongoing clean-ups.

If you notify the Town 72 hours prior to a cleanup event, bags and gloves can be provided. 

Visit https://www.whitby.ca/community-and-people/environment-and-sustainability/adopt-a-park-or-trail/ for more information.

On April 25, I was honoured to help welcome the 2026 inductees into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame -- Eric Perroni, Delmer Rints, and the 2001 Anderson CVI Senior Boys Volleyball Team.

Born and raised in Whitby, Eric Perroni has been playing lacrosse since age seven.  Over the years, he led the Whitby CBC Builders and the Whitby Warriors to three Minto Cup Canadian championships, followed by helping lead the Brooklin Lacrosse Club to seven MSL titles, including six consecutive championships from 1986 to 1991.

He retired from Senior A lacrosse after winning the 2000 Mann Cup and continued to play Masters Lacrosse for several years before turning his attention to coaching his son’s teams.

Delmer Rints has lived in Whitby since 1942 and is a lifelong hockey fan.

In 1985, he was appointed co-director of three hockey tournaments: the Jim Johnson Memorial, Iroquois, and Whitby Optimist Club. He shared this role with his wife, Gloria, who was the volunteer Tournament Director for the Whitby Minor Hockey Association.

In 1987, International Silver Stick sanctioned Whitby to host a tournament, and the Iroquois tournament was renamed that same year.

Delmer was elected to the Silver Stick Board of Directors in 1992 and served as commissioner from 2001 to 2003. Under his leadership, participation in the tournament has grown to over 120 teams across four age groups.

In 2001, the Anderson CVI Senior Boys Volleyball Team became the first Lake Ontario Secondary School Association team to win a Senior Boys AAA volleyball title.

In LOSSA league play, the Raiders competed against eight other AAA schools and finished in first place with an 8 to 0 record. Their success continued through the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships, ultimately beating Grand River Collegiate Institute from Kitchener-Waterloo in the final.

Our town has a long history of athletic excellence, and the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame does important work by making sure these accomplishments are preserved and celebrated

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 24,000-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 110 years ago this month, a military battle took place on the outskirts of town during World War One? Well, not exactly. What did take place was the largest military demonstration in the town’s history.

On May 26, 1916, the quiet fields west of Annes Street in Whitby became the setting for a dramatic mock battle involving nearly 1,000 soldiers of the 116th Ontario County Battalion. Hundreds of local residents gathered on a warm spring day to watch the spectacle unfold on the Joseph Mitchell farm, near the southwest corner of Dundas and Annes Streets.

The soldiers, volunteers from across the old County of Ontario, had marched into Whitby the day before from Port Perry as part of a grueling 100-kilometre trek that began in Beaverton. The march was intended to prepare the men for overseas service during the First World War.

Whitby welcomed them with enthusiasm. Town officials, military bands, and even the newly organized Boy Scouts helped greet the battalion. Every available room in town was used for billets, and a field kitchen was set up in the town park to feed the troops.

To allow residents to attend the event, the afternoon was declared a public holiday. Crowds streamed to the fields to witness the recruits’ first experience forming for battle. The scene was carefully staged: the “enemy” held the north end of the field near Dundas Street, while the battalion advanced from the south. With cheers from the crowd, the soldiers rushed forward, simulating a real battlefield, complete with wounded men left behind.

The day ended with a parade through town and refreshments served by Whitby’s residents. The event was considered a great success. Yet within months, many of those same young men would face the grim reality of war in Europe, reminding us that Whitby’s “battle” was only a small prelude to the sacrifices that lay ahead

My office frequently receives questions about how homelessness is being addressed in our community, what to do if encampments are a concern, and who to call if a homeless resident needs help.

The Region of Durham is responsible for health and social services and oversees programs to address homelessness in our region. Examples include street outreach teams, homeless hubs, shelters and warming centres, and the By Name List and Coordinated Access System, a real-time list of people experiencing homelessness.

As of February 2026, there are 1,707 people on the By Name list, with 271 of those in Whitby.

The Town of Whitby plays a supporting role in the Region’s work by directing concerns from residents to the appropriate Region of Durham contacts. Whitby also has a homelessness task force and maintains a webpage listing community supports like food banks, shelters and warming centres.

The Region has developed a “housing-focused” approach for shelters in our community. This means shelters are part of a process to help someone be housed and end their homelessness. In housing-focused shelters and outreach programs, all supports, services and strategies lead to housing, as opposed to just managing the symptoms of homelessness.

From the moment someone enters a shelter, there are supports and a plan to ensure a safe and appropriate exit from shelter. Shelter programs are part of the process of helping people end their homelessness while helping to meet their basic needs.

This includes the 1635 Dundas shelter in Whitby, which opened in 2024 and with emergency shelter beds and has been at or near capacity ever since. In January 2026, the federal government announced a $40 million investment, through the Affordable Housing Fund, to support Phase 2 of the facility, which will include transitional housing, addiction recovery, a medical clinic, palliative care and more.

It’s important to note that -- as a result of changes in the law -- outside of certain immediate health and safety concerns, the Town cannot immediately evict people experiencing homelessness from Town property.

Where situations warrant (ex. evidence of criminal activity), the Town will work with Durham Region Police Services to address concerns, including removal of encampments from Town property. 

If you see someone in need of help or have questions:

• Call 311 and press 5510 for the Region of Durham’s Homelessness Outreach Program
• Email HomelessHelp@durham.ca
• Call the Primary Care Outreach Program at 289-979-9428 from 8 am to 6 pm seven days a week
• Call 911 for urgent health or safety concerns

Details on the Region of Durham’s housing hubs and street outreach programs can be found here: https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/homeless-hubs-and-street-outreach.aspx

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

• Kudos to COBS Bread on Broadleaf Ave. in Whitby for once again choosing Hospice Whitby - Roger Anderson House as a recipient for the “Doughnation” campaign and raising an incredible $6,000! This project is very close to my heart, and I'm #WhitbyProud to see this outpouring of support for compassionate end-of-life care in our community.
• I was honoured to be part of the 3rd annual Paul Harris Community Services Awards presented by the Rotary Club of Whitby in March. Congratulations to little forests Durham, We Grow Food, the St. Mark’s United Church Whitby Food to Go program, and Eva Reti. Thank you for all you do to strengthen our community and show what #TogetherForWhitby looks like.
• Congratulations to all the organizers, volunteers and participants on the 9th Anniversary of Whitby Parkrun! Since Parkrun got its start in spring of 2017 with support from the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, this event has seen over 2,780 participants complete more than 18,500 park runs! It’s also important to note that 376 individuals have volunteered 3,480 times to support these events. I love the way Parkrun builds wellness, connection and community.
• A huge round of applause for Team Ontario from the Whitby Curling Club, for winning the Canadian Masters Curling Championship in April! We’re #WhitbyProud of your amazing achievement!
• At the April 20 Council meeting, I was delighted to recognize 17 players and five coaches from the Whitby Wolves U13B team, after they won gold in the recent OWHL Southern Ontario League Championships. Way to go, Wolves!
• Shout out to Ell and Devon -- two Whitby kids who are competing to win the Jr. Ranger Competition, a nationwide contest that gives kids ages 4 to 12 who love the great outdoors a chance to win $20,000 and appear in the Ranger Rick Jr. magazine. Go to https://jr-ranger.org/2026/ella-bfd5 to vote for 8-year-old Whitby resident Ella, and https://jr-ranger.org/2026/devon-ae90... to vote for Devon!

Built in 1970, the Whitby Mall has changed significantly over the years, but remains a hub for local businesses, services,  and medical facilities.

When the mall first opened, it had about 20 stores and was anchored by large Woolco and Miracle Food Mart locations.

Today, it’s anchored by a 49,000 square foot Sobey’s as well as McDonald’s and Talize, and is home to about 42 tenants that include a mix of retail stores and services. 

Businesses include Graziella's Fine Jewellers, Euro Comfort Footwear, You and Me Fashion, Whitby Wraps, Photo Plus, Spa Nails, Whitby MedSpa, Kumon, DeshDental, Bell, Coffee Time, Professional Shoe Repair, Mr. Pro Prints, Daily Planet, Cosmaroma, Xpressions Salon, OMAC Martial Arts, Pizza Depot, Roma House Watch Repair, Hair N Extensions Boutique, Express Tailoring, Alterations and Dry Cleaning...and many more!

I recently visited Whitby Mall business owners to discuss the opportunities and challenges they face and listen to their ideas to improve the mall. 

For more information, including a full list of businesses and services, visit Whitby Mall - First Capital

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

Meta Employment Services is a non-profit organization with more than 40 years of experience helping people achieve meaningful employment and build stronger connections in Whitby and Durham Region.

The organization envisions communities where everyone contributes to their full potential. Its mission is to provide integrated services that empower people to achieve their goals and connect with their community, with work guided by the values of inclusion, integrity, professionalism, collaboration, innovation, and transparency.

At its Whitby office, Meta offers a range of employment supports through the Integrated Employment Services, Swerve, and employABILITY programs. A dedicated employment team works closely with job seekers to provide career guidance and planning, job search support, readiness and preparation workshops, and ongoing outcome and retention support. Clients can also access training opportunities and financial assistance, including support with Better Jobs Ontario, to help them move toward sustainable employment.

Swerve is a focused four-week program designed to support job seekers with disabilities in building job readiness skills and confidence. EmployABILITY is an eight-week pre-employment skill enhancement program for people with disabilities that includes a twelve-week supported work experience with coaching and mentoring. Meta also supports people with disabilities who are exploring self-employment, seeking career advancement, or looking to build additional skills that will help them grow in their careers.

Meta provides a welcoming and professional space where job seekers can access practical tools and resources. The Career Hub allows people to work on resumes and online job applications, and a new Job Search Club offers additional peer support and guidance. Flexible appointment times are available, with both in-person and virtual options.

In addition to supporting job seekers, Meta works closely with local employers across Whitby and Durham Region by assisting with recruitment, job coaching, job training, onboarding plans, and coordination of community resources. By connecting local talent with local opportunity, Meta helps strengthen the workforce, support inclusive hiring practices, and contribute to a thriving local economy.

Meta is hosting the Durham Region Job Fair on May 29 from 12 to 3 p.m., with the last entry at 2:30 p.m. Learn more at https://metaservices.ca

• The Whitby Farmer’s Market opens for the 2025 season on Wednesday, May 13 and continues every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Civic Square. Learn more at whitbyfarmersmarket.ca
• Trafalgar Castle School hosts its annual May Day celebration on May 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore the grounds and check out carnival games, food and products from local vendors.
• The Push for Your Tush fundraising walk/run takes place May 9 in support of Colorectal Cancer Canada. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome at this family friendly event at Heydenshore Pavilion. Registration and check-in start at 9 a.m. followed by an official start at 10 a.m. and a post event celebration at 11:45 a.m. Learn more at www.pushforyourtush.ca
• Food Truck Frenzy 2026 takes place May 30 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and May 31 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the south parking lot of Iroquois Park Sports Complex. This popular annual event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Whitby to raise funds that go directly back into our community. Check out more than 30 food trucks as well as a maker’s market and kid’s zone. Entry is $5 per person and free for children 14 and under. Learn more at rotaryfoodtruckfrenzy.com
• The Brooklin-Whitby Garden Club speaker series brings experienced gardeners and authors to Whitby to share their knowledge and expertise. On May 27 at 7:30, speaker Carson Arthur will talk about the importance of food security including disruptions in the global food supply chain. All speaker series events take place at Brooklin United Church, 19 Cassels Rd. E. Register here.
• Meta Employment Services is hosting the Durham Region Job Fair on May 27 at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43, 471 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, from 12 to 3 p.m., with the last entry at 2:30 p.m. Learn more at https://metaservices.ca

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 June newsletter:

• A profile of the amazing work being done by Whitby not-for-profit the Travelling Stage
• Details on fun summer events in Whitby including the Brooklin Spring Fair, farmer’s markets, Music in the Park, and more!
• An update on the groundbreaking for Whitby’s Habitat for Humanity project and how you can get involved with the build