Mayor's Monthly Newsletter - November 2025

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

The October 2025 Council Highlights include:

• Council adopts new street naming policy
•  Town to send letter to province on automated speed enforcement
• Council calls on province to fund mental health and addictions ER in Durham
• Sponsorship helps Town fund reconstruction of tennis courts at two parks

Council Highlights is published following every regular Whitby Council meeting.

Work continues on the Town’s 2026 Budget – and I’m hearing some fantastic input from residents.

In October, I hosted four Talk Budget with Mayor Roy events, which were a great opportunity to share information about the budget with residents, and listen to feedback.

I’m hearing that many are struggling with the cost of living and concerned about property taxes. Residents are also sharing the need for more recreation facilities and programming, increased supports for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, increased parking enforcement, and improvements to snow clearing.

My final two Talk Budget events of the fall is coming up Nov. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Jacked Up Coffee, 132 Brock St. N. and Nov. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Melanie Pringles, 80 Thickson Rd. S. -- hope to see you there!

To learn more about the budget, read my open letter to the community and visit https://connectwhitby.ca/budget.

I’m excited to share that Operation Cozy toes is back for 2025 – and expanding to help even more people in need this holiday season!

On Nov. 5, I will officially kick off Operation Cozy Toes and Operation Toy Mountain. This year, we’re collecting warm socks for people in our community experiencing homelessness and new, unwrapped toys for CTV’s Toy Mountain in support of the Salvation Army.

Donation barrels will be available in locations across Whitby from Nov. 5 to Dec. 9. And be sure to look for the Operation Cozy Toes/Operation Toy Mountain booth at Whitby Lights the Night Festival on Nov. 21 and the Downtown Whitby BIA Christmas Market on Nov. 14.

Thank you to the Downtown Whitby BIA, Town of Whitby, Whitby Public Library and Salvation Army for supporting this initiative.

The campaign will culminate in a community event at Celebration Square (405 Dundas St. W., in Whitby) on December 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. where CTV will broadcast live.

Residents are encouraged to join the celebration, which will feature holiday performances, children’s activities and more.

Watch my social media channels for updates!

The Town of Whitby’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee hosts a National Indigenous Veteran’s Day ceremony on Nov. 8 in partnership with the Whitby Public Library and Elder Tom Cowie of Hiawatha First Nation, a respected Knowledge Keeper and veteran. The ceremony takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas St. W. Attendees are invited to stay for light refreshments and conversation following the event. 

Residents are also invited to attend a ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at one of the following locations:

• Whitby Cenotaph, 109 Dundas St. E. hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112
• Brooklin Cenotaph, 8 Vipond Road, hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 152
•  Intrepid Park, 2008 Boundary Rd., hosted by the Canadian Armed Forces 

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

• Shout out to the volunteers who recently helped plant 600 native trees and shrubs in just one hour, creating a new “mini forest” at Heber Down Conservation Area! And thank you to Mini Forest Durham, CLOCA, the Rotary Club of Whitby, and Town of Whitby staff for supporting this important sustainability initiative.
• Thank you to the Whitby Public Library for launching a new collection of dementia-friendly books, through a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Durham Region. The library also offers Memory Care Kits, which encourage connection and conversation. Dementia-friendly community partners make our town a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone.
• Congratulations to Durham Not for Profit Housing Corporation on its 40^th anniversary! Did you know this organization owns and manages more than 1,100 apartment and townhouse rental units at 19 sites across Durham Region? Thank you for your continued dedication to making affordable housing available to our community.
• Huge shout-out to our amazing Town of Whitby economic development staff, the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Whitby BIA, and local business leaders who have all supported the Mayor’s Tariff Task Force, which I launched in early 2025. The task force was recently recognized with a national award from the Economic Developers Association of Canada, recognizing an economic recovery project or plan.

Looking to add beauty your yard and support local wildlife? 

Through the Town of Whitby’s partnership with LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), residents can choose from over 30 native shrub species to brighten outdoor spaces and create valuable habitat for pollinators and birds. LEAF also offers themed shrub bundles, including butterfly, edible, native bee, privacy, shade, small yard and songbird.

Each bundle offers four shrubs for the price of three. All shrubs come with mulch, care resources, and the choice of full-service planting or delivery to your door. Visit https://www.yourleaf.org/shrubs-cedars-and-pawpaws to learn more.

Thanks to our amazing economic development team for recently putting together an overview of Whitby’s spas ands wellness experiences.

From Thermëa Spa Village Whitby to The R.E.S.T. Centre float therapy, relaxing massage options, and holistic wellness clinics, our community is becoming a relaxation destination, which helps support tourism and boost the local economy.

Visit https://www.whitby.ca/en/news/be-well-in-whitby-a-place-to-rest-recharge-and-restore.aspx to explore the listings of spas, wellness retreats, and therapeutic services.

I’m very pleased to share that the Town of Whitby has partnered with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences to offer a new series of workshops for older adults 55+. This four-part series is designed to promote mental health, foster resilience and reduce isolation and stigma.

Older adults often face unique challenges related to mental wellness, including life transitions, grief, cognitive changes and social isolation. The workshops will provide a welcoming space to explore these topics. Sessions will focus on brain health, dementia, emotional wellness and mindfulness, all tailored to the lived experiences of older adults.

Each workshop will include expert speakers, hands-on activities and opportunities to build community. Learn more and register here: https://www.ontarioshores.ca/ontario-shores-and-town-whitby-partner-break-mental-health-stigma-among-older-adults

Because You Asked is an opportunity to provide helpful context and information about issues the community is asking about. Got a question? Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

Automated speed enforcement (ASE) has been in the headlines lately after Premier Doug Ford announced in September that his government plans introduce legislation to ban its use by municipalities.

In October, Whitby Council directed Town staff to send a letter to the province outlining how this technology has helped improve safety in Whitby. I also joined over 20 mayors and community leaders from across Ontario in signing a letter urging Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, to compromise and allow ASE in school zones, instead of an outright ban.

In our community, we frequently hear concerns from residents about speeding and unsafe driving, especially in school zones and community safety zones. I also host regular community roundtables with Police, Town By-law staff and school board representatives, and I consistently hear that speeding is a problem.

Identifying opportunities to improve road safety is one of 62 action items in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, which was informed by feedback from thousands of residents.

ASE is not currently used by the Town of Whitby on any Town roads – however, there are three locations in Whitby where the Region of Durham has installed ASE on regional roads in school zones: Anderson Street in front of Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute, Taunton Road in front of Sinclair Secondary School and on Rossland Road in front of Donald A Wilson Secondary School and All Saints Catholic Secondary School.

The Region of Durham has a total of nine permanent ASE cameras and six mobile ASE cameras serving 36 community safety zones across the region.  

The Region reports reductions in speeds and better speed limit compliance where ASE is in place.

For example, in 2024, nearly 49,000 ASE charges were laid in Durham. In 2025, just over 15,000 had been laid as of the end of September. Drivers are slowing down.

Whitby is currently finalizing a new Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines that includes a range of proven tools to make roads safer.

ASE is one of those tools — other examples include speed humps, raised crosswalks and intersections, and mini (neighbourhood) roundabouts.

The key is using the right tool in the right location to help slow traffic and change driver behaviour.

The Ontario Traffic Council, of which the Town of Whitby is a member municipality, says "automated speed enforcement is one of the most successful evidence-based road safety solutions Ontario municipalities have available."

I will continue to advocate for ASE to be a tool the Town can use to create safer roads, particularly in school zones.

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

The Durham Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence and advocating for systemic change to end gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. Serving the Durham Region for over 50 years, the centre provides free, long-term, compassionate, confidential, and non-judgmental support to survivors of all genders who have experienced sexual trauma.

At the heart of DRCC’s work is a commitment to survivor empowerment and healing. The centre offers a range of free services, including individual long term counselling, a free 24/7 crisis hotline for immediate support, and group therapy programs including trauma informed yoga and mediation tailored to meet the unique needs of survivors.

Specialized support is offered to survivors that have experienced human trafficking, student survivors from post-secondary schools, such as Trent University and current and past survivors from the military.

In addition to direct support services, DRCC plays an important role in community education and prevention. Through workshops, public education campaigns, and outreach initiatives, the DRCC raises awareness about consent, healthy relationships, and the root causes of sexual violence. By working closely with schools, community groups, and service providers, DRCC fosters a safer, more informed Durham Region community.

DRCC also engages in advocacy efforts to influence policy and promote justice for survivors. This includes working to break the silence surrounding sexual violence, challenge stigma, and amplify survivor voices in both local and broader conversations.

With a trauma-informed, feminist, and anti-oppressive approach, the Durham Rape Crisis Centre is a crucial resource offering hope, healing, and a path forward for those affected by sexual violence. For more information, contact Gemma Broderick, executive director at gemma@drcc.ca or visit drcc.ca

At a time when phones, tablets, TVs, and computers dominate our free time, many people think of board games as an old-school pastime. 

But Ryan Peddle, owner of the Gamer’s Table in Downtown Whitby, says we’re actually in a “golden age” of tabletop gaming.

His store stocks over 5,000 board game titles in-store and online, with something for all ages and interests.

“Board games let you enjoy real, in-person socializing with family and friends,” Peddle says. “Empower your mind and brain with strategy while building problem-solving skills and reducing screen time and the reliance on technology to entertain.”

The Gamer’s Table is open Wednesday to Sunday at 308 Dundas St. W. Unit 306, on the basement level.

Peddle says two of his best sellers are Catan, formally known as Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride – both considered modern classics and must-haves.   

Sometimes called “this generation’s Monopoly,” Catan was first published in 1995 and marked it 30 anniversary this year with a brand-new edition. It combines dice rolling, resource management, city building, and negotiation between players. 

Ticket to Ride is a train route building game first published in 2004, that sees players work to place their trains on as many tracks as possible by collecting sets of colour cards – it’s easy to learn and addictive to play.   

Learn more at https://gamerstable.ca/ and follow along on social media at https://www.facebook.com/thegamerstable and @thegamerstable on Instagram.

· Councillor Niki Lundquist hosts Pumpkins in the Park Volume 3 on Nov. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Central Park, 900 Brock St. S. This free community event includes popcorn, hot chocolate from Coco’s Cocoa for Sick Kids, a scavenger hunt presented by Durham Escape Rooms, food drive, prizes and more! Help light up the night by dropping off your Halloween pumpkins at the park between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

· Amazing Love Development Organization presents the 6^th annual Taste of Africa fundraiser on Nov. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112, 117 Byron St. S., Whitby. This event supports the education of children in Nakyere, Uganda. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door, and $280 for a table of eight. Click here for more information. Payment can be e-transfered to amazinglovedevelopment@gmail.com

·  The Downtown Whitby BIA Christmas Market is back on Friday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas St. W. Explore local vendors selling handmade gifts, festive décor, holiday treats, and more.

· Christmas in the Village is happening Nov. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in beautiful Downtown Brooklin. Activities take place throughout the day in various locations, visit https://www.whitby.ca/en/play/christmas-in-the-village.aspx for details.

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

· Update as Whitby’s 2026 Budget moves toward Council approval

· Upcoming events, including Whitby's annual Santa Claus Parade

· Update on Operation Cozy Toes and Operation Toy Mountain – plus details on an exciting community celebration to cap off the campaigns