Community Strategic Plan
Whitby's 2023 to 2026 Community Strategic Plan was developed and endorsed by Town Council based on significant community engagement. The Plan provides a shared Vision and Objectives for how Town Council and staff will work together to deliver on community priorities over the next four years and beyond. The Plan includes 62 measurable action items - informed and prioritized through community input - that will be reported on annually to openly evaluate progress.
Read the new Community Strategic Plan to learn more about how Town staff and Council will be working together to deliver on Whitby’s new Community Vision:
Whitby − naturally beautiful green spaces, a vibrant waterfront, thriving downtowns, and a safe community − the heart of Durham Region, an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.
View the 2023 Community Strategic Plan Progress Update on the 62 action items. More than 90 per cent of the action items are either underway or complete.
Accomplishments to Date
Pillar 1: Whitby's Neighbourhoods – Safe, Healthy and Inclusive
- Action 1.1.6 – New pilot program with Oshawa Clinic Group to recruit and retain ten new family doctors to the West Whitby Health Centre
- Action 1.2.2 – Launch of second edition of Whitby’s Food Guide which won a national marketing award
- Action 1.2.3 - Initiated Whitby's first Culture Pop-Up Series with two events - Whitby Paint Night and Sunset Tango
- Action 1.3.5 – partnership with Feed the Need in Durham approved to establish a market model food bank at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in 2024
- Action 1.3.6 – Town of Whitby Homelessness Task Force established in June 2023; new whitby.ca/communitysupports webpage created
Pillar 2: Whitby's Natural and Built Environment - Connected and Resilient
- Action 2.1.4 –2023 Budget includes $721,080 for Zero Carbon Whitby projects with a total estimated GHG emissions savings of 165,373 KgCO2e.
- Action 2.3.2 – Town breaks ground on construction of new Whitby Sports Complex
- Action 2.3.7 – Whitby Council approves Town Brewery pop up operation at the historic waterfront Pump House building
Pillar 3: Whitby's Economy - Innovative and Competitive
- Action 3.1.3 – Whitby Council approves Town Brewery pop up operation at the historic waterfront Pump House building
- Action 3.1.3 - Launch of Whitby's new Explore Whitby tourism website and Instagram (@explorewhitby)
Pillar 4: Whitby's Government - Accountable and Responsive
- Action 4.1.1 - Recipient of $24.9M Housing Accelerator Fund grant to support housing development in Whitby
- Action 4.1.1 – Recipient of $2.6M Active Transportation Fund grant from Federal government for waterfront trail enhancements and construction
- Action 4.1.2 – New partnership with Oshawa Clinic Group to attract new family doctors
Action 4.1.2 – Supported Town Brewery pop up at the historic waterfront Pump House building to provide a waterfront food and beverage operation
Community Engagement
More than 3,000 people helped to inform the creation of the Community Strategic Plan. Feedback from Whitby residents, businesses, and community partners was critical to ensuring that the plan reflects community priorities.
Engagement was done in two phases:
- Phase One - more than 2,000 people participated in an online survey to shape the Plan's Vision and Strategic Pillars (including Action Items). View the results of what we heard.
- Phase Two – more than 800 people participated in an online survey and in-person and/or virtual engagement sessions to share their feedback on the Plan’s Vision, Objectives, and updated Action Items. View the results of what we heard.
Residents highlighted the Whitby waterfront, healthcare, green spaces, community safety, economic growth, and the desire to address social needs, like homelessness, as some of their top priorities. This feedback was used to develop the Plan's four Strategic Pillars. Each pillar includes several action items that were prioritized during the community engagement process.
Next Steps
The plan includes 62 action items in total. Progress on these will be measured and publicly reported on annually over the next four years.