Whitby residents have several ways to weigh in on the Town's 2026 Budget and give back this holiday season, according to Mayor Elizabeth Roy's monthly newsletter.

The mayor hosted four "Talk Budget with Mayor Roy" events in October, calling them a chance to share budget information with residents and hear their concerns. She wrote that many residents are struggling with the cost of living and worried about property taxes.

Other priorities residents raised include more recreation facilities and programming, added supports for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, increased parking enforcement, and better snow clearing.

Two final budget sessions are scheduled for 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.

Operation Cozy Toes returns and expands

The mayor also announced that Operation Cozy Toes is back for 2025 and expanding. Launching Nov. 5 alongside Operation Toy Mountain, the campaign collects warm socks for people experiencing homelessness and new, unwrapped toys for CTV's Toy Mountain in support of the Salvation Army.

Donation barrels will be placed at locations across Whitby from Nov. 5 to Dec. 9, including booths at the Whitby Lights the Night Festival on Nov. 21 and the Downtown Whitby BIA Christmas Market on Nov. 14.

The campaign wraps up with a community event at Celebration Square, 405 Dundas St. W., on Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring holiday performances, children's activities and a live CTV broadcast. The Downtown Whitby BIA, the Town, Whitby Public Library and Salvation Army are supporting the initiative.

Town defends automated speed enforcement

The newsletter also addresses automated speed enforcement after Premier Doug Ford announced in September that the province plans legislation to ban its use by municipalities.

The mayor wrote that Whitby Council directed Town staff in October to send a letter to the province explaining how the technology has improved safety locally. She also joined more than 20 Ontario mayors and community leaders in signing a letter urging Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria to allow the cameras in school zones rather than banning them outright.

The Town does not currently use automated speed enforcement on its own roads, but the Region of Durham operates three cameras on regional roads in Whitby school zones: Anderson Street at Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute, Taunton Road at Sinclair Secondary School, and Rossland Road at Donald A. Wilson Secondary School and All Saints Catholic Secondary School.

Across the region, Durham has nine permanent and six mobile cameras serving 36 community safety zones. The Region reports reduced speeds and better compliance where cameras are in place, with nearly 49,000 charges laid in 2024 and just over 15,000 by the end of September 2025.

"Automated speed enforcement is one of the most successful evidence-based road safety solutions Ontario municipalities have available," the Ontario Traffic Council says, according to the newsletter. Whitby is also finalizing a new Traffic Calming Policy that includes tools such as speed humps, raised crosswalks and neighbourhood roundabouts.

Ceremonies, workshops and more

The Town's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee will host a National Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Celebration Square, in partnership with the Whitby Public Library and Elder Tom Cowie of Hiawatha First Nation. A Remembrance Day ceremony is set for Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.

Whitby has also partnered with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences on a four-part workshop series for adults 55 and older, focused on brain health, dementia, emotional wellness and mindfulness. The series aims to promote mental health, build resilience and reduce isolation and stigma among older adults.

Through a partnership with LEAF, residents can also order from more than 30 native shrub species for their yards, with themed bundles offering four shrubs for the price of three.

Residents can reach the mayor's office by email at mayor@whitby.ca or by phone at 905-430-4300 ext. 2203.