The Town of Ajax is hosting an open house on August 20, 2026, inviting residents to provide input on how the community will plan for climate resilience and protect natural areas. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Community Hall C in the Audley Recreation Centre at 1955 Audley Road North.
Topics at this session will focus on the Climate Resilience and Greenlands System Policy Review, part of the town’s larger Official Plan Review. Anyone who attends will be entered to win a rain barrel.
This review is required under Ontario’s Planning Act and will guide development in Ajax to the year 2051. Since January 1, 2025, the Region of Durham transferred most planning authority to local municipalities, meaning Ajax must now merge the regional plan with its own into a single document.
Durham Region’s population is expected to grow from about 732,000 in 2021 to 1.3 million by 2051. Ajax has said it can accommodate between 32,000 and 44,000 new homes within its current boundaries, and Mayor Shaun Collier has advocated for concentrating growth inside those limits rather than expanding into undeveloped areas.
The town declared a climate emergency in 2019 and updated its climate plan in February 2025 to address current and future risks. The Official Plan Review covers six themes: growth management, employment lands, cultural heritage, climate and greenlands, secondary plans, and transportation.
Residents can also submit comments on background reports until September 30, 2026. Two additional public meetings are planned for September 14 and September 22. More information is available on the Town of Ajax website.
