The Town of Whitby is hosting an All-Ward Community Open House on April 15, 2026, providing residents an opportunity to meet with local officials and staff at Town Hall located at 575 Rossland Road East. The event, taking place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, arrives as the town prepares for the upcoming municipal election cycle.
The nomination period for the 2026 Municipal Election officially opens on May 1, 2026, leading up to Election Day on October 26, 2026. Ahead of this period, municipal leaders are calling for a focus on respectful public discourse. On April 14, 2026, Mayor Elizabeth Roy and Councillor Victoria Bozinovski held a news conference to address what they described as an escalation of harassment, misinformation, and disrespectful behaviour in local politics.
During the session, the pair reaffirmed their commitment to the Elect Respect pledge, which the Town of Whitby Council unanimously endorsed in October 2025. This initiative encourages candidates and community members to uphold professional conduct. Mayor Roy and Councillor Bozinovski highlighted recent incidents, including a vehicle displaying messaging against Councillor Bozinovski and ongoing challenges regarding misinformation.
The call for decorum follows a report from the Integrity Commissioner released on April 14, 2026, which found that Councillor Chris Leahy breached the Council Code of Conduct twice by publicly disrespecting town staff. The report recommended a one-month suspension of pay, noting that the actions harmed staff and undermined trust in municipal operations. Additionally, the town noted that approximately $100,000 has been spent during this council term investigating allegations targeting Mayor Roy, all of which were eventually determined to be unfounded.
The Town of Whitby Council is composed of the mayor and eight members. Residents attending the open house will have a chance to interact directly with these representatives and learn more about town initiatives before the candidate nomination process begins next month.
