As rapid growth continues across Durham Region, the Town of Whitby is pushing for urgent action through its Whitby local priorities 2026 budget advocacy, focusing on closing a major funding gap and improving healthcare access for residents.
Whitby has been identified as one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada, placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, public services, and healthcare systems. With the Ontario provincial budget set for release on March 26, 2026, town officials are urging the province to step in with stronger financial support and long-term solutions.
A key concern highlighted in the Whitby local priorities 2026 budget advocacy is the growing municipal funding gap. Local leaders argue that recent legislative changes have placed additional financial burdens on municipalities, forcing them to cover costs that traditionally fall under provincial responsibility.
Whitby Council has formally backed a motion led by Mayor Elizabeth Roy, calling on the province to address what is estimated to be a $4 billion annual shortfall. This gap is largely attributed to municipalities funding services such as social housing through property taxes. In addition, local governments are facing a $1.5 billion burden tied to these responsibilities.
The Town is also advocating for changes to how municipalities contribute to major infrastructure projects. One of the proposals includes re-evaluating the requirement for municipalities to fund 10 per cent of hospital capital costs, which officials say places undue strain on local budgets. Whitby is also calling for a share of housing-related revenues, such as Land Transfer Tax and HST, to help create more stable and predictable funding streams.
Healthcare remains another top priority in the Whitby local priorities 2026 budget advocacy. With population growth accelerating, the demand for healthcare services has increased significantly. The Town continues to push for progress on a new hospital in Whitby, a project that has been under discussion for several years.
Although the province previously announced a planning grant for the hospital nearly two years ago, Whitby officials say more concrete steps are needed. The Town is working with partners to secure land for the future facility, while Lakeridge Health continues to advocate for provincial funding to move the project forward.
Whitby is now asking the province to include clear commitments in the upcoming budget, including a project timeline, land acquisition support, and capital funding, to bring the hospital closer to reality.
Mayor Elizabeth Roy emphasized that continued growth must be matched with appropriate infrastructure and services. She noted that municipalities cannot continue to absorb provincial responsibilities without additional funding support, warning that this approach could impact residents’ quality of life.
Similarly, Chief Administrative Officer Matt Gaskell highlighted the increasing strain on local services, stressing the importance of strong partnerships between municipal, provincial, and federal governments to address these challenges effectively.
The Whitby local priorities 2026 budget advocacy reflects broader concerns shared by municipalities across Ontario, many of which are facing similar pressures due to rapid growth and limited financial resources.
As the province prepares to release its 2026 budget, Whitby is making it clear that addressing funding gaps and investing in healthcare infrastructure will be critical to supporting sustainable growth and maintaining a high quality of life for residents.
