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Celebrating PRIDE

As PRIDE month draws to a close, it’s important to remember that allyship for our 2SLGBTQI+ community is something that should be actively demonstrated throughout the year.   We’ve taken great strides toward making our community safer and more inclusive for all, and this includes the ever-expanding list of events and programming that happen in our Read More

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Braiding the path to a stronger community

As I sat in my office today on my break, braiding my hair to get it tidy for the remainder of the day, I was reflecting on the past month, June 2023, National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous People’s Day which was June 21. As I remove some of the tangles while sitting by an Read More

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A Path for Partnership: Addressing Homelessness and Related Challenges

Growing crises Durham Region, along with cities and towns across the country, is experiencing  homelessness, mental health and addictions crises. In 2022, there were more than 14,000 emergency room visits to Lakeridge Health related to mental health and substance abuse, and a 67 per cent increase in people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Durham compared to Read More

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Did you miss hearing from the Town of Whitby or the Region?

The last few months have been active and exciting for the Chamber from an Advocacy perspective. After reporting on the federal and provincial budgets, and reviewing your responses to our 2023 Advocacy Survey, the Whitby Chamber of Commerce hosted our local elected officials for some invaluable discussions. At our Fireside Chat on April 25th, Trinda Read More

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Assessing our business needs against government led and local initiatives

Advocacy Survey Results Thank you all of responding to our annual Advocacy Survey! This helps guide our efforts both within our chamber walls and regionally through the Durham Business Alliance.  Your voice matters and is appreciated. Our blog provides you with highlights: In our annual Advocacy Survey, respondents identified attracting new investments and creating incentives Read More

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Advocacy Day

On March 5th, we (Peter Garett and Preeti Sangwan) represented the Whitby Chamber of Commerce (WCC) membership and our Advocacy Committee during Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. Hosted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), the event allowed Chambers and Boards of Trades from across Ontario to connect, learn and advocate on key policy issues, Read More

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Reflections from WCC’s Black History Month Event

On February 2nd, the Whitby Chamber of Commerce’s IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) celebrated Black History Month with our annual BHM event, Creating Community. Our first speaker, Mr. Isaac Olowolafe Jr., Co-founder & General Partner of BKR Capital got right down to business. He walked the audience through practical stages and opportunities which Read More

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International Women’s Day

The other day I was listening to a podcast where the speaker was stating that having vulnerabilities is a good thing. Our vulnerabilities makes us stronger. It is definitely a different angle to my thought process. I always thought that my vulnerabilities held me back. My art history teacher back in university said something that Read More

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2023/24 WCC Board Elections

A Hungry Wolf is Stronger Than a Satisfied Dog! This Ukrainian proverb came to mind when writing this blog. The proverb means it is better to be hungry for progress than to be satisfied with being stagnant. This saying reminds us that while making mistakes and failing is a part of the process, it should Read More

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Calling All WCC Members! – 2023 Advocacy Survey

Last month, Whitby Chamber of Commerce launched the 2023 Advocacy Survey to collect feedback from our members, which will in-turn inform and support our plans for the coming year(s). The survey aims to learn: member’s business needs and challenges, the impact and success of WCC programming, and member’s prioritization of and position on various advocacy Read More

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