Whitby mayoral candidates debate affordability, housing and growth

Whitby's three mayoral candidates took part in an election debate on Sept. 24 at the Abilities Centre, organized by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. Incumbent Elizabeth Roy, regional councillor Chris Leahy and 25-year-old Harshini Rajmohan presented competing approaches to taxes, growth, housing and relations with other levels of government ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election.

Chamber CEO Karey Anne Large said the organization is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates; the questions were drawn from concerns the chamber hears from its members, including affordability, homelessness and taxes.

Affordability and property taxes dominated the night. Roy named affordability and property tax the most urgent issue facing the next mayor, saying the town has found more than $2 million in savings through a line-by-line review and is conducting a core services review. She also pointed to housing initiatives including a planned 40-unit Habitat for Humanity project in downtown Whitby. Leahy promised a two-year freeze on the Whitby portion of the tax bill, declaring that 'the property taxes in this town are out of control,' and said he would work with Durham Region to oppose a proposed regional tax increase. Whitby council adopted a 3.44 per cent increase to the town's 2026 budget — about $78 a year on a home assessed at $500,000; the town says 34 cents of every residential tax dollar stays with Whitby, 55 cents goes to the Region of Durham and 11 cents to school boards. Rajmohan made transparency her central pitch, arguing residents are less angry that taxes rise than that they don't understand why, and called for reviewing spending, supporting small businesses and developing Whitby's lakefront as a tourism draw.

The mayor's compensation itself became an election issue. Leahy called for reducing the mayor's pay, citing a figure of $318,666. The Town of Whitby reports that Roy received $231,647 in total compensation in 2025 — $160,998 from the town and $70,649 from the Region of Durham — an increase of 4.8 per cent. The town says the mayor is compensated for both municipal and regional responsibilities, and that council members do not vote on their own salary adjustments; annual adjustments track compensation paid to mayors and councillors in comparable Durham municipalities.

On housing and growth, Rajmohan said Whitby needs to plan infrastructure before development happens rather than catching up afterward. Roy argued growth must be supported by infrastructure and that 'growth should pay for growth,' while calling for continued federal and provincial support. Leahy said the town should consider reducing development charges to encourage more housing construction and use existing reserves for housing and infrastructure.

The proposed Whitby hospital was another major point of discussion. Roy said the town continues to work with Lakeridge Health, the provincial government and Whitby's MPP and that the project is moving through the required process. Leahy said stronger co-operation with the province is needed to move it forward faster. Rajmohan questioned both Roy and Leahy about what they had personally done to advance the hospital.

Residents in the audience said affordability and transparency were top of mind. Gary Dunsmuir said he is invested in Whitby's future, wants new leadership at town hall and hopes for a council whose members work together. Gail Hamilton cited the cost of living and property taxes, and said she and her husband attended because they are looking for change. Stephanie MacMillan said transparency around tax dollars matters most to her — and that she, too, wants to see the next council get along.

Read Wesal TV's full report from the debate: https://wesaltv.com/2026/09/25/whitby-mayoral-candidates-debate-affordability-housing-and-growth/

What's next: Whitby votes Oct. 26. Unlike most Durham municipalities, Whitby does not offer online or telephone voting — residents vote in person during advance voting Oct. 22 to 25 or on election day, Oct. 26. Mail-in ballots are available by request.