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Our community will be forever changed as a result of the COVID-19 virus. While the impacts have been felt across all areas of the Town, some municipal work and parts of our community are feeling pressures far greater than others.
As we move ahead and look forward in our continued response to the COVID-19 emergency and plan for our new reality, these areas require extra consideration, attention and problem solving. There will be a significant change to the way the Town delivers these particular services due to the profound impacts that will continue as we manage this pandemic in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Page last updated: April 1, 2021
IMPORTANT LINKS
PROVINCE-WIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE
The public health and safety measures listed below will be effective as of April 3, 2021.
The Government of Ontario controls public health safety measures to help keep citizens safe in public spaces during a pandemic. A comprehensive, whole-of-government response to keeping Ontario safe and open is outlined in detail in the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
The information on this page is maintained and updated regularly to the best extent possible. For the most current information, please refer to the provincial government’s COVID-19 Response Framework website.
For additional details on the regulations that apply for the Red-Control zone, please read Ontario Regulation 263/20. For details on the regulations that apply for the other colour zones of the COVID-19 Response Framework, please read the Ontario Regulation 364/20, or the Ontario Regulation 82/20 for lockdown-specific details.
In addition to measures under the Provincial Framework, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health has the power under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to order individual people or businesses, or certain classes of people or businesses, to take or refrain from taking specified actions in respect of a communicable disease. This can include fines or potential closures.
York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Karim Kurji, has issued a Section 22 Class Order on March 3 and requires specified businesses to comply with all requirements set out under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROE).
In addition, Dr. Kurji has issued A Letter of Instruction for individuals of York Region diagnosed or has symptoms of COVID-19 or those believe to have symptoms or a close contact to follow all instructions from York Region Public Health.
Public Health measures outlined in this new province-wide shutdown include:
The province will provide authority to all provincial offences officers, including the Ontario Provincial Police, local police forces, bylaw officers, and provincial workplace inspectors to issue tickets to individuals who do not comply with the stay-at-home-order, or those not wearing a mask or face covering indoors in places open to the public, subject to limited exceptions, as well as retail operators and companies who do not enforce requirements under orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act (ROA) or EMPCA. Those who decide not to abide by orders will be subject to a set fine and/or prosecution under both the ROA and EMCPA as applicable.
In addition, all provincial offences officers will have the authority to temporarily close a premise and disperse individuals who are in contravention of gathering limits an order and will be able to disperse people who are gathering, regardless whether a premise has been closed or remains open such as a park.
COVID-19 RESPONSE FRAMEWORK
PREVENT
Standard Measures
Under the Green-Prevent Zone, the focus is on education and awareness of public health and workplace safety measures in place. The restrictions in this zone reflect the broadest allowance of activities in Stage 3 in the absence of a widely available vaccine or treatment. High-risk settings remain closed.
PROTECT
Strengthened Measures
Under the Yellow-Protect Zone, the focus is enhanced education, targeted enforcement and fines to limit transmission, while applying public health measures in high-risk settings.
RESTRICT
Intermediate Measures
Under the Orange-Restrict Zone, enhanced measures, restrictions and enforcement are implemented while avoiding widespread closures.
CONTROL
Stringent Measures
Under the Red-Control Zone, broader-scale restrictions across multiple sectors must take place to control transmission (i.e. Modified Stage 2 measures). This is the most severe zone before a widescale business or organizational closure.
LOCKDOWN
Maximum Measures
Under the Grey-Lockdown Zone, maximum, widescale measures and restrictions, including closures, are put in place.
FACILITY / PROGRAM
OPENING DATE
Leisure Centre – including Library, Art Gallery, Customer Service
Museum & Community Centre
In person Museum programs
Virtual and online programs at the Museum
Virtual and online recreation programs
Lebovic Centre for the Performing Arts (“19 on the Park”)
Clippers Arena – both pads
Latcham Hall
Fitness Centre
Gymnasium Program – Leisure Centre
General Community Programs
Pool
Stouffville Arena
Closed
Closed
Closed
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Registration will take place Thursday, April 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., online only for virtual recreation programs. There will be customer service staff available should anyone require assistance.
Please be sure to check townofws.ca/whatsnew to stay up to date on the roll-out of all leisure re-openings and to register for programs.
OPEN
SERVICES OPERATING / AVAILABLE
CURRENTLY CLOSED
PROGRAM / SERVICE NOT OPERATING
DETAILS COMING
CANCELLED
PROGRAM/SERVICE IMPACTS
All general inquiries will be handed by Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Customer Service Centre. We are available by telephone (905-640-1900) or email (customer.service@townofws.ca) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For municipal emergency service outside these hours, please call 905-640-1900 ext. 0 and follow the prompts for our after-hours service
Most outdoor recreation amenities are open. Open outdoor areas may be used by individuals, or a group of up to 5 people from the same household. Town trails are open. For a complete list, see the Summary posted above.
Police and by-law officers are charging people. Fines begin at $300 and range to $5000 for repeat offenders.
All facilities are closed to the public and all in-person Town programs have been cancelled until facilities reopen. This effects in-person fitness, group fitness, aquatics and gymnasium programs. Virtual recreation program registration begins Thursday April 8, 2021.
Residents are asked to visit our website at townofws.ca/wsplayonline for more information about programs once they resume.
Residents are asked to call the Leisure Center at (905) 642-7529 or email leisure.services@townofws.ca for details.
Please see the list of facilities above for the opening dates. If a facility is not listed, they will remain closed.
The Museum is closed to the public for tours, rentals, and events. Registration required. Please contact the Museum to book your visit: wsmuseum@townofws.ca or 1 (905) 727-8954.
The museum will also continue to bring you a variety of Learn From Home options at townofws.ca/museum. Visit L4A.ca to view the virtual exhibit, Archaeology Alive: The Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site in Whitchurch-Stouffville. See the exhibit in-person until August 15th.
You will also find regular posts from the Museum on @WSMuseum on Facebook – posts include historic photos and local stories. For further information about rentals or research appointments and donations, please contact wsmuseum@townofws.ca or 1 (905) 727-8954.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library is closed to the public however, is offering curbside service. Items can be placed on hold using the library catalogue and customers will be notified when they can come pick them up. Curbside service will be offered at the Library’s location at 2 Park Drive, using the exterior doors to the leisure centre. The library’s external book return is open 24/7.
Curbside service will be offered on the following days and times:
There will be no access to computers during this time.
For up to date information, please visit the Library’s website at www.wsplibrary.ca.
Please send all By-Law enforcement inquiries by phone or email only. By-Law will not be setting up meetings or facilitating tickets in person, however, it can be done by phone, online or email. By-Law will be reviewing all complaints as to whether it is safe to attend that particular property and/or meet with property owners.
Parking bylaws are still being enforced. If any residents have any By-Law questions, please call 905 640 1910 (ex. 2229) or Customer Service at (905) 640-1900.
Animal Services’ calls will be responded to case by case. Our shelter has been shut down to the public therefore we will no longer be able to take in domestic animals. We would like to remind residents to be extra diligent at this time to ensure that their pets are not at large. Also, if your dog does not have a dog tag it is highly recommended that you purchase one now. Dog tags can be purchased at townofws.ca/dogtags
Whitchurch-Stouffville shares animal adoption services with Pickering. Their animal shelter is still closed to the public, however, their adoption program is open. Anyone interested in adopting an animal is encouraged to visit www.pickering.ca/petadoption. If you see an animal of interest, complete the online adoption application form. The application forms are reviewed by staff and a phone interview and/or virtual chat takes place.
The Town continues to accept building and planning applications and customers can drop non-confidential plans and relevant information in the drop-box at Town Hall. Due to construction, the drop-box is now located near the entrance next to the York Regional Police office. All meetings with external clients will be converted to conference calls. We will continue to schedule and conduct building and engineering inspections on unoccupied buildings and inspections that are outside (open-air) only.
For more information about the effect of COVID-19 on Planning Division procedures, visit the dedicated COVID-19 updates page for planning. For more detailed information about building permit applications and inspections, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 page.
All emergency services provided by the Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire & Emergency Services will remain uninterrupted. All public education events have or will be cancelled until further notice, including school visits and station tours. All non-essential fire prevention activities have also been cancelled or postponed. The Fire Prevention Division will still be responding to requests and/or complaints that involve immediate threat to life. Burn permits are still available online on the Town’s website. Fire Station 5-1 and Fire Station 5-2 remain closed to the public.
Our on-call Operator is available through the Town’s after hour service at (905) 640-1900. Down stop signs, flooding, trees that have fallen across roads/sidewalks will be dealt with immediately. Other road activities such as tree trimming, pothole patching, will continue. Winter maintenance activities of roads, sidewalks and municipal parking lots will continue and be conducted as required.
Water quality sampling will continue as per Provincial regulations and water/wastewater emergencies such as breaks and backups, will be dealt with immediately. Water/wastewater Operators will not be entering private homes, however, they will respond to investigate the municipal infrastructure and advise residents to contact a private plumber for internal investigations. Routine water/wastewater activities will continue. Further inquiries should be directed to Customer Service at (905) 640-1900.
Solid waste collection and recycling will continue as usual. Inquiries should be directed to Green For Life (GFL) Customer Service at 1-866-421-5625.
POSTPONED / CANCELLED EVENTS OR PROGRAMS
Details about the 2021 Strawberry Festival will be coming soon.
The Strawberry Festival takes place over the Canada Day weekend and is run for the benefit of our community – all the Festival organized entertainment and kids’ activities are free. From the festival market, to inflatables, live entertainment, the food zone, pancake breakfast, the Red Berry Café, fireworks and all the fun in between – it’s a weekend where thousands come to participate and enjoy, and it takes place in the heart of Stouffville in Memorial Park. For more information, please visit strawberryfestival.ca
More details about 2021 Stouffville Ribfest will be available at a later date. For further event information, please contact events@townofws.ca
More details about the 2021 Food Truck Frenzies will be available at a later date. For further event information, please contact events@townofws.ca
Food Truck Frenzy allows you to experience Food Trucks from across the GTA in our own Memorial Park. You will enjoy bands and entertainment as you sample dishes from over 20 different vendors.
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre’s highly anticipated annual Antique & Classic Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, August 8th, 2021. Details to be announced.
Movies in the Park will now be taking place on Fridays June 18, June 25, July 16, July 23, August 20, and August 27 in Memorial Park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy family favourites under the stars!
PRE-REGISTRATION WILL BE REQUIRED as space is limited. Please stay tuned for further details coming soon at: townofws.ca/events