Clarington is preparing an Economic Development Strategy to create a plan for future growth and development in the community. Currently, the Municipality’s population is 105,000 and growing. The COVID-19 pandemic has not slowed the pace of our community growth, which is partly propelled by several key economic development catalysts such as the development of a Nuclear Energy Cluster around the future Clarington Headquarters for Ontario Power Generation.

We’ve created a short survey and want to hear from you – our residents and business owners. Help envision the future of our community, share your opinions and perspectives to inform the Strategy. Fill out the survey by November 29, 2021, www.clarington.net/EcDevStrategy.

Read this article on our website.

Cooling area available at Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre during extended heat warning

NOTE:  The Newcastle Public Library is a good local option!

As of Wednesday, July 21, access to the collection shelves, computers, study tables, children’s areas, and public washrooms is open to the public at all four Clarington Public Library branches. Clarington Museums & Archives has also resumed in-person research services and self-guided exhibit tours by appointment at the Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre. Masks and physical distancing are still required at all locations. 

“It’s wonderful to welcome the community back through our doors,” says Linda Kent, Clarington Public Library, Museums, & Archives CEO. “The response has been tremendously positive; people are very happy to be able to come back into the space to explore the collections and exhibits in person.” 

Throughout the pandemic, the Library and Museum offered a variety of electronic services. “Our staff pivoted rapidly to offer a variety of programs and services, which were available virtually over the internet and offline by way of phone and mail. We expanded and improved our electronic collections of books, magazines, and newspapers to meet the demand online,” continues Ms. Kent. “We also introduced new initiatives to keep our community connected, such as Borrow by Mail and loanable mobile WiFi hotspots. As we progress through the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen, we will continue to adjust our service model in order to meet community needs and address safety regulations, by maintaining a blend of virtual and in-person services.” 

The Library’s virtual Summer Reading Club will continue throughout the summer. Children can sign-up today to beat the summer brain drain by participating in virtual reading programs and activities and enjoy virtual author visits in August. For outside family fun, check out the latest Storywalk® at the Bowmanville Westside Conservation Area of How to Find a Bird by Jennifer Ward, presented in partnership with Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA). 

For more information about Library services, please visit the Library’s website at www.clarington-library.on.ca, or contact Member Services at info@clarington-library.on.ca or 905-623-7322 ext. 2712. For more information about Museum research services and exhibits, please visit the Museum’s website at www.claringtonmuseums.com, or contact Museum staff at info@claringtonmuseums.com or 905-623-2734. 

The Planning and Development Services Department will release the annual Growth Trends Review report for 2020 by the end of June. This report identifies emerging development-related issues and trends within the Municipality of Clarington. Building permit activity and other related data are used as indicators of housing and employment activity within Clarington, the level of local investment, and economic performance.

Highlights from 2020:

• Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarington’s building activity rebounded from the significant decline experienced in 2019.
• Clarington’s total building permit value increased by 206 per cent in 2020, from $130.3 million in 2019 to $398.3 million.
• Clarington’s residential building permit value and residential unit permits issued were above their five-year average by 10 and 23 per cent, respectively.
• Clarington doubled its share of Durham’s building permit value from 6.6 per cent in 2019 to 13.9 per cent in 2020, the second-highest per cent growth in the Durham Region.
• 994 new residential unit permits issued in 2020; that’s the third time since 1993, that more permits were issued.

Despite the disruption due to COVID-19, building permit value rebounded, resuming its previous trend. The real estate market fell in 2019 due to several factors, most notably new Building Code requirements and stricter mortgage tests leading to extra housing supply. However, the market began to recover in late 2019, and this continued into early 2020.

As a result of the emergency order in March of 2020, construction was on hold, but permit activity remained strong. Housing demand increased, and the GTA saw record sales in the fall months. COVID-19 accelerated the trend of moving away from city centres toward suburban areas, further driving local demand. Consumer behaviour has changed as households are seeking more space to work from home.

Clarington is anticipating further growth as Highway 407 and Highway 418 gain popularity. The proposed GO Transit Lakeshore East line expansion will provide a solid connection to the GTA. As well, major economic drivers such as the OPG headquarters relocation, EastPenn relocation, and Toyota Eastern Parts Distribution plant will provide jobs to Clarington’s growing population and drive demand for housing.

The 2020 Growth Trends Review will be available at the end of June on the Municipality’s website.

Region of Durham Outreach Community Hub to Launch at Clarington Public Library

Clarington Public Library is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Region of Durham to establish an Outreach Community Hub at each library branch. The new service has been created in association with the Healthy Communities initiative.

Commencing the week of June 28, 2021, Clarington Public Library branches will have an Ontario Works Outreach Worker onsite, during limited time periods, in order to connect community residents to a variety of social services supports and resources. This includes financial resources, housing, food security, counselling, Children’s Services referrals, and more. The Outreach Worker can communicate with community agencies on behalf of clients, assist with online government application forms, and help them navigate the system.

No appointment will be necessary. The Outreach Worker will be available as follows:

• Bowmanville Branch: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Courtice Branch: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Newcastle Branch: Mondays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Orono Branch: Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all visitors entering any Library branches are required to adhere to Public Health protocols (health screening, wear a three-layer mask, maintain six feet/two metres distance from others, etc.).

The Outreach service may be interrupted pending changes in provincial restrictions applicable to public libraries – please check the Clarington Public Library website for updates: www.clarington-library.on.ca

Clarington is proposing that a portion of the road allowance on Given Road west of Rudell Road
is closed and declared surplus to sell the lands to the adjacent property owners, 2103386 Ontario Limited, 2353235 Ontario Limited, Wilmot Creek Developments and Louisville Homes Limited, for fair market value. The Municipality is the current owner of the lands located on Lot 31, Concession 2 in Newcastle, and has determined that the road segments are no longer required for Municipal purposes.

Staff Report PWD-018-21 regarding this matter will be submitted to Council at a General Government Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 31, 2021, for consideration. The agenda, including copies of Staff Report PWD-018-21, will be available at www.clarington.net/calendar before the meeting.

How to participate
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual meeting will be held to maintain physical distancing. A link to watch the meeting via livestream will be available at www.clarington.net/calendar shortly before the start of the meeting.

To participate as a delegate, please register at www.clarington.net/delegations or contact the Clerk’s Division at 905-623-3379 no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Delegations will participate online or by phone. For more information, please contact Karen Richardson at 905-623-3379 ext. 2327 or krichardson@clarington.net.