In this issue of Whitby Thrive…

☀️ Today’s Weather in Whitby 

 🏥 Higher Wait Times in Emergency Departments Prompt Consideration of Alternative Care Options

 🍼 Lakeridge Health Celebrates Arrival of First Newborn of 2024 in Oshawa

👮🏽 Ontario Rings in New Year with Key Safety and Privacy Regulations and Laws

 🚨 Durham Police’s Festive RIDE Program Sees Increase in Impaired Driving Charges  

🏆 Global Leadership Awardee Japnit Ahuja Makes Strides in Tech and Advocacy

🏆 Trivia

 🥅 Czechia Edges Past Canada in Thrilling Junior Hockey Quarterfinal

 📅 Whitby Events

Higher Wait Times in Emergency Departments Prompt Consideration of Alternative Care Options

Lakeridge Health is experiencing longer wait times in their Emergency Departments (ED). In light of this situation, it is crucial for the public to assess the urgency of their medical needs appropriately:

If you are facing a medical emergency, do not hesitate to visit the ED. Emergencies require immediate and specialized medical attention, and the ED is equipped to handle such situations.

f your medical situation is not an emergency, you are encouraged to explore other care options. This can help alleviate the pressure on EDs and ensure quicker access to care for those in critical need.

• Health Line 811: For general health inquiries or advice, you can call 811 or visit Health811.ontario.ca. This service provides guidance and information on various health-related concerns.

• Urgent Care Clinics: If you require immediate but not emergency care, locate an urgent care clinic near you. These clinics handle a variety of medical issues that need prompt attention.

• Virtual Care Services: For 24/7 medical advice, visit the East Region Virtual Care Clinic at VirtualCareOntario.ca or call 888-684-1999. This service offers virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.

• Consult Your Doctor: If your condition is not urgent, consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician.

• Local Pharmacist: Pharmacists are a valuable resource for medical advice, especially for minor ailments or medication-related queries. You can call or visit your local pharmacist for assistance.

• COVID-19 Testing: If you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to the virus, check your eligibility for testing at ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations. This will guide you to the nearest testing centre.

Read more.

Lakeridge Health Celebrates Arrival of First Newborn of 2024 in Oshawa

Lakeridge Health in Durham Region joyously announced the birth of 2024's first baby, Kaiden Chen, at Oshawa Hospital. Born to Effie Huang and Jersey Chen of Whitby, Kaiden arrived early on New Year's Day. The health center also acknowledged the last babies of 2023, emphasizing its status as a major birthing centre in Ontario. Read more.

Ontario Rings in New Year with Key Safety and Privacy Regulations

As of New Year's Day, Ontario has implemented several new laws and regulations aimed at enhancing safety and privacy for residents. Key among these are regulations for daycare operators, privacy protection measures, and a comprehensive framework for the towing industry.

Daycare Operators' Policy for Child Monitoring: Daycare centers in Ontario are now mandated to establish a policy to monitor the arrival and presence of children. This move is designed to prevent tragic incidents, such as young children being accidentally left in hot vehicles. Unlike schools, which already have safe arrival systems, child-care settings previously lacked such measures.

Privacy Protection Enhancement: The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario now has the authority to impose fines on individuals or organizations that inappropriately access or share personal health information. This regulation strengthens the protection of personal health data.

Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act: This new act introduces provincial oversight to the towing industry, which was previously regulated at the municipal level, leading to inconsistent rules and fees. The Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA) includes several significant rules:

• Mandatory certification for tow truck and vehicle storage operators.

• Clear display of TSSEA certificate number on tow trucks.

• Consent requirements for towing services.

• Invoice and receipt provisions for services.

• Caps on towing rates and transparency in referrals.

• Requirement for multiple payment methods.

• Direct route transportation for towed vehicles.

• Access to personal property in towed vehicles.

• Compliance with TSSEA regulations and the Highway Traffic Act.

These regulations will be fully implemented in phases, with the final set of rules taking effect in July. Read more.

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Durham Police’s Festive RIDE Program Sees Increase in Impaired Driving Charges

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) successfully concluded its 2023 Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program, achieving significant results in their efforts to ensure road safety. Over the six-week campaign, officers stopped a remarkable total of 12,682 vehicles, a notable increase from the previous year's 9,907. Through diligent enforcement, they conducted 533 roadside breath tests and charged 87 drivers with impaired driving offences, an increase from the 77 charged last year.

Despite the increase in charges, the majority of motorists demonstrated responsibility, with many opting for designated drivers or ride-sharing services, especially on New Year's Eve when nearly 300 cars were checked. However, concerning incidents were noted, including a driver found impaired with an unsecured toddler in the vehicle.

Comparative statistics highlight the program's extensive reach, with significant numbers in various categories such as "3 Day Suspensions" for those registering a "WARN," novice driver suspensions, and other Criminal Code charges. Additionally, 974 individuals were charged with various Highway Traffic Act offences, and 3 with drug offences.

As the program wraps up, DRPS emphasizes its ongoing commitment to road safety, operating round-the-clock to combat impaired driving. The public's cooperation, through vigilance and reporting, plays a crucial role in these efforts. DRPS also reminds that under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, those charged with impaired driving face immediate license suspension and vehicle impoundment. Read more.

Global Leadership Awardee Japnit Ahuja Makes Strides in Tech and Advocacy

Japnit Ahuja, a student from New Delhi, India, has been making significant strides since her arrival at Ontario Tech University as a recipient of the Global Leadership Award in 2020. Even before joining the university, Japnit had already established herself as a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, notably through founding the Go Girl Organization at the age of 15. This non-profit aims to make technology accessible to underserved youth, particularly girls, and has conducted over 500 free coding workshops, benefiting more than 2,000 children across India.

Japnit's journey has been marked by academic excellence, including a fully funded scholarship for her high school studies in Singapore and the publication of her first research paper. At Ontario Tech, she has continued to excel in her Computer Science program, gaining recognition through scholarships from notable organizations like Adobe, Cadence, and Zonta, and securing internships with Telus and Coursera.

Her efforts to promote technology and female empowerment have been widespread, from giving TEDx talks to participating actively in university societies. Japnit's contributions were recently acknowledged with the Ada Lovelace Special Recognition Award for Women in ICT by the WomenTech Network. This award highlights her innovations, influential projects, and advocacy for diversity in the ICT sector.

Japnit’s honours thesis at Ontario Tech focuses on developing a mobile application to aid less-privileged students in learning web development and programming, demonstrating her commitment to using technology for educational empowerment.

The Go Girl Humanitarian Foundation, under Japnit’s leadership, continues to impact the lives of young girls in India by providing technical training in native Indian languages and ensuring access through a mobile-friendly curriculum. Read more.

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Whitby Thrive, your local community newsletter, is on the lookout for remarkable businesses to feature in our upcoming editions! We're calling on our readers to help us in this endeavour. If you know a local business in Whitby that deserves some recognition, we would love to hear from you. Nominate your favourite local business by sending us an email. This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on those businesses that make our community special. Don't miss the chance to help a local business get the spotlight it deserves!

Coming Soon!

What was the original name of the community now known as Brooklin, Ontario before it was renamed to avoid duplication with another village in eastern Ontario?

• A) Oakville

• B) Winchester

• C) Brookhaven

• D) Creekville

Answer posted below.

Czechia Edges Past Canada in Thrilling Junior Hockey Quarterfinal

Czechia triumphed over Canada in a closely contested quarterfinal at the world junior hockey championship, with a last-minute goal by Jakub Stancl. Despite Canada's strong effort and comeback in the later stages, Czechia held on to their lead, advancing to the semifinals and ending Canada's hopes for a third straight gold medal. Read more.

January 3rd

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Free Holiday Swim Sponsored by Gerdau - Whitby Civic - 2:30PM-4:30PM

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 4th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Free Holiday Swim Sponsored by Gerdau - Whitby Civic - 2:30PM-4:30PM

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 5th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 6th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Winter Break Activities at the Canadian Automotive Museum - 10:00AM-4:00PM

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

January 7th

• Whitby Lights the Night

• Sleeping Beauty - Wake Me Up Before you Panto - Regent Theatre, Oshawa

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