News Releases

Health Department begins heat monitoring for 2023 summer season

First heat warning issued for 2023

Whitby, Ontario - Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for the south Durham Region area for June 1 and 2. This is the first heat warning of 2023 under Durham Region Health Department’s seasonal Heat Warning and Information System.

Throughout the summer, the Health Department will be posting information at durham.ca/heat to inform residents of conditions that indicate a heat warning will be issued, and will also use the Health Department...

Regional Chair offers condolences following tragic accident taking two lives northwest of Woodstock

Whitby, Ontario – The following statement is being issued on behalf of John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham:

“On behalf of the Region of Durham and our residents, I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau, of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Perth County Detachment, West Region.

Tourangeau will be remembered as a hero in life, not in death.

While on duty, Tourangeau’s vehicle was...

The Price of Eating Well: A healthy diet is becoming less accessible for families in Durham

Whitby, Ontario - A new report from Durham Region Health Department shows that some families in Durham Region do not have enough money to afford a healthy diet. The 2022 Price of Eating Well in Durham Region report found that more than 15 per cent of households are food insecure – meaning they either worried about running out of food, settled for lower quality foods or missed meals altogether.

Food affordability is monitored by surveying the cost of 61 nutritious foods from local grocery stores...

Health Department celebrates World No Tobacco Day, May 31

Whitby, Ontario - World No Tobacco Day is on May 31, and Durham Region Health Department is reminding everyone that it’s never too late to quit smoking—a habit that not only negatively impacts your personal health, but also has a global environmental impact.

The World Health Organization indicates that approximately 3.5 million hectares of land are converted for tobacco growing globally each year. This interferes with attempts to substitute tobacco growing with sustainable crops, contributing to...