East Gwillimbury is facing one of the most pressing challenges in our community’s history: managing growth during a time of housing crisis while protecting the neighbourhoods and way of life that make our town so special.

Growth is not optional. The Province and York Region have already mandated population targets for East Gwillimbury through the Official Plan. That means new homes will be built. The question is not whether growth will happen—but how it will happen, and how we as a municipality choose to guide it.

Unfortunately, too often our current approach is reactive. Development applications arrive at Town Hall, and Council is forced to respond on the fly—reviewing, staff responses, and making decisions within a framework dictated by tight outside timelines. This leaves little room to shape growth in a way that protects our established neighbourhoods, ensures fairness, and secures long-term benefits for residents.

It’s time for East Gwillimbury to flip that script.

A Proactive Approach to Growth

Being proactive means taking ownership of how growth unfolds rather than letting it unfold around us. With limited wastewater allocation, development will only move forward in stages. That presents an opportunity:

Council MUST contemplate existing development submissions in good faith within a scoring scale which projects move first, and in doing so, decide what kind of community takes shape.

Further, communicating proactively to the development community to encourage submissions that are prepared to be advanced along major transit corridors, close to commercial services, close to trails, parks, health services and other such ammenities, makes sense for new families and in turn existing residents.

It reduces traffic pressures, supports active living, and ensures that new growth aligns with the values of sustainability and accessibility. This approach also helps preserve the character of our established neighbourhoods, ensuring that existing communities are not overwhelmed by intensified development.

The Importance of Housing Diversity

Part of being proactive is recognizing that growth is not just about more homes—it’s about the right homes, in the right places.

East Gwillimbury needs a diversity of housing options:

• Stacked townhomes that provide affordable entry points for young families and first-time buyers.
• Purpose-built rentals that give seniors, young adults, and newcomers a stable place to live.
• Family-sized homes for those who want to put down long-term roots.

But these types of housing must be built where they make sense. That means clustering them around transit corridors, nearby commercial services, and sustainable travel options such as walking paths, bike lanes, and bus routes. Done right, this reduces congestion, connects people to the amenities they need, and strengthens the fabric of our community.

If we simply approve projects without considering these factors, we risk sprawl that increases car dependency, isolates residents, and strains local services. But if we prioritize smart, connected growth, we can create vibrant neighbourhoods that are livable, walkable, and welcoming to all.

From “Live, Work, Play” to “Live, Work, Play, Stay”

For years, leaders across Ontario have used the phrase “Live, Work, Play” to describe their vision for community building. It was a simple and effective way to convey balance: homes for families, jobs for workers, and amenities for enjoyment.

But in East Gwillimbury, we know that something is missing from that phrase. We must add one more word: Stay.

Too often, young people who grow up here cannot afford to stay here. They are forced to leave because they cannot find housing that matches their stage of life—whether that’s a starter condo, a rental unit, or a modestly priced stacked townhome. At the same time, older adults who have lived their entire lives in East Gwillimbury often have no choice but to leave when they want to downsize. The lack of retirement-friendly housing or smaller, accessible options forces them to say goodbye to the community they helped build.

That is not acceptable. A true community doesn’t just invite people to live, work, and play—it allows them to stay. It offers opportunities across all life stages, ensuring that children can grow up here, adults can thrive here, and seniors can age here with dignity and belonging.

The Role of Economic Development

Proactive growth planning is not only about housing. It’s also about ensuring that residents have the jobs, opportunities, and municipal services that allow them to thrive. That’s why economic development—particularly in East Gwillimbury’s growing industrial areas—must be part of the conversation.

By attracting new businesses that provide higher-paying jobs, we create opportunities for residents to work close to home, reducing long commutes and supporting family life. These businesses also help diversify our economy, making East Gwillimbury more resilient.

Equally important, industrial and commercial growth strengthens the Town’s tax base in a sustainable way. Unlike residential development, which often requires costly municipal services such as roads, waste, and recreation facilities, industrial development contributes significant operating revenue without the same level of service demand. This helps stabilize property taxes for residents while funding the programs and infrastructure that make East Gwillimbury a great place to live.

In short, pairing proactive housing growth with strategic economic development ensures we’re not just building more homes—we’re building a stronger community where people can live, work, play, and stay.

Protecting What Matters Most

Every resident of East Gwillimbury knows why they chose to make this community their home. It’s not just about houses—it’s about the quality of life. Our history is deep, our neighbourhoods are strong, and our sense of place is irreplaceable. As growth advances, we cannot afford to lose sight of that.

Protecting our way of life must be non-negotiable. Growth must serve the community—not the other way around. That means ensuring that new projects respect our heritage, strengthen our local economy, and create opportunities without compromising what we already cherish.

Why This Matters Now

Housing pressures are real, and the call for more homes is urgent. But the worst thing we could do is rush headlong into development without a clear plan. Reactive decision-making risks piecemeal growth that strains services, burdens taxpayers, and erodes community trust.

A proactive approach allows us to set the priorities, safeguard our neighbourhoods, and build a future that works for both current residents and new families. It is not about saying “no” to growth. It’s about saying “yes” to growth done right—growth that balances housing choice, sustainability, and the protection of what makes East Gwillimbury the place we proudly call home.

If we embrace the vision of Live, Work, Play, Stay, while also encouraging smart economic development, we can ensure that East Gwillimbury remains not just a place people move to, but a place people can belong to—for life.