COVID-19 Information and Updates

CLOCA and Ganaraska Conservation Areas remain closed

We would like to remind residents that all Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) and Ganaraska conservation areas are closed. People who choose to ignore these closures and enter a conservation area are trespassing and subject to fines. Please stay home. Stay safe.

Visit the Central Lake Ontario Conservation website or Ganaraska Conservation website for more information.

Practise physical distancing

As we head into a nice and sunny weekend, we want to remind residents to keep their distance from others. If you choose to get some fresh air, you need to maintain physical distancing. Any gatherings of more than five people are against the law. If you disobey this, you will be fined under the emergency measures implemented by the province. Stay home and help flatten the curve.

Keep your distance!

We would like to remind residents about the importance of staying two metres away from other people. We all must do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.  The Province of Ontario has issued several emergency measures, including the closure of non-essential businesses and recreational amenities and restricting social gatherings of more than five people.  Do your part, help flatten the curve, and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Deadline extended for Community Event Sponsorship Program

Clarington’s Community Event Sponsorship Program provides funding to individuals and organizations hosting community-wide special events in Clarington. The deadline to apply for funding for events occurring July 1 to December 31, 2020, has been extended to Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Please note that due to the ongoing uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that some events may need to be postponed or cancelled. In these cases, staff will work with groups to assess on an individual basis and will be as flexible as possible. Funding for events that are cancelled or postponed to 2021 may have to be returned to the Municipality.

We encourage applicants to apply online; however, paper copies of the application can be dropped off in the drop box at the north entrance of the Municipal Administrative Centre.

Learn more about the Community Event Sponsorship Program.

Clarington declares a local state of emergency

The Municipality of Clarington has declared a local state of emergency as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our message to residents: stay home, maintain physical distancing, do your part to protect your family, friends, neighbours and the community.

Along with the local emergency declaration, Clarington is extending the closure of its buildings and facilities indefinitely.

Clarington is working with Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) on enforcement. People caught violating any emergency measure could face fines ranging from $750 to $100,000 depending on the severity of the infraction. Residents can report violations to DRPS at www.drps.ca under Online Services - Community Concerns or by calling 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5802.

Read the full press release for more information.

Membership update

The Municipality has received several questions about our memberships, in the wake of yesterday’s announcement regarding the cancellation of spring programming. Please note, all memberships, including swim/skate, squash as well as all fitness memberships, will be extended for the length of our facility closures, plus an additional complimentary week.

Help us reach you

Clarington’s Community Services Department is asking program participants to update their contact information on the Be ACTIVE Clarington site. Please log in to your account and update your email. If you can't access your account, email communityservices@clarington.net, so that we can update your information.

Clarington launches #SpreadLove social media campaign

As a show of community unity, the Municipality of Clarington is launching a #SpreadLove social media campaign as we unite to face the challenges of COVID-19. Clarington is asking all residents to join us in this campaign and show your love for your community while maintaining a safe physical distance.

Here’s how residents can participate:

• Change your Facebook profile photo to include our Clarington frame. When you go to change your photo, you can also add and search for a frame, look for Clarington, #SpreadLove.
• Tag us on Facebook (@MunofClarington) and Twitter (@ClaringtonON) and show us photos of how you and your family are coping with this situation. Document any acts of kindness and how you are reaching out to your community. We will share and retweet and #SpreadLove.

Add the hashtag #SpreadLove to all your posts and include #DurhamStrong. Read the press release for more information.

Spring recreation programs and sports and facility permits cancelled

As we continue to support social and physical distancing, the Municipality of Clarington is cancelling all spring recreation programming. Clarington is also cancelling indoor facility and sports field permits until May 31, 2020.

Residents will receive a full refund for all spring program and permit payments without any administrative fees added. Residents who paid using credit cards will receive the refund on the same card, and payments over $20 made by cash or debit will be reimbursed with a cheque sent by Canada Post. Cash or debit payments under $20 will remain as a credit on the resident’s account for 24 months. We are working with our registration provider on the refund process; however, due to the volume of registrants, this may take some time. 

Community Care Durham launches Community Food Box program for vulnerable citizens

Community Care Durham has partnered with local farms and businesses to offer weekly delivery of food boxes containing kitchen essentials to vulnerable citizens in the community. Each food box contains fresh food including milk, yogurt, eggs, and vegetables, as well as toilet paper and facial tissue. Residents can order Community Food Boxes for themselves or a neighbour for $30 with free delivery. To order, call 1-888-255-6680. Learn more on the Community Care Durham website.

Ontario prohibits gatherings of more than five people

The Ontario Government issued a new emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The new order prohibits “organized public events and social gatherings of more than five people, effective immediately.”

For all the latest information, read Ontario’s press release. 

Physical distancing

Physical/social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t connect with people you care about. Residents are encouraged to connect with family and friends using a variety of digital tools, including social media and video chat. Please remember to keep a distance of at least two metres or six feet from other people. We are in this as a community. Let’s do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has more information and details on physical distancing.

DRPS protocol for reporting non-compliant businesses or large gatherings of people

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) has set up a protocol for residents who wish to report non-compliant businesses or large gatherings of over 50 people who are not observing the social/physical distancing ban.

Citizens can now report either situation online at www.drps.ca, click on the Online Services tab and the Community Concern, or call the DRPS non-emergency line at 1-888-579-1520.

View all the information and the press release.

Physical distancing

Clarington would like to remind all residents to practise physical distancing this weekend. Please remember to keep a distance of at least two metres or six feet from other people. We are in this as a community. Let’s do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Public health Agency of Canada has more information and details on physical distancing.

Leash-free dog parks closed

To support physical distancing, the Municipality has closed all leash-free dog parks until further notice. We want to thank all residents for your cooperation and understanding as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Clarington recreation programs and activities remain postponed

Clarington’s recreation programs and activities remain postponed while our municipal and recreation facilities are closed. Spring programs and activities have not been cancelled, however, the situation with COVID-19 is rapidly changing, and the Municipality continues to adjust its operations according to guidelines set out by public health. All program registration updates will be emailed, posted on this web page and shared on Clarington’s social media. For all delayed programs, the registration fees will be pro-rated accordingly, and in the event of session cancellations, full refunds will be available. Program participants who want to cancel spring registration will receive full refunds with no administrative fees applied.

We ask all program participants to update your contact information on the Be ACTIVE Clarington site. Please check that we have your current email, phone number and address.

Requests to delay or cancel pre-authorized property tax payments

Taxpayers wanting to cancel or postpone their April 1 pre-authorized payment withdrawal can submit a written request by Sunday, March 29, 2020. If a request is made to postpone the April withdrawal, that amount will be added to the following month. Written requests can be made by emailing tax@clarington.net or by using the drop box located at the north entrance of the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville). To delay future payments, please contact the Tax Department by the tenth day of the month.

Postdated cheques

Property tax payments made by postdated cheques currently on file with the Municipality will be processed unless the Tax Department receives a written request to hold the payment. Written requests can be made by emailing tax@clarington.net or by using the drop box located at the north entrance of the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville). Please specify if you want your post-dated cheque cashed after a specific date otherwise, the cheque will be stamped cancelled and returned to the address on file.

DRPS provides security tips for closed businesses

Durham Regional Police have created a list of safety tips to improve security and deter criminal activities near businesses that have temporarily closed. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity they see to police. If you witness a crime in progress, including break-ins to closed businesses, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Community Services inquiries

As we continue to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clarington’s Community Services team is making some internal operational improvements. As a result, residents attempting to contact us tonight at communityservices@clarington.net may get a bounce back email. We ask that you resend your correspondence tomorrow, Friday, March 27, 2020. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Volunteer portal connecting local organizations with volunteers

Clarington’s volunteer portal, www.ClaringtonVolunteers.ca, is available to connect local community groups and organizations with volunteers during the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Community groups and organizations providing essential services in Clarington can create an account and post their volunteer opportunities online at www.ClaringtonVolunteers.ca. At this time, only opportunities related to COVID-19 support will be approved for posting on the portal.

Residents who are available to volunteer can also visit the online portal to sign up for an account and get connected with organizations in need. Access to this service is free for both organizations and volunteers.

Volunteer opportunities must take into consideration strict social/physical distancing guidelines. Guidelines for safe volunteering are available on the Clarington Volunteers website.

Property assessment information 

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is extending the deadline for property owners who disagree with their property assessment. The Request for Reconsideration deadline is usually March 31; this has been extended to 16 days after the Province of Ontario lifts its emergency declaration. Stay tuned for more information or follow @MPAC_Ontario on Twitter.

Ontario postpones property tax reassessment

The Province of Ontario has also announced that the 2021 property tax reassessment will be postponed. For residents, this means that the assessed value of your home in 2021 will be the same as in 2020 and is based on the value of your home as assessed on January 1, 2016. Originally, Clarington residents should have seen their new assessment notices on May 25, 2020, covering the four years from 2021 to 2024.

See Details of tax measures, section 5.

CLOCA Conservation Areas closed until further notice

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) has announced the closure of all eight of their Conservation Areas effective immediately, until further notice.

The closures include the following Conservation Areas:

• Bowmanville/Westside Marshes Conservation Area, Clarington
• Crow’s Pass Conservation Area, Port Perry
• Enniskillen Conservation Area, Clarington
• Heber Down Conservation Area, Whitby
• Long Sault Conservation Area, Bowmanville
• Lynde Shores Conservation Area, Whitby
• Purple Woods Conservation Area, Oshawa
• Stephen’s Gulch Conservation Area, Clarington

CLOCA’s administrative office also remains closed to the public until further notice. Visit the Central Lake Ontario Conservation website for more information.

Ganaraska Conservation Areas and Ganaraska Forest closed until further notice

The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority has closed all conservation areas, the Ganaraska Forest, and all Authority buildings, including the Ganaraska Forest Centre, until further notice.

Visit the Ganaraska Conservation website for more information.

Food at your fingertips

To help residents looking for food options, the Clarington Board of Trade has compiled a list of businesses offering food available for take-out, delivery and pickup. This list will also be updated to include information on older adult shopping hours.

Visit the www.cbot.ca/eat to see the full list.

Province launches Stop the Spread Business Information Line

The Ontario Government has launched a toll-free line 1-888-444-3659 to provide support to Ontario businesses who have questions about the Province’s recent emergency order to close at-risk workplaces.

Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659. Help is available from Monday to Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.to 5 p.m.

View the complete list of essential services.

Read the full press release on the Government of Ontario’s website.

Property tax penalties waived for 60 days

To help residents and business owners struggling to cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Municipality of Clarington is easing the tax burden. Clarington Council has decided to waive tax penalties and interest for 60 days, starting with the April installment.

The two-month penalty relief will be effective on the April installment, with no penalties or interest charged in May or June. In addition, Clarington will also waive any service fees for residents who have insufficient funds or who wish to adjust their pre-authorized payments. Residents who wish to change the schedule for their pre-authorized payments are asked to call the Tax Department at 905-623-3379 ext. 2650 or email tax@clarington.net.

Read the full press release.

Durham Region declares state of emergency

John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, declared a State of Emergency in the Region of Durham, ensuring the Regional Government can continue to act and respond quickly to the situation we face today, and to any other events that arise in the weeks ahead.

The declaration reflects the seriousness of the Region’s response to COVID-19 and the tremendous coordination and communication that is required from all levels of government.

Read the full press release on the Region of Durham’s website.

Internal error sending past receipts to customers

The Community Services Department is working to resolve an internal error that is causing past receipts from programs and services to be sent to our customers in error. If you receive an email with a past receipt, please disregard.

If you have concerns or questions, please reach out to us at communityservices@clarington.net for further investigation.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

Partnering to protect our community

The Municipality of Clarington has taken some unprecedented steps to protect our community by promoting social/physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have closed our buildings to the public. The Municipality has also closed all playgrounds, play structures, skateboard parks, basketball and tennis courts, and sports fields. Clarington is complying with the Government of Ontario’s direction when it declared a state of emergency on March 17 to close all facilities and recreational programs, all public libraries, bars, theatres, concert venues and dine-in restaurants. While police have the power to enforce this order, Clarington is asking all residents to do the right thing. We are asking our residents to partner with us and make the right choice for you, your family, your friends, neighbours and the community. We implore you to follow these rules, stay home, maintain a physical distance and help protect all of us from the spread of COVID-19. Let’s work together to flatten the curve.

Clarington Council Meeting available via live stream

Clarington Council is holding its scheduled meeting today, Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Clarington supports Public Health and will be adhering to social/physical distancing guidelines. Councillors will have the option to participate in the meeting using teleconference and electronic means. We encourage residents to watch the meeting online rather than attending person. The Council meeting will be streamed live at www.clarington.net/Calendar. Just scroll to the date, and the video icon will be available to launch five to ten minutes before the meeting. While we cannot prevent residents from attending in person as is their right, there will be limited seating as we practice social/physical distancing. Anyone who intends to enter Town Hall will be screened and asked health-related questions. There will be strict adherence to public health directives, and you may be refused entry. Thank you for your understanding. While Clarington respects the rights of our residents to participate in Council meetings, in this extraordinary circumstances, we are taking unprecedented steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Council meeting will proceed as scheduled on Monday, March 23, 2020, at 7 p.m.

Clarington Council will hold its scheduled meeting on Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. There are several things on the agenda. Residents can watch the meeting live online by going to www.clarington.net/Calendar. Just scroll to the date and the video icon to launch and watch the meeting. Closed captioning is available by clicking on the "cc" symbol once the video has started.

Property Tax Relief

Council will review a proposed property tax relief package during its regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020. Report FND-007-20 outlines several options for Council to consider including waving tax penalties and interest for 60 days for all residents and businesses effective with the April tax installment. Clarington will update residents on Council’s decision.

Reminder: All playground equipment, play structures, skateboard parks are closed in Clarington

Clarington would like to remind our residents that we have closed all playground equipment and play structures. This closure includes skateboard parks. The Municipality has taken this unprecedented decision in the interest of public health to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Signs are now up in all parks advising residents of this decision. We ask all of our residents for your cooperation as we try and keep our community healthy and safe.

To help facilitate social distancing and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, all municipal buildings and recreation facilities remain closed. The Municipality will continue to provide services to residents via telephone and email as applicable. If you require a service that is time sensitive or critical, please call 905-623-3379 to schedule an appointment.

Community help needed

During this time, its important that we look after one another, and look after the most vulnerable members of our community. The Region of Durham has compiled a list of available community resources and they are also looking for volunteers to help those in need, visit www.durham.ca/CommunityResources.  

Planning services

Planning will continue to accept and process planning applications throughout this time. It may take longer to process an application.

• Read the full press release.

A full list of community hall and arena closures is now available.

Planning Services

• General inquiries from residents, real estate agents and developers will continue to be answered by phone and email.
• Submissions of revisions to existing development applications and plans will be accepted by email, file share and courier. Payments can be made by electronic means or certified cheque.
• No new development applications will be accepted at this time.
• Business can apply for temporary sign permits by applying online.
• Community Improvement Grants can be submitted online.
• Residents can continue to provide feedback on secondary plans by phone or email.

Junior Firefighter Camp

Camp registration for the Summer 2020 Junior Firefighter Program is on hold until further notice.

Building permits will continue to be reviewed and processed. Applications can be submitted by regular mail, courier or by email to BuildingPermits@clarington.net. Information on what is required to be submitted with your building permit application can be found on the Building Permit web page.

Clarington Building Officials will not be conducting inspections on projects that contain an occupied dwelling (e.g. finished basement, additions, etc.). When necessary, we will be making special arrangements using video, photos and other means. This is a temporary measure that will be in place until further notice and will be continually monitored as the COVID-19 situation evolves. The Municipality will continue to offer inspections for all other permits.

All of Clarington's municipal buildings and facilities are closed to the public, but many of the services we offer to our residents are still available. View a full list of services available.

Fire ban

The Fire Chief has issued a ban on Open Air Burning in Clarington effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Please note, we will not issue new fire permits, and we will not renew any permits until further notice.

The Municipality of Clarington is taking additional health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. The following Clarington facilities are now closed to the public:

• Municipal Administrative Centre (Town Hall)
• Municipal Law Enforcement Office 
• Visitor’s Centre
• Clarington Animal Shelter
• Hampton Operations Centre
• All Fire Stations

Clarington Emergency and Fire Services will continue to operate as usual to support our community. The Municipality will also continue to provide services to residents via telephone and email as applicable. If you require a service that is time sensitive or critical, please call 905-623-3379 to schedule an appointment.

• CANCELLED: All March Break Camps, Drop-in Programs and Facility Rentals
  March 13, 2020
• Clarington closes all municipal buildings and recreation facilities to the public
  March 13, 2020