View source for Regional Municipality of Durham

{{more citations needed|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Durham Region
| official_name            = Regional Municipality of Durham
| settlement_type          = [[Census divisions of Ontario#Regional municipalities|Regional municipality]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Upper-tier municipalities|upper-tier]])
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 250
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 2
| image1                 = Darlington Provincial Park bay.jpg
| image2                 = Flowers in Oshawa IMG 2068 (42905650154).jpg
| image3                 = Whitby harbour.jpg
| image4                 = Ajax Waterfront (185103165).jpeg
| image5                 = Uxbridge downtown.jpg
| image6                 = Nautical Village Blossoms.jpg
}}
| image_caption            = Clockwise from top right: [[Oshawa]], [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]] Waterfront Park, Nautical Village in [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]], [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]], [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]] Harbour, [[Darlington Provincial Park]]
| image_flag               = Flag_of_the_Regional_Municipality_of_Durham.svg
| image_seal               = Logo_of_the_Durham_Region,_Ontario.svg
| seal_size                = 80x80px
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = "A Great Place to Grow"
| image_map                = {{Location map+ |CAN ON Durham|caption=|float=center|places=
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = ''[[Oshawa]]''|mark = Western Canada Map Assets City.svg|label_size = 140|marksize = 12|position = top|lat_deg = 43.9|lon_deg = -78.85}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Pickering, Ontario|''Pickering'']]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets City.svg|label_size = 140|marksize = 12|position = left|lat_deg = 43.8354|lon_deg = -79.089}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 8|position = left|lat_deg = 43.880|lon_deg = -78.942}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 8|position = bottom|lat_deg = 43.839|lon_deg = -79.020}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Clarington]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 0|position = top|lat_deg = 43.96|lon_deg = -78.66}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Scugog]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 0|position = top|lat_deg = 44.055|lon_deg = -78.90}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 8|position = left|lat_deg = 44.116667|lon_deg = -79.133333}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Brock, Ontario|Brock]]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Town.svg|label_size = 120|marksize = 0|position = top|lat_deg = 44.31|lon_deg = -79.09}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Bowmanville|''Bowman-<br />ville'']]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Village.svg|marksize = 6|position = bottom|lat_deg = 43.911389|lon_deg = -78.6875}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Newcastle, Ontario|''Newcastle'']]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Village.svg|marksize = 6|position = right|lat_deg = 43.917222|lon_deg = -78.589722}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = [[Beaverton, Ontario|''Beaverton'']]|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Village.svg|marksize = 6|position = right|lat_deg = 44.430833|lon_deg = -79.152778}}
{{Location map~ |CAN ON Durham|label = ''[[Port Perry]]''|mark = Western Canada Map Assets Village.svg|marksize = 6|position = top|lat_deg = 44.104722|lon_deg = -78.944167}}
}}
| image_map1               = Map of Ontario DURHAM.svg
| mapsize1                 = 250px
| map_caption1             = Map showing Durham Region's location in Ontario
| coordinates              = {{coord|43|55|N|78|56|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = Canada
| subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Ontario]]
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = 1974 {{notetag|[[Ontario County, Ontario|Ontario County]], and portions of the [[United Counties of Northumberland and Durham, Ontario|United Counties of Northumberland and Durham]] were amalgamated in 1974 to form the regional municipality. The Durham portion of the United Counties of Northumberland and Durham was initially established as [[Durham County, Ontario|Durham County]] in 1792, before it was amalgamated with [[Northumberland County, Ontario|Northumberland County]] in 1850 to form the United Counties. Ontario County was formed from [[York County, Ontario|York County]] in 1852. The two counties operated until 1974 when they were dissolved, and Ontario County and the Durham portion of the United Counties were amalgamated to form the regional municipality.}}
| seat                     = [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]
| leader_title             = Chair<br />Governing body
| leader_name              = [[John Henry (Ontario politician)|John Henry]]<br />[[Durham Regional Council]]
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="census2021"/>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 
| area_land_km2            = 2521.11
| area_water_km2           = 
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_urban_km2           = 
| elevation_m              = 91.3
| population_total         = 696,692
| population_as_of         = [[2021 Canadian census|2021]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="census2021">{{cite web |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census Durham, Regional municipality [Census division], Ontario |date = 8 February 2017|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Durham&DGUIDlist=2021A00033518&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3518&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=durham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |publisher=Statistics Canada |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_km2   = 276.5
| population_urban         = 
| population_metro         = 
| population_note          = 
| website                  = {{Official URL|http://www.durham.ca/|durham.ca}}
| footnotes                = 
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = −05:00
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
}}

The '''Regional Municipality of Durham''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|ʊər|ə|m}}), informally referred to as '''Durham Region''', is a [[regional municipality]] in [[Southern Ontario]], Canada. Located east of [[Toronto]] and the [[Regional Municipality of York]], it forms the east end of the [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA) and is part of the [[Golden Horseshoe]] region. It has an area of approximately {{convert|2,500|km2|abbr=on}}. The regional government is headquartered in [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]].

The southern portion of Durham Region, on [[Lake Ontario]], is primarily suburban in nature, forming the eastern end of the "[[Area codes 905, 289, 365, and 742#In popular culture|905 belt]]" of suburbs around Toronto, while the northern portion comprises rural areas and small towns. The city of [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]], town of [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]], and the township of [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]] are part of the Toronto [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census metropolitan areas|Census Metropolitan Area]], while the communities of Oshawa, Whitby, and Clarington comprise the Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area.

==Administrative divisions==
Durham Region consists of the following municipalities (in order of population):

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! Municipality || Former county || 2021 Population<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/search-recherche/lst/results-resultats.cfm?Lang=E&GeoCode=35&Letter=O#letO | title=Select from a list of geographies - Ontario - Geographies starting with 'O' | date=9 February 2022 }}</ref>
|-
| City of [[Oshawa]] || Ontario || 175,383
|-
| Town of [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]] || Ontario || 138,501
|-
| Town of [[Ajax, Ontario|Ajax]] || Ontario || 126,666
|-
| Municipality of [[Clarington]] || Durham || 101,427
|-
| City of [[Pickering, Ontario|Pickering]] || Ontario || 99,186
|-
| Township of [[Scugog]] || Durham, Ontario || 21,581
|-
| Township of [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]] || Ontario || 21,556
|-
| Township of [[Brock, Ontario|Brock]] || Ontario || 12,567
|}

It also contains one [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] [[Indian reserve|reserve]]: [[Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation]].

==Local government==
{{Main|Durham Regional Council}}

==History==

The Region of Durham was established in 1974 as one of several new regional governments in the Province of Ontario, primarily in fast-growing urban and suburban areas. It encompasses areas that had been part of [[Ontario County, Ontario|Ontario County]] and the [[United Counties of Northumberland and Durham, Ontario|United Counties of Northumberland and Durham]], and was the culmination of a series of studies into municipal governance in the "Oshawa-Centred Region" that had begun in the late 1960s.

The boundaries of the region were different from what had been anticipated and announced in late 1972. For example, it was widely expected that Pickering would be annexed to [[Metropolitan Toronto]], which residents had supported in a ballot question. In addition, the region was proposed to extend further east to include Hope Township and the town of [[Port Hope, Ontario|Port Hope]], and did not include the northern townships of Scott, Brock and Thorah.

==Climate==
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], the Durham Region has a [[humid continental climate]] (Köppen ''Dfb''). On average July is the hottest month while January is the coldest month.
<div style=width:75%>
{{Durham Region weatherbox}}
</div>

==Demographics==
As a [[Census divisions of Canada|census division]] in the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], the Regional Municipality of Durham had a population of {{val|696992|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|243048|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|250559|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:696992-645862}}|645862|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|645862|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|2521.11|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|696992|2521.11|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name="census2021"/>

{{Historical populations
|title    = Historical census populations
|type     = Canada
|align    = none
|cols     = 2
|footnote = 
|source   = Statistics Canada<ref name="census2021"/><ref name="2011census"/><ref name="2001census"/>
| 1991 |409070
|[[1996 Canadian census|1996]]|458616
|[[2001 Canadian census|2001]]|506901
|[[2006 Canadian census|2006]]|561258
|[[2011 Canadian census|2011]]|608124
|[[2016 Canadian census|2016]]|645862
| 2021 |696992
}}

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the Regional Municipality of Durham (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br/>group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="census2021"/>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3518&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=Durham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3518&Data=Count&SearchText=Durham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3518&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Durham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3518&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Durham&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name=euro}}
| 426,250
| {{Percentage | 426250 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 453,630
| {{Percentage | 453630 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 468,455
| {{Percentage | 468455 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 457,340
| {{Percentage | 457340 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 436,080
| {{Percentage | 436080 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 92,315
| {{Percentage | 92315 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 55,025
| {{Percentage | 55025 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 34,090
| {{Percentage | 34090 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 24,110
| {{Percentage | 24110 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 14,830
| {{Percentage | 14830 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 66,035
| {{Percentage | 66035 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 51,380
| {{Percentage | 51380 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 41,890
| {{Percentage | 41890 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 33,300
| {{Percentage | 33300 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 22,545
| {{Percentage | 22545 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name=SoutheastAsian}}
| 23,365
| {{Percentage | 23365 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 16,925
| {{Percentage | 16925 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 14,250
| {{Percentage | 14250 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 9,060
| {{Percentage | 9060 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 5,220
| {{Percentage | 5220 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name=EastAsian}}
| 19,545
| {{Percentage | 19545 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 14,685
| {{Percentage | 14685 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 11,130
| {{Percentage | 11130 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 10,260
| {{Percentage | 10260 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 7,845
| {{Percentage | 7845 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name=MiddleEastern}}
| 18,365
| {{Percentage | 18365 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 12,345
| {{Percentage | 12345 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 7,055
| {{Percentage | 7055 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 5,655
| {{Percentage | 5655 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 3,305
| {{Percentage | 3305 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 13,795
| {{Percentage | 13795 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 12,535
| {{Percentage | 12535 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 8,905
| {{Percentage | 8905 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 6,570
| {{Percentage | 6570 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 4,305
| {{Percentage | 4305 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 8,105
| {{Percentage | 8105 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 6,135
| {{Percentage | 6135 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 4,365
| {{Percentage | 4365 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 3,100
| {{Percentage | 3100 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 2,090
| {{Percentage | 2090 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
| Other{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name=Other}}
| 23,580
| {{Percentage | 23580 | 691355 | 2 }}
| 16,855
| {{Percentage | 16855 | 639495 | 2 }}
| 11,480
| {{Percentage | 11480 | 601605 | 2 }}
| 7,925
| {{Percentage | 7925 | 557330 | 2 }}
| 6,680
| {{Percentage | 6680 | 502905 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 691,355
! {{Percentage | 691355 | 696992 | 2 }}
! 639,495
! {{Percentage | 639495 | 645862 | 2 }}
! 601,605
! {{Percentage | 601605 | 608124 | 2 }}
! 557,330
! {{Percentage | 557330 | 561258 | 2 }}
! 502,905
! {{Percentage | 502905 | 506901 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 696,992
! {{Percentage | 696992 | 696992 | 2 }}
! 645,862
! {{Percentage | 645862 | 645862 | 2 }}
! 608,124
! {{Percentage | 608124 | 608124 | 2 }}
! 561,258
! {{Percentage | 561258 | 561258 | 2 }}
! 506,901
! {{Percentage | 506901 | 506901 | 2 }}
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="15" | {{small|Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses}}
|}

==Services==
The regional government, within its geographic area, has sole responsibility for the following:

*[[Durham Regional Police Service]] provides local policing for all municipalities.
**The [[Ontario Provincial Police]] patrol provincial highways
* [[Durham Region Transit]] provides public transit service
* Main roads, traffic lights and controls
* Strategic land use planning
* Subdivision and condominium approval
* Water supply and distribution
* Sewage collection and treatment
* Collection of recyclable materials
* Waste collection, except in Whitby and Oshawa
* Waste disposal
* Public health and social services

The region also provides services in:
* [https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/index.aspx Economic development]
* [https://www.durham.ca/en/tourism/index.aspx Tourism]

Local municipalities have responsibility for:

* Local planning
* Local streets and sidewalks
* Fire protection
* Parks and recreation
* Tax collection
* Building inspection and permits
* Public libraries
* Licensing
* Waste collection in Whitby and Oshawa

==Economy==

With a current population of 700,000, the population is expected to exceed one million by 2041.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/the-durham-advantage/community-profile.aspx |title=Community Profile |date=14 January 2020 |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> Of considerable potential impact to the future of the economy in Durham Region is the proposed federal airport in north [[Pickering Airport|Pickering]]. The federal government acquired 18,600 acres of land in Pickering under [[Pierre Trudeau|Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau]] in 1972 for the construction of a future airport. However, the project has remained in limbo since and much of the land has been leased for farming.<ref>{{cite news |title=After decades in limbo, 2020 could be a critical year for the Pickering Airport |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pickering-airport-2020-update-1.5402994 |date=January 3, 2020 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |first=Nick |last=Boisvert |access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> In January 2018, a report released by Urban Strategies, Inc. indicated that the Pickering airport lands provide the best opportunity to meet the growing demand for air travel and goods movement in the Greater Toronto Area, demand that Toronto Pearson airport will eventually be unable to accommodate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pickering.ca/en/business/resources/t-e-a/GTA-East-Airport.pdf |title=Capacity Where it Counts: The GTA East Airport at Pickering |date=January 2018 |page=5 |publisher=Urban Strategies, Inc.|access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref>

As of December 2016, Durham Region had over 250 energy, environment, and engineering related businesses that employed over 11,000 individuals, making Durham Region the top employer of energy sector professionals in the Greater Toronto and Hamiton Area (GTHA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/energy-environment-and-engineering.aspx |title=Energy, Environment and Engineering |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> Durham Region's agricultural sector is one of the largest primary goods-producing sectors in the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=Agri-Business |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/agri-business.aspx |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref> The agriculture sector is supported by local organizations such as [https://durhamfarmfresh.ca/our-story/ Durham Farm Fresh] who assist in the marketing, promotion, and advocacy for local food. The film industry is active and growing in Durham Region, due to increasing demands for locations and talent across Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/film-and-television.aspx |title=Film and Television |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> In June 2015, a major film studio development was announced in Pickering.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameras to roll in Pickering |url=https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/5690304-cameras-to-roll-in-pickering/ |date=June 23, 2015 |first=Kristen |last=Calis |work=DurhamRegion.com |publisher=Metroland Media Group |access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> Canada’s largest film industry backlot opened in Pickering in late 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pickering.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?feedId=77783f37-8a4f-4806-88ba-4147c38af337,5dc74cc8-c7b5-43f1-904c-ab24fc21ae17,ef5adafb-d620-422b-bd9d-b646d8b38d4c&catId=919c08ab-e701-4608-9417-baa77cae7edb,d4e65a17-bfa3-42c9-818a-0bad0c48998c,ff346126-e115-4d4e-bddc-1eae477b19fa,cc7fa092-d6a6-433a-bd5c-36ef34496a21,ac5ec551-d9b1-46f9-b9f7-3ca33944fa4f,d9c26404-77a8-4626-b1f8-6226598b9f42&newsId=2e56dfa7-0df9-4778-be4d-c919c5144dee |title=City of Pickering Partners with William F. White, Iconic Provider of Production Equipment and Studios, to Operate Largest Movie Backlot in Canada |date=June 17, 2021 |publisher=City of Pickering|access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref>

The innovative technology sector is emerging in Durham Region, supported by a [https://sparkcentre.org/ Regional Innovation Centre] in Oshawa and a technology accelerator in Whitby.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1855whitby.com |title=1855 Whitby |access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/innovative-technology.aspx |title=Innovative Technology |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> Whitby is the location of the headquarters of 360 Insights a significant employer in Durham Region.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190806005618/en/360insights%E2%80%99-Channel-Success-Platform%E2%84%A2-Wins-2019-World |title=360insights' Channel Success Platform™ Wins Three 2019 IT World Awards |date=August 7, 2019|website=Businesswire.com |access-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref>

83 per cent of Durham residents over 18 have a certificate, diploma or degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/the-durham-advantage/education-attainment.aspx |title=Durham is home to five post-secondary institutions, which have been recognized for their academic programs; shaped by market needs, research and leading-edge thinking |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref>

The unemployment rate is 5.4% as of March 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://creastats.crea.ca/board/osha-employment-trends | title=Durham Region Employment Trends &#124; CREA Statistics }}</ref> Emerging employment sectors in Durham Region include sustainable energy, local food production, bio-sciences, next-generation automotive, logistics, advanced manufacturing, construction, and technology.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/9784876-these-are-the-job-sectors-that-have-a-chance-to-flourish-in-durham-over-the-next-20-years/ |title=These are the job sectors that have a chance to flourish in Durham over the next 20 years |date=December 27, 2019 |first=Jennifer |last=O'Meara|website=DurhamRegion.com |publisher=Metroland Media Group |access-date=November 4, 2020}}</ref>

Major employers in Durham Region include [[General Motors Canada|General Motors of Canada]], [[Ontario Power Generation]], [[Lakeridge Health]], [[Durham District School Board]], [[Durham College]], the Ontario Ministry of Finance, Minacs Worldwide, TDS Automotive, and [[University of Ontario Institute of Technology]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/4895878-durham-region-s-top-employers-by-headcount/ |title=Durham Region's top employers by headcount |date=October 6, 2014|work=DurhamRegion.com |publisher=Metroland Media Group |access-date=November 5, 2020}}</ref>

=== Manufacturing and energy industries ===
[[File:Tour of GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant, 2011-06-10, IMG 7434 (47647478741).jpg|thumb|Vehicles being assembled at the [[General Motors Canada|General Motors]] factory in [[Oshawa, Ontario|Oshawa]], [[Ontario]].]]
Durham Region is a major centre of the [[automotive industry in Canada]]. Oshawa is the [[General Motors Canada|Canadian headquarters of General Motors]] and home of what was once GM's largest plant in North America. In addition, the Canadian headquarters of [[Volkswagen]] is located in the region, [[BMW]] was located in the region until moving to [[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]] in 2010.  The worldwide recession and spike in oil prices resulted in large-scale layoffs at GM beginning in 2008, along with the closure of the Oshawa Truck plant in 2009. This dramatically reduced employment levels at GM, and also resulted in significant employment losses and closures in the auto parts industry. On November 26, 2018, General Motors announced that no future product would be allotted to Oshawa beyond 2019 and that manufacturing operations would cease in December 2019. In October 2019, General Motors announced the construction of a 55-acre autonomous vehicle test track in Oshawa to be named the Canadian Technical Centre (CTC) McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://media.gm.com/media/ca/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2019/Oct/1022_GM-honours-its-roots-and-prepares-for-the-future.html |title=GM Canada Honours its Roots and Prepares for the Future with the Newly-Named 'CTC McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track' |date=October 22, 2019 |publisher=[[General Motors Canada]] |access-date=November 5, 2020}}</ref> GM Canada then reopened the plant in Oshawa and began manufacturing trucks in November 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://media.gm.ca/media/ca/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/ca/en/2021/Nov/1110_oshawa-production.html | title=General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant Reopens Creating Thousands of Jobs and Boosting Economic Growth | date=November 10, 2021 }}</ref>

Durham Region is the Clean Energy Capital of Canada. [[Ontario Power Generation]] (OPG) is the largest employer in the region. OPG is Canada's largest owner of [[nuclear power]] plants with responsibility for operating the [[Pickering Nuclear Generating Station|Pickering A, B]], and [[Darlington Nuclear Generating Station|Darlington]] nuclear generating stations, all of which are located in Durham Region. In June 2019 OPG announced it would be building a new corporate campus in Durham Region, in the Municipality of Clarington, by 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=OPG moving headquarters to Clarington, Ontario
 |url=https://www.opg.com/media_releases/opg-moving-headquarters-to-clarington-ontario/ |publisher=Ontario Power Generation|date=June 10, 2019|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, Ontario Power Generation announced they were changing plans and had purchased the former General Motors Canada head office building and were updating it to be their new corporate headquarters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media release > OPG purchases former General Motors building |url=https://www.opg.com/media_releases/opg-purchases-former-general-motors-building/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=OPG |language=en-US}}</ref>  Ontario Tech University offers the first accredited program of its kind in Canada with an undergraduate degree program in Nuclear Engineering. It is also a leader is Energy Systems and Nuclear Science programs. The Clean Energy Research Lab (CERL) is a facility focused on pioneering clean energy research.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/the-durham-advantage/access-to-top-talent.aspx |title=Access to Top Talent |publisher=Invest Durham|access-date=December 5, 2020}}</ref>

===Tourism===

Tourism is a significant economic sector in Durham Region. Durham Region currently hosts more than four million visitors each year, who spend over $300 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/strategy.aspx |title=Tourism Strategy |date=5 September 2019 |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> A casino resort is under development in Durham Region which will include a casino resort, convention centre, film studios, indoor waterpark, cinemas, restaurants, office tower and an amphitheatre.<ref>{{cite web |title=DLive |url=http://www.dlive.ca/ |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/economic-development/industries/future-tourism-development.aspx |title=Future Tourism Development |publisher=Invest Durham |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> The Pickering Casino Resort opened in July 2021, and the Hotel opened in January 2023 and construction of various associated amenities is ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Entertainment |first=Great Canadian |title=PICKERING CASINO RESORT HOTEL IS NOW OPEN |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/pickering-casino-resort-hotel-is-now-open-867487825.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=www.newswire.ca |language=en}}</ref>

===Shopping===
Major shopping centres located in Durham Region include:
* First Pickering Place (Pickering)
* Oshawa Power Centre (Oshawa)
* [[Oshawa Centre]]  (Oshawa)
* [[Pickering Town Centre]] (Pickering)
* Thickson Centre (Whitby)
* Rio-Can Durham Centre (Ajax)
* The Bowmanville Mall (Bowmanville)
* [[Whitby Mall]] (Whitby)
*Durham Live (Pickering- Under Construction)

== Attractions ==
[[File:Lake Scugog Sundown.jpg|thumb|left|Lake Scugog]]
The top tourist attractions in Durham Region include [[Lake Ontario]], [[Lake Scugog]] and [[Lake Simcoe]], in particular for fishing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.durham.ca/en/tourism/fishing.aspx |title=Explore & Engage: Fishing |publisher=Durham Region - Durham Tourism |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> Outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing are popular in the region, in particular in [[Uxbridge, Ontario]], which calls itself the Trail Capital of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trails of Uxbridge |url=http://discoveruxbridge.ca/trails/ |website=DiscoverUxbridge.ca |publisher=Township of Uxbridge |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref> [[Darlington Provincial Park]], [[Jungle Cat World]], [[Parkwood Estate]], [[The Robert McLaughlin Gallery]], [[Canadian Tire Motorsport Park]] and the [[Canadian Automotive Museum]] are other popular attractions.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Durham Region |url=https://settlement.org/findhelp/ontario/durham/ |publisher=Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants |access-date=December 11, 2020}}</ref>
{{Clear left}}

==Transportation==
{{see also|List of numbered roads in Durham Region}}

===400-series freeways===
*{{jcon|Hwy|401}} traverses the region from west to east, entering in the [[Rouge River (Ontario)|Rouge Valley]] and exiting east of [[Newtonville, Ontario|Newtonville]]. 
*{{jcon|Hwy|407}}, a privately owned toll freeway, enters the region south of [[Ontario Highway 7|Highway&nbsp;7]] and travels east to Durham Regional Road&nbsp;1 (Brock Road) before transitioning to a provincially owned highway, Highway&nbsp;407E. This route travels generally parallel to Highway&nbsp;7 until the community of [[Brooklin, Ontario|Brooklin]] in [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]] extending east to [[Ontario Highway 35|Highway 35]] / [[Ontario Highway 115|115]] towards [[Lindsay, Ontario|Lindsay]] and [[Peterborough, Ontario|Peterborough]].
*{{jcon|Hwy|412}}, part of the Highway&nbsp;407E project, connects south to [[Highway&nbsp;401]] parallel and east of Durham Regional Road&nbsp;23 (Lakeridge Road).
*{{jcon|Hwy|418}}, opened on December 9, 2019,<ref name="opened">{{cite web | title = Extension of Ontario Hwy. 407, new Hwy. 418 open east of Toronto | date = 9 December 2019 | publisher = On-Site | url = https://www.on-sitemag.com/roads/extension-of-ontario-hwy-407-new-hwy-418-open-east-of-toronto/1003966229/ | access-date = December 11, 2019 | quote = An eastern extension of Ontario Hwy. 407 and a new toll road to connect the lengthened highway to nearby Hwy. 401 opened Dec. 9 on the outskirts of Toronto.}}</ref> runs between Durham Regional Road&nbsp;34 (Courtice Road) and Road&nbsp;57 (Waverley Road) from Highway&nbsp;401, southwest of [[Bowmanville, Ontario|Bowmanville]], north to near [[Hampton, Ontario|Hampton]] (north of Durham Regional Road&nbsp;4 (Taunton Road)), connecting with the extension of Highway&nbsp;407.

===Other highways===
* {{jcon|Hwy|7}}
* [[File:Ontario_7A.svg|13x22px]] {{jcon|Hwy|7A}}
* {{jcon|Hwy|12}}
* {{jcon|Hwy|35}}
* {{jcon|Hwy|48}}
* {{jcon|Hwy|115}}
* {{jcon|Hwy|2}} (now Durham Highway 2)
* {{jcon|Hwy|47}} (now Durham Highway 47)

This is the only region of the [[Greater Toronto Area]] where the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] passes through. The TC's Central Ontario Route enters from the northeast at [[Mariposa Township, Ontario#Manilla|Manilla]] along Highway 7, makes an abrupt turn near [[Sunderland, Ontario|Sunderland]] onto Highway 12 heading north towards [[Beaverton, Ontario|Beaverton]] and the northern regional boundary.

===Public transportation===
Public transit in the Region is operated by [[Durham Region Transit]], which was formed in January 2006 when the five preexisting municipal [[public transport|public transit]] systems in the region were merged under the Region's administration.

[[File:Durham Region Transit 8172-a.jpg|thumb|right|A DRT bus awaits passengers at the Ajax GO station]]
In addition, [[GO Transit]] provides the following services within the Region:
*[[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] GO Trains serve [[Pickering GO Station|Pickering]], [[Ajax GO Station|Ajax]], [[Whitby GO Station|Whitby]], and [[Oshawa GO Station|Oshawa]] GO Stations, providing connections to Toronto's [[Union Station (Toronto)|Union Station]]
*Morning [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] peak hour service to [[Finch Bus Terminal]] from Oshawa GO Station via Whitby GO Station, Ajax GO Station and [[Scarborough Centre station|Scarborough Town Centre]], with reverse service in the afternoon
*From September to April, weekday express service to the [[University of Ontario Institute of Technology]] and [[Durham College]] from [[Scarborough Centre Bus Terminal]] and additional peak-hour services to and from [[York University station|York University]] via [[Brooklin, Ontario|Brooklin]], [[Brougham, Ontario|Brougham]], [[Unionville GO Station|Unionville]], and [[Richmond Hill Centre Terminal|Richmond Hill]]
*Durham Highway 2/Kingston Road (the former provincial [[Ontario Highway 2|Highway 2]]) between Pickering and Oshawa is served by buses providing connections to the [[Toronto Transit Commission]] at [[Scarborough Town Centre]], [[York Mills station|York Mills]], and [[Yorkdale Shopping Centre]]
*[[Clarington]] is served by buses connecting with [[Lakeshore East line|Lakeshore East]] GO Trains at [[Oshawa GO Station]]
*[[Port Perry]] in [[Scugog|Scugog Township]] is served by buses from [[Whitby GO Station]]
*[[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]] is served by buses from the [[Stouffville line|Stouffville Corridor]]

===Air travel===
Although small airports such as the [[Oshawa Executive Airport]] exist in Durham Region, the main airport serving the region is [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]]. There is a long-standing proposal for a [[Pickering Airport|major new airport in Pickering]].

===Maritime Infrastructure===

Durham Region also has a small maritime industry centered on the [[Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority|Port of Oshawa]]. The port received around 50 [[lake freighter]]s per year between 2007 and 2017 and acts as an export terminal for agricultural products from Durham and nearby regions.

==Education==
{{Further|List of secondary schools in Ontario#Regional Municipality of Durham}}

The [[Durham District School Board]] operates all English-language secular public schools within Durham Region, except for those schools within [[Clarington]], which are part of the [[Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board]]. This is a holdover from the pre-1974 structure in which the area now forming Clarington was part of Durham County, while the other municipalities were part of Ontario County.

The [[Durham Catholic District School Board]] operates the separate English-language public Catholic school system within Durham Region, again with the exception of schools in [[Clarington]], which are part of the [[Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board]].

Neither school board is an operating division of the regional government. Instead, as is true of all [[List of school districts in Ontario|school boards in Ontario]], they are separate entities with distinct but overlapped service areas.  Elected public [[trustee]]s responsible for their operation.

French-language school boards serving the municipality include the [[Conseil scolaire Viamonde]] and the [[Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir]].

[[Durham Secondary Academy and Middle School]] offers private elementary and secondary education for students in the Region of Durham.

The region also is home to [[Ontario Tech University]], Ontario's fastest growing university{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}, [[Durham College]], and [[Trent University#Trent University Durham GTA|Trent University Durham]] ([[Trent University]]'s main campus is in Peterborough). The Ontario Tech and Durham College main campuses are located in north Oshawa. Durham College also has a satellite campus in Whitby, and Ontario Tech has one in [[Oshawa#Downtown Oshawa|Downtown Oshawa]].
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = Durham College, IMG 0933 (20957220976).jpg
| alt1              = Durham College Oshawa campus
| image2            = Durham College Whitby Campus.JPG
| alt2              = Durham College Whitby Campus
| total_width       = 440
| footer            = Durham College has two campuses in Durham Region, the Oshawa Campus (left), located in North Oshawa, and the Whitby Campus (right), located in south Whitby.
}}
[[University of Ontario Institute of Technology|Ontario Tech University]] is a science, technology engineering and math (STEM)-focused, research driven institution. Ontario Tech is home to the [ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel, a research, development and testing facility available for rent to manufacturers of all descriptions, startup companies and researchers in Canada and around the globe. Ontario Tech University is rated number 1 in cross-sector research among Canadian undergraduate universities.  Within 15 years of its founding, Ontario Tech quickly earned a reputation for computer science, ranking among the top 10 programs in Canada and 4th in Ontario.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macleans.ca/education/unirankings/best-computer-science-universities-in-canada-2017-ranking/#gallery/best-computer-science-universities-in-canada-2017-ranking/slide-1 |title=Ontario Tech No. 1 in cross-sector research among Canadian undergraduate universities |publisher=[[University of Ontario Institute of Technology]] |access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>

[[Durham College]] has campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, and has nine academic schools across a wide range of disciplines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Programs and Courses |url=https://durhamcollege.ca/programs-and-courses |publisher=[[Durham College]] |access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>

[[Trent University Durham]] offers full and part-time undergraduate programs, as well as post-graduate certificates. Other key programs at Trent University Durham include Bachelors of Business Administration, Computing Systems, and Communications & Critical Thinking as well as a Master of Management, which is a 16 month professional master program. Trent University Durham announced in 2019 plans to expand their campus in Oshawa to include 200 on-campus residences, "creative learning spaces"{{clarify|date=December 2020}}, and academic space.<ref>{{cite web |title=#GrowingTrentUDurham: Groundbreaking Marks Key Milestone for Expansion |url=https://www.trentu.ca/durham/news-events/24281 |publisher=[[Trent University]] |access-date=December 9, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}
* [[List of municipalities in Ontario]]
* [[Proposal for the Province of Toronto]]
* [[List of townships in Ontario]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{notefoot}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.durham.ca}}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Durham Regional Municipality
 | North     = [[Simcoe County]]
 | Northeast = [[Kawartha Lakes]] (single-tier city)
 | East      = [[Peterborough County]]<br />[[Northumberland County, Ontario|Northumberland County]]
 | South     = ''[[Lake Ontario]]''
 | Southwest = [[Toronto]] (single-tier city)
 | West      = [[Regional Municipality of York|York Regional Municipality]]
}}
{{Durham region}}
{{Greater Toronto Area}}
{{Subdivisions of Ontario}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Regional Municipality Of Durham}}
[[Category:1974 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Regional Municipality of Durham| ]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1974]]
[[Category:Regional municipalities in Ontario|Durham]]