Celebrating Oshawa’s 2024 success with a clear vision for the future

Oshawa continues to solidify its position as a prime destination for business, innovation, arts and culture. 

The City saw several important achievements, including:

• another exceptional year for building permit values, achieving the highest year for industrial values and leading to direct jobs in the city;
• the launch of the new Economic Development Strategy that aims to drive job growth and further investment in the city. The Strategy focuses on enhanced trade, diversification and quality of life, and positions Oshawa for future economies, opportunities and overall growth;
• the installation of a new mural on the McMillan Parkade in downtown Oshawa. “Turning the Wheel” by local artist Dani Crosby commemorates the rich history of the John Bolase Warren Flour Mill, which once stood on the site; and,
• Oshawa’s Peony Festival was selected as a finalist for the 2024 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence in the Tourism Event of the Year category as well as Kars on King was recognized by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) as one of the best festivals and events in Ontario.

Belong: Inclusive & Healthy Community

Oshawa continues to be recognized as having some of the best neighbourhoods in which to live in Durham Region, a place where everyone belongs.

This year, the City:

• celebrated the grand opening of Gold Point Wildlife Reserve Butterfly Garden and Dale Hawerchuk Park and the reopening of Sunnyside Park with new park amenities;
• broke ground and began the Rotary Park Redevelopment Project (Oshawa’s centennial Legacy Project) scheduled to open in summer 2025;
• added new pickleball courts and two playground areas at Rose Valley Community Park as construction on this new park continues to progress;
• hosted the City’s inaugural Indigenous Cultural Celebration at Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park;
• held a traditional Indigenous renaming ceremony in downtown Oshawa and unveiled the new street sign for Debwewin Miikan (Duh-Bway-Win Mee-Can); and,
• achieved more than 930 pet adoptions, assisted 125 animals through two wellness clinics in partnership with local veterinarians, as well as expanded the Doggie Day Out program.

Care: Safe & Sustainable Environment

The City strives to provide a safe and sustainable community that enhances everyone’s well-being.

Efforts in 2024 included:

• Oshawa Fire Services expanded its dispatch/alerting operations to cover the entire Durham Region demonstrating our leadership in innovation and collaboration;
• Fire Prevention and Municipal Law Enforcement Services hosted three summer ‘Community Safety in the Parks’ events enjoyed by families across the city;
• the addition of six fully electric vehicles to our fleet, bringing the total number of to 15;
• extended our active transportation network with the addition of a new pedestrian bridge for Erie Park neighbourhood, connecting pedestrians and cyclists to the City’s trail system;
• completed a community engagement to begin development of the City’s first consolidated Stormwater Management Master Plan which will evaluate the effectiveness of existing infrastructure and develop strategies for sustainable growth;
• worked with Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) to reuse old holiday trees to stabilize stream banks, control erosion, collect sediment, and improve overall stream habitat and water quality;
• through partnerships, expanded the City's tree canopy at Gold Point Wildlife Reserve, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, Delpark Homes Centre and other natural areas throughout the city;
• recognized as a Green Building Champion by Durham Greener Buildings Program for Best Energy Performing Fire Station (Fire Hall 1) and received a Climate Leadership Award for the Rotary Park Redevelopment Project that will be powered by electricity, eliminating all fossil-fuel onsite; and,
• celebrated General Motors' generous donation of McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Fenelon/Venus Park.

Lead: Governance & Excellence Service

The City aims to be a customer service-centred organization aligned with residents’ and community partners’ needs.

In 2024, we:

• introduced an online Oshawa Application Portal available 24/7 that improves customer service and consolidates applying for permits and licenses, checking the status of applications and paying for select services;
• hosted the second annual Shape Oshawa Open House in May at the Oshawa Centre where community members were invited to learn more about a variety of City programs and services and to have their say on public consultations. To continue the conversation with the City’s leadership team and Mayor Carter, the City hosted a Telephone Open House in September;
• offered 10 Community Engagement opportunities using Connect Oshawa and in-person forums allowing community members to have their say on things that matter to our growth, improvement and sustainability; and,
• launched a new podcast, RealTalk Oshawa. Hosted by Mayor Carter, the podcast features authentic conversations with leaders about the important challenges facing urban cities, including Oshawa.