Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter has announced that despite Covid-19, the city has been able to attract nearly $400 million in building permits value in the first 9 months of 2020.
While Covid-19 has had a significant effect on the city, province and country, Oshawa continues to attract new investment, said the mayor in his State of the City update on October 1 to members of the Oshawa business community. The virtual event hosted by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.
He discussed the city’s cost containment strategy and addressed the need for support from the provincial and federal governments to further assist Oshawa’s business community, a task being led by the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force, chaired by Regional Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri.
Covid-19 has also inspired many Oshawa-based businesses to pivot their plans to assist in stopping the spread. Mayor Carter applauded the work of GM Canada, which recently produced its four millionth face mask after launching their Canadian Mask Making room earlier this year; Frère Du Nord for converting its operations to produce personal protective equipment; and, All or Nothing Brewhouse that converted some of its operations to produce hand sanitizer for local health partners, said a city statement.
According to Mayor Carter, one thing is certain: looking forward, Oshawa is and will remain open for business throughout Covid-19 and beyond. Mayor Carter stated that the future is bright. From attracting new business at the airport, new investment at the waterfront to continued growth of post-secondary institutions and other major development activity, Oshawa is not slowing down.
Mayor Carter reminded of the promising change and investment on the horizon in health, transportation and economic sectors:
- a new CEO at Lakeridge Health with whom the City will continue advocate for a new regional hospital in north Oshawa in the vicinity of Ontario Tech University and Durham College;
- further development along Highway 407 East in Oshawa, the deep water port and the Go Train Lakeshore East Extension, making it easier to get to Oshawa, regardless of transportation method; and,
- extended services creating thousands of jobs within the Northwood Business Park, in addition to hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars poured into our retail, customer service, transportation and industry, including investments from Metrolinx, RioCan and Panattoni.
The Mayor concluded by emphasizing that he is very optimistic for 2021. He reiterated that Oshawa is the right place for business, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and partnership and encouraging the Oshawa business community to continue to persevere during these difficult times.
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