With plans moving forward to develop Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park in Oshawa, community members are invited to learn more about the concept plan.
Oshawa’s newest addition to the waterfront parks system is located at the southeast corner of Simcoe Street South and Harbour Road and named in recognition of political icon Ed Broadbent.
In September 2019, city council approved the naming of the park to recognize the many contributions Broadbent has made to public service as well as the residents, workers and businesses of Oshawa, said a city statement.
Plans for the park include a Human Rights Garden in recognition of Broadbent as a champion and advocate for human rights, as well as passive recreational areas.
Community members can view the concept plan by visiting www.oshawa.ca/EdBroadbentPark. The project is anticipated to proceed to construction in 2022.
Broadbent was born in Oshawa in 1936 and raised in our city. After graduating first in his class in philosophy at the University of Toronto in 1959, he did postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and obtained his doctorate in political science from the University of Toronto in 1966.
He was elected to Parliament as the NDP Member for Oshawa in 1968 and served as the MP until 1989. From 1975 to 1989, he was also Leader of the New Democratic Party.
Between 1979 and 1990, he was a Vice-President of the Socialist International. From 1990 to 1996, he was the founding President of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development in Montreal.
Broadbent was made a member of the Privy Council in 1982, an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2002.
“The development and naming of this park commemorates Mr. Broadbent’s legacy and service to Canada and our city and we are excited to see our vision take shape,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “The Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park will be a place where community members can come to reflect, feel inspired and find peace while enjoying the natural beauty of Oshawa’s waterfront.”