A Downtown That Works for People

Downtown Oshawa should be a place where people live, work, and spend time, not just somewhere people pass through for an event.

Right now, too often we treat revitalization like it’s about one-off moments. A festival. A game night. A big event. Those things matter, but they do not build a thriving downtown on their own.

We are not going to one-event our way into a strong downtown.

Real revitalization comes from getting the fundamentals right and understanding how deeply connected these issues are.

Safety, local businesses, housing, and community well-being are not separate conversations. They are the same conversation.

If we want local businesses to succeed, we need people living downtown.
If we want people to live downtown, they need to feel safe and supported.
If we want safer streets, we need to address housing, mental health, and addiction with real solutions, not blame.

What I Will Do

I will start by listening and continuing to listen.

During this campaign, I am meeting with downtown business owners, non-profit providers, residents, and frontline workers. That does not stop after the election. It needs to be an ongoing part of how the City operates.

The people doing the work on the ground every day are the clearest indicator of what is working and what is not. They should not be brought in after decisions are made. They should be part of shaping them.

As a councillor, I will:

• Advocate for regular, structured engagement with downtown businesses and community organizations, not one-off consultations

• Push for stronger collaboration with non-profit housing and service providers, recognizing them as experts, not obstacles

• Support practical steps that make it easier for small businesses to open, operate, and stay in Oshawa

A Downtown People Want to Be In

We also need to be honest about the physical condition of parts of our downtown.

If we want people to spend time downtown, it has to feel cared for.

Too many properties are not being maintained in a way that reflects the kind of city we want to be. That affects how people experience downtown just as much as anything else.

This is not about blaming vulnerable people. It is about expectations.

The City has tools, through property standards, bylaws, and enforcement, to ensure that buildings are safe, maintained, and contribute positively to the community. We need to use those tools consistently and fairly.

At the same time, we should be supporting improvements that make downtown more welcoming, including public spaces, streetscapes, and opportunities for art and culture that reflect Oshawa’s identity.

Building a Real Community

A strong downtown is not built overnight. It is built by creating a community where people actually live their lives, where they can walk to a coffee shop, run a business, meet their neighbours, and feel like they belong.

That means:

• More people living downtown, including a mix of market, affordable, and supportive housing

• Businesses that can thrive because there is a steady, local customer base

• Public spaces that feel safe, active, and cared for

That is the kind of downtown Oshawa can be.

And getting there means doing the work across all of these areas, together.