Message from His Worship Mayor Dan Carter to Business Community Stakeholders, September 2022
As we enter the fall season in the City of Oshawa, the bustling energy of our growing community becomes immediately apparent. We have approximately 30,000 post-secondary students returning to campus along with a return to the office across many industries. We have a brand new production shift ramping up manufacturing at GM Canada’s Oshawa Assembly Plant as part of an up to $1.3 billion investment in our community, along with record levels of construction activity across the city. While it is certainly a very busy time of year, it presents a time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together in the face of an unpresented pandemic. Our economic future is stable, with record low unemployment at 4.7% paired with strong GDP growth of 3.8% forecasted in 2022. In this month’s letter, I would like to outline some of the major activities that have taken us to this point, and my optimism for the future of this remarkable city.
Panattoni Development Company brought over 1 million square feet of state-of-the-art industrial development to the City of Oshawa with major companies such as Aosom Canada Inc and GEODIS now calling our community home. The logistics sector is diversifying, stabilizing and complementing our local economy with high quality employment opportunities. We’re seeing continued interest and development in Northwood Business Park, the City of Oshawa’s newest prime employment development opportunity, with approximately 500 acres of pre-zoned prime employment land in the GTA. This will become a new hub for employment growth in the years ahead. Interest in our community has been strong, with 70% of investment inquiries over the past year being tied to major industrial developments.
Our future holds a more connected community and economy. The Metrolinx Lakeshore East Extension of the GO Train has an estimated economic value of $1.1 billion, bringing two new station stops to Oshawa and further solidifying our place in the GTA. The Port of Oshawa recently announced a $30 million expansion that will increase Canadian exports while improving the efficiency and performance of the port. Planned improvements will better support grain farmers in Central Ontario, offering more practical and sustainable transport solutions.
We are thrilled to report year-to-date building permit activity exceeding any year in Oshawa’s recorded history. Oshawa’s previous annual building permit record was set in 2017 at $614 million. This month, the City shattered that previous record with $779 million in building permit values for 2022; doubling the pace of 2021 building activity.
This incredible year of construction demonstrates the rapid pace of investment and economic momentum of the great City of Oshawa. We’ve seen billions of dollars invested in recent years and thousands of new jobs created from major international companies. Our city continues to establish momentum as an economic hub and destination within the GTA; one that new companies and residents are gravitating to more than ever. Our population growth has been amongst the highest in Canada, with 2022 being a landmark year of construction to meet the needs of our growing community and one of the best places to live, learn, work and invest.
We have been committed to economic recovery and revitalization through the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force. I am proud of all that we have accomplished together in navigating the pandemic and, appreciate the tireless efforts of local business leaders who committed their expertise at such an unprecedented time in our history. Our final task force meeting took place this month with reflection and sincere gratitude.
As we continue to make progress on our engagement efforts, we encourage you to reach out to with us, whether that be through social media, contacting the Economic Development team at [email protected] or 905-436-5617 or reaching me at 905-436-3311 or [email protected]. We want to hear from you, understand how we can support your recovery and further advocate for your business.
Yours truly,
Dan Carter
Mayor