From Expectation to Experience: Oshawa Mayor Carter delivers final State of the City

In his final State of the City address, Mayor Dan Carter reflected on expectations, challenges, resiliency and progress before a sold-out audience on April 9 at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Mayor’s Luncheon. His remarks highlighted defining moments since first being elected Mayor of the City of Oshawa – what was expected, what was faced, and what was learned.

Mayor Carter shared some the significant challenges facing Oshawa early in his tenure, beginning with the 2018 closure of the General Motors Oshawa Assembly Plant, announced just days before he was sworn in as mayor, the global COVID‑19 pandemic and intensifying social challenges, including the national opioid crisis and rising homelessness. He also referenced the pressures of global inflation, the downloading of services to municipalities, and the unprecedented impacts of U.S. tariffs.

Against this backdrop, Mayor Carter noted that his time in office has been guided by a strong belief that words and leadership matter, supported by partnerships, innovative solutions and a clear long‑term vision. And that today, because of this, the great City of Oshawa is stronger, more diverse and better positioned for the future.

He talked of the City’s progress over the years, including more than $5 billion in total development since 2018 and strategic investments in the Northwood Business Park, the Oshawa Executive Airport and the 407 East Innovation Corridor – investments that are ushering the next wave of economic growth.

Mayor Carter celebrated Council’s $50‑million commitment to modernize the Tribute Communities Centre and expressed pride in new partnerships with the Oshawa Generals, Oak View Group and Oshawa FireWolves. He noted the City’s continued investment in community priorities, including major road reconstruction projects, parks and trail improvements.

The City’s strategic investments and partnership-based approach, he said, have helped attract major employers and significant new developments to Oshawa, including:

• GM Canada – new and upgraded assembly operations and parts manufacturing investment and the GM Test Track for Autonomous and Advanced Technology Vehicles (approximately $1.5 billion since 2020)
• Trent University – Durham GTA campus expansion
• Panattoni and Broccolini – major industrial developments
• Aosom Canada, GEODIS, Martin Brower and Lactalis – logistics and warehousing
• HOPA Port of Oshawa – $30 million infrastructure expansion and upgrades to the grain terminal
• Metrolinx – investments to extend the Lakeshore East GO Train service from Oshawa to Bowmanville
• Ontario Power Generation – new corporate headquarters
• Oshawa Power – new consolidated headquarters and operations facility (currently under construction)

Looking ahead, Mayor Carter emphasized that Oshawa remains firmly focused on the future. The City will continue strengthening partnerships, he said – with the private sector, post‑secondary institutions and healthcare – to attract new opportunities. He underscored the importance of collaboration in creating affordable housing opportunities, advancing healthcare solutions and attracting new investment and international companies to the city.

He also highlighted Oshawa’s growing role as an advanced manufacturing and technology hub – building on its automotive legacy while expanding into high growth sectors. This includes Oshawa’s Blueprint for an integrated National Defence Innovation Corridor that enables companies to leverage federal funding in cybersecurity, AI, defence tech and dual use technologies. This is supported by Oshawa’s post-secondary excellence in R&D and an integrated transportation network, including an executive airport, deep-sea port, 400-series highways, rail lines and GO transit.

As he reflected on his two terms as Mayor and his most challenging and most rewarding days, Mayor Carter’s message was clear: Oshawa is not defined by how it has been challenged but by its resiliency and what it has built, learned and is well positioned to become.

In his final State of the City address, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter delivered remarks to a sold-out audience at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Mayor’s Luncheon on April 9, 2026. His address received a standing ovation from the audience.

About Oshawa’s National Defence Innovation Corridor

The City of Oshawa has developed a collaborative, multi‑faceted National Defence Innovation Corridor designed to support Canada’s defence and security ecosystem by establishing an integrated network that connects: defence manufacturing; multimodal distribution; research and development; training programs; and border security. This initiative represents an unprecedented opportunity for Canada not seen since the Second World War, with the potential to accelerate growth across key sectors. Oshawa is uniquely positioned to lead this effort, with the talent, assets, resources, and capacity to deliver. Learn more at oshawa.ca/defence.