COVID-19 Information & Updates

In support of the government’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and in particular, the province’s temporary closure of public schools, City Council has approved taking these steps.

We support our neighbouring municipalities, the Region and the Province with these temporary measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus and keep our residents and staff safe.

While not convenient, we appreciate the cooperation and patience of the community during this trying time and ask them to follow Health Canada’s COVID-19 best practices in their individual routines. 

City Hall

City Hall is closed to the public. Community members can continue to do business with the City online or over the phone. Residents can submit many common requests and report issues at www.ServiceOshawa.ca. Additional online applications and payment options are available at www.oshawa.ca. 

Service Oshawa continues to be available to customers via phone, email and live chat during their regular hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be contacted by live chat at www.oshawa.ca, phone at 905-436-3311 and email at [email protected].

Recreation Facilities

The City’s community and recreation facilities (listed below) are closed to the public. All recreation programs, including facility rentals are cancelled up until and including April 5.

• Arts Resource Centre
• Children’s Arena
• Civic Recreation Complex
• Columbus Community Centre
• Delpark Homes Centre
• Donevan Recreation Complex
• Harman Park Arena
• Northview Community Centre
• South Oshawa Community Centre

Please note that registrants and facility permit holders will receive a full refund. For more information related to refunds, registration, membership, rentals and facility permits view our frequently asked questions webpage.

Outdoor Facilities

The following City outdoor facilities are closed to public use until further notice:

• Playgrounds
• Sports fields and ball diamonds
• Courts (including Pickle Ball, Tennis and Basketball courts)
• Skate parks
• Park washroom facilities
• Harmony Valley Off-Leash Dog Park

The temporary closures support recommendations and guidelines from government and health authorities and are in effect to help reduce the potential for gatherings and to facilitate physical distancing.

Oshawa Animal Services

In-person services at Oshawa Animal Services are closed and animal adoptions at the shelter location are suspended until April 5. Oshawa Animal Services staff will continue to provide excellent care to our animals. The care of our animals remains our top priority and the Oshawa Animal Services team will be onsite daily ensuring their needs are met. Lost pets and animals at risk will still be welcome.

A list of available adoptables at our off-site adoption partners is available at www.oshawa.ca/Adoption. Arrangements will be made for any adoptions that were in progress at the shelter before the closure to be picked up at our off-site adoption partners.

The following animal related services continue to be offered by Municipal Law Enforcement:

• Pick up of sick/injured/aggressive domestic animals and wildlife
• Aggressive animals
• Dogs running at large
• Dog bite investigations
• Pick up of confined stray animals
• Pick up of diseased wildlife and stray animals

Oshawa Executive Airport Terminal Building

Currently, the Oshawa Executive Airport Terminal building is closed to the public. The Regional municipalities, including the City of Oshawa, are following recommendations provided by Durham Region Health Department, the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government.

Other Facilities

• OSCC55+ Oshawa Senior Community Centres
• Oshawa Public Libraries
• Tribute Communities Centre 

Waste Collection

Recognizing that more community members and their families are staying home, which generates more waste, the City has increased the four-bag limit to six bags for garbage collection and waived the requirement for garbage bag tags. At this time, this is in effect until Sunday, April 5.  We encourage residents to continue to practice waste reduction by utilizing their blue boxes and green bins. 

Yard waste collection occurs every other week on the same day as your garbage is collected from mid-April until the end of November. Residents should check the Waste Collection Calendar and Information Guide for details about collection and to verify start and end dates. 

The Region of Durham’s Region Waste Management facility located at 1640 Ritson Road North remains open but will only accept debit and credit card payments (no cash).  

Fire Services

Oshawa’s fire stations have been closed to the public to protect our first responders, but Oshawa Fire Services continues to stand ready to respond to fire emergencies.

Licensing – Business, Taxi and Animal 

Business, taxi and animal licences due to expire at the end of March have been extended to May 31 to allow individuals and businesses more time to submit and process these applications.

To support residents and businesses during this difficult time, the City of Oshawa is waiving tax payment penalties and interest for 60 days for all residents and businesses, effective with the April tax installment.

The two-month grace period, until June 30, is for the April 27, 2020 installment with no penalties or interest charged. Insufficient funds and pre-authorized payment related fees will be waived.

All pre-authorized payment plan changes must be in writing. Requests can be made by:

• email to [email protected]; or,
• mail to City of Oshawa, City Hall, Tax Services, 50 Centre. St. S., Oshawa ON L1H 3Z7.

Additionally, the first installment of the final residential billing scheduled for June 26, 2020 will be delayed by one month to July 24, 2020. The first installment of the Final Billing for Commercial properties is July 27, 2020.

There are a number of ways to pay your tax bill.

1. Sign up for our Pre-authorized Payment Plan;
2. By mail (cheque only);
3. By external drop box located outside the main entrance on the south side of City Hall (cheque only);
4. At most chartered banks and financial institutions in person, by telephone banking or online banking (subject to bank charges if applicable);
5. Through a mortgage company; if you pay your property taxes to a mortgage company, the company submits the payment to the City on your behalf.

Learn more on our frequently asked questions webpage.

Meeting Cancellations

The City of Oshawa has cancelled Council and other Committee meetings through to April 5. The City is closely monitoring developments and reassessing on a daily basis. 

At this time, the following meetings are cancelled:

• Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee, March 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
• Special Meeting of Council – Fire Master Plan, March 24, 2020, 1:30 p.m.                                       
• Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee, March 24, 2020, 6:30 p.m.                                   
• Committee of Adjustment, March 25, 2020, 6:00 p.m.                   
• Heritage Oshawa Committee, March 26, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
• Thornton Road North Multi-Use Path Open House, March 26, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
• Oshawa Active Transportation Advisory Committee, April 1, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
• City Council Meeting, March 23, 2020, 9:30 a.m.

Recreation Program Cancellations

All Recreation Culture Services programs that were scheduled to occur between March 14, 2020 and April 5, 2020 have been cancelled. 

The City of Oshawa has also cancelled all Recreation and Culture programs scheduled for the upcoming Spring program session.

For more information related to refunds, registration, membership, rentals and facility permits view our frequently asked questions webpage.

Permit Cancellations

Recreation and Culture Services is not currently accepting applications to book any outdoor space between the dates of March 14, 2020 and April 5, 2020. If you would like to book an outdoor space after this time, please contact 905-436-3311 or email [email protected] and your booking inquiry will be directed to a member of our team who will be happy to assist you. 

Refunds can be requested by contacting 905-436-3311 or by emailing [email protected] and your inquiry will be directed to a member of our team who will be happy to assist you. Please note, during the facility closures credits on account will be refunded for the following payment types made at the time of purchase:

• Cash, cheque and debit payments will be returned via cheque. Please note, it could take up to three weeks for patrons to receive a cheque for their refund request.
• Credit card payments will be returned via refund to your credit card. In situations where the credit card at the time of purchase is no longer in use, refunds will be returned via cheque. Please note, it could take up to three weeks for patrons to receive a cheque for their refund request.

1. Complete an online self-assessment.
2. Contact Durham Health Connection Line 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.
3. Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
4. Contact your primary care provider by phone.

Additional resources