Homelessness and related concerns in downtown Oshawa took center stage during the mayoral candidates’ debate on Thursday. Six out of nine candidates shared their strategies to address key issues such as homelessness reduction, support for local businesses, and revitalizing the downtown area.
Derek Giberson, the city councilor for Ward 4 representing downtown Oshawa, emphasized the need to engage trusted partners to enhance services and provide more support, including supportive housing. He criticized the current practice of moving individuals around without effective solutions.
Tito-Dante Marimpietri, the regional and city councilor for Ward 2, highlighted his website’s four-point plan to rejuvenate the downtown core, focusing on educational institutions, employment opportunities, entertainment expansion, and housing support, although specifics were not detailed during the debate.
Jeremy Large suggested relocating homeless individuals from the downtown core to his neighborhood in South Oshawa for better monitoring. He proposed establishing facilities for the homeless and implementing a new social safety net to prevent homelessness risks.
Henry Onwuachu raised concerns about open drug use in Oshawa and pledged to eliminate such activities by cutting funding to related establishments, without specifying the services in question.
Some candidates proposed hosting roundtable discussions to address downtown core issues. Jim Lee emphasized the importance of transitional housing in combating homelessness, aiming to involve emergency services, residents, and local businesses in constructive dialogues.
In contrast, Marimpietri advocated for immediate action based on existing resources rather than prolonged discussions. Dave Westlake suggested declaring a downtown Oshawa state of emergency as a short-term measure and forming a task force for long-term planning, alongside offering free parking to attract more visitors.
Giberson stressed the significance of organic foot traffic and suggested converting one-way streets into two-ways to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment in the downtown area.
During the debate, candidates found it challenging to adhere to the 30-second time limit for responses, with many being interrupted mid-sentence. The atmosphere remained mostly civil, except for Large’s critical remarks towards Marimpietri in the closing statements.
Large expressed his decision to run for mayor due to disagreements with Marimpietri’s platform and vowed to save residents money, including a plan for widespread solar panel installations. The full debate recording is available on the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s YouTube channel.