Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter reflected on eight years of economic growth and community challenges during his final State of the City address on April 9, 2026. Speaking to a sold-out crowd at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Mayor’s Luncheon, held at the Harmony Event Centre, Carter highlighted more than $5 billion in development projects that have reshaped the city since he took office in 2018.
Carter, who has announced he will not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal vote on October 26, 2026, used the address to look back at a tenure defined by significant economic shifts. Shortly before he was sworn in as mayor in December 2018, the community faced the closure of the General Motors assembly plant, which ended 100 years of vehicle production and affected nearly 3,000 workers. Carter noted that despite this early crisis, alongside the COVID-19 pandemic and various economic pressures, the city has maintained a focus on growth and stability.
The mayor pointed to the return of General Motors Canada as a central piece of the city’s recovery. Since 2020, the automaker has invested approximately $1.5 billion into new assembly operations, parts manufacturing, and a test track for autonomous vehicles. Most recently, the company announced a $63 million investment to upgrade stamping operations for next-generation trucks, even as it continues to navigate fluctuating market demands, including the January 2026 reduction of a shift at the plant.
Looking toward the future, Carter highlighted several strategic initiatives, including the 407 East Innovation Corridor and the proposed National Defence Innovation Corridor. The latter is a city-led plan designed to attract federal investment in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and defence technology. The project aims to leverage local research assets, such as those at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, to create a hub for high-tech industry.
During his address, the mayor also championed a $50 million investment to modernize the Tribute Communities Centre and noted major developments by other entities, including the HOPA Port of Oshawa, the expansion of Trent University’s local campus, and the arrival of Ontario Power Generation’s corporate headquarters. As the city prepares for the fall election, Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri has already announced his intention to run for mayor.
