Oshawa

History and Settlement

The area that became Oshawa originated as a transfer point in the fur trade, where local Mississauga Natives loaded pelts onto canoes at the harbour for transport to western trading posts. Around 1760, the French constructed a trading post near the harbour, the ruins of which later sheltered the community's first residents. In the late 18th century, the export business of salmon to the United States by resident Roger Conant attracted further migration into the region. A significant portion of the founding immigrants were United Empire Loyalists, followed by waves of Irish, French Canadian, and Cornish immigrants in the 19th century. The layout of the Kingston Road by Col. Asa Danforth and the construction of the north-south Simcoe Street in 1822 established the crucial intersection that would become Oshawa's "Four Corners."

In 1836, merchant Edward Skae relocated his general store to the southeast corner of this intersection, and the growing settlement became known as Skae's Corners. When applying for an official post office in 1842, Skae was told the community needed a better name. At the suggestion of early resident and fur trader Moody Farewell, the Ojibwa term "Oshawa," meaning "the crossing place" or "where we must leave our canoes," was adopted. Oshawa was incorporated as a village in 1850, with an 1846 gazetteer noting a population of about 1,000, three churches, and various industries including a foundry, grist mill, and distilleries. The village became a town in 1879 within East Whitby Township.

Rise of the Automotive Industry

The industrial character of Oshawa was permanently shaped by the arrival of Robert Samuel McLaughlin. In 1878, he moved his carriage works from Enniskillen to Oshawa to utilize its harbour and nearby rail links. After a fire destroyed his factory in 1899, the town offered assistance, and McLaughlin chose to stay, building a new factory on Mary Street. The decisive shift to automobiles began in 1907 when Colonel R.S. McLaughlin signed a 15-year contract with William "Billy" Durant, leading to the formation of the McLaughlin Motor Car Company, which used Buick engines. By 1918, McLaughlin had merged his Chevrolet and Buick operations to create General Motors of Canada, with himself as president. The factory expanded rapidly, covering several city blocks. The proliferation of automobiles in the 1920s spurred explosive growth, with Oshawa's population soaring from 4,000 to 16,000 and its land area increasing. This growth culminated in Oshawa's incorporation as a city on 8 March 1924, following the annexation of the southern area including the harbour and Cedardale. With his wealth, McLaughlin built the stately 55-room Parkwood Estate between 1915 and 1917, designed by architects Darling and Pearson, which is now a National Historic Site open for public tours.

Labour History and the 1937 Strike

Oshawa's identity became deeply intertwined with the labour movement, most notably during the Oshawa Strike of 1937. On 8 April, disputes between 4,000 assembly line workers and General Motors management led to a walkout. Workers sought higher wages, an eight-hour workday, better conditions, and recognition of their union, United Auto Workers Local 222. Contrary to its pro-labour platform, the Liberal government of Premier Mitchell Hepburn sided with the corporation, deploying armed university students, derisively called "Hepburn's Hussars," to break up union agitation. The union, backed by the local population, other unions, and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, maintained a non-violent stance. After two weeks, on 23 April, the company conceded to most of the workers' demands, though it pointedly refused to formally recognize the union. This event became a landmark in Canadian trade unionism, cementing Oshawa's reputation as a bastion of unionist, left-wing support for decades and influencing its political direction, including strong financial backing for the New Democratic Party and its predecessors.

Modern Economy and Transformation

While General Motors remains the city's largest employer and its Canadian headquarters, Oshawa's economy has diversified significantly. The city is now recognized as an education and health sciences hub, home to Durham College, Trent University Durham, and Ontario Tech University. A satellite family medicine program from Queen's University Lakeridge Health also operates in the city. Key labour force sectors now include healthcare, retail trade, and educational services. In 2016, Oshawa was ranked the sixth best place in Canada to find full-time employment, and by spring 2016, it was ranked the number one city for jobs in the country. The automotive sector witnessed a major shift when General Motors closed its Oshawa assembly plant in December 2018. However, following a 2020 agreement with Unifor, GM invested $1.3 billion to retool the plant. It reopened in 2021, producing the first Canadian-made Chevy Silverado pickup truck and continuing work on autonomous vehicle testing and sub-assemblies. Other notable industries include the manufacturing of railway maintenance equipment, mining equipment, steel fabrication, and rubber products. Oshawa is also an official port of entry for immigration and customs services.

Downtown Oshawa is identified as an Urban Growth Centre in the Government of Ontario's Places to Grow initiative. More than 5,000 people work and more than 2,400 university students study in the downtown core. The downtown is a prominent centre for entertainment and sporting events at venues like the Regent Theatre and Tribute Communities Centre. It is also a centre for food with over 50 restaurants and cafes and for culture at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery and Canadian Automotive Museum. Oshawa is home to a Regional Innovation Centre and offers start-up facilities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Co-working offices are also located in the downtown area.

• Headquarters of General Motors Canada.
• Major education hub with multiple post-secondary institutions.
• Key sectors: healthcare, retail trade, educational services.
• Designated Urban Growth Centre in downtown.
• Regional Innovation Centre and start-up facilities.
• Official port of entry for immigration.

Demographics and Population Trends

According to the 2021 Census of Population, Oshawa had a population of 175,383, a 10% increase from 159,458 in 2016. The population density was 1,203.6 people per square kilometre. The larger Oshawa Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Whitby and Clarington, had a population of 415,311 in 2021. The city has experienced significant growth, attracting commuters with comparatively low housing prices and rail connections to Toronto via GO Transit and Via Rail. This growth is expected to accelerate with the Highway 407 East extension, including the toll-free Highway 412 and Highway 418 links to Highway 401. The religious profile of the city in 2021 was 51.4% Christian, 5.8% Muslim, 3.7% Hindu, and 37.3% reporting no religion or secular perspectives. Linguistically, English was the mother tongue for 79.5% of residents, followed by French at 1.7%. Other common mother tongues included Urdu (1.5%), Chinese languages (1.3%), and Tamil (1.2%). The city's demographic composition has shifted from a historically mostly white, blue-collar community, reflecting broader national trends in diversity and economic change.

Municipal Governance and the 2026 Budget

The City of Oshawa operates as a lower-tier municipality within the Regional Municipality of Durham, collecting property taxes on behalf of the region and the Province of Ontario. For every dollar collected in 2026, the city retains approximately 40 cents. The city's 2026 budget reflects its strategic priorities and response to economic pressures. The 2026 Operating Budget is $207.8 million, and the total gross cost of the 2026 Capital Budget is $44.5 million. Property taxes fund about 76.8% of the operating budget, with the rest coming from user fees, licences, and other revenue. The budget required a net levy increase of 4.68% for the city's portion, equating to an additional $107.16 for an average household. Major capital investments for 2026 include road works on Simcoe Street North and Wentworth Street East, park improvements, and supporting external agencies. A significant ongoing project is a $50 million modernization of the Tribute Communities Centre, which will expand the main entrance and upgrade seating and concessions. The city also invests over $5 million annually to address health, safety, and social service challenges related to homelessness and mental health, despite these being primarily regional responsibilities.

Culture, Recognition, and Future Outlook

Oshawa's cultural institutions and attractions include several key sites. Parkwood Estate, the former home of R.S. McLaughlin, is a popular National Historic Site and a frequent filming location for movies and television series such as It, Billy Madison, Chicago, and X-Men. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery focuses on Canadian contemporary art, while the Canadian Automotive Museum preserves the city's industrial heritage. The downtown core is a lively area with the Regent Theatre for performing arts and the Tribute Communities Centre hosting sporting and entertainment events. In 2026, the city's economic prospects were bolstered by recognition from Site Selection magazine, which named Oshawa one of Canada's Best Locations for that year. This honour is based on success in attracting corporate investment, supporting business expansion, and creating quality employment in sectors like advanced manufacturing, technology, clean energy, and life sciences. This accolade highlights Oshawa's ongoing transition from a traditional manufacturing centre to a diversified, innovation-driven economy positioned for future growth within the Greater Toronto Area.

Questions about Oshawa

What does the name 'Oshawa' mean?

The name Oshawa originates from the Ojibwa term aazhawe, meaning 'the crossing place' or just 'a cross'. In 1842, when the community needed a better name for its post office, early resident Moody Farewell asked his native acquaintances what they called the area. Their reply was 'Oshawa,' which translates to 'where we must leave our canoes'. Thus, the name of Oshawa has the meaning 'where we have to get out and walk'.

Is the General Motors plant in Oshawa still open?

Yes, the General Motors assembly plant in Oshawa reopened in 2021 after being closed for about two years. Following a 2020 agreement with the Unifor union, GM invested $1.3 billion to retool the facility. The plant now produces pickup trucks, with the first Canadian-made Chevy Silverado completed in 2021. The site also continues to be used for autonomous vehicle testing and the production of vehicle stampings and other sub-assemblies, maintaining GM's significant presence in the city where its Canadian headquarters are located.

What universities and colleges are in Oshawa?

Oshawa is a major education hub with several post-secondary institutions. These include Durham College, Trent University Durham, and Ontario Tech University. Queen's University operates a satellite Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program in the city. Ontario Tech University alone occupies five buildings in downtown Oshawa, where more than 1,900 students and staff attend class and work, contributing to the downtown's designation as an Urban Growth Centre.

How much are property taxes in Oshawa?

For 2026, the City of Oshawa's portion of the property tax levy is $188,419,589, which represents a 4.68% increase from 2025. This equates to an additional $107.16 for the city's share of an average household's property tax bill, or approximately $0.25 per day. The total 2026 Operating Budget is $207.8 million, with property taxes funding about 76.8% of it. As a lower-tier municipality, Oshawa collects taxes for itself, the Regional Municipality of Durham, and the Province, keeping only about 40 cents of every dollar collected.

What was the Oshawa Strike of 1937?

The Oshawa Strike was a major labour dispute that began on 8 April 1937, when 4,000 General Motors assembly line workers walked off the job. They demanded higher wages, an eight-hour workday, better working conditions, and recognition of their union, the United Auto Workers (Local 222). Despite the pro-labour platform of Premier Mitchell Hepburn's Liberal government, it sided with GM and brought in armed university students to counter the union. The strike ended after two weeks on 23 April when the company agreed to most demands, though it refused to formally recognize the union, marking a key moment in Canadian labour history.

Why is Oshawa considered a good place for jobs?

Oshawa has consistently ranked highly for employment opportunities. In 2016, it was the sixth best place in Canada to find full-time employment based on Statistics Canada data, and by spring 2016, it was ranked the number one city for jobs in the country. This is due to its diversified economy, which includes major sectors like healthcare, retail trade, and educational services alongside its traditional automotive manufacturing base. The city's strategic location, post-secondary institutions producing a skilled workforce, and recognition as a top investment destination in 2026 by Site Selection magazine all contribute to its strong job market.

Sources and further reading

• Oshawa (Wikipedia)
• Budget | City of Oshawa (oshawa.ca)
• 2026 Budget (connectoshawa.ca)
• 5 highlights from the City of Oshawa's proposed 2026 budget (durhamregion.com)
• City of Oshawa recognized among Canada's Best ... (oshawaeconomicdevelopment.ca)

Checked by the Your Space Hamilton desk. Last updated 2026-10-27.