Change has to start somewhere. Responsible citizens don't let change simply wash over their community, but are aware, informed, & involved.
The above has been my motto on X since I opened my Twitter account as a community activist in Oshawa long before I was elected to City Council 8 years ago.
When asking you to support my election campaign for a 3rd and final term as Oshawa's Ward 1 City Councillor I decided it is worth adding as a mantra to my website here and candidate handout for the Oct 26, 2026 municipal election.
I believe meaningful and engaged public involvement is critical to help make good things happen for the City of Oshawa.
My goal is to make good things happen for Oshawa and its residents.
Thank you for visiting my website.
Under the "Rosemary's Blog" tab on the navigation bar at the top of this home page, you can find details on some current city projects, meetings, motions and events, as well as my views on certain issues.
I remain committed to raising public awareness of the various city matters and public concerns that arise.
Ensuring constituents are well informed & their voices heard is key to determining City priorities & community needs.
All content is written by me, apologies for any typos, spelling and awkward grammar.
Please let me know ideas, suggestions, changes for Oshawa you'd like to share. Sharing ideas strengthens them!
I look forward to listening to individuals who have suggestions and interest in our City and encourage them to contact me.
A personal note on Feb 14, 2023 -
Soon after my re-election to my 2nd term and taking the oath of office on Nov 15, 2022, my mother, Sheila McConkey, who was living with us in Oshawa under my care, experienced two serious health setbacks. She passed away January 13, 2023. I stopped posting on my website Blog and social media during this difficult time. Sheila was a remarkable woman and a hugely important, irreplaceable part of our family and my world. We worked together in business successfully for over two decades. My mother lived a full and courageous life, widowed at the age of 39 years with a family of 8 children to support, she faced many challenges. Knowing her unconditional love for her family, dedication to friends, zest for living and work ethic, she, forever and always will be my inspiration and deeply missed.
Like many Oshawa residents, I believe Oshawa's property taxes are too high. Taxes should not be the struggle to pay they have become. I have attempted to tackle the City's taxation and traffic issues. Speeding, intrusive driving on roads that are frequently at over-capacity negatively impact our health and safety, the environment, and the economy.
One of my first motions approved by Oshawa Council was for an update to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide. Here is a link to the final approved NTMG https://www.oshawa.ca/media/fbxazb3i/ntmg.pdf Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide
Although Durham Region had installed Community Safety Zones (CSZ) on some Regional roads in the City of Oshawa, during my 1st year on Council the City only had one approved Community Safety Zone on a local City road. Today the City has 5 more CSZs in Ward 1, to calm traffic speeds around the schools on Greenhill Ave, Coldstream Dr and Woodstream Ave and in Oshawa's rural Hamlet community, on Raglan Rd and in the Village of Columbus Rd., on Columbus Rd. between Thornton Rd. N. and Ritson Rd. N.
Another early motion I made was for the City to copy Clarington's use of flexible bollards to help with traffic calming. Now they are installed on many city roads, and in Ward 1 on Coldstream Dr., Grandview St N. and Arborwood Dr. and more soon planned. Two I've asked staff to investigate and expect to hear back on in the fall are by Elsie MacGill school on Greenhill Ave., and on Blackwood Blvd. near Skyview St.
In my opinion, City Council must increase public engagement and improve transparency. No one likes being the last to know about something impacting their community! A lack of openness leads to a lack of trust.
At City Hall I've been fighting for work on the infrastructure deficit in Ward 1, especially concerning road and pedestrian safety, by-law enforcement, litter clean up, and closer tracking of budgets with more effective, affordable outcomes. Also, I've focused on promoting more accessible new housing and been advocating for builders to build at least 2% of their new homes accessible (unfortunately the current Ontario Building Code only requires 15% of new apartment buildings to be accessible, but it has no requirement for builders to provide any inventory of accessible houses, with even 2 basic accessible features — a built-in ramp or level home entrance and washroom doors wide enough for mobility devices.
One of my first motions approved by Oshawa Council was for an update to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide. Here is a link to the final approved NTMG https://www.oshawa.ca/media/fbxazb3i/ntmg.pdf Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide
Although Durham Region had installed Community Safety Zones (CSZ) on some Regional roads in the City of Oshawa, during my 1st year on Council the City only had one approved Community Safety Zone on a local City road. Today the City has 5 more CSZs in Ward 1, to calm traffic speeds around the schools on Greenhill Ave, Coldstream Dr and Woodstream Ave and in Oshawa's rural Hamlet community, on Raglan Rd and in the Village of Columbus Rd., on Columbus Rd. between Thornton Rd. N. and Ritson Rd. N.
Another early motion I made was for the City to copy Clarington's use of flexible bollards to help with traffic calming. Now they are installed on many city roads, and in Ward 1 on Coldstream Dr., Grandview St N. and Arborwood Dr. and more soon planned. Two I've asked staff to investigate and expect to hear back on in the fall are by Elsie MacGill school on Greenhill Ave., and on Blackwood Blvd. near Skyview St.
In my opinion, City Council must increase public engagement and improve transparency. No one likes being the last to know about something impacting their community! A lack of openness leads to a lack of trust.
At City Hall I've been fighting for work on the infrastructure deficit in Ward 1, especially concerning road and pedestrian safety, by-law enforcement, litter clean up, and closer tracking of budgets with more effective, affordable outcomes. Also, I've focused on promoting more accessible new housing and been advocating for builders to build at least 2% of their new homes accessible (unfortunately the current Ontario Building Code only requires 15% of new apartment buildings to be accessible, but it has no requirement for builders to provide any inventory of accessible houses, with even 2 basic accessible features — a built-in ramp or level home entrance and washroom doors wide enough for mobility devices.
As the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) Council Member I have been determined to work at increasing accessibility in Oshawa. I was pleased to help raise awareness of the OAAC with a logo design competition so this dedicated volunteer committee now flies a wonderful City accessibility flag during NationalAccessibility Week. (See winning logo below)
All Oshawans should be passionate that those with disabilities are able to participate in a city that is barrier free - my main focus for improved accessibility has been to seek improvements in Oshawa's new home developments so that accessible entrances become the norm. I will advocate further for Council to petition the Province to amend the Ontario Building Code and mandate wider bathroom doors in all new residential construction.
Thanks for reading this far! I will soon be posting above on the navigation bar beside Rosemary's Blog, my 2026 Election Platform, with changes and priorities that, in my opinion, will help contribute to the betterment of Oshawa.
Please share your concerns/suggestions by email to [email protected] or phone or text at 905-718-0900
Please share your concerns/suggestions by email to [email protected] or phone or text at 905-718-0900
I have been passionate in caring about our community in general and Ward 1 in particular.
About me before being elected:
About me before being elected:
- In 2012, I was awarded the Queen's Diamond-Jubilee medal for community service.
- I operated my own brokerage for many years, I have insights into how property taxes, official plans & land-use policies impact communities.
- I have lived both a rural and urban life, which is helpful ensuring City Hall is responsive to Ward 1's specific issues and gives balanced support to both the urban growth areas and vital farm operations.
- As an activist I organized public meetings, a sign campaign and a bus rally to Queen's Park in 2010 to lobby the Province, for the extension of Hwy 407E beyond Simcoe Street RESULT: 407E phase 1 extended 7 more kilometres east to Harmony Road .
- Made numerous delegations to Region Council and organized public rallies to ensure that public safety at the dangerous Ritson-Winchester intersection was made a priority. RESULT: Road reconstruction and traffic lights installed at Ritson and Winchester
- Made presentations pressing both the City and Region to web-stream their meetings, allowing working, vacationing or housebound residents to stay informed. RESULT: Meetings are now web-streamed and archived
- Organized the ‘Council on a Diet’ fundraiser involving politicians from across the Region with proceeds to Feed the Need in Durham. RESULT: $10,000 raised for the local food bank charity
- In 2012 launched and ran an essay/speech competition ‘Local Look Back’ engaging both school boards and municipal councils to bring students into local Council Chambers to present their essays and learn more about their community’s past and local governance. RESULT: Enthusiastic youth engagement
- Requested to have Committee of Adjustment meeting agendas and minutes made public on the city website. RESULT: C of A agendas and minutes are now online
- Requested to have a record of past Oshawa Mayors on the City web page. RESULT: Historical record of past Mayors is now documented on City website
