At the City of Oshawa tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, there are 2 activities to highlight:
1st a Special 9:30 a.m. Council meeting for the public to have a say on the Mayor’s 2026 CITY BUDGET and
2nd the City’s fun BRIGHT & MERRY MARKET celebration at 50 Centre St S. from 5-9pm with family activities, food, crafts, music, the annual tree lighting @ 8pm and a visit with Santa Claus at Memorial Park. https://www.oshawa.ca/.../city.../bright-and-merry-market/
Copied below is my one page summary of some details concerning the Mayor’s 2026 proposed budget compared with his 2025 and 2024 City budgets.
Note: The Province granted Strong Mayor’s Powers to Oshawa Mayor Carter in 2023 which include among several new powers, a veto vote over changes to the Mayor’s proposed the municipal budget. Hence the Oshawa 2026 Budget is known as the Mayor’s Budget and involve serious constraints for the City's 10 elected Councillors to successfully make changes for responsible, affordable taxes.
In the Mayor’s remarks last week when he presented his 2026 budget to Council, he cautioned that “any reductions to the Budget will have a direct impact on service levels and any additions to the budget will result in an increase to the tax rate” and it will take a vote of at least 8 members of Council to attempt to make changes to overturn any of his veto.
1st a Special 9:30 a.m. Council meeting for the public to have a say on the Mayor’s 2026 CITY BUDGET and
2nd the City’s fun BRIGHT & MERRY MARKET celebration at 50 Centre St S. from 5-9pm with family activities, food, crafts, music, the annual tree lighting @ 8pm and a visit with Santa Claus at Memorial Park. https://www.oshawa.ca/.../city.../bright-and-merry-market/
Copied below is my one page summary of some details concerning the Mayor’s 2026 proposed budget compared with his 2025 and 2024 City budgets.
Note: The Province granted Strong Mayor’s Powers to Oshawa Mayor Carter in 2023 which include among several new powers, a veto vote over changes to the Mayor’s proposed the municipal budget. Hence the Oshawa 2026 Budget is known as the Mayor’s Budget and involve serious constraints for the City's 10 elected Councillors to successfully make changes for responsible, affordable taxes.
In the Mayor’s remarks last week when he presented his 2026 budget to Council, he cautioned that “any reductions to the Budget will have a direct impact on service levels and any additions to the budget will result in an increase to the tax rate” and it will take a vote of at least 8 members of Council to attempt to make changes to overturn any of his veto.
Drop into Memorial Park to capture fun photos with illuminated displays, stop by Santa’s igloo and experience a lineup of live entertainment the whole family will enjoy.
Main stage lineup, at the Memorial Park Bandshell, hosted by CKDO Radio Personality Terry Johnson includes:
Civic Square (the outdoor City Hall courtyard):
Main stage lineup, at the Memorial Park Bandshell, hosted by CKDO Radio Personality Terry Johnson includes:
- 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – O’Neill CVI Choir
- 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Sam Ninan, Violinist
- 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. – The Circus Drummer
- 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. – Interactive Entertainment with DJ Trevor
- 8 p.m. – Official Tree Lighting in Memorial Park
- 8:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. – The Circus Drummer
Civic Square (the outdoor City Hall courtyard):
- Fun Zone: Holiday fun and Interactive games provided by the Oshawa Youth Council and Recreation Services.
- Grab an outdoor photo, with a fun (and free!) festive photo booth
- LivingRoom Art Bus – This fun mobile hive will offer free family crafts, inspired by the season.
- Durham Ways Paint a Bus – An opportunity to showcase your creative talents, grab a paintbrush and make your mark on the oversize yellow canvas.
- Canadian Tank Museum – Drop by and say hello to the folks from the Canadian Tank Museum and view their military vehicle at Centre St. and John St.