Meet and Greet news

Yesterday I attended two meet and greet events organized by different groups.

One was with a group of Condominium owners in Ward 4 and the other was a public event organized by the Oshawa Liberal Association held in the Market at 70 King E.

Both of these events allowed us to reach out directly to citizens and voters in a group setting, with no debates, just one on one conversations.

I appreciate the organizers of both events who are simply trying to promote public participation in the Municipal Election. Thank you for your initiative.

As a candidate for Regional and City Councillor, Ward 4, I really enjoy these interactions with residents. They offer an opportunity not only to discuss my platform and plans, but to hear directly from the residents on what is important to them.

The two most noted issues facing voters and residents are:

1) Community Safety and Security

2) Taxation

Of course those are relatively abbreviated issues and encompass much more than just the titles.

Ultimately, what I am hearing is the past Council has been ineffective in dealing with these issues.

And I continue to tell residents, that is exactly why many of us are running for positions on the next Council.

Like you, we want to see positive change.

We too are frustrated with the current Council and their lack of progress on issues that have been well identified for more than the past 4 years of this Council.

Many of us have tried to work with the current Council and our Senior Staff to implement positive changes, and have been frustrated or shut down because we aren’t part of the inner sanctum.

We don’t represent the status quo.

They are afraid to hear new ideas or afraid to acknowledge that there are more ideas out there.

They feel threatened by people trying to make positive change that doesn’t fit with their agenda.

But Municipal Governance is supposed to be the closest to the people. It’s where your voice is supposed to be heard. It’s where your ideas should be considered and welcomed.

I heard some great comments and ideas yesterday, but two really stood out.

One resident spoke about our unhoused population and why don’t we have lockers for their belongings so they don’t have to carry, drag, or otherwise transport all of their personal belongings all day in between their stays at a shelter or a visit to a food bank. I recall this idea was initiated a long time ago (maybe 6 years ago?) and we have a limited number of them available in the City. But as usual, it was a short-lived experiment that was never expanded to its full potential.

Another resident was extremely vocal on removing one way streets and gave some great examples of how it has helped make other city’s more vibrant, encouraging stopping, shopping, dining. While the one way to two-way conversion is set to take place on Albert and Celina streets later this month, his emphasis was on the major arteries of Simcoe, Centre, King and Bond.

But there was another comment that really piqued my interest.

I was asked if I was helping or working on a certain campaign. I am unsure of what the inference was intended to be.

Yes, I will gladly share my knowledge and experience with any campaign or candidate that asks.

Collectively I believe the non-incumbents all have the same goal – to make Oshawa a better city for all.

I have spoken to many candidates since May, some before they filed their nomination papers, some well after they started their campaigns. That doesn’t mean I am actively working on anyone’s campaign; it doesn’t mean that I actively support any one candidate over another. It shows that we are working in a cooperative way to better Oshawa, and that we have an open mind and welcome the feedback, suggestions, and fresh ideas that are coming forward.

Conversely, I have had a few candidates tell me that they have been questioned about whether they are working with me. I don’t know how those candidates respond to those questions but I have noted that many of the people asking are closely affiliated with incumbent candidates. I have been told that certain incumbents are speaking ill of me behind my back.

Why would that be?

The only thing I can suggest is that there is fear among the incumbents. Some of those incumbents have never responded to my emails to them or to Council as whole, Many of them have voted as a block to silence my communications and delegations to Council. They don’t like dissent. They don’t like fresh ideas. They don’t value the public’s opinion or voice.

And that is exactly why we need a NEW Council.

It’s time to elect fresh voices, new ideas, and people who will actually listen to the residents and taxpayers.

I’m not a politician.

I plan to be your elected representative, to give you voice meaning at City Hall.

My platform shows that I am not looking for a new career. I have committed to making motions that will freeze Council remuneration and Senior Management wages. I have committed in my most recent blog post to change the Municipal Election process and landscape for the next election to make it easier for anyone to challenge the status quo, to run for election, and to have a more open, transparent, and accountable process with City led Ward meet and greets and a City initiated Mayoral debate.

I look forward to being part of a new Council that changes the political landscape and welcomes fresh new ideas, while attacking the age-old issues that the current Council has refused to address.

I hope you will support me and the other new candidates that are sincere about creating a better Oshawa for all.

I would be honored to have your vote as the next Regional and City Councillor for Ward 4.

I will be the first name on your ballot, and hopefully your first choice.

Jeff Davis

Candidate for Regional and City Councillor, Ward 4

October 7, 2026