Oshawa lifts state of emergency; restores full power to City Council

Oshawa | Durham | Community | COVID | Latest News | Politics |

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Published March 28, 2022 at 4:00 pm

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter has lifted the state of emergency in the City of Oshawa related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective 9 p.m. March 28.

Carter signed the Termination of Emergency Monday, in accordance with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, Act, a decision made in consultation with the Emergency Municipal Control Group under the City’s Emergency Management By-law. In addition, the Region of Durham and Durham municipalities also lifted their respective state of emergencies.

The emergency plan, which was set in motion Friday, March 13, 2020, delegated authority to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer for use in emergencies to provide the City the ability to make key decisions without the need to go through Council.

Throughout the pandemic, the City’s Pandemic Steering Committee had been meeting regularly to make decisions and ensure service continuity through changing guidelines from public health officials.

The state of emergency for Oshawa was declared on April 6, 2020.

“As we gradually move further away from pandemic restrictions I am happy to declare the lifting of the state of emergency in our city. I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to my fellow members of Council for their support and dedication during these unprecedented two years,” said Carter.

Councillor Rosemary McConkey had been pushing for this change back to pre-COVID times for several weeks.

Carter thanked residents and local businesses for their part in overcoming all obstacles over that past two years. “We have all experienced the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of those uncertain times, our Council, residents, businesses and staff all rose to the challenge – we have seen innovation in how we deliver services and created new ways to support Oshawa businesses and those in need. We overcame this as a community and now is the time to move forward and embrace the future together.”

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