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| Harbouring long-term vision for Oshawa’s waterfront |
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| A research firm hired on behalf of
Discover Boating, a group which promotes
a boating lifestyle, recently
released a study that states the Canadian
recreational boating industry contributes
$26.8 billion towards the country’s economy.
The economic impact ($13 billion
in Ontario alone) is attributable to sales,
jobs, travel, repairs, tax revenues,
tourism and consumer spending. But while council’s heart is in the right place in its efforts to reclaim the harbour lands, we question not only the need to spend close to half a million dollars on an outside lobby group, but the timing of doing so. The prudent decision right from the get-go would have been to wait until David Crombie releases his report, due at any time. Crombie met with all stakeholders, and the recommendations in his report are key to how the federal government will decide the fate of Oshawa’s harbour. Not only that, but the contents of the Crombie report should also form the basis of the city’s future approach in its quest to realize its vision for the harbour. That being said, should the city find itself in a situation where it must launch a campaign to promote its vision, then use local talent. The city’s own economic development and communications departments should have the expertise to develop and implement a strategy that can effectively convince the federal government to hand over the waterfront to Oshawa residents. Half a million dollars can go a long way in hiring top-notch staffers right here in Oshawa who can create a longterm strategy to promote and market not just our waterfront, but all that our diverse community has to offer. |
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