The automotive sector in Ontario is shrinking, and the slower U.S. economy will mean even more shrinkage in the short term. These layoffs mean hard times for countless Oshawa families and businesses but it doesn’t mean the end for this growing city.

The city, however, must change in order to evolve into something more than a vehicle-manufacturing centre. It is evolving, however slowly, beyond its now out-of-date reputation as the industrial capital of Durham Region.

Keep in mind, we’re no longer “the city that moto-vates Canada”. Instead,“prepare to be amazed” is the slogan that greets every visitor. There’s a reason for the slogan change. While it’s upsetting to hear about the auto sector suffering another blow, Oshawa’s healthcare and education fields are booming.

Both Lakeridge Health and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology have seen
tremendous expansion over the last few years with more to come and more expansion means more jobs.

While no one should minimize the severity of these layoffs, workers will be given the opportunity to retrain, to take on apprenticeships, to explore other employment fields.

As difficult as it may be to do that, it appears this evolution is unavoidable for the work force.
These are changing times and sometimes we have to adapt to suit them. As the automotive sector changes, so too is the city of Oshawa.

At one time, General Motors boasted of a workforce of about 20,000, but not any more. It’s now half that or less and who knows where things will end. And as the saying goes, with every job loss at the automotive company there are seven jobs that evaporate in feeder plants that supply parts for the production line.

Yes, things have changed, and will change some more. The city of Oshawa must evolve as well, draw new businesses and retrain the workforce. We are heading there, but more needs to be done.