Disgraceful At Best...

By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers For those that read this column on a regular basis will note that I have been warning of this for the past 15 years. “GM IS LEAVING OSHAWA”. I remember in conversation with Nancy Diamond over this issue. She use to tell me. “Oh don’t worry Joe. They always do that to push the government to give them more funding.” I remember her telling me that even if they were to leave Oshawa. That city council could do nothing to prevent it.... as if council tried to flex muscle. GM through the union would turn it into a huge political issues and that most on council would suffer. So the resolve was to do nothing and allow GM to do as they pleased. As they had done for ever and a day. Meanwhile I use to get calls from GM management workers worried over the job loss. This week an a pathetic attempt to make it look like he cares: Mayor Dan Carter responds to GM Oshawa Assembly Plant transition to two shifts - Jan 29, 2026 With General Motors of Canada’s transition of the Oshawa Assembly Plant back to a two-shift operation as of January 30, Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter has issued the following statement: “On behalf of the City of Oshawa, I want to express our heartfelt compassion and support for the GM employees and their families who are affected by this transition. We understand this is a difficult and challenging time. I have a suggestion for this token Mayor... stop with the empty words and actually show some leadership and stand up to GM on behalf of Oshawa. It is obvious that both of our local MP and MPP have no character and or leadership qualities to do anything about it. He continues... GM’s presence here has brought innovation, investment and thousands of jobs. We’re proud of Oshawa’s automotive legacy that spans more than a century. Oshawa Assembly remains a leader in its award-winning operations, producing both heavy- and light-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickups – GM’s most important market segment in North America. Our talented workforce continues to play a vital role in meeting demand for these vehicles. Oshawa is also home to GM’s advanced research facilities, including the McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track at Oshawa’s Canadian Technical Centre. We will continue to work closely with GM, Unifor and the Provincial and Federal governments to identify new business, partnerships and investments to bring new advanced manufacturing opportunities and pathways to the great City of Oshawa.” What a load of crap.... Words that mean nothing to the person loosing their job. Nothing to the person not affording to pay property tax increases. I can tell you this. That If I had been graced with winning the last election. GM. would have been forced to pay. Pay for the environmental mess they created all across Oshawa. From the North along Grandview dumps to the south of Simcoe at the entrance of Lakeview Park. Not to mention the lands of the old stamping plant just north of the court house. Lands that are so putrid that the court house faced compromises in it’s building. An environmental mess. I would have approached the leadership at GM and made it clear that unless jobs came back to Oshawa that the City would file a class action suit on behalf of all citizens of Oshawa to the tune of 5 Billion dollars. This would also include the fact that GM leaving, has put Oshawa in an economic mess. Look at our downtown.  Look at all those living on the streets. NO EXCUSE. This claim would also include pain and suffering cause to all those 30,000 plus that use to work at GM. Pensions and special packages do not cut it. Tokens for service will not be accepted. We the people have sacrificed a work force that has contributed to the success of GM world wide. We the people have endured and are enduring the affects of GM manufacturing methods. It is time to stop pretending. Stop expecting the Province and Feds to step up. Make them Pay... Then look who is running the show... A token Mayor. 2 Terms that has ruined Oshawa to the core (literately).