Oshawa City Council Supports Local Auto Industry

A new Vehicle Procurement policy focusing on Canadian-made products is set to be discussed at Monday morning’s Corporate and Finance Committee meeting, as Oshawa councillors rally around the automotive workforce at the General Motors assembly plant located in the city’s south end.

Today, over 500 of those workers are facing job losses as the automotive giant reacts to the trade conflict started by U. S. President Donald Trump – with another 500 jobs in the supply chain also at risk – and councillors aim to keep purchasing vehicles from GM to help support local manufacturers and their employees.

Supply Ontario has a deal with General Motors that lasts until June 30, 2028, for direct vehicle purchases from General Motors Canada. The city is also preparing for any potential negative developments in the tariff situation by stating it will “investigate other Canadian suppliers” for vehicle procurement if GM can’t meet the city’s needs.

Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson remarked that this motion “will not eliminate the hardship caused by today’s layoffs at General Motors and the negative impact on Oshawa families and business, but it will show the City of Oshawa’s support for our Canadian automotive industry.”

Nicholson further mentioned that city staff are also developing ‘Canada First’ policies for additional purchases.

Despite these layoffs, preparations continue at Oshawa Assembly to produce the next generation of gas-powered full-size pickups, bolstered by a recent $280 million investment in the facility.

Oshawa Assembly is GM’s sole North American plant producing both light-duty and heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado pickups on a single line, while also handling aftermarket parts related to stamping, sub-assembly, and other functions for the company.

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