New Faces Join Oshawa’s Mayoral Contest

The competition for the mayoral position in Oshawa has transformed from what seemed like a one-candidate race into an exciting four-way battle. 

Long-serving Ward 2 Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri was the first to announce his candidacy on May 1, initially appearing as the sole contender to take over from outgoing Mayor Dan Carter.

“We’ve got every element in the world that’s necessary to be able to succeed,” Marimpietri told last month, highlighting his two decades of experience on council as his main advantage for leading the city. 

Fast forward nearly two months, and Marimpietri now faces challenges from three other candidates: Ward 4 Councillor Derek Giberson, who had long been rumored to be considering a mayoral run, Henry Onwuachu, a local businessman entering politics for the first time, and Marimpietri’s fellow ward representative, Councillor Jim Lee.

In an interview with , Lee mentioned he had no plans to run again and intended to “retire,” but changed his mind after hearing requests from residents.

“They thought I would be the perfect alternative,” Lee said. 

Here’s how things are unfolding:

Jim Lee

 Lee, elected in 2022, brings significant leadership experience.

A former firefighter with over 30 years of service has a solid background in federal lobbying – including time spent as chief of staff and operations for the International Association of Fire Fighters in Washington, D. C.

Lee aims to challenge existing norms in Oshawa, stating he is not a “career politician.”

Ward 2 Coun. Jim Lee said he was considering retirement before being asked by residents to run for mayor, suggesting the need for ‘change’ within Oshawa. (Christian D’Avino/ )

His focus is on affordability and public safety while emphasizing that all levels of government need to work together instead of playing blame games.

“I think I have the qualifications of bringing those people together at a table so we can have a frank discussion on how we’re going to solve this,” he added.

Derek Giberson

Derek Giberson from Ward 4 also sees himself as a key candidate for change; he believes that Oshawa is currently hindered by similar “career politicians” that Lee referred to earlier. 

“We’ve (Oshawa) sort of fell into a pattern, and I think that we need to break out,” Giberson said.

However, Giberson’s perspective diverges from Lee’s by asserting that the city’s more profound issues are structural and financial.

Ward 4 Counc. Derek Giberson says he aims to bring more transparency to Oshawa and aims to tackle the city’s deteriorating infrastructure and public spaces as mayor. (Christian D’Avino/ )<p Specifically, he's pointing out what he calls a $1.1-billion infrastructure deficit.

He argues that current council members have been reluctant to address how much deterioration exists throughout the city when it comes down neighborhood streets or downtown areas.

“We have career politicians who not only don’t want to talk about it but I think are in a state of denial,” he said.

Henry Onwuachu

The final contender against Marimpietri is Henry Onwuachu , who wants shift discussions towards prioritizing business strategies.

With roots in construction management rather than politics , Onwuachu felt driven enough about Oshawa’s future. He believes there should be efforts made toward transforming it into less “consumption city” , making it lean more toward becoming “production city.”

“I care deeply about Oshawa and believe our city needs leadership that listens,” Onwuachu said.

While acknowledging some successes under current leadership , Onwuachu feels stronger tactics are needed attract industrial investments along with job creation opportunities aimed at young locals.

Henry Onwuachu says he was motivatedto runto help Oshawalockitsindustrialpotential, suggestingthecityneedsmoreleaderswillingto’listen’toitsbusinesscommunity.(Submittedby Henry Onwuachu)

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He supports implementing tax incentives designed draw larger companies into region.

He asserts updating business conditions will naturally lessen current social problems , like homelessness seen downtown since improving area’s viability will help create commercial activity.

Tito-Dante Marimpietri

<Tito-Dante Marimpietr Iforpart, hassupportedadvocatingforinvestmentscloselyalignedwiththisinvolvedareaofinterest. ofthecitytodevelop.'s development services chair , Marempieritricouncilhasledasharedvisiononhowmuchinvestmentpotentialcouldbe utilizedfromdefense spendingcurrently targetedbyfederalgovernmentandtechnologyadvancements.Tito-Dante Marimpiatri, a long-time councillorin Oshawas Ward2, sayshefeelsreadytaleadhis hometownaftertwodecadesasacitizenrepresentative.(Christian D’Avino/)

Partofthatplanhasalreadyproducedpositiveoutcomesincluding$5millioninvestmentlastmonthdefensetestingat Ontario Tech University.
Oshawaselectionisscheduledfor October26.

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