Category: Community

One of Oshawa’s biggest community events of the summer, the 9th Annual Touch-a-Truck presented by Oshawa Power, returns on August 25th, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Bring the family down to Oshawa’s Tribute Communities Centre to enjoy a free evening of outdoor fun with interactive displays and more than 40 specialized vehicles, including our very own bucket trucks!

Free for all ages, the event will run concurrently with Kars on King and encourages donations in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-West Durham.

“Oshawa Power is a proud member of the Oshawa community. We are excited to partner with OVG360 as the presenting sponsor to bring Touch-a-Truck, an engaging, informative and family-friendly event, to our community. We always look forward to showing kids and parents the important work we do and the safety features and equipment that keep us and our community safe” said Mike Weatherbee, Managing Director for Oshawa Power.

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“After last year’s largest turnout yet, we can’t wait to see what is in store for this year’s Touch-a-Truck event,” said William Balfour, Assistant General Manager and Director of Marketing & Sales for OVG360. “We continue to be blown away by the ongoing support of community partners that fuel this event year after year and are excited to have Oshawa Power come on board as presenting sponsor this year to help continue making this event possible for the community.”

Join our team at the event to develop a better understanding of the duties and equipment required to power one of Canada’s fastest growing cities and brush up on the necessary knowledge to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe around electrical equipment.

For more information about the 9th Annual Touch-a-Truck presented by Oshawa Power, visit the event page on Facebook or tributecommunitiescentre.com.

Oshawa, Ontario – In support of the Back Door Mission, Oshawa Power staff donated more than 350 pairs of socks to distribute to individuals experiencing housing uncertainty in our local community.

When the Back Door Mission released a call for donations in October, Oshawa Power was quick to organize an internal sock drive to support our Bagot St. neighbours. Running for just under a month and targeting a delivery date before the harsh winter weather returned, employees were asked to donate new or gently used socks, with the company matching each pair.

“As neighbours we witness firsthand all the amazing support that the Back Door Mission offers to our community. When the chance to support their work arose, we jumped at the opportunity to contribute. We look forward to continuing to work with the Back Door Mission to help make our local community a safe space for all.”

– Jen McHugh, Communications Manager, Oshawa Power

Access to adequate footwear is an important factor in maintaining foot and ankle health, a serious but often overlooked challenge for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Up to two thirds of the unhoused population will experience foot and ankle issues. These issues often begin small but over time can lead to more serious health concerns.

Through these donations, Oshawa Power hopes to help Back Door Mission keep our community warm this winter and support the health and wellness of Oshawa’s unhoused population.

The Back Door Mission Christmas Spectacular 2022

Join the Back Door Mission on Friday, December 9th for their annual Christmas Spectacular. Featuring live entertainment, activities for children, and a Christmas marketplace, all proceeds from this fantastic event will help support our community.

Purchase Tickets ➤

Looking for more ways to help?

Learn more about the Back Door Mission’s work in our community and find out how you can donate by visiting their website.

Oshawa, Ontario – Since 2017, Oshawa Power has proudly joined together with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 in raising banners across Downtown Oshawa to honour and memorialize our veterans. This year, we had the honour of raising an additional 19 banners, bringing the program’s total count to 86 memorials.

We offer our sincere gratitude to the brave individuals who fought for our freedoms and for the great nation of Canada. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Honoured Veterans

• Charles Alfred Wells
• Private Nelson Train
• Davey Thompson
• Evan Strait
• Cecil Henry Smith
• Ted McComb
• Henry Samuel Lee
• Norman Roy Hodgson
• Thomas Hopkins Hammond
• Archie S.D. Dean
• James Convery
• George Hayward Crawford
• Edward J. Crawford
• Gordon James Brown
• George Brocanier
• Nancy C.M. Brisebois
• S/Sgt. Alfred C. Brisebois
• Winnifred A. Branton
• Eric C. Branton
• James Reid
• Alexander Reid
• Henry Hatton Price
• Major Zane Piekenbrock
• WO1 Fred Palmer
• Harold H. Nugent
• Ronald W. McTague
• James Claude McPhee
• John Manning
• Victor P. Lockie
• Elmer Eirra Lewis
• Bill Kurelo
• Gordon H.E. Kitchen
• Francis Charles Hannan
• William Roy Gillman
• Roy Foster
• Robert E. Woodward
• Bedford David Thomson
• Robert James Normoyle
• Robert D. Normoyle
• Patrick J. Normoyle
• Gregory Francis Normoyle
• Daniel D. Normoyle
• Glen Wm. Maunder
• Sgt. John A. Lowry M.M.
• George W.B. Kingsland
• Walter Taylor
• Maurice Bruce Proctor
• John Edward Parr
• Lt. Alan Edward King
• Harry L. Ferneley
• Kevin Ferguson
• James Essex
• Leslie W.B. Childerhose
• Harry Arthur Brown
• Elam Brinson
• William Ernest Boyce
• Shawn Bowe
• Frederick William Willis
• Earl “Bus” William Wilson
• Frederick Charles Taylor
• Charles William Taylor
• Gordon Thomas Stacey
• James M. Scott
• Allen W. Robinson
• Ronald F. Rice
• Calvin Cecil Reid
• William James Lee
• Henry J. “Chick” Hewett
• William Thomas Harding
• Edward C. Halcomb
• Henryk K. Fraczek
• Douglas J. Finney
• D. Craig Finney
• Frank Buller
• William Robert Brown
• Norman Edward Brown
• Orval Earl Brock
• Harry A.C. Turner
• William James Somerville
• William “Sam” Magee
• Malcolm W. Knocker
• Ben Jacklin
• John H. Hodgson
• WO2 Don Chapman
• Earl K. Campbell
• The Unknown Soldier

To find out how you can honour a veteran, please visit our Community page.

Oshawa, Ontario – Oshawa Power, in partnership with Durham Region, is delighted to host the popular Plug’n Drive Mobile Electric Vehicle Education Trailer (MEET) for a four-week period starting July 21, 2022. This free and tactile informative event combines a question-and-answer session with an electric vehicle (EV) expert and an opportunity to test drive some of the latest EV models.

Information and resources are available to help answer questions for those who may be curious about how to make the transition to an EV.

As one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, Oshawa has some of the longest daily commutes in the GTHA. This event will help demonstrate the benefits of EVs, thereby helping to increase EV adoption. Recent MTO data indicates that as of December 31, 2021, there are nearly 1,000 registered EVs in Oshawa.

The month-long EV roadshow and discovery centre will take place at Oshawa Power, 100 Simcoe Street South. Bookings are available every Thursday to Sunday, from July 21 to August 14.

Book Your Test Drive

Quotes

“We are committed to events and activities supporting residents and consumers with information that drives understanding all aspects of owning and operating electric vehicles. Oshawa Power is grid-ready, now and for the future.”

– Ivano Labricciosa, President & CEO, Oshawa Power

“By working with our partners, the City of Oshawa continues to take actions to combat climate change. Initiatives like this that raise awareness about electric vehicles as an important way to reduce Oshawa’s greenhouse gas emissions are a positive step towards a more sustainable future. I would encourage everyone to learn more.”

– Dan Carter, Mayor, City of Oshawa

“Electric vehicles are a key climate solution in Durham Region, given that transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Through our partnership with Oshawa Power and Plug’n Drive, we are working to create opportunities for residents to experience driving electric vehicles, and to learn about how they can be part of a win-win solution for the environment and the economy.”

– John Henry, Regional Chair & CEO, Regional Municipality of Durham

Media Contact

Oshawa Power Communications

Oshawa, Ontario – Earlier today, Oshawa Mayor, Dan Carter and Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO of Oshawa Power officially launched the new on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the Downtown Core. Access to charging has been a barrier to consumer adoption and now through a collaborative partnership with the City, the Region of Durham, and partially funded by Natural Resources Canada, driving range and charging access is less of a concern. This investment in level 2 chargers will make EV charging more accessible to all visiting the downtown core.

On-street stations have been installed and activated in the following locations:

100 Simcoe St. S

45 King St. E

40 King St. W

8 Bond St. W

“Since 2018, Oshawa Power has invested in electrification. We have been planning and advancing the infrastructure to support the growing demands and evolution in the industry, population growth and the clean energy movement. With grid enhancements, planning for fluctuations, research on battery storage needs and how to feed the grid efficiently, Oshawa Power is confident that the system is ready to handle the impacts and needs.”

– Ivano Labricciosa, President & CEO

Promoting use and access to EV charging is critical to electrification and EV adoption in Durham. Currently, Oshawa is the fastest growing community in Canada and is expected to have an increase in EV adoption—recent data indicates there are nearly 1000 registered EVs in Oshawa and growing.

To stimulate use and promote the launch in the community, Oshawa Power temporarily assumes the charging costs ― ending September 15, 2022. At that point, standard EV rates will apply. And, since the chargers have been quietly active, thirty-five (35) sessions have been registered, with an average charge time of 173 minutes.

As we look forward, we will continue to work with industry partners and local post-secondary schools on projects that support data collection, energy load prediction, and grid optimization; resulting in an easier transition to EVs for the consumer.

Quick Facts

As of February 2022, there are 75,274 EVs registered in Ontario.

Transportation accounts for 25 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.

To date, over 130,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses have taken advantage of the federal incentive to purchase a zero-emission vehicle.

Resources

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
E-Mission

Media Contact

Oshawa Power Communications

Oshawa, Ontario – Oshawa Power has been a trusted partner in the community for more than 130 years and truly cares about this community and those who live here. Over the years Oshawa Power has regularly supported registered charity and non-profit organizations within the community with time (volunteering), in kind donations (helping to find solutions), and with donations (food, goods and dollars). The last two years have been particularly hard on many, but also highlighted how many people in our community have stepped up to go above and beyond to help others in need. This year we wanted to recognize some of those special people.

Oshawa Power put out the call for community members to nominate a “Local Hero” who went above and beyond to help others and make our community a special place. More than thirty nominations were received and reviewed by an impartial panel of judges. This panel of volunteer judges included: Mayor Dan Carter, Jason King, CEO Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Craig Venn and Mike Luck, Morning Show Hosts 94.9 The Rock. These judges looked through all the nominations and made their picks, once all the judges submitted their choices, the top picks were notified, and a donation was presented to each charity at All or Nothing Brewhouse on December 14, 2021.

Four Local Heroes and representatives from their charities were able to join us for the presentations. Local Heroes Jill Boville, Dave Briggs, Gene Balson, and Caitlin Pye were presented with a Certificate of Recognition for the work that they do in our community and their charities, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, Salvation Army Family Services, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Simcoe Hall Foodbank each received a donation of $1000 to support the work they do in the community.

“As a member of this community, Oshawa Power is committed to giving back to the community where we live and work. This year we thought it would be a good idea to involve Oshawa residents and provide them with the opportunity to recognize some special people in the community, while helping local charitable and nonprofit organizations. The response was terrific, with more than thirty heartwarming stories received. It was a pleasure to meet the Local Heroes that make our community great!”

– Ivano Labricciosa, President & CEO

This is the first time Oshawa Power has employed this strategy to their Charitable Giving, and their plan is to make it an annual event.