MINUTES OF MEETING: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Editor: Tess Pierce
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM: by President David Mankiewicz
Grace: Kim Tan
Toast to the KING: Ted Morrison
Land Acknowledgement: President David Mankiewicz
We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island First Nations, within the jurisdiction of the Williams Treaties. We are committed to our responsibility of stewardship, in these relationships and for this land on which we learn, share and live.
Toast to CANADA: Dave Andrews
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Mayor Dan Carter, our speaker
Yvonne Henry, Prospective member
Bev Fiddler, Prospective member
Terri Lynn Larocque
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Anniversary: Ana & Nazir Rejab Sept 5th
Birthdays: Roger Suecharan Sept. 8th and Janet Duke Sept. 10th.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dave M.
Annual Club Picnic: Saturday, Sept. 13. Our host is Fahim Fikrat,158 Taylorwood Court, Oshawa, Ontario. The cost is $15/couple. Shashi is collecting money tonight. Kids are free.
Director’s Meeting Tonight @ 8 pm.
Next week, our Scott Dickson, speaker is from Level Up Oshawa.
Lennis
Safety Village Update: The next Board meeting for the Safety Village committee is scheduled for Monday, September 15, at 2 pm. The 30th Anniversary party is on Friday, Sept 19th, from 6-9 pm. At the Kids Safety Village. We are all welcome.
Dave A.
World Polio Day, Oct 16 @ the Global classroom at Durham College. Registration is now open. Speakers include Michael McGovern, Valerie Wafer, Francesco Arezzo, and Holger Knaack.
Robbie Larocque
We need to update the Birthday/Anniversary list. Please verify or add your dates to the list (Year of birth is NOT needed.)
Donald Igbokwe
Foundation Walk is Sept. 28 in Vaughn. If you have not registered, please go to the District 7070 website to do so. If you cannot attend, you can sponsor Donald’s walk. He has a sign-up sheet ready for your pledge.
Emmy Iheme
Walk of Fame Gala is on Thursday, November 6. Registration is now open. It is at the Jubilee Pavilion. The gala is $135/person.
Shashi Bhatia & Fahim Fikrat
Parking for the picnic is available next door to Fahim’s house at 12 Taylorwood Rd.
SGT AT ARMS: Bob Koski (He may be a bit rusty, but he did all right.)
ACE OF SPADES: Mayor Carter picked Tess’s ticket, and Tess drew the 7 of Clubs. The pot grows
HAPPY BUCKS:
- Dave A: Thank you, Mayor Carter for always agreeing to speak to the club.
- Bev: Happy to be a South Oshawa resident. She is also happy for the beautiful ravine behind her home.
- Emmy: Happy to have Dan Carter here tonight.
- Tess: Forgot what she was happy about, but her old brain kicked in and she remembered to be happy for her new Rotary T-shirt and for the fun she had at the Demo Derby at the Orono Fair.
- Al: Happy Hilda will be here, even if she is a bit late.
- Shashi: Happy to be recruiting people from Oshawa.
- Lennis: Happy that, although he did not join his son, his son had a great time at the Frankenmuth car show.
Our Speaker
Dave Andrews introduced Mayor Carter. Although Dan asked Dave to make the intro short, Dave just could not comply! Dave reminded us of Mayor Carter’s professional speaking and leadership, his love of life-long learning, and his political career before becoming mayor in 2018. We also learned that Carter lends his time to many philanthropic endeavours, such as The Day of Hope, which raised money for the Carea Community Health Centre. Mayor Carter is the recipient of many honours and awards, including Businessman of the Year by both Whitby Chamber of Commerce and Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. He received the CAMH “Courage to Comeback” award, and he received both the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medallions. Carter assists our club in many ways, and he is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Oshawa. Dave ended by saying, “Dan is committed to leading in a way that will bring out the best in all of us, and be the light that brings hope, optimism, and pride to this great city.”
“I’m not an elbows-up kind of guy; I’m an arms-open kind of guy.”
Mayor Carter’s informal and information-packed presentation had two main themes: the challenges & concerns facing Oshawa today and the positive things we can all be proud of as Canadians and Oshawa Rotarians.
Challenges & Concerns
Anger and fear are easy responses to the challenges we face, especially in our relationship with our southern neighbours. But just like Gander and their open arms, we demonstrate that we are the best that we can be as Canadians every day. To face this challenge, Dan met with US leaders and Canadian Federal and Provincial officials using his ‘open arms’ policy. He hopes to improve trade relationships and bring new industry to Oshawa. As mayor his concerns are about the people especially in unemployment, mental health and addiction. Unemployment is now at 9% with youth rates at 25%. Young men are not doing as well as young women, but both groups are suffering. Homelessness, mental health and addiction concerns are ongoing heartbreaks. While Oshawa is doing better, we need to do more. Dan is still working on the creation of a dedicated ER to help addicts and folks in mental health crises. The plans are in the works to create a HART HUB (click here for details) that provides long-term support in both rehab options and post-addiction housing support.
Accenting the Positives
We have much to be proud of. Here are just of few of the successes we share.
The Professional Lacrosse team, the Firewolves, is now Oshawa’s home team
The Oshawa Generals signed a 30-year agreement to stay here.
UNIFOR’s Jeff Grey announced that the 3rd shift at GM will continue at least through January.
A military relationship with GM is being negotiated.
Several international companies have invested in Oshawa including a restaurant distribution company, a dairy distribution company and Geodis a logistics centre that will provide 800 jobs.
Dan Carter has led ‘The Great City of Oshawa’ as mayor since 2018. He ended his riveting talk by revealing the humbling effect this job has had on him, and when his term ends in November 2026, he will look back proudly. He was thanked by prospective member Yvonne Henry.
President David Mankiewicz closed the meeting at 8:02 pm.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Executive Secretary Dave Andrews or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.