Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee

Minutes

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 6:30 P.m. - 7:30 P.m.

Committee Room

Present:

• Dorothy McFarlane, Chair
• Gino Vendetti, Vice-Chair
• Amit Arora
• Adeel Haq
• Lisa Knowlton
• Anagha Sumant
• Councillor McConkey

Absent:

• Shanjay Kailayanathan
• Julia McCrea

Also Present:

• K. Christopher, Council-Committee Coordinator
• P. Aguilera, Council-Committee Coordinator

---

Public Meeting

Dot McFarlane, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. and advised that all members were participating from the Committee Meeting Room except Gino Vendetti, Anagha Sumant, Adeel Haq and Amit Arora who were participating electronically and Councillor McConkey (entered the meeting at 6:52 p.m.) Shanjay Kailayanthan and Julia McCrea who were absent.

Land Acknowledgement

The City of Oshawa is situated on lands within the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations.

We are grateful for the Anishinaabeg who have cared for the land and waters within this territory since time immemorial.

We recognize that Oshawa is steeped in rich Indigenous history and is now present day home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We express gratitude for this diverse group of Indigenous Peoples who continue to care for the land and shape and strengthen our community.

As a municipality, we are committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, acknowledging our role in addressing the negative impacts that colonization continues to have on Indigenous Peoples, developing reciprocal relationships, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation.

We are all Treaty people.

Additional Agenda Items

None

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None

Presentations

Legislative Services - Advisory Committee Training 

Laura Davis, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy City Clerk and Mary Medeiros, Director, Legislative Services and City Clerk provided the Committee with training concerning the updated Advisory Committee Policy. 

Councillor McConkey entered the meeting at 6:52 p.m. 

The Committee questioned the Deputy City Clerk and City Clerk. 

The Committee recessed at 7:05 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. with all members in attendance except Gino Vendetti, Anagha Sumant, Adeel Haq and Amit Arora who were participating electronically Shanjay Kailayanthan and Julia McCrea who were absent.

Planning Services - Site Plan Application at 2200 Simcoe Street North

Alyson Kennedy, Principal Landscape Architect and Salisha Price, Manager, Urban Design & Landscape Architecture provided a site plan application review regarding 2200 Simcoe Street North. 

The Committee questioned the Principal Landscape Architect and the Manager, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture.

Facilities Management Services - Accessible Capital Projects

Sophia Wouters, Manager, Facilities Management Services provided a presentation concerning the accessible capital projects. 

The Committee questioned the Manager, Facilities Management Services. 

Policy and Licensing Services - Accessible Taxicabs

Kenneth Man, Manager, Policy and Licensing Services provided a presentation on accessible taxicabs and a proposed option to establish an exemption to permit licensed accessible taxicabs in Durham Region to operate in Oshawa. 

The Committee questioned the Manager, Policy and Licensing Services. 

• Moved by Councillor McConkey

  That based on the presentation from Policy and Licensing Services regarding Accessible Taxicabs, the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee support in principle the proposed initiative for intermunicipal exemption for accessible taxi cabs. 

  Carried

Delegations

None

Referrals from Council and Committees

None

Correspondence

None

Reports

OAAC-25-21 - Site Plan Application - 2200 Simcoe Street North, Ontario Tech University

• Moved by Lisa Knowlton

  That based on Report OAAC-25-21 dated October 17, 2025 concerning a Site Plan Approval application from Ontario Tech University for lands located at Simcoe Street North and Britannia Avenue West:

  1. That external ground and paths of travel including the pavers and gravel surfaces be designed to meet O.A.D.S.; and,
  2. That rest stops be provided throughout the site spaced a maximum of 30 metres apart designed to meet O.A.D.S; and,
  3. That rest areas include a clear, stable and firm space of 915mm x 1370mm for mobility devices adjacent to site furnishings; and
  4. That contrast through ground finish be used to distinguish the rest areas from the accessible path of travel in accordance with O.A.D.S.; and,
  5. That all locations have a curb ramp or depressed curb when there is a change in level between an exterior path of travel and adjacent vehicular route; and,
  6. That tactile walking surface indicators (T.W.S.I) are provided where curb ramps and depressed curbs are located on the external path of travel and at the end of each accessible access aisle in accordance with O.A.D.S.; and,
  7. That the accessible parking spaces be located within 30 metres (maximum) from the accessible entrance(s); and,
  8. That all accessible parking spaces connect to an adjacent accessible path of travel from an access aisle in accordance with O.A.D.S.; and,
  9. That accessible parking signage is provided in accordance with city bylaw/provincial requirements; and,
  10. That the cross and running slopes of accessible parking spaces are at a maximum of 1:50 (2%); and,
  11. That the passenger loading zone has signage marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility to formally designate passenger loading and drop-off zone, in accordance with O.A.D.S.; and,
  12. That a side access aisle and curb ramp is provided where there is a change in level in accordance with O.A.D.S.; and,
  13. That light levels be provided and evenly distributed along the accessible path of travel; and
  14. That supplementary lighting be considered to highlight wayfinding
• Moved by Councillor McConkey

  That the motion be amended to add “That planning staff report back to O.A.A.C. that the residence planned at the University at 2200 Simcoe Street North have 15% accessible units and accessible washrooms".

  The motion to amend was withdrawn.

  
  
• The vote to adopt the recommendation contained in Report OAAC-25-21. 

  Carried

OAAC-25-22 - Accessible Capital Projects Update

• Moved by Lisa Knowlton

  That based on Report OAAC-25-22 dated October 15. 2025 concerning the Accessible Capital Projects; 

  That the 2026 Accessible Capital Project budget of $150,000 proposed in the 2026 Mayor’s Budget (subject to approval) be allocated to the following: 

  Replacement of the accessible ramp at the Jubilee Pavilion ($150,000).

  Carried

OAAC-25-20 - 2025 O.A.A.C. Projected Actuals, 2026 Proposed O.A.A.C. Budget and 2026 Proposed O.A.A.C. Work Plan

• Moved by Lisa Knowlton

  That based on Report OAAC-25-20 dated September 16, 2025, the proposed Work Plan and 
  Budget as contained in Attachment 1 and 2 to said report, be submitted as the O.A.A.C.’s 2026 
  Work Plan and Budget submission
• Amendment:
  Moved by Councillor McConkey

  That the motion be amended to add “That staff try to arrange for committee members to see both a hockey and a lacrosse event at the Tribute Community Center and have a table for O.A.A.C. members to promote accessibility in Oshawa".

  Carried
• The vote to adopt the recommendation contained in Report OAAC-25-20 as amended.

  Carried

Items Introduced by Members

None

Adjournment

• Moved by Lisa Knowlton

  That the meeting adjourn at 8:28 p.m.

  Carried