Plans moving forward on Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park

With plans moving forward to develop Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park, the City of Oshawa is looking for community input on the concept plan.

The city’s newest addition to the waterfront parks system is located at the southeast corner of Simcoe Street South and Harbour Street and named in recognition of political icon Ed Broadbent.

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter says the development and naming of the park commemorates Broadbent’s legacy and service to Canada and the city.

“We are excited to see our vision take place,” says Carter. “The Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park will be a place where community members can come to reflect, feel inspired and find peace while enjoying the natural beauty of Oshawa’s waterfront.”

City Council approved the naming of the park in September 2019 to recognize the many contributions Broadbent has made to public service as well as the residents, workers and businesses of Oshawa.

Plans for the park include a Human Rights Garden in recognition of Broadbent as a champion and advocate for human rights, as well as passive recreational areas.

City Councillor Rick Kerr, Chair of the Community Services Committee, says the city is looking forward to input from the community on this newest addition to the parks system.

“Please tell us what you think so we can shape a plan for the park which meets community hopes and expectations,” he says.

Broadbent was born in Oshawa and raised in the city.

After graduating first in his class in philosophy at the University of Toronto in 1959, he did postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and obtained his doctorate in political science from the University of Toronto in 1966.

Broadbent was elected to Parliament as the NDP member of Oshawa in 1968 and served as the MP until 1989. He was the leader of the NDP from 1975 to 1989.

Between 1979 and 1990, Broadbent was vice-president of the Socialist International group. From 1990 to 1996, he was the founding president of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development in Montreal.

Broadbent was made a member of the Privy Council in 1982, an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993, and a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2002.

“I had the pleasure of working with and supporting Ed Broadbent for decades and I can think of no better tribute to his commitment to the people of the City of Oshawa than our new park honouring his contributions,” says Regional and City Council Brian Nicholson. “The inclusion of the Human Rights Garden in the Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park recognizes his lifelong commitment to human rights for all.

“I look forward to our citizens offering their ideas,” he adds.

City Councillor Derek Giberson, Vice-Chair of the Community Services Committee, says seeing this project continue to advance by pairing the Human Rights Garden and Broadbent’s long legacy of fighting for great social equity in Canada and globally is “truly exciting.”

“They are perfect companions for this waterfront park,” he says.

Community members can view the concept plan by visiting www.oshawa.ca/edbroadbentpark. The project is anticipated to proceed to construction in 2022.