An Oshawa museum is currently facing fines amounting to nearly $3,000 from the city due to reported “nuisance activity” occurring on its premises. The Canadian Automotive Museum’s executive director, Alexandra Miller-Gerrard, revealed that the city issued an order in June 2025 citing concerns such as loitering, fighting, yelling, and littering by unhoused individuals on museum grounds, breaching a city bylaw.
Since September 15, the museum has incurred seven fines from the city totaling $2,750. Critics argue that penalizing the museum, a charitable organization that showcases historic vehicles, does not effectively address the underlying issue of homelessness in the city.
In response to the city’s directive, the museum has enhanced its security measures by upgrading exterior lighting, increasing the number and quality of surveillance cameras, and intensifying staff monitoring of the parking lot and camera footage. However, Miller-Gerrard emphasized the museum’s financial constraints, stating an inability to cover the fines, employ full-time security, or install a new perimeter fence without additional support from the city.
The museum has called for collaboration with the community to revitalize downtown Oshawa. Miller-Gerrard emphasized the need for a collective effort involving city authorities, regional entities, social services, local businesses, and cultural institutions to find sustainable solutions for the benefit of Oshawa residents.
Acknowledging ongoing challenges such as vandalism, drug use, loitering, and petty crimes on the museum premises, Miller-Gerrard underscored the urgency for coordinated action to address the situation effectively.
The museum is scheduled to meet with city officials on Friday to discuss potential solutions and a way forward. Tyler Frederick, an associate professor at Ontario Tech University specializing in criminology and justice, highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of homelessness rather than relying solely on enforcement measures.
Frederick emphasized the necessity for inclusive dialogues to enhance safety in Oshawa’s downtown core, echoing the sentiment that visitors’ safety concerns must be addressed to ensure a vibrant and welcoming environment for all.
