Correction — October 8, 2026: A later clarification established that the museum fines were not cancelled. The museum said the existing fines remain and two additional tickets raised the reported total to $2,750. Read the corrected follow-up.
The Oshawa museum fines dispute has changed direction, with the city no longer pursuing $1,850 in nuisance penalties issued to the Canadian Automotive Museum.
Regional councillor Brian Nicholson said the decision followed discussions with senior municipal staff. INsauga reports that city staff plan to meet with museum officials on Friday to develop a coordinated response.
The decision materially updates earlier coverage of the tickets and the museum’s concerns about vandalism, trespassing and safety. The fines concerned conditions the museum said were caused by people entering or using the property without permission.
Museum seeks coordinated safety plan
Executive director Alexandra Miller-Gerrard said the museum received strong community support after the dispute became public. The museum wants to work with the city, Durham Region and local organizations on underlying downtown challenges.
Measures it wants considered include expanded security coverage, proactive by-law enforcement, perimeter fencing and gates, more exterior cameras, graffiti-resistant coatings and a safer redesign of its parking lot.
Miller-Gerrard said better access control could allow the museum to resume more outdoor events and improve visitor confidence.
Meeting expected after fines withdrawn
The cancellation does not approve the requested security improvements or establish funding. Those questions are expected to be part of further discussions.
The dispute intensified after the museum’s main picture window was smashed early Monday, the second such incident in a year.
The city had not posted a separate public release about the cancellation by noon Wednesday. The update is attributed to Nicholson’s report following discussions with staff and to the museum’s comments.
