I broadly agree; but would add, many mid-sized and some smaller Ontario centres recovered nicely from these poor choices. Hamilton, as example has been on the right track for a bit now, slowly dismantling its one-way street network, and intensifying its core, something that quickened in pace significantly in just the last couple of years. They're behind on good transit, but starting to track positively again.
K-W is a posterchild of downtown rebirth, and Oshawa is beginning to track favourably as well.
Windsor and London both need more of a boost, but both are growing and with a bit of a push should do fine.
I think if you single out the real trouble spots, Brantford is perhaps king, but T-Bay and Sudbury have both had some real issues. Belleville was another bad one for a while, but its showing some positive signs as of late.
I think its within Brantford's capability to do better, even if some additional resources would help.