Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

The plan is a legislated requirement in Ontario under the Community Safety and Policing Act(External link). More importantly, it provides a framework to proactively address social issues, improve public safety, and enhance well-being for all residents.

Community needs evolve, and new challenges emerge. The current plan (2025-2029) needs to be revised to reflect changing community needs and priorities. Updating the plan ensures it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with emerging issues and opportunities.

Public input ensures the plan reflects real community needs and priorities rather than assumptions. Community involvement helps keep the plan accountable and ensures it remains community-driven. By staying informed and sharing feedback, residents can help shape a safer, healthier future for everyone in the community.

Developing this plan will include:

• Listening to the community – We want to hear from you! Community engagement will help us understand the challenges and strengths in Brant.
• Identifying what’s already in place – Looking at existing programs and services that support safety and well-being.
• Finding gaps and risks – Understanding where services need to be improved, promoted, or expanded.
• Updating the action plan – Setting goals and steps to address community needs.

• Enhanced communication and collaboration among sectors, agencies and organizations;
• Transformation of service delivery, including realignment of resources and responsibilities to better respond to priorities and needs;
• Increased understanding of and focus on local risks and vulnerable groups;
• Ensuring the appropriate services are provided to those individuals with complex needs;
• Increased awareness, coordination of and access to services for community members and vulnerable groups;
• Healthier, more productive individuals that positively contribute to the community; and
• Reducing the financial burden of crime on society through cost-effective approaches with significant return on investments.

A Community Safety and Well-being Plan must include the following core information:

• Local priority risk factors that have been identified based on community consultations and multiple sources of data, such as Statistics Canada and local sector-specific data;
• Evidence-based programs and strategies to address those priority risk factors; and
• Measurable outcomes with associated performance measures to ensure that the strategies are effective and outcomes are being achieved.

Community Safety and Well-being Plan planning is mandated to ensure a proactive and integrated approach to address local crime and complex social issues on a sustainable basis. Municipalities like the County of Brant, will have a leadership role in identifying their local priority risks in the community and addressing these risks through evidence-based programs and strategies, focusing on social development, prevention and risk intervention. It is important to remember that while the municipality is designated the lead of the Community Safety and Well-being Plan, developing and implementing the plan requires engagement from all sectors.