Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

The development of this Community Safety and Well-Being Plan was influenced and informed by the passion and dedication of committed community partners and our residents. As a result of their commitment, time, resources, willingness to collaborate, shared knowledge and experience, we have the opportunity to work together to better the lives of our residents.
Our Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan is our commitment to work together towards improved social outcomes for our residents.  Beyond the legislative requirements for the Plan under Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (Part XVI), this plan looks at tackling tough social issues from a different angle. Our Plan identifies and lays the foundation for local social development priorities over four years (2025- 2029). Just as the areas of risk identified in our local Plan are intricately connected, our Plan is also connected to other CSWB planning taking shape across our county. We recognize and value the role that planning locally and planning together brings to our objectives. We share common goals but appreciate that the needs and how we move forward can be unique to each community. We will leverage and support the many existing initiatives that advance safety and well-being.

The Nottawasaga CSWB Plan is a shared commitment by local government, police, and community partners to focus our efforts where they can have the greatest impact. We are grateful to all who contributed their time and insight, and we look forward to continuing this work alongside our communities.

We remain committed to working together in new and stronger ways to ensure all residents,
regardless of age, income, or background, can access the support they need and feel safe and
connected in their community.

The 2025-2029 Nottawasaga Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan outlines Adjala- Tosorontio, Essa, and New Tecumseth’s shared priorities to support a safer, healthier community. Built on what we have learned since 2021, this Plan reflects the insights from data and the voices of local residents, service providers, and community partners. It highlights where we can have the most impact by working together on the issues that matter most, based on our understanding of our community. The Plan is designed to be agile and responsive to emerging needs and opportunities, while maintaining clear, actionable strategies to guide progress.

Safety and well-being are built over time through strong relationships, access to services, and a shared commitment to community.

In Ontario, every municipality is required to develop, adopt, and implement a Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (Part XVI). These plans follow a provincial CSWB framework that focuses on four key areas: social development, prevention, risk intervention, and emergency response. The goal is to work together, across sectors, to address issues early and create stronger outcomes for everyone.

There are six Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plans across Simcoe County, each tailored to local needs, yet they share common strategies and partners, reflecting the interconnected nature of our communities and the value of coordinated action.
This refreshed CSWB Plan for Nottawasaga reflects what we have learned since the release of our first Plan (2021-2025), through local data, community input, and close collaboration with our partners. Two key priorities remain the same, but this refreshed Plan takes a more focused and action-oriented approach to strategies that can drive real change.

We are taking a more connected approach, one that looks at how services and systems can work better together. By coordinating efforts across health, housing, policing, and social supports, we aim to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and strengthen our communities.

The Community Safety and Well-Being Framework is a way for communities across Ontario to work together to make life better and safer for everyone. It helps us look at the big picture, what people need to live well, and focus on preventing problems before they become emergencies.

The Province of Ontario created a model to guide how communities do this work. It resembles a bullseye with four layers, or “areas of focus.” Each layer shows a different way we can support people in our community, from long-term planning (green) to immediate help in a crisis (red).
Social Development
Improving housing, education, mental health, and employment over time creates stronger communities and reduces future risks.
Prevention
Early action through programs and outreach helps address issues before they become serious.
Risk Intervention
Coordinated support is provided to individuals or families showing signs of serious challenges to prevent crises.
Incident Response
Emergency services address urgent situations, with a long-term goal of reducing the need for crisis intervention.

 

Township of Essa
5786 Simcoe County
Road 21, Utopia, ON 
L0M 1T0
Phone: 705-424-9770
Fax: 705-424-2367
TTY: 705-424-5302

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