2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan
Consultation has concluded
Overview
Northumberland County is creating a four-year Community Strategic Plan and we encourage you to be part of the planning process!
What is a Community Strategic Plan
Together, we will form a shared vision for the future of Northumberland. We will also set clear priorities and actions for the next four years that will set us on the path to achieving this vision.
The 2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan will be a guiding framework as the County navigates a period of significant transformational change. This includes changes related to growth and development, economic renewal, climate change, community health and well-being, and changing government services and accountabilities.
This plan will create a common understanding of the work Northumberland County will focus on to:
- Achieve a high quality of life for residents;
- Encourage a thriving economy for local businesses;
- Develop memorable experiences for visitors; and
- Earn the trust and confidence of community members.
About this process
What should the County focus on over the next 4 years – and over the longer term? We welcome your thoughts!
Engaging residents, businesses, and community partners in this important work ensures we are building a strategic plan that best reflects community needs and expectations. Equally important, it builds trust with residents, knowing they can count on their local government to deliver the programs and services that they rely upon.
Plan with us! Together we will continue to build a Northumberland that is a great place to live, work, and visit.
Join in the conversation (Consultation ended June 2, 2023)
- Share your vision for our community – and what actions can be taken to make your vision a reality – by completing the ‘Questionnaire’ tab, below. Postcard questionnaires are also available at locations throughout the community (check the tab for more information), and will be delivered by Canada Post to a random sample of households across the County between May 15th and 26th. Watch your mailbox for this delivery!
- Post your ideas and comments about important priorities by clicking on the ‘Ideas Boards’ tab.
- Connect with us in-person at one of our 'Community Conversation' pop-up locations around Northumberland to share your thoughts (see the 'Connect With Us' section of this page).
- Stay up to date on the progress of this project. Subscribe to email updates using the ‘Subscribe’ button in the ‘Stay Informed’ box on this page.
Updates
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Northumberland County released its 2023-2023 Community Strategic Plan, developed based on the community feedback received during this consultation period.
From April through June 2023, over 900 residents, businesses and community partners from across nrothumberland, along with staff and elected officials, engaged through questionnaires, focus groups, one-on-one discussions and in-person community conversation 'pop-ups' to share their thoughts.
The plan outlines the following Principal Direction, which provides a shared vision for the future of Northumberland based on feedback gathered through this consultation process:
"Northumberland is recognized as a vibrant and connected twenty-first century county. We embrace innovation, respect our natural environment, celebrate diversity, and care for one another. Together, we are shaping an inclusive, prosperous, and thriving community for all."
It also identifies 40 action items, each tied to one of five strategic pillars that will underpin the work required to actively pursue this vision:
- Innovate for Service Excellence
- Ignite Economic Prosperity
- Foster a Thriving Community
- Propel Sustainable Growth
- Champion a Vibrant Future
Read the plan
For more information, please visit Northumberland.ca/StrategicPlan, or view an accessible PDF version in the 'Documents' section.
Overview
Northumberland County is creating a four-year Community Strategic Plan and we encourage you to be part of the planning process!
What is a Community Strategic Plan
Together, we will form a shared vision for the future of Northumberland. We will also set clear priorities and actions for the next four years that will set us on the path to achieving this vision.
The 2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan will be a guiding framework as the County navigates a period of significant transformational change. This includes changes related to growth and development, economic renewal, climate change, community health and well-being, and changing government services and accountabilities.
This plan will create a common understanding of the work Northumberland County will focus on to:
- Achieve a high quality of life for residents;
- Encourage a thriving economy for local businesses;
- Develop memorable experiences for visitors; and
- Earn the trust and confidence of community members.
About this process
What should the County focus on over the next 4 years – and over the longer term? We welcome your thoughts!
Engaging residents, businesses, and community partners in this important work ensures we are building a strategic plan that best reflects community needs and expectations. Equally important, it builds trust with residents, knowing they can count on their local government to deliver the programs and services that they rely upon.
Plan with us! Together we will continue to build a Northumberland that is a great place to live, work, and visit.
Join in the conversation (Consultation ended June 2, 2023)
- Share your vision for our community – and what actions can be taken to make your vision a reality – by completing the ‘Questionnaire’ tab, below. Postcard questionnaires are also available at locations throughout the community (check the tab for more information), and will be delivered by Canada Post to a random sample of households across the County between May 15th and 26th. Watch your mailbox for this delivery!
- Post your ideas and comments about important priorities by clicking on the ‘Ideas Boards’ tab.
- Connect with us in-person at one of our 'Community Conversation' pop-up locations around Northumberland to share your thoughts (see the 'Connect With Us' section of this page).
- Stay up to date on the progress of this project. Subscribe to email updates using the ‘Subscribe’ button in the ‘Stay Informed’ box on this page.
Updates
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Northumberland County released its 2023-2023 Community Strategic Plan, developed based on the community feedback received during this consultation period.
From April through June 2023, over 900 residents, businesses and community partners from across nrothumberland, along with staff and elected officials, engaged through questionnaires, focus groups, one-on-one discussions and in-person community conversation 'pop-ups' to share their thoughts.
The plan outlines the following Principal Direction, which provides a shared vision for the future of Northumberland based on feedback gathered through this consultation process:
"Northumberland is recognized as a vibrant and connected twenty-first century county. We embrace innovation, respect our natural environment, celebrate diversity, and care for one another. Together, we are shaping an inclusive, prosperous, and thriving community for all."
It also identifies 40 action items, each tied to one of five strategic pillars that will underpin the work required to actively pursue this vision:
- Innovate for Service Excellence
- Ignite Economic Prosperity
- Foster a Thriving Community
- Propel Sustainable Growth
- Champion a Vibrant Future
Read the plan
For more information, please visit Northumberland.ca/StrategicPlan, or view an accessible PDF version in the 'Documents' section.
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Housing Affordability
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Housing affordability is a very important concern for Northumberland residents. In our 2023 Budget Survey, respondents ranked housing as one of the top three most important issues facing our community today.
In 2020, the County introduced an Affordable Housing Strategy for the community - a strategy to increase the supply of housing throughout Northumberland at various levels of affordability, using the tools and resources available to a municipality.
Since that time, the County has launched construction, pre-construction activities, or purchased over 100 units of affordable housing (ranging from Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) to affordable market rent units) to add to the existing stock of 674 RGI and 117 market rent housing units operated by the Northumberland County Housing Corporation (NCHC), non-profit housing corporations, and co-operative housing providers throughout the community. More of this work is yet to come.
The County has also introduced a grant program to stimulate development of affordable units by private and non-profit developers, continued with partnerships like the Renovates program with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, and increased rent subsidies to support greater affordability in the private market, to advance the Affordable Housing Strategy.
We’d like to understand what “housing affordability” means to you and why you feel this issue is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- When you hear “housing affordability” what comes to mind? How would you define housing affordability?
- How does the issue of housing affordability affect you? Why is this issue important to you? Why does this issue matter for our community?
- If we made major improvements in housing affordability over the next 10 years, what would change for our community?
NCresident81337 months agoIt’s time to recognize the failure of the subdivision concept where large tracts of land are used to house minimal numbers of people.
The urban European model needs to be investigated.
0 comment4PoHo Resident 21277 months agoPort Hope Resident 2127
Port Hope is a beautfiul town. We should invest in resotiring many of the historical buildings in town and attract more visitors. It would also be great to create more green space/park and ideally do something with the old file factory on Cavan Street. There is a lot of potential but a more thoughtful approach is needed to execute.
0 comment0Trent Hills Resident7 months agoWe need mixed style and AFFORDABLE housing projects where seniors, people with disabilities & families can help each other.
0 comment2john hancock6 months agoHow about lowering the town(s) speed limits to 30km save or children from aggressive drivers..also more stop signs to create safer crossing
We here in Port Hope are tired of speeding down our roads a County wide speed reduction would be a blessing for all....Safer Streets
0 comment0NicoleCorrado7 months agoCreate a Neurodivergent CoOp
A Neurodivergent CoOp is a sensory friendly home that is owned by Neurodivergent persons and their families. It allows self determination, and is not an institution, but a home that accepts and accommodates everyone’s needs.
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Delivering County Services
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.In the County's 2023 Budget Survey, 71% of respondents indicated they were either very or somewhat satisfied with the services provided by Northumberland County.
In Northumberland, local government is a tiered system, which means some services are the responsibility of the County (the 'upper tier'), and others are the responsibility of your local municipality (the 'lower tier'). Services such as police, fire, sewer and water, parks, recreation and beaches are delivered by your local municipality.
We are interested in your feedback on some key services delivered by the County. These include:
- Paramedic services – 911 response and Community Paramedicine
- Waste collection and management
- Snow plowing, maintenance and construction of County roads and bridges
- County Forest – recreation and conservation
- County Archives & Museum
- Golden Plough Lodge long-term care home
- Social services (social assistance, homelessness services, system planning and oversight for EarlyON and licensed child care centres, client programs and supports)
- Food 4 All warehouse
- Affordable housing development and programming
- Promoting county-wide economic development (manufacturing and talent attraction, employment generation, small business supports, tourism attraction)
- Planning for and managing residential, commercial, and industrial development (land use planning)
- Plumbing and septic permits and inspections
- Community emergency planning
Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with. Here are some questions to consider:- How might service in one or more of these areas be improved?
- How might technology be used to improve the delivery of services?
- When you imagine Northumberland 10 years from now, how are services being delivered differently?
monikaturner157 months agoAffordable housing
Encourage local developers to build homes that those in Northumberland with an average household income could afford to buy or rent. Could involve leasing or selling municipal land to make this happen.
0 comment1Dee7 months agoBetter balance of our Forests, meadows, wetlands & parks for public and tourists usage
Greenspace needs to be identified and tiered rankings for amount of use of the various greenspaces in the County. Seasonally adjusted and managed to uses to maintain intent and encourage use without destruction or 'over-use' of land. Rank from: suggestions such as: no access, light, seasonal, moderate to full access. Note the need for capped numbers access zones. Ensure balance of people and recreational usage (footprint (including trash)), with wildlife habitats, wetlands, and coastal and river "riparian rights". Devise methods for containing or preventing trash where access is of higher capacities. Encourage programs exist, preferred they are run for the public by pre-registrations on specific days/times with local nature organizations as your partners - a means to educate public on importance of greenspace and habitat.
0 comment0Dee7 months agoEconomic Development True to Rural Roots
Engage in expansion of new farming methods of sustainable approaches from greenhouse vertical farms, permaculture, etc that use land well - i.e. less acreage producing high yield crops. Provide incentive and support for 'start-ups'. Retention of top quality water management for pollution-free ground water is also essential in best practice methods.
0 comment0monikaturner157 months agoMake affordable housing a hard target when approving planning applications; not an aspirational objective
0 comment1NicoleCorrado7 months agoMake Animal Services for All Animals
Currently, there are no humane services for cats or wildlife. We need to connect with cat rescues, wildlife rehabilitation centres, and humane societies to develop a 24/7 rescue service for any animal in need of rescue, or who poses a risk to people. No one wants to see an animal in distress with no one to rescue them.
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Growing innovation, talent, and economic opportunity
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Economic development is about creating the conditions for a strong, diverse, and resilient economy in order to enhance well-being and quality of life for the community.
From agriculture and food processing to advanced manufacturing, plastics to small business entrepreneurship, Northumberland's economy is evolving as Eastern Ontario's production hub, and a wellness tourism destination.
To foster this progressive transformation, the County has spearheaded initiatives over the last several years such as:
- Bringing together significant public funding and private capital investment to create a private sector-led utility - currently under development - that will deliver high-speed internet to every household and business in Northumberland.
- Opening the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre (OAFVC) in Colborne, a unique food manufacturing facility designed, built, and staffed to serve as a launchpad for food entrepreneurs moving into the next phase of business growth.
- Supporting local small business growth with innovative programing through the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre. Programing such as Digital Northumberland - launched during the pandemic to help small businesses increase their online presence. Also programs such as the Faster Forward Summit program for existing growth-stage businesses, the Women's Entrepreneurship Program, and the Summer Company program for youth, along with other small business supports.
- Creating Ontario's first Tourism Wellness Experience Development program, launched to help carve out a unique niche for Northumberland's tourism industry, and bring more benefits to Northumberland's communities and businesses.
As the County continues to take steps to support a business ecosystem and a talent pipeline that meet current business demands, help us understand what is important about this topic. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What are steps we can take to further promote innovation, and support talent and business to thrive?
- When you imagine Northumberland 10 years from now, what makes our community an incredible destination to visit, and a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
Sherry6 months agoPromote projects that contribute to resiliency of the electrical grid.
0 comment0NicoleCorrado7 months agoCreate a vegan farmers market and veg fest
I would love Northumberland to work with Promised Land Farm Sanctuary to create a weekly Plant Based Farmers Market and an annual Vegfest to celebrate local plant based food.
0 comment0tony6 months agoTransformational change requires moving away from a silo mentality in our governance model.
Planning and decision-making re growth, housing, delivering services and thriving,resilient communities needs to move from a departmental/silo strucutre into an integrated, wholistic framework that addresses sustainability and climate change issues.
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Thriving and Resilient Communities
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Thriving and Resilient Communities has to do with having the systems and services in place that foster a vibrant, inclusive, safe, healthy, and secure place for people of all ages, stages, backgrounds, and cultures to live, work and play.
The County strives to foster a thriving and resilient Northumberland with measures such as:
- Industry-leading pre-hospital emergency health care delivered by Northumberland Paramedics through 9-1-1 response, as well as innovative preventative health care delivered through the Community Paramedicine Program.
- Collaboration with community partners as a member of the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland to advance health and well-being priorities for the community.
- Investments in affordable housing, including approximately $10 million planned for 2023 to advance construction of new affordable housing units and other affordable housing initiatives and partnerships. In addition, investments in a coordinated system of supports for people experiencing homelessness, including more than doubling investments for 2023 to over half a million dollars to support Transition House emergency shelter, the overflow motel system, a winter warming room, and other services and supports. Access the County's 2021 Housing & Homelessness Annual Report to learn more about efforts to address housing and homelessness priorities, including progress on the six strategies identified in the County's 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan. (Note: the 2022 annual report is scheduled to be released in June 2023.)
- Partnerships to promote education and intercultural understanding for a more diverse and inclusive community. This includes partnership with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre to provide Indigenous-led programming for children and families through EarlyON and child care centres; seeking guidance from the e wiindmaagzijig (Indigenous Advisory Circle) to lead the development of Northumberland County Archives and Museum's inaugural exhibitions planned for 2024; hosting the annual Diversity Festival to celebrate local diversity through music and food; and partnering with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to host citizenship ceremonies, celebrating new Canadians and featuring the welcoming and inclusive nature of the Northumberland community.
We'd like to understand what a 'thriving and resilient community' looks like to you, and why you feel this topic is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What can we do to build a healthier, more livable community?
- What opportunities exist to strengthen diversity and inclusion in our community?
- What could we do creatively in Northumberland to address chronic issues like housing, poverty, and inequity that impact community health and well-being?
NicoleCorrado7 months agoNon police alternatives for mental health
Please consider a non police alternative to mental health calls. Toronto has TAIBU, an organization that can respond to non violent calls with their TAIBULANCE. I would love to see this in Northumberland County. Toronto also has the Gerstien Mental Health Centre operate some 911 calls instead of the police, I would love to see 911 operators detasked from police and moved to a neutral, non police mental health trained call centre.
0 comment0tony6 months agoDesign and adopt a 'sustainability lens' for system-wide administrative decision-making.
A plan to arrive at thriving resilient community will require community 'buy-in' and a community roadmap. The lens is the tool to get us there.
0 comment0NicoleCorrado7 months agoMake Northumberland a Neuroaffirming Community
You may have heard of Autism Friendly or Sensory Friendly communities. A neuroaffirming community does this, but all of the input comes from neurodivergent persons themselves. Please work directly with Neurodivergent persons to make this city Neuroaffirming.
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Sustainable Growth
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Throughout our Northumberland Next Official Plan Update process, we have heard that growth, where it happens and how, is a key concern for Northumberland residents. By growth, we mean making improvements to existing neighbourhoods, as well as building new ones. Sustainable growth is about balancing the benefits of development with the capacity to appropriately service this growth.
It is estimated that by 2051 there will be about 36,000 more people living in Northumberland. Our county needs to grow to accommodate new neighbours. That will mean more homes, neighbourhoods, roads, bridges, transit routes, and other infrastructure.
Help us understand what is important about this topic. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- When it comes to community growth, what is the most important for us to focus on and why?
- Space for new homes (ie: where they are located throughout the County)
- Transportation (examples: transit systems, traffic management, bike and pedestrian lanes)
- Construction of new – and maintenance of existing – County roads and bridges (examples: potholes, bridge updates, snow removal)
- Other?
- Why does growth matter to you? Why is this issue important for our community?
- If, over the next 10 years, we made major improvements to how the County grows, what would change for the better in our community?
- When it comes to community growth, what is the most important for us to focus on and why?
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Community Engagement
6 months agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Community engagement in planning and decision-making improves the County’s understanding of resident and partner concerns, expectations, and priorities, and ensures that diverse perspectives inform decision-making.
We’d like to understand what participation in municipal decision-making means to you and why this is important. Share your comments and heart the ones you like or agree with.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Why did you decide to take part in this Ideas Board today? What motivates you to engage with the County? What else might help you take part in decision-making?
- Why is public engagement important to our community?
- Do you feel as though your input makes a difference? Why or why not? How might the County build trust?
- If, over the next 10 years, we improved our public engagement practices, how would our community change for the better?
Doug Smith7 months agoMake fire protection a County driven service
A County driven fire protection service would save a fair amount of money and help standardize services. It would also reduce response times which is important in saving lives and property by going from part time fire fighters to full time.
0 comment0NicoleCorrado7 months agoCreate an Animal Services page
Putting an email address, 24/7 humane numbers, links to humane organizations, and humane information about all types of animals, (dogs, cats, farm, wild) on one webpage, and separate social media accounts, would better inform Northumberlanders about the animals in their area.
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Who's Listening
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Director of Economic Development, Planning and Strategic Initiatives
Northumberland County
Project Timeline
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April: Engage County Leadership
2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan has finished this stageFacilitated session with County Council and Senior Leadership to identify initial areas of focus for the County's four-year Community Strategic Plan.
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May 8th to June 5th: Consult
2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan has finished this stageEngage in consultation with residents, staff, community partners, and stakeholders to gather gather insights and feedback for development of the Community Strategic Plan.
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June to mid-July: Refine and finalize
2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan has finished this stageConsultation is closed. The project team will review and refine emerging strategic priorities, and identify action items related to each for inclusion in the final Community Strategic Plan.
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August: Present
2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan has finished this stageStaff will present the final outcomes of the consultation phase to the Economic Development, Tourism & Land Use Planning Committee on August 2, 2023, and recommend final Community Strategic Plan priorities and actions for presentation to County Council on August 16, 2023.
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September: Publish
2023-2027 Community Strategic Plan is currently at this stagePending Council's adoption of the recommended priorities and actions at the August 16, 2023 Council meeting, staff will present the final 2023-2027 Northumberland County Community Strategic Plan publication at the September 20, 2023 meeting of County Council.