Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2026-2030 — full text

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Page 1 of 14 COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING PLAN Municipality of Shuniah 2026-2030 Executive Summary The Municipality of Shuniah is a safe, welcoming and resilient rural community where residents value quality of life, strong neighbourhood connections, and the natural environment. Maintaining this high quality of life requires ongoing attention to community safety, well-being, and the factors that contribute to healthy and connected communities. Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) planning provides an opportunity for municipalities to identify local priorities, strengthen partnerships, and focus on prevention. It recognizes that community safety is influenced not only by emergency services, but also by access to supports, community connections, infrastructure, and opportunities that contribute to overall well-being. This plan identifies practical and achievable priorities based on resident input, available data, and municipal experience. It focuses on areas where the Municipality can make a meaningful contribution through education, awareness, coordination and advocacy. The priorities identified in this plan are: - Traffic, road and pedestrian safety - Aging in place and senior well-being - Connecting Residents to Services and Resources - Community safety and crime prevention - Mental health, crisis response and community support awareness This plan reflects Shuniah's role as a rural municipality by focusing on realistic actions rather than large-scale program delivery. Many services affecting community well-being are delivered by provincial agencies and service organizations. The Municipality's role is to support prevention, improve awareness, strengthen partnerships and advocate for services that benefit residents. Community safety and well-being is a shared responsibility. Through continued collaboration, practical actions, and ongoing monitoring of community needs, Shuniah will continue to support a safe and healthy community for all residents. Page 2 of 14 Message from the Mayor The safety and well-being of our residents remains one of Council's highest priorities. Shuniah is a community where people look out for one another and take pride in the place they call home. This Community Safety and Well-Being Plan reflects Council's commitment to maintaining that strong foundation. It focuses on practical steps that help keep our community safe, connected and supportive while recognizing the realities of a small rural municipality. The plan identifies priorities that residents will resonate with including road safety, support for seniors, access to services, and maintaining the strong sense of community that makes Shuniah special. It also recognizes the important role of our partners including emergency services, health providers, social service agencies and community organizations. Council understands that many of the issues affecting community well-being require cooperation between municipalities and other levels of government. We will continue to advocate for services that support our residents while focusing on the areas where we can make a direct difference locally. On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the many residents, staff, volunteers and partners who contribute to making Shuniah a safe and welcoming community. Shuniah remains a great place to live, and this plan helps to ensure this quality is sustained. Mayor Municipality of Shuniah Message from the Chief Administrative Officer Community safety and well-being planning is ultimately about taking a practical look at what helps communities remain strong, resilient and connected. For Shuniah, this means focusing on achievable priorities that reflect both resident concerns and the Municipality's ability to take meaningful action. As a rural municipality, our strength is in supporting prevention, improving awareness of services, maintaining strong municipal services, and working collaboratively with partners who deliver large social services and programs. Page 3 of 14 This plan reflects a practical approach. It focuses on actions that can be implemented through existing municipal operations while identifying areas where advocacy and partnership will be important. It is also important to recognize that Shuniah benefits from many strengths including engaged residents, dedicated emergency services, and an active community life. These strengths are an important part of community safety and well-being and help prevent larger issues from developing. This plan represents a starting point. Community needs evolve, and the Municipality will continue to monitor trends, listen to residents, and work with partners to support the well-being of the community. On behalf of Administration, I would like to thank Council, staff, emergency services members, partner organizations and residents for their ongoing contributions to the safety and well-being of Shuniah. Chief Administrative Officer Municipality of Shuniah About the Municipality of Shuniah The Municipality of Shuniah is a rural community located along the north shore of Lake Superior. Known for its natural beauty, strong community spirit and high quality of life, Shuniah provides residents with a safe and welcoming environment. The community is characterized by: - Rural residential development - Active recreation programs - Dedicated emergency services - Access to outdoor recreation - Strong connections to neighbouring communities Like many rural municipalities, Shuniah also faces challenges related to: - Access to services due to geography - Transportation considerations - Aging population trends - Connectivity challenges - Housing availability - Maintaining services with limited resources This plan reflects both the strengths and challenges of the community. Page 4 of 14 What is Community Safety and Well-Being? Community safety and well-being is achieved when residents feel safe, have a sense of belonging, and have access to the supports they need. CSWB planning recognizes four key areas: Social Development Long-term actions that strengthen communities and reduce risk factors. Prevention Actions that reduce risks before they escalate. Risk Intervention Collaborative responses to emerging concerns. Incident Response Emergency response through police, fire and EMS. Shuniah's plan focuses primarily on social development and prevention activities, which are the areas where municipalities can often have the greatest long-term impact. Guiding Principles This plan was developed using the following guiding principles: Practical Focus on realistic actions within municipal capacity. Resident-Focused Reflect issues important to the community. Collaborative Recognize the role of partnerships. Preventative Focus on reducing risks early. Strength-Based Build on what Shuniah already does well. Page 5 of 14 Flexible Allow the plan to evolve over time. Community Strengths Shuniah benefits from many positive factors that contribute to community safety and well-being including: - Strong community pride - Recreation programming - Community events - Strong neighbourhood connections - Natural environment supporting wellness - Engaged municipal leadership These strengths play an important role in prevention and community resilience. Partnership Approach Community safety and well-being requires collaboration. Key partners may include: Emergency Services: - Ontario Provincial Police - Shuniah Fire & Emergency Services - Emergency Medical Services Health and Social Services: - Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board - Public Health agencies - Mental health providers Community Organizations: - Service clubs - Recreation groups - Volunteer organizations Government Partners: - Province of Ontario - Federal partners where applicable - Neighbouring municipalities The Municipality's role is to support coordination, communication and advocacy while focusing on areas within municipal influence. Page 6 of 14 Implementation Approach The Municipality will advance this plan through: - Existing municipal programs - Communication and awareness initiatives - Partnerships and collaboration - Monitoring available information - Advocacy to other governments Actions will be implemented within available resources. Monitoring and Review This plan is intended to be practical and adaptable. The Municipality may review priorities periodically to ensure they remain relevant. Progress may be monitored through: - Completion of actions - Available data trends - Resident feedback - Ongoing municipal experience Page 7 of 14 Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being Priorities Approach to Setting Priorities The Municipality of Shuniah's Community Safety and Well-Being priorities were developed based on resident feedback, local data, and the realities of a small rural municipality. Rather than attempting to address every possible social issue, this plan focuses on a limited number of priorities where the Municipality can make practical contributions through education, coordination, prevention, advocacy and local leadership. As a rural municipality, Shuniah's role is strongest where it can: - Identify local risk factors affecting residents - Educate and inform the public - Improve awareness of available services - Support community connections and prevention - Advocate to provincial agencies and partners - Monitor local trends over time The following priorities reflect issues identified by residents while also recognizing the Municipality's realistic sphere of influence. Priority 1: Traffic, Road and Pedestrian Safety Why this is a priority Residents consistently identified traffic safety, speeding, pedestrian safety and concerns related to ATVs, golf carts and similar vehicles as important community safety issues. In a rural municipality without sidewalks in many areas, road safety affects residents of all ages including seniors, children and recreational users. This is also an area where the Municipality can take visible and practical action. Actions Shuniah can realistically influence: Identify local safety concerns - Maintain a list of known traffic safety concern locations based on resident input and operational knowledge - Review areas near recreation facilities, trails and public places Page 8 of 14 Improve public awareness - Share seasonal road safety reminders - Provide information on safe ATV and off-road vehicle use - Promote safe driving messaging through municipal communications Support enforcement priorities - Meet periodically with OPP to identify Shuniah-specific traffic concerns - Share complaint trends to help inform enforcement priorities - Share local safety concerns with enforcement partners Make practical infrastructure improvements - Review signage for clarity and visibility during normal road maintenance cycles - Consider speed display boards where concerns are recurring (speed trailer use) - Review expansion of events and activities signage - Improve pavement markings where appropriate and affordable Why these actions matter These actions are achievable, visible and directly respond to resident concerns while staying within municipal authority. Priority 2: Aging in Place and Senior Well-Being Why this is a priority Shuniah has an older population compared to many municipalities, and residents identified aging in place and senior supports as important issues. Supporting seniors to remain safely and comfortably in their homes contributes directly to community stability and well-being. This priority also reflects the importance of reducing social isolation and ensuring residents can access services as they age. Actions Shuniah can realistically influence: Improve access to information - Develop a simple guide of services available to seniors - Share information on transportation, health supports and community programs Page 9 of 14 Support age-friendly municipal practices - Consider accessibility in municipal facilities and public spaces - Continue improving accessibility features where feasible Support social connection - Encourage programming for seniors and intergenerational activities - Promote volunteerism and community opportunities that reduce isolation Advocate for needed services - Identify gaps in services affecting seniors - Share these concerns with provincial and regional partners Why these actions matter These actions help seniors remain connected and supported without requiring the Municipality to provide health or social services directly. Priority 3: Connecting Residents to Services and Resources Why this is a priority Residents identified challenges related to access to services, awareness of programs, and the importance of maintaining Shuniah's strong sense of community. In rural communities, the challenge is often not whether services exist, but whether residents know how to access them. Community connection is also recognized as a protective factor that helps reduce isolation, improves well-being and supports prevention. The Municipality can play an important role as a connector by improving awareness of services while also supporting opportunities for residents to remain engaged in the community. Actions Shuniah can realistically influence: Improve awareness of available services - Maintain and share a community services directory - Promote available supports through the municipal website and communications - Share information on DSSAB and regional programs Page 10 of 14 Improve service navigation - Help residents understand where to go for assistance - Improve clarity around municipal versus agency responsibilities Support community programming and connection - Continue supporting recreation and community events - Promote opportunities for residents to participate - Encourage intergenerational programming opportunities Encourage community involvement - Support volunteerism and local initiatives - Recognize community contributions where appropriate Support community spaces - Maintain municipal facilities as welcoming gathering spaces - Encourage use of parks, trails and recreation facilities Advocate for rural service access - Identify service gaps affecting residents - Share concerns with appropriate agencies Why these actions matter These actions strengthen both access to services and community belonging while recognizing the Municipality's role as a facilitator rather than a service provider. Priority 4: Community Safety and Crime Prevention Why this is a priority Residents identified crime prevention, policing visibility and enforcement concerns. While overall safety perceptions remain positive, maintaining confidence in community safety is important. Police statistics also provide useful information to help understand trends affecting the community. Page 11 of 14 Actions Shuniah can realistically influence: Support prevention and awareness - Share information on property crime prevention - Promote fraud prevention awareness - Support public education on reporting concerns Work with policing partners - Maintain communication with OPP regarding local concerns - Share trends where appropriate Monitor trends - Review available police statistics periodically (annual OPP calls for service) - Identify emerging concerns affecting residents Improve communication - Share general safety information with residents - Provide updates on community safety initiatives Why these actions matter These actions strengthen prevention and awareness while recognizing that policing services are delivered by the Province. Priority 5: Mental Health, Addictions Awareness, Crisis Response and Community Supports Why this is a priority Mental health challenges, addictions concerns, and crisis situations are increasingly identified across Ontario as factors affecting community safety and well-being. While these services are primarily delivered by the health system and provincial agencies, municipalities often play an important supporting role in improving awareness, supporting coordination, and helping residents navigate available resources. Rural communities can face additional challenges including distance from services, limited awareness of available supports, and uncertainty about how to respond when individuals are experiencing crisis situations. Page 12 of 14 The Municipality recognizes that it is not a service provider in this area. However, it can play a constructive role in supporting awareness, strengthening partnerships, and helping residents understand available response options. Actions Shuniah can realistically influence: Improve awareness of mental health supports - Share information about crisis lines and regional mental health services - Promote available supports through municipal communications - Include mental health resources in community information materials Support understanding of response pathways - Provide information on when to contact emergency services versus social supports - Improve awareness of available crisis response options Support coordination with partners - Maintain communication with OPP and partner agencies regarding emerging issues - Support opportunities for information sharing where appropriate Promote prevention and awareness - Share information during mental health awareness initiatives - Support community awareness opportunities where feasible Advocate for rural access to services - Identify service gaps affecting Shuniah residents - Share rural service needs with partner agencies and Province Why these actions matter These actions allow the Municipality to support prevention, awareness and coordination while recognizing that mental health and crisis response services are delivered by specialized agencies. This approach ensures Shuniah contributes appropriately without assuming responsibilities outside municipal authority. Page 13 of 14 Appendix: A Actions Requiring Provincial or Agency Leadership The following issues were identified by residents but require leadership from agencies funded or mandated by the Province. Shuniah's role is primarily advocacy, coordination and information sharing. Mental health and addictions services Lead: Health system and provincial agencies Municipal role: Information sharing, advocacy, awareness support Healthcare access Lead: Ministry of Health and healthcare providers Municipal role: Advocacy and local coordination support Affordable and supportive housing Lead: TBDSSAB and Province Municipal role: Planning support and advocacy Rural transportation systems Lead: DSSAB, Province and regional partners Municipal role: Identify needs and support coordination Internet and cellular infrastructure Lead: Telecom providers and senior governments Municipal role: Advocacy and identification of service gaps Income supports and affordability pressures Lead: Provincial and federal governments Municipal role: Information sharing and advocacy Child care capacity Lead: DSSAB and Province Municipal role: Support awareness and partnerships ** Note: Many of these issues were identified through the survey but are not included as a priority at this time given available municipal resources. Page 14 of 14 Shuniah's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan focuses on practical actions that reflect the Municipality's role as a rural local government. The intent is not to duplicate services provided by other agencies, but to strengthen prevention, improve awareness, support residents, and advocate for the services our community needs. Appendix B - Community Engagement Survey Results Purpose of Community Engagement As part of the development of the Municipality of Shuniah's Community Safety and Well- Being Plan, a community survey was undertaken to gather resident perspectives on safety, quality of life, access to services and emerging local issues. The purpose of the survey was to: - Understand resident perceptions of safety and well-being - Identify priority issues affecting the community - Better understand demographic characteristics - Support evidence-based priority setting - Ensure the CSWB Plan reflects resident experiences A total of approximately 215 responses were collected across survey questions, providing a strong level of engagement for a municipality of Shuniah's size. Overall Community Satisfaction Survey results indicate residents are generally satisfied with the quality of life in Shuniah. Key findings include: Community cleanliness - 79% satisfied or very satisfied - 9.8% dissatisfied - 11% neutral Quality of recreational activities - 60% satisfied or very satisfied - 11.7% very satisfied - 11.7% dissatisfied - 28% neutral Sense of community - 63% satisfied or very satisfied - 11% dissatisfied - 26% neutral These results suggest residents generally view Shuniah as a positive place to live with a strong sense of community. Access to Services Survey responses indicate residents see room for improvement in access to some services. Access to healthcare - 27.6% satisfied - 34.3% dissatisfied - 38% neutral Access to mental health services - 14.9% satisfied - 32.2% dissatisfied - 52.8% neutral Access to public transportation - 6.7% satisfied - 44.7% dissatisfied - 48.6% neutral Services for seniors - 14.8% satisfied - 38.3% dissatisfied - 46.9% neutral These results reinforce the importance of improving awareness of available services and advocating for improved access where possible. Community Safety Perceptions Survey results show strong perceptions of safety within Shuniah. Do you feel safe in your community? - Yes - 85.7% - No - 8.4% - Unsure - 5.9% Safety walking during daylight hours - 92.9% feel safe Safety walking at any time with others - 88.7% feel safe Knowledge of who to call if safety threatened - 79% indicated they would know who to contact - 21% indicated uncertainty This supports Shuniah's position as a safe community while identifying opportunities to improve awareness of reporting pathways. Sense of Belonging and Well-Being Residents generally reported strong personal well-being indicators. Sense of belonging - 67.6% satisfied or very satisfied - 23% neutral - 9% dissatisfied General happiness - 89.6% positive or very positive - 8.4% neutral - 2% negative Self-reported health - 70.9% excellent or very good - 26.1% fair - 3% poor These indicators suggest strong overall community well-being. Top Issues Identified by Residents Residents were asked to identify the most pressing safety and well-being issues. The most frequently identified issues included: Issue % Identified Responses Rising cost of living 53% 104 Traffic and road safety 52% 101 Internet connectivity 42% 83 Aging in place 34% 67 Crime prevention 32% 63 Age-friendly initiatives 31% 60 Community belonging 29% 57 Access to services 24% 47 Affordable housing 20% 40 Public transportation 19% 38 These results directly informed the priorities established in the CSWB Plan. Mental Health and Social Issues Residents also identified: - Adult mental health concerns - 11.7% - Addictions concerns - 10.7% - Youth mental health - 6.6% - Poverty concerns - 5.6% - Domestic violence - 3.1% While not the highest ranked issues, these findings support including mental health awareness within the CSWB priorities. Demographic Profile of Respondents Survey participants were primarily older adults, which reflects the municipality's demographics. Age distribution Age Group % 65-74 29% 55-64 22% 45-54 16% 35-44 14% 25-34 9% 75+ 9% This demographic profile reinforces the focus on aging in place and access to services. Household Characteristics Housing status - 71% homeowners - 2% renters - 41% retirees - 32% employed outside Shuniah Residency - 83% year-round residents - 16% seasonal residents These figures confirm Shuniah's rural residential character. Income Distribution Household income responses indicate a broad middle-income distribution: Income Range % $50K-$75K 28% $75K-$100K 25% Income Range % Over $100K 24% $25K-$50K 16% Education Levels Respondents indicated relatively strong education levels: Education % College / trades 35% Bachelor degree 24% Graduate degree 21% High school 11% Key Observations Several important observations can be drawn from survey results: 1 Residents feel safe Perceptions of safety are very strong. 2 Quality of life is high Strong happiness and belonging indicators. 3 Rural access challenges exist Transportation and healthcare access remain concerns. 4 Aging demographics influence needs Survey age distribution supports senior priorities. 5 Prevention focus is appropriate Issues identified support awareness and prevention approaches. How Survey Results Influenced the Plan The survey results directly informed the CSWB priorities including: - Traffic safety concerns → Traffic Safety priority - Aging population → Seniors priority - Service access → Access to Services priority - Crime concerns → Community Safety priority - Mental health concerns → Mental Health priority This alignment demonstrates the plan reflects resident priorities. Limitations of Survey Results As with all voluntary surveys: - Participation is self-selected - Results reflect respondent perspectives - Results represent themes rather than statistical sampling Despite these limitations, the results provide strong insight into community priorities. Conclusion The community engagement survey provided valuable insight into the priorities, strengths and concerns of Shuniah residents. Results confirm that Shuniah remains a safe and desirable community while highlighting practical areas where awareness, coordination and advocacy can support continued well-being. The results support the Municipality's approach of focusing on: - Prevention - Awareness - Community connection - Practical municipal actions - Partnerships with service providers Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey The Municipality of Shuniah is developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) plans are Provincially mandated under Bill 175, Safer Ontario Act, 2018. Bill 175 requires all municipalities to develop a CSWB plan for their local municipality. The CSWB plan aspires to build a sustainable community where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging and opportunities to participate, and where individuals and families can meet their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, and social and cultural expression. We are looking for your assistance in advising us on what you believe, or have experienced to be, the priorities for your community and any challenges, obstacles, or gaps in addressing the issues identified in the survey below. We welcome your thoughts or ideas on how best to prioritize and create solutions to the above areas of risk. By participating in this survey, you agree to the collection of your answers and the use of information from your responses to inform community safety and well-being planning. This information will be shared to help develop the local Plan to support broader community safety and well-being planning. Your personal information will not be attached to your responses; on overall results, without individual identifying information, will be shared with the Municipality. The CSWB Plan will be made available to the general public and posted on the municipal website. Appendix: C - CSWB Plan Survey Very Dissatisﬁed Dissatisﬁed Neither Satisﬁed nor Disatisﬁed Satisﬁed Very Satisﬁed How do you feel about the overall cleanliness of your community Quality of recreational activities Sense of community Employment opportunities Education opportunities Police services and enforcement Emergency medical services Availability of childcare Access to food banks Access to public transportation Access to healthcare Access to counselling or other mental health services Access to social assistance and ﬁnancial supoprts Service for seniors 1. Please answer the following Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey Do you have thoughts, recommendations or other ideas that would support a safer community? 2. Do you feel safe in your community? Yes No Unsure 3. How would you describe your feelings of belonging to your local community? Very satisﬁed Satisﬁed Neither satisﬁed nor dissatisﬁed Dissatisﬁed Very dissatisﬁed 4. Generally speaking, how would you rate your happiness? Very positive Positive Neutral Negative Very negative 5. How would you currently describe your overall health? Excellent Very Good Fair Poor Very poor. Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey * 6. Overall, what do you feel are the ﬁve (5) most pressing safety and well-being issues in the Municipality of Shuniah? Note: Please consider your response as it relates to Shuniah rather than a more broad response for the District of Thunder Bay. Access to appropriate and aﬀordable food (also known as "food security") Access to services (government, banking, personal support, etc) Access to childcare Accessibility for persons with disabilities Addictions and/or substance abuse Aﬀordable housing Age-friendly initiatives Aging in place Community belonging - sense of place within the Community Crime prevention Criminal activity Discrimination against people Domestic violence Fraud (identity theft, door to door, electronic communications, etc) Healthy childhood development Homelessness Internet access and connectivity Mental health - adults Mental health - youth/children Opportunities for employment Poverty and income Public transportation Rising costs of living (food, gas, energy, etc) Traﬀic/road safety Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey 7. Please rank your answers from the previous question. Access to appropriate and aﬀordable food (also known as "food security") Access to services (government, banking, personal support, etc) Access to childcare Accessibility for persons with disabilities Addictions and/or substance abuse Aﬀordable housing Age-friendly initiatives Aging in place Community belonging - sense of place within the Community Crime prevention Criminal activity Discrimination against people Domestic violence Fraud (identity theft, door to door, electronic communications, etc) Healthy childhood development Homelessness Internet access and connectivity Mental health - adults Mental health - youth/children Opportunities for employment Poverty and income Public transportation Rising costs of living (food, gas, energy, etc) Traﬀic/road safety Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey True False I feel safe in this community walking outdoors or in other public space accompanied by one or more persons anytime day or night. I feel safe in this community walking outdoors or in other public spaces, alone, during daylight hours. If something happened within this community that threatened my personal safety, I would know who to call for assistance or whom I should report my concerns. 8. Please respond to the following statements: Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey 9. In your opinion, what ideas should be included, and/or what are the things we need to consider in creating a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan that will enhance safety and well-being in the Municipality of Shuniah? Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey 10. Please select what age group best describes you. Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ 11. Please indicate your individual level of income. 0 Under $10,000 $10,000 to $25,000 $25,000 to $50,000 $50,000 to $75,000 $75,000 to $100,000 Over $100,000 12. Please indicate which of the following best describes you. (choose all that apply) Domestic student International student Home owner Home renter Employed in Shuniah Employed outside of Shuniah Retiree or other non-working individual 13. Which of the following best describes you? Please select one. I live here year-round. (residence) I live here part-time. (seasonally, summer or camp) I do not live here but own property. 14. With which gender do you most identify? Female Male Non-binary Gender not listed Prefer not to answer 15. What is the highest certiﬁcate, diploma or degree that you have completed or are currently completing? Less than high school diploma High School Diploma Trade diploma, college University Bachelor's Degree University Graduate Degree Prefer not to answer Shuniah Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan Survey