On May 28, 2018, Halton Region was among several communities honoured with a Local Municipal Champions Award at the 2018 Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) Leadership Symposium and Annual General Meeting. The award, which recognizes excellence in human service integration and system management, was presented for the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan developed in partnership between Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service in 2017.
“Halton Region is honoured to be recognized by OMSSA for its made-in-Halton approach to community safety and well-being planning,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Garr. “The Plan enhances our ability to respond to issues in a coordinated manner and builds on the many successful efforts that contribute to a strong sense of safety and well-being in our community.”
Formally launched in November, 2017, Halton’s Plan is designed to strengthen collaboration among sectors such as social services, public health, policing, education and community services to best support those who are vulnerable due to social, economic or health-related risk factors. The Plan helps Halton Region, the Halton Regional Police Service and their community partners proactively identify and respond to issues that impact safety and well-being in the community.
“Responding to community needs remains at the forefront of our policing initiatives,” said Oakville Mayor and Chair of the Halton Regional Police Services Board Rob Burton. “The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan will enhance how we collaborate with community partners to respond to emerging issues and will help us maintain our long-standing distinction as one of the safest regions in Canada. We are delighted that this work has been recognized by OMSSA.”
Halton’s Plan comes ahead of a provincial legislation passed in March 2018 that requires most Ontario municipalities to have a community safety and well-being plan by 2021.
“Our region has remained ahead of the curve with respect to how broad and complex issues with community safety, health and wellness are addressed,” said Halton Regional Police Service Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “Our municipal and regional governments are committed to collaborating across all sectors to ensure that our residents continue to enjoy a safe, healthy community. We are thrilled to see this collective commitment recognized through this award.”
To learn more about the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, visit halton.ca or call 311.
The Regional Municipality of Halton serves 570,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; paramedic services; waste management; public health; social assistance; children’s and seniors’ services; housing services; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, call 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at halton.ca.
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