Community Safety and Well-being Plan

The City of Brantford’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan outlines key priorities to help create a community where everyone feels safe, supported and able to reach their full potential, reflecting a shared vision of Brantford as a great place to live, work, learn and grow.

Brantford’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is reviewed and updated every four years, with annual progress reports presented to City Council. Through this plan, the City has the opportunity to lead initiatives within its municipal scope and advocate for the resources and policy changes needed from upper levels of government. To learn more about the City’s current priorities, view the Community Safety and Well-Being Framework 2025–2029.

Over the past four years, the City has made significant progress in advancing the priorities of the Community Safety and Well-being Plan 2021-2025, including:

  • Creation of 120 new affordable housing units
  • Launch of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) $10 per day Child Care Program
  • Host of the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games
  • Joined the UNESCO Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities
  • CCTV Cameras installed, along with improvements to outdoor lighting
  • Expansion of Fire & Ambulance services
  • Redevelopment of Dufferin Park and opening of the Woodman Community Pool

Learn more about the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 2021-2025 highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Brantford need a Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan?

In 2019, the Province of Ontario passed legislation requiring every municipality to create a CSWB Plan under the Community Safety and Policing Act. The City of Brantford's CSWB Plan 2021-2025 was submitted to the Province in July 2021. In 2024, legislative changes were made requiring municipalities to review and, if appropriate, update their CSWB Plans every four years. Maintaining a CSWB Plan in the City of Brantford ensures that we remain focused on local priorities, improve coordination between partners and advocate effectively to upper levels of government.
What are the current CSWB priorities for the City of Brantford?

The priorities of the City of Brantford’s CSWB Framework 2025–2029 are organized into three categories:

1. Community Priorities: Access to healthcare, substance use & mental health, food security, intimate partner and gender-based violence and climate change.

2. Municipal Focus Areas: Housing solutions, older adults, safe & inclusive neighbourhoods, economic & community investment, and truth and reconciliation.

3. Community-Driven Policing: A collaborative approach to community safety involving the Brantford Police Service, City departments and other stakeholders.
What’s the difference between Community Priorities, Municipal Focus Areas, and Community-Driven Policing?
  • Community Priorities are issues primarily led by provincial or federal systems, where the City plays a supporting role. The primary role of the municipality within these areas is to bring together community experts to develop local plans, create visibility for the issue and advocate to upper levels of government for needed resources and solutions.
  • Municipal Focus Areas are areas where the City is best positioned to lead based on its mandate, scope and direct services. This includes directly influencing service delivery, policy or funding.
  • Community-Driven Policing acknowledges the City’s partnership with Brantford Police Service to support safety through joint initiatives while respecting operational independence.
How were the CSWB priorities decided?

The priorities were developed through a review of community feedback, stakeholder interviews, focus groups and local data.
Why does every municipality’s CSWB Plan look different?

While provincial legislation mandates that all municipalities develop a CSWB Plan, the structure, priorities and implementation vary by community with each plan reflecting local needs, existing networks and available resources. The City of Brantford’s CSWB Plan was designed to align with our city’s unique challenges while building on the strengths that exist within our community.
How is the CSWB Plan implemented?

Unlike traditional service plans, the CSWB Plan provides a framework for collaboration. While there is no dedicated provincial funding to support these plans, many initiatives are carried out through partnerships, community-led efforts or leveraging existing City operations. Staff collaborate with community partners to coordinate these efforts, provide updates and advocate for resources to address the root causes of complex social issues.
Who is responsible for leading the CSWB Plan?

The City of Brantford leads the coordination and reporting of the Plan, working alongside community partners from sectors like health, housing, education and policing. The success of these plans depends on a shared leadership approach with each community partner playing an important role in its overall implementation and outcomes.
How will progress be measured and reported?

Progress will be reported through updates to Brantford City Council. Additionally, a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboard is being developed to track progress across priority and focus areas to improve transparency and public access to this data through the City’s dedicated CSWB webpage.
How can I get involved?

To ensure Brantford’s CSWB Plan remains relevant and responsive to emerging needs, residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing community consultations, public feedback surveys and connect with their Neighbourhood Association. Opportunities to engage will be promoted on the City’s website, social media platforms and communicated directly to key sectors and community groups.