Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 55, Number 2, Spring 2025
On March 18, 2025, Kenora City Council officially approved the anticipated Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWB Plan). This 10-year Plan is the result of a collaborative process to enhance safety and well-being that meets the needs of Kenora.
“We appreciate the dedication of our community as we move forward with the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan,” said Mayor Andrew Poirier. “This Plan is essential in our ongoing commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone in Kenora.”
Designed to deliver meaningful progress while laying the groundwork for sustainable improvements in quality of life, this Plan is a joint effort involving the City, community organizations, residents, and visitors. Its successful implementation depends on a continuous collective commitment.
“This emphasizes that ensuring the ongoing safety and well-being of our community is a shared responsibility for all,” said Eric Shih, Kenora’s Community Safety and Well-Being Coordinator.
Priorities and goals of the plan
To achieve Kenora’s vision as a place where everyone can live, grow, and play, the Plan includes seven goals, seven interrelated priority areas, 15 recommendations, and a total of 48 actions. You can read the full plan and executive summary at kenora.ca/en/your-government/community-safety-and-well-being-plan.aspx.
Priority area one:
Collaboration and communication
Goal: Foster greater collaboration across the community enhancing engagement and maximizing resources.
» Leverage the CSWB Plan to enhance collaboration across the service sectors and the community. Actions 1.1 and 1.2
» Keep the community informed about the implementation of the CSWB Plan and provide opportunities for engagement along the way. Actions 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5.
See pages 57 to 61 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area two:
Children, youth, and families
Goal: Reduce the number of children and youth who are at risk of harm to self or others.
» Advocate whenever possible to make the safety and well-being of children and youth a priority. Actions 2.1 and 2.2
» Pro-actively and collaboratively address the factors that put children and youth at risk. Actions 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, and 2.13.
See pages 62 to 70 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area three:
Downtown and community spaces
Goal: To enhance safety and inclusivity in the downtown core—the heart of the community—as well as in surrounding neighbourhoods.
» Adopt a proactive, integrated approach to addressing downtown challenges and enhancing public safety and security. Actions 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7.
» Make improvements to the downtown area an ongoing priority across departments of the City and across sectors. Actions 3.8 and 3.9.
» Continue to support victims of crime, the unhoused, and other marginalized populations. Action 3.10.
See pages 71 to 77 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area four:
Belonging and engagement
Goal: To increase the percentage of residents in Kenora who feel welcome and a sense of belonging by 25 per cent within five years.
» Mobilize the significant number of residents in Kenora who want to participate in actions that increase community safety and well-being. Actions 4.1 and 4.2.
» Take meaningful actions that foster a more inclusive and welcoming community. Actions 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5.
See pages 78 to 84 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area five:
Housing along the continuum
Goal: Increase the housing stock across the housing continuum by 2030.
» Foster and showcase a united effort in expanding access to housing ranging from shelters to market level option. Actions 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
» Attend to the immediate needs arising from homelessness. Actions 5.4 and 5.5.
See pages 85 to 88 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area six:
Prevention of interpersonal violence
Goal: Reduce interpersonal violence in the community of Kenora by 25 per cent by the year 2035.
» Develop a clearer understanding of the extent and nature of interpersonal violence in Kenora. Actions 6.1 and 6.2.
» Increase efforts to raise awareness about the multiple facets of interpersonal violence and how
See pages 89 to 92 of the CSWB Plan.
Priority area seven:
Mental health and problematic substance use (including alcohol)
Goal: Strengthen individual and community well-being in the areas of mental health and addictions.
» Engage key stakeholders in establishing the connection between problematic substance abuse, the prevention of crime and victimization, fear of crime, and overall community well-being. Actions 7.1 and 7.2.
» Build upon, expand, and strengthen current efforts to improve mental health and addiction support, particularly at the intersection of community safety. Actions 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, and 7.6.
See pages 93 to 98 of the CSWB Plan.
Ways for the public to get involved
The success of the Plan relies on the active participation of the community. Engagement can occur in a number of ways, which are available to both residents as well as our seasonal visitors:
- Subscribe to the City’s eNewsletter, The City Compass, to hear about Plan updates and community engagement opportunities: subscribe.kenora.ca/subscribe
- Read and share the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan to raise awareness about how to get involved and to understand its recommendations and actions: kenora.ca/communitysafety
- Attend a CPCWB Advisory Committee meeting or review the meeting Minutes posted on the CPCWB Advisory Committee webpage: kenora.ca/en/your-government/crime-prevention-and-community-well-being-advisory-committee.aspx
