City committee members received a presentation on a well-being plan that looks to enhance the community in several sectors over the next 10 years.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
On Monday members of the public services committee received a detailed presentation on the city’s community well-being plan that focuses on nice strategic objectives ranging from reducing poverty to engaging residents to participate in community events.
The presentation serves as a comprehensive framework designed to guide the city and its partners in enhancing community well-being over the next decade, and provides strategic objectives for action based on community needs and input.
The plan, called “Momentum,” will be used to evaluate and monitor areas including the social, economic, health and political conditions necessary for “living a fulfilling, enjoyable lives.”
The plan consists of data from community engagement and other municipalities that focuses on improving community well-being. The 10-year strategic action plan will focus on the following objectives.
Reduction of poverty
The framework suggests several actions to reduce poverty and homelessness and recommended the modernization of housing policies to promote affordable options by revising city bylaws and policies to incorporate innovative strategies.
The promotion of fair rental practices by collaborating with property owners to develop equitable rental policies is also included within the framework.
Policy also includes enhancing access to public services and expanding the range of transportation solutions.
Enhance community safety
The plan calls for a balanced approach to the prevention, intervention and enforcement of illegal activities and promotes policies that look to address root causes, including trauma, mental health and addictions.
Actions include exploring alternative models to traditional police responses that include collaborations with the Medicine Hat Housing Society and mental health and health-care professionals.
Promote health and wellness
To promote health and wellness the framework seeks to create more healthy environments and establishments that prioritize physical activity and mobility.
The framework suggests increasing physical literacy within schools and recreation facilities and expanding access to accessible, co-ordinated physical activity programs for all residents.
Potential suggestions include providing more support for mental health and addiction programs and resources, as well as the recruitment of more health-care professionals.
The framework also advocates to improve city transportation and partner with the public and private sector to enhance senior support programs.
Lifelong learning
The plan suggests enhancing support for continuous learning opportunities through formal education and informal methods like workshops, reading and practical experience.
It seeks collaborations within the primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions and public libraries to reduce barriers to higher education.
Potential action includes identifying and addressing youth support needs and creating more inter-generational learning opportunities.
Create, enhance economic opportunity
Medicine Hat can increase economic opportunities for individuals and businesses to enhance financial well-being by developing strategies that stimulate job creation, support entrepreneurship and attract more business investments.
Recommended actions include the development of local business and industry by reducing regulatory barriers and implementing policies and incentives to help businesses be cost effective.
The plan also calls for the enhancement of city infrastructure, policies and processes to support business growth that include more housing, recreation, schools, childcare and access to health care.
Embrace and celebrate diversity
To celebrate inclusive and embrace diversity the plan suggests the city design inclusive spaces with equity-deserving groups that support underrepresented groups, as well as address already existing accessibility barriers in city spaces.
The plan calls for the city to develop an inclusive policy and framework that will implement a systematic approach to workforce inclusion.
Reconciliation
A call to take meaningful action toward reconciliation by supporting location efforts to address the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and residential schools by rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Several calls for action include providing city staff more education and training, and continued partnership with Indigenous organizations while engaging with Elders and community members by traditional means.
The plan also seeks more municipal celebrations around Indigenous histories and culture.
Empower residents to become engaged
The framework also looks at potential actions that could be completed to increase community engagement and foster a stronger sense of belonging by creating more inclusive opportunities for civic participation, encouraging volunteerism and supporting local initiatives.
Support well-being
The final objective looks to strengthen the city’s organizational efforts to promote community well-being events and opportunities by adopting preventive and systemic approaches, as well as modernize city policies.
The framework suggests enhanced communication on roles and responsibilities of city departments and utilizing multiple inputs of data and evidence when making decisions.
