| Natural Environment |
Goal:
Continue the stewardship of our natural environment - especially water and natural areas - so that they are protected for the values they provide including support for resilient, diverse ecosystems and a vibrant economy.
Strategies:
| 1.1 |
Continue to be recognized as a leader in the creation and implementation of innovative environmental protection policies, programs, partnerships and practices. |
| 1.2 |
Continue to enhance our knowledge and understanding of our natural environment in order to mitigate the effects of climate change on the resiliency and biodiversity of our watersheds. |
| 1.3 |
Update and use the Muskoka Official Plan as a key document to protect the natural environment, to align growth and development with municipal infrastructure investment, to drive a vibrant economy, and to promote complete, safe, accessible, and inclusive communities. |
| 1.4 |
Work together with the Area Municipalities to protect the natural environment by implementing the Muskoka Official Plan through local planning documentation and by continually improving the development review and approvals process. |
| 1.5 |
Work together with the Area Municipalities to manage development and growth in a sustainable manner balancing environmental, economic, social, and cultural elements. |
| 1.6 |
Reduce our environmental footprint by making continuous improvements to our transportation, water and wastewater treatment, waste management and other corporate infrastructure and programs. |
|
| Governance |
Goal:
Provide responsive and efficient government by demonstrating leadership in transparency, excellence, accountability, fiscal responsibility, good governance, community engagement, and continuous improvement in our program and service delivery.
Strategies:
| 2.1 |
Attract, develop and retain knowledgeable, innovative and high performing employees who are passionate about our mission and the services we provide. Build an organization that reflects our values, that is healthy, safe and respectful, and that is collaborative and accountable. |
| 2.2 |
Continue to comply with legislative and program requirements, and report on program achievements and improvements. |
| 2.3 |
Work with others to strengthen our overall financial position by developing a sustainable asset management plan, ensuring appropriate service delivery standards, prudent long range financial planning and timely reporting of results, and where possible, seek innovative funding tools and models. |
| 2.4 |
Control or reduce expenditures and consider alternative methods of service delivery by continually investigating means of enhancing partnerships with the Area Municipalities and other public and private sector partners. |
| 2.5 |
Promote growth that makes optimal use of existing services and infrastructure and sustains the financial well-being of the District in the long term. |
| 2.6 |
Strive for a broader level of community engagement by continuing to develop innovative programs and practices using all available media tools. |
| 2.7 |
Continue to ensure informed, transparent and open decision making and democratic processes by continuously improving policies and procedures that strengthen our Committee and Council structure and processes. |
| 2.8 |
Increase the profile of Muskoka with other public and private sector organizations to ensure that our residents have access to the services they need by maintaining effective working relationships with those stakeholders, and by actively and continually advocating for Muskoka, especially for consistent, equitable and sustainable funding. |
| 2.9 |
Streamline governance and the efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery across Muskoka by continuously investigating innovative methods, practices and approaches. |
|
| Economy |
Goal:
Drive a vibrant regional economy by collaborating with others to identify and take advantage of opportunities to create a positive business environment.
Strategies:
| 3.1 |
Collaborate with all partners to create the conditions and support the retention, expansion and attraction of businesses and the diversification of Muskoka's economy. |
| 3.2 |
Build on Muskoka's reputation as an internationally recognized tourist destination by encouraging and supporting initiatives aimed at marketing and strengthening the tourism industry in Muskoka. |
| 3.3 |
Collaborate with others to support and promote tourist commercial, recreational and other economic development which enhances the natural environment and recognizes the character of all of Muskoka's communities. |
| 3.4 |
Collaborate with others to support new initiatives or methods that broaden the experiential tourism base in Muskoka including development of the arts and culture, culinary tourism, local food promotion, outdoor adventure, sports, and special event sectors. |
| 3.5 |
Collaborate with others to support the development or enhancement of businesses, niche manufacturing opportunities, facilities and programs which result in increasing year round living wage employment opportunities. |
| 3.6 |
Collaborate with others to develop post secondary educational facilities and programming in Muskoka in support of these strategies. |
| 3.7 |
Recognize, promote and expand the role and impact of the Muskoka Airport as a key economic driver in Muskoka that supports tourism, as well as the social and business needs of the area. |
|
| Infrastructure |
Goal:
In a fiscally responsible manner, provide safe and reliable public infrastructure systems to connect and support all communities across Muskoka.
Strategies:
| 4.1 |
Provide and maintain a safe and reliable regional road network that meets the desired service requirements of Muskoka. |
| 4.2 |
Collaborate with the Area Municipalities to complete a connected and safe regional active transportation network as envisioned in our Active Transportation Strategy. |
| 4.3 |
Continue to exceed safe drinking water and effluent regulatory standards by maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of water and wastewater (including hauled sewage) treatment programs through the most appropriate infrastructure, technology and practices in order to support the needs of all of Muskoka's communities. |
| 4.4 |
Encourage the wise use and management of surface and groundwater resources through the most appropriate conservation and protection methods and practices and view stormwater as a resource. |
| 4.5 |
Renew our emphasis on leadership in innovative and progressive waste management and diversion programs and other programs and practices to prolong the life of landfill sites. |
| 4.6 |
Collaborate with the Area Municipalities to plan and complete joint infrastructure projects in a coordinated manner. |
| 4.7 |
Promote rail, air and other forms of transportation to ensure improved and convenient access to Muskoka. |
|
| Community |
Goal:
Ensure that all of Muskoka's communities are complete, safe, inclusive, accessible, supportive and foster healthy living.
Strategies:
| 5.1 |
Collaborate with others to design and build communities to promote healthy and active living, and social inclusion for all cultures and life stages and ages. |
| 5.2 |
Collaborate with others to protect the health and safety of Muskoka residents and visitors. |
| 5.3 |
Assist in addressing the basic health, employment, housing, transportation and social needs of residents in our community, particularly the more vulnerable population, including children, youth, seniors, low income earners and people with disabilities. |
| 5.4 |
Continue to provide leadership for seniors initiatives by collaborating with other agencies and groups to support and deliver programs and services focused on the health, well-being and long term care of all seniors in our community. |
| 5.5 |
Collaborate with others to provide accessible community services and health care services through an integrated network of hubs throughout Muskoka, ensuring opportunity is available for residents to achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional health. |
| 5.6 |
Provide leadership and support to develop community capacity to work together as individuals, groups, organizations, and networks to address its own challenges. |
| 5.7 |
Promote housing affordability options, programs, and supports that are integrated throughout Muskoka for low and moderate income families and individuals. |
| 5.8 |
Promote housing stability and options for preventing homelessness through programs that address the conditions that put residents at risk for homelessness. |
| 5.9 |
Promote affordable transportation initiatives that support comprehensive access to employment, health care, education and other community and social services. |
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