Kawartha Lakes gaining traction on Strategic Plan initiatives for 2024-2027

Kawartha Lakes – Council received a presentation at the August 26, 2025 Council meeting from Ron Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, on the progress to date on the City’s Strategic Plan 2024-2027. Highlights aligned with the City’s four strategic priorities included:

Healthy Environment

The City has made progress on sustainability and climate resilience. Work will be underway on a new Climate Change Strategy, supported by a grant application, and the Active Transportation Master Plan is complete, laying out more walking and cycling options throughout the municipality. New By-laws have been advanced to protect the tree canopy, drainage improvements have been completed to reduce flooding, and waste diversion has expanded— including a new organic waste program in four communities and broader recycling initiatives.

Exceptional Quality of Life

Housing and health services have been front and centre. The City has completed 46 new affordable housing units in Lindsay, has 30 more units underway in Fenelon Falls and 35 units in Minden. Health care has been supported with a priority medical dispatch system, a dedicated offload nurse program at Ross Memorial Hospital, and funding for after-hours primary care and physician recruitment. Families have benefited from 124 new licensed childcare spaces and an expanded EarlyON program, while Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care has been made permanent by the province and continues to be an effective way to support seniors to age in place.

Vibrant and Growing Economy

Local businesses and community growth have been actively supported. The City’s Local Economic Development Support fund and Cultural Facilities Operational Support fund distributed over $268,000 in grants to local organizations, and the Small Business Centre helped launch 18 new businesses and 23 new jobs this year. Heritage and culture sectors have been strengthened through policies and studies, readying the City for a new cultural centre in coming years. The 2024 Business Count provided valuable data on the local economy, and planning tools like Secondary Plans for Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, and Omemee are now in place to guide sustainable development. Major infrastructure projects include road resurfacing, bridge work, expanded transit, fibre optic installation, and cell towers to boost connectivity.

Good Government

Efforts have focused on modernization, accountability, and accessibility. The City has launched new road patrol and water metering technology, modernized financial systems, and is preparing to launch new websites in the fall of 2025. Asset management plans have been submitted to the province, and work continues on digitizing processes and developing performance indicators. Accessibility has been embedded into procurement and facility design. These steps build a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive local government.

On track for success

Taylor concluded with congratulations to Council on the development of a successful Plan that is on track to meet its goals by 2027. Of a total 190 contributing initiatives, 40% are complete, 55% are in progress and 5% on track to begin next year. Staff and Council continue to work together to deliver on the mission of delivering the highest standard of municipal service and upholding our commitment towards a sustainable future for all. Many of these efforts rely on community members and strong local partnerships.

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes is collaborating with the City on the Vital Signs program that incorporates data on community-focused projects, such as social services, environmental initiatives, and community development.

Annual updates will continue to come to Council and progress tracking will be posted on the website by the end of each year.

For more details, read the report.

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