Introduction
The City of Oshawa wants to hear from you.
On behalf of your City Council, Mayor Henry invites you to comment on our second generation strategic plan - From Vision to Reality, An Action Plan for a Sustainable Oshawa - that will guide the City over Council's current term of office.
Our goal is to build on the community pride and energy generated by the first strategic plan, Creating Our Tomorrow and approved by Council in 2005.
The draft plan was created based on Council direction of March 7, 2011 to create a new plan based on five Council goals with an overriding principle of sustainability.
This plan is the City's second generation strategic plan.
What you will find below:
- Strategic Direction
- The Process and Timeline
- Public Consultation Opportunities
- Related Documents
- Send Us Your Feedback
Strategic Direction
The draft plan links Council's five goals to the five pillars of sustainability. It also presents new community vision and corporate mission statements. The development of corporate values in early 2012 will provide the foundation as we continue on our sustainability journey. These elements make up the City's strategic direction, shown in the graphic below.
The new plan, once approved by Council, will be the City's highest level policy document - a comprehensive strategy that will guide the work of city government and our partners, our decisions and support the development of our community. It will replace the:
- 2005 Community Strategic Plan, Creating Our Tomorrow. This plan has charted the course of the city for the last six years. It created, for the first time, a vision that has focused Council, staff and the community on a desired future. The life of a community strategic plan is usually three to five years. This Plan is six years old, past its intended life, but is currently being used to support senior government funding applications. The new plan proposes to update the community vision created by the Community Strategic Plan. With a strong link to sustainability, the new plan will move the "vision to reality".
- 2009-2010 Corporate Business Plan, An Agenda for Prosperity and Renewal. The Corporate Business Plan has responded to the Community Strategic Plan and the community vision, and has provided more detailed corporate direction and guidance for department and agency business plans. The new Oshawa Strategic Plan is proposed to provide this direction in future.
- 2005-2009 Strategic Financial Plan (SFP). The SFP, which contains Council-approved financial policies and a five year financial projection, has been superceded by annual staff reports on strategic financial direction. The new Oshawa Strategic Plan incorporates a Financial Pillar, which is proposed to capture the strategic financial direction of Council. Council is currently engaged in financial discussions, which when finalized will inform the Financial Pillar content of the new draft plan and update the five year financial projection, to be included as an Appendix to the new plan.
As the title suggests, the new draft plan will move us from the original community vision in the Community Strategic Plan closer to the reality of a sustainable community.
This plan will also be the first time all aspects of the city's operation will be integrated under the umbrella of sustainability.
Oshawa is already a great city to live, work, learn and play. Adopting a new strategic and sustainability plan will position us to compete on the international stage and help us to create one of the greatest cities in the world.
The plan recognizes that we cannot continue to do business as usual in some areas. New and proactive ways of doing business will ensure Oshawa's long-term viability, vitality and resiliency.
The Process and Timeline
Only after extensive public, key stakeholder and staff input will the plan be finalized and approved by City Council.
| Process | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Council referred draft plan to staff for consultation with public, key stakeholders and staff | December 7, 2011 |
| Public and key stakeholder consultation | January/February 2012 |
| Deadline for submission of comments | February 10, 2012 |
| Council approval of final plan | March 19, 2012 |
Public Consultation Opportunities
Three public sessions are planned over the next few weeks to present the new Oshawa Strategic Plan and to gather your feedback.
If you are unable to attend one of the public sessions, please review the draft Plan on the City's website and submit your comments on-line at publicfeedback@oshawa.ca.
We hope to hear from many residents, businesses and community organizations.
Meetings are scheduled in accessible meeting rooms from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) at the following locations:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, January 10 |
7:00 - 9:00 pm |
South Oshawa Community Centre |
| Wednesday, January 25 |
7:00 - 9:00 pm |
Legends Centre |
| Tuesday, January 31 |
7:00 - 9:00 pm
|
City Hall |
Individuals who are unable to attend the public sessions can still comment on the City's draft Plan. The plan can be reviewed online or in-person at the following locations:
- Oshawa Public Libraries (all four branches - Jess Hann, Legends Centre, McLaughlin and Northview)
- Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres (all four branches Conant, John Street, Legends Centre and Northview)
- Service Oshawa, City Hall, 50 Centre Street S.
Seniors Consultation Opportunity
If you are a senior (55+) and would like to comment on the Draft Oshawa Strategic Plan, a special meeting is being organized to gather your feedback. City staff will give a presentation on the Draft Plan followed by a question and answer session. Learn more here.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 31 |
9:30 -11:00 am |
Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres |
Related Documents
The following links are available:
- Invitation from Mayor Henry to comment on the new draft Plan
- From Vision to Reality, An Action Plan for a Sustainable Oshawa the new draft Plan
- Accessible HTML (black and white text only version)
- Public PowerPoint Presentation on the Draft Plan - an overview of the plan and process
- Sustainability Discussion Paper - everything you want to know about sustainability and why it is important
- Community Profile - provides context for the draft plan
- Examples of Corporate Sustainability - see what the City has already accomplished when it comes to sustainability
- Discussion Points - to help guide your review of the draft Plan
- City of Oshawa and Durham Region Services Listing
Send Us Your Feedback
Please submit your comments on the new draft Oshawa Strategic Plan - From Vision to Reality, An Action Plan for a Sustainable Oshawa at publicfeedback@oshawa.ca. Comments will be accepted until 4:00 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012.
- Email to publicfeedback@oshawa.ca.
- Fax to Helen Break at 905-436-5623
- Mail to Helen Break, City Manager's Office, City of Oshawa, 50 Centre Street S., 2nd Floor, Oshawa, L1H 3Z7
Should you have any questions or wish further information, you may also contact either of:
Helen Break
Director, Corporate Strategic Initiatives
Location: 2nd Floor, City Manager's Office, City Hall
Phone: 905-436-5636 ext. 2298 or email: hbreak@oshawa.ca
Suzanne Elston
Senior Environmental Coordinator
Location: 8th Floor, Planning Services, Department of Development Services, City Hall
Phone: 905-436-5636 ext. 2132 or email: selston@oshawa.ca
