Council’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Report Card – Community Safety and Well-being, Climate Action Plan

As the 2023–2027 Council term approaches completion, we are sharing a series of Strategic Plan “report cards” to highlight the progress made and the accomplishments achieved over the past four years.

Today’s update focuses on two key areas: Community Safety and Well-being and the Climate Action Plan.

Strategic Plan pillar: Safe and Sustainable. 

Community Safety and Well-being

In 2024, Mississippi Mills Council endorsed the 2025–2029 Community Plan for Safety and Well-being for Lanark County and the Town of Smiths Falls. Since 2018, all Ontario municipalities have been required to maintain a Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Plan.

The plan was shaped through consultation with community members, local agencies, and a steering committee representing a broad range of sectors, including policing, social services, health care, and education.

The plan is guided by four pillars:

• Affordability and quality of life
• Violence against persons
• Health
• Priority populations and diversity

Read the plan: 2025-2029 Community Plan for Safety and Well-being, Lanark County and Town of Smiths Falls

In 2024, Council also invested over $178,000 in CSWB initiatives across the Municipality, including:

• A CSWB grant program
• Contributions to the Ride the LT pilot with Lanark Transportation
• Traffic calming measures
• A new Mississippi Mills Community Open House (spring and fall)
• Support for the rotating 55+ Expo
• Funding for the Mississippi Mills Youth Centre to expand Saturday programming
• Community Organization Luncheons to strengthen collaboration

Climate Action Plan

In 2024, Council directed the Municipality to join the Partners for Climate Protection Program through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, launching the development of a long-term Climate Action Plan.

Part A of the plan – an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and an analysis of opportunities for improvement – is being presented to Council this week.

Part B will focus on:

• Setting GHG emissions reduction targets
• Community consultation
• Developing recommended action pathways
• Creating an implementation framework

Check out the Part A Climate Action Plan report.