Owen Sound City Council has approved a historic 25-year strategic plan designed to secure the city’s future as a livable, safe, and enjoyable place for everyone.
“Vision 2050 charts our City’s future at a time of unprecedented change, challenge and opportunity,” said Mayor Ian Boddy. “It provides a compass bearing for current and future City Councils to set priorities and take action.”
The long-term plan outlines key priorities designed to guide decisions and investments over the next quarter-century. Those priorities include building a prosperous economy, advancing environmental sustainability, strengthening safety, celebrating culture, improving transportation, and fostering collaboration across the community.
Work on creating Vision 2050 involved extensive public input and consultation, aimed at hearing from a broad variety of voices, including those who are often underrepresented. The Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee, made up of councillors and community members, provided guidance and advice throughout the process.
Mayor Boddy thanked everyone involved in shaping the city’s direction. “I want to thank my fellow Ad Hoc Committee members for generously offering their valuable time, guidance and input," he said. "I also want to thank everyone across the City, residents and stakeholders, who helped to create a truly community-driven vision.”
The plan envisions a prosperous city that attracts a highly skilled, intergenerational workforce across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, tourism, technology, and environmental sustainability. It also outlines a commitment to a green and resilient city, promoting sustainable practices that protect people, the planet, and the economy.
Cultural celebration and inclusion are central to Vision 2050, with a focus on supporting Indigenous knowledge, local heritage, and the contributions of new populations. The plan also emphasizes city building through well-maintained and accessible infrastructure, community amenities, and housing that meets evolving needs.
Transportation is another priority, with a goal of creating a connected, comprehensive network that gives residents multiple ways to move through the city. Safety also plays a major role in the plan, recognizing that security involves not just physical protection but also psychological and social well-being.
Finally, Vision 2050 promotes the importance of fostering respectful and mutually beneficial relationships throughout the community; building trust, understanding, and empathy among diverse groups.
For each of these focus areas, the plan includes definitions, vision statements, and long-term measures to track progress. It will serve as a “north star” for city planning, guiding budgets, priorities, and decisions.
City Council will review progress every year and share updates on specific initiatives. “The City looks forward to continuing to partner with key stakeholders and engaging community members as we move from vision to action,” Boddy added. “Crafting the vision has been a collaborative effort, and it will take our collective community to bring it to fruition.”
The full Vision 2050 document is available on the City of Owen Sound’s website.
