Durham Region partners host GTHA Community Safety and Well-Being Symposium

Whitby, Ontario – The Region of Durham and Durham Regional Police Service recently partnered with York Region, Halton Region, Peel Region, the City of Hamilton and the City of Toronto to host a Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Symposium. The virtual event took place on June 10 and was attended by more than 250 representatives from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

This event provided an opportunity to learn from one another; to continue the conversation on action for improved community safety and well-being in the GTHA. It was a chance to work collaboratively; to raise awareness about priority risk areas; share best practices; discuss the escalation of violence and gun violence across the GTHA; and identify action items.

These conversations—featuring staff from more than 140 organizations and municipalities—will help to inform the implementation of Durham Region’s CSWB Plan.

For more information on Durham’s CSWB Plan, please visit the online Community Safety and Well-Being Information Hub.

Quotes

“Each and every resident deserves to feel a sense of belonging. The Community Safety and Well-Being Symposium continues our work in ensuring that the needs of Durham Region residents are met. By coming together and working with our community partners, we can share best practices, collaborate and continue our work on community safety and well-being.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“Community safety and well-being extends beyond Durham Region. This symposium was a great opportunity for communities across the GTHA to learn from each other, with one common goal: to ensure residents feel safe and that they belong. We’re grateful to all partners for their collaboration on this important work.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“No one organization or sector can have all of the responsibility of community safety and well-being—we all must work together to address the root causes of these complex problems. We are proud our partners across the GTHA share our vision and came to support the day. Their willingness to participate without any obligation, speaks to an understanding that we all must work together. This event was an exercise in momentum building and a powerful step toward making meaningful change.”

- Kiersten Allore-Engel, Manager Community Safety and Well-being, The Regional Municipality of Durham

“Durham Regional Police Service is committed to having the safest community for people to live, work and play. We know to achieve this requires the collaborative efforts of community partners and all citizens. Events like this symposium bring us together to explore how we can realize this common goal – the safety and well-being of every citizen in Durham.”

Deputy Chief Dean Bertrim, Durham Regional Police Service

Quick Facts

• Across the province, communities have developed CSWB Plans. Provincial legislation requires the CSWB Plan to be developed in partnership with Durham Regional Police Service and in collaboration with local area municipalities, community partners and the public. Durham Region adopted the CSWB Plan in November 2021.
• The goal of the CSWB Plan is to ensure residents of Durham Region feel safe and have a sense of belonging, and their needs for education, health care, food, housing, income, as well as social and cultural expression are met.
• Durham Region’s work on community safety and well-being is focused on prevention, community education and policy development.
• A CSWB Plan involves approaching service delivery in an integrated manner by working across a range of sectors, agencies and organizations; assisting partners whose mandate is focused on community safety and well-being.

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For media requests, please contact CorporateCommunications@durham.ca.