New strategic plan demonstrates why Durham is – simply – more

Whitby, Ontario – The future of Durham Region is bright; supported with a strong, five-year strategic plan that identifies key priorities for Regional Council and outlines our continued delivery of award-winning programs and services.

As one of the fastest growing municipalities in North America, this plan reflects Durham’s innovative and resilient economy; featuring autonomous and electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and personalized medicine. It also underlines the Region’s commitment to land-use planning, which creates healthy and complete, sustainable communities; and supports our northern municipalities.

We are committed to advancing in five key goal areas: environmental sustainability, community vitality, economic prosperity, social investment and service excellence. The implementation status will be updated annually; demonstrating our progress and communicating results to residents.

Work on the new strategic plan began in March 2019. It featured an extensive community engagement process that included more than 1,500 individuals who took part in face-to-face conversations; a community survey; and idea sharing through a new digital engagement portal called Your Voice Durham.

QUOTES

“Durham is more vibrant, more diverse, and growing faster than just about any place in this province. In the next five years, Durham will become the best place in Ontario to live and work. This new strategic plan maps out the next phase in our journey and exemplifies why Durham is—simply—more.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“The feedback from the community and our Regional leaders has allowed us to develop a strong collective vision. We want to ensure Durham Region remains a vibrant, welcoming and exciting place to live and work. The new plan aligns the work of staff and helps measure our performance as we work towards Regional goals and priorities over the next five years.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer

“This new strategic plan is reflective of the multiple conversations we had with various community groups, businesses, staff and residents who took the time to provide valuable input. We believe the world needs more Durham—more of our ingenuity, more of our industry and more of our innovation. This plan will provide all of that and more.”

- Regional Councillor Wilma Wotten, Chair of the Durham Region Strategic Plan Development Task Force

QUICK FACTS

• The Durham Region Strategic Plan (2020 to 2024) is available online at durham.ca/StrategicPlan.
• Key outcomes and performance indicators from the strategic plan will be developed and reported on an annual basis to inform residents of Durham Region’s progress and outcomes.

– 30 –

For more information, contact Corporate Communications.