Plans and Studies

As providers of service to the public, the Town of Penetanguishene plays a significant role in ensuring full access to those living in our community through the Council appointed Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC). The committee develops the Town's annual Accessibility Plan. The plan identifies barriers to municipal practices and services, and recommends solutions for their removal. The public is encouraged to review the plans and to provide input at the appropriate time regarding barriers that may exist in municipal services, programs and practices. The 2024-2026 Accessibility Plan outlines the projects and initiatives staff and committee members will undertake to ensure the Town of Penetanguishene is meeting its compliance obligations under the Integrated Accessibility Standards. The provincial government is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the Regulations.

Improved municipal asset management planning is a vital step in Ontario’s Municipal Infrastructure Strategy. Municipalities have been required to demonstrate a progressively greater commitment to asset management in order to request infrastructure funding and guide them in making appropriate infrastructure investment decisions now and into the future.

The Penetanguishene Age-Friendly Community Plan was developed using the World Health Organization’s 8 dimensions of an age-friendly community which include: Outdoor Spaces & Buildings, Transportation, Housing, Respect & Social Inclusion, Civic Engagement and Employment, Communications & Information and Community & Health Services.

A vital component of the study was a robust consultation strategy which engaged over 300 residents and stakeholders including Town Council and Staff, community organizations, local clubs, and service providers. This strategy incorporated various public meetings, surveys, coffee chats and in person interviews to properly gage the needs of our community.

In August 2021, the Town of Penetanguishene adopted the final Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Study). The BR&E Study will serve as a guiding document for future studies, programs, and policies as they relate to business development in the Town of Penetanguishene. Once implemented, subsequent reports and discussions will be prepared with regards to the execution and budget considerations for the action items.

The cycling context in Ontario has rapidly changed in the past decade, as municipalities and the Province address demographic, socio-economic and environmental changes. The Province recognized these changes and implemented #CycleON, a plan to look ahead and build more sustainable, healthy and vibrant communities through increased cycling activity. Furthermore, providing protection and increased safety measures for vulnerable road users such as cyclists is of increasing importance. These challenges are not exclusive to urban environments; communities like Penetanguishene have a significant role in creating safer transportation systems and more sustainable environments. The Town’s initiative to develop a Cycling Strategy is a demonstration of its commitment for a better, more equitable future.

Penetanguishene received funding from the Province’s “Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling” (OMCC) Program in 2017. This funding was used to develop a long-term planning document to guide future planning, design, implementation and operations of cycling infrastructure, programming and policy – Penetanguishene’s first Cycling Strategy. The strategy was completed collaboratively with Town staff, local stakeholders, committee representatives, decision makers and input from local residents of Penetanguishene and North Simcoe.

The plan is meant to be action oriented, giving Town staff and its partners clear next steps to move forward with the implementation of cycling infrastructure, programs and initiatives. This strategy is meant to be a flexible and adaptable resource for staff and stakeholders and is intended to be a guide for future decision making for the planning, design and development of cycling infrastructure and supportive programs and policies.

In 2018 SSS released the area’s first Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP): Regional Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Summary. The LCCAP includes both a corporate and community inventory of GHG emissions
for Midland, Penetanguishene, Georgian Bay, Severn, Oro-Medonte, Tiny and Tay; identifies regional GHG reduction targets to be achieved by 2028, and recommends 18 high-level actions to reduce municipal and community contributions to climate change

In support of the Business Retention and Expansion(External link) (BR&E), Council approved the preparation of a market gap survey and analysis to assist the Town in understanding the strengths and weaknesses in the local retail market. The purpose of the project was to examine gaps in the commercial environment by analyzing the supply and demand for commercial and retail services in consultation with residents, visitors, business owners, and local business organizations. 

Municipalities have the flexibility to complete this task individually or in partnership with neighbouring municipalities to develop a joint plan. The Town of Penetanguishene has partnered with the Town of Midland, Township of Tay and the Township of Tiny to develop a joint North Simcoe Community Safety and Well-being Plan.  The Plan will focus on the following three (3) areas of risk:

1. Mental Health and Addictions
2. Attainable Housing
3. Education (with a focus on skilled trade)

CSWB planning involves a collaborative approach including consultations with various sectors, agencies and organizations, including but not limited to, police services, health/mental health services, educational services, community/social services and community services to children/youth and custodial services to children/youth. 

The Town of Penetanguishene prepared an Arena & Recreation Centre Study to guide decision-making with respect to the future of the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre. Options included a major retrofit of the current facility or developing a new recreation centre at another location in town. Through this study, other indoor recreation needs were considered, such as gymnasium sports, indoor walking, curling, program and event space, and more.

The Recreation, Parks and Trails Strategy for the Town of Penetanguishene provides a detailed framework to ensure Penetanguishene’s recreation and parks system continues to grow in a sustainable, inclusive, and community focused way. It outlines priorities for park renewal, trail expansion, facility enhancements, and program development to meet the evolving needs of residents and visitors over the next decade and beyond.

The Framework to Truth & Reconciliation will guide the Town of Penetanguishene in strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples and acknowledging its responsibilities as a municipality located on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek people and their ancestors. This Framework affirms the Town’s commitment to reconciliation in a way that reflects local history, community values, and shared aspirations for the future.

The Framework also draws on the Town of Penetanguishene’s 20-Year Community-Based Strategic Plan to ensure that reconciliatory actions are meaningfully integrated into ongoing municipal goals and decision-making.