A County that works together

• + New Southwestern Public Health

  On May 1, 2018, Oxford County Public Health formally merged with Elgin St. Thomas Public Health to form the new Southwestern Public Health. The process was started in November 2017 as a way to enhance programs and services by pooling resources between the two health units.
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• + Progress on Hodges Pond restoration project

  In October 2018, the Hodges Pond restoration partnership invited the community to see progress on the re-naturalization of 400 acres of County-owned land in Norwich Township. A major milestone in the project saw the original Cedar Creek water flow restored through a by-pass and the decommissioning of a derelict, century-old milldam one year prior. The ongoing re-naturalization of Hodges Pond will see improved water quality and new vegetation and habitat in the area.
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• + Working with partners to conceive a sustainability cluster

  Oxford County continued its work in 2018 on the concept of a "sustainability cluster" located in Courthouse Square in Woodstock. The focus this year was on research to gauge community interest and readiness, explore design options, and compare different scenarios for managing and operating the centre. The sustainability cluster is conceived as research and innovation hub for industry, private enterprise, academic institutions and the non-profit sector.
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• + Tourism Oxford launches experiential tourism offering

  Tourism Oxford launched its successful tourism "experiences" program in 2018 with four unique offerings: artisan cheese making, micro brewing, a creative arts workshop, and truffle making. Experiential tourism brings together small groups of visitors for an intimate, immersive and interactive experience. Oxford County was selected by Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation in 2018 to host "Unlocked and Inspired Experiential Tourism" training for its local artisans and creators
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A County that is well connected

• + Advancing an integrated transportation plan for southwestern Ontario

  In June 2018, Oxford County released the fourth and final report in its regional transportation compendium: Southwest Lynx: Integrated High-Performance Public Transportation for Southwestern Ontario. The report lays out a practical, affordable plan to address challenges to public transportation access and mobility, which in turn present economic, social and environmental challenges to the region’s growth and development. The plan centres on a proposal for high-performance rail—as opposed to high-speed rail—complemented by a fully integrated intercommunity busing system.
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• + Pursuing "Steel Corridors of Opportunity"

  Oxford County’s regional transportation compendium — outlined in the initial "New Directions" report—laid the foundation for an integrated approach to public transportation in southwestern Ontario. In "Steel Corridors of Opportunity," the case is made to make better use of freight railways as vital components of the region’s economic and environmental competitiveness. The report recommends a rail corridor roundtable made up of government and industry stakeholders to "get this overdue process rolling."
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• + Becoming a fully accessible EV community

  Phase 2 of Oxford County’s plan to become a fully accessible electric vehicle (EV) community was shared in February 2018. The Oxford County Feasibility Study, which builds on the Electric Vehicle Accessibility Plan (2016), recommends numbers and locations of additional charging stations to meet estimated EV growth in Oxford County, which is predicted to be as high as 25% (5,000 vehicles) in the coming years. The report’s research, maps and location were made available to help guide area municipalities and private businesses in deciding where to best locate electric vehicle chargers. In 2018, Oxford County installed EV charging stations in Tillsonburg and Thamesford drawing on funds from the Electric Vehicle Charge Ontario program. Approximately 40 public and private EV charging ports have been installed at over 20 locations across Oxford County.
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A County that thinks ahead and wisely shapes the future

• + Progress on "100%RE" goals

  Oxford County’s updated 100% Renewable Energy Plan was released in June 2018, detailing the activities and commitments the County is making to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The County’s strategy focuses on moving away from fossil fuel dependency to renewable energy forms for building design, municipal vehicle fleet and more. In 2015 Oxford County became the second municipality in Canada and the first in Ontario to commit to "100% RE."
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• + Towards zero waste

  In June 2018, after a year of study, Oxford County presented to the community its preferred technology to recover and divert up to 90% of waste otherwise destined for landfill. "Enhanced Material Recovery and Biological Treatment" uses proven technology to separate organics from garbage collection then process to produce biogas, biosolids or compost materials. Recyclable or recoverable materials like metals, plastics, construction and demolition materials would also separated out from waste collection and sold or distributed. The technology has the potential to extend the life of the municipal landfill from 2043 to 2079 while presenting a more sustainable option for our environment. The community was invited to give thoughts and input on the proposed technology through an online comment form, drop-in session, or the public meeting with webinar capability. The community-led Zero Waste Oxford committee has been working with County staff to research and assess different waste technology options.
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• + Understanding community wellbeing

  The third and final report out of the community wellbeing work undertaken by the County with the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (at University of Waterloo) was released in April 2018. A Profile of Wellbeing in Oxford County compares wellbeing measures for Oxford County to those of western Ontario, Ontario as a whole, and Canada. The 2016 Oxford County Community Wellbeing Survey report, led by Community Oxford, assessed Oxford’s wellbeing on a number of "domains," including healthy populations, education, living standards and more.
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• + Oxford County releases Draft Zero Poverty Plan

  Seven months after County Council’s declaration to eliminate poverty, Oxford’s community partners released the Draft Zero Poverty Plan in June 2018. Among its recommendations, the plan advocates for the integration of poverty reduction strategies across sectors, for instance, addressing housing by addressing health, mental health and addictions in the community. Eliminating poverty in Oxford County is a long-term vision that supports the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan.
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A County that informs and engages

• + Reporting on Council’s accomplishments

  "Delivering the Vision: Strategic Plan Progress Report, 2015-2018" was released in fall 2018 to report back to the community on the accomplishments of the concluding four-year Council term. The publication highlighted programs and initiatives ranging from Oxford Fresh and long-term care best practices to the County’s ongoing commitments and actions to support the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan.
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• + Oxford Remembers

  In November 2018, the Oxford County Archives published its commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, "Honouring Oxford: The Cenotaphs and Memorials of the Great War." The project included an online exhibit and interactive map that helps readers navigate the stories behind the memorials and find their locations in the County.
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• + Promoting waste reduction

  Oxford County partnered with Future Oxford in October 2018 for a week-long awareness campaign for Waste Reduction Week in Canada. Events included a textiles drive, Phone it Forward collection, Wasteline blogs, a social media "success story" contest and more.
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• + Celebrating Indigenous culture

  In October 2018, Oxford County’s Indigenous Advisory Committee hosted its second annual Fall Social Gathering to celebrate unique indigenous culture in Oxford County. The event featured family activities, information, and representation from local Indigenous groups, including N’Amerind Friendship Centre, Six Nations Health Services, and Metis Nation of Ontario.
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• + Promoting Passive House

  Oxford County partnered with Future Oxford in May 2018 to host an information session on Passive House standard for local developers, builders, architects and residents with interest in energy-efficient housing. Passive House homes and buildings use up to 90% less energy than traditional ones by heating houses "passively" through solar energy, internal heat sources and heat recovery. Oxford County requires bids for new affordable housing developments to incorporate Passive House principles.
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• + Launch of "Community Reads"

  In June 2018, Oxford County Library launched Oxford Reads, a community-wide reading initiative designed to encourage reading and discussion through a featured work of Canadian literature. In its inaugural year, Oxford Reads highlighted The Purchase, by Linda Spalding, with all 14 library branches offering special programming to explore the book’s diverse themes. Oxford County Library capped off the 2018 edition of Oxford Reads with a gala event in the fall featuring the author.
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• + Roll & Stroll at Woodingford

  Woodingford Lodge residents partnered with family, friends, volunteers, and staff in June 2018 to take a lap around the Woodstock site in support of Woodstock Hospital’s Dairy Capital Run. Approximately 45 costumed participants took part in the inaugural Roll & Stroll event, which raised more than $2,000 for the hospital’s annual campaign.
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A County that performs and delivers results

• + New net-zero Oxford County Waste Management & Education Centre opens

  Officially opened in June 2018, the new Waste Management & Education Centre embodies the County’s 100% RE commitment and zero waste goal. The centre is a cutting edge, net-zero energy facility that includes a solar photovoltaic system that is designed to generate as much electricity as the building consumes on a yearly basis. The building includes an education centre that offers interactive displays about environmental sustainability, renewable energy and zero waste.
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• + Ingersoll Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements unveiled

  Improvements to the Ingersoll Wastewater Treatment Plant completed in 2018 expanded wastewater treatment capacity and added new effluent outfall while making accommodations for future growth in the community. The project required a complex phasing strategy to ensure older infrastructure remained operational while the new plant components were brought online. The project received the 2018 Project of the Year – Historic restoration / Preservation award by the Ontario Public Works Association.
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• + Raising the bar for affordable housing

  In spring 2018, developers for Oxford County began demolition at 373 Blossom Park Road in Woodstock to make room for a new affordable housing complex owned and operated by Indwell Community Homes. The new development includes 34 affordable rental units designed for individuals who need support services to remain in stable housing. Blossom Park is the first multi-residential development in Oxford County built to achieve Passive House standard, offering significant energy savings for tenants and reduced emissions.
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• + Overdue fines eliminated on a one-year trial basis

  Starting in January 2018, Oxford County Library eliminated overdue fines on regular library items for a one-year trial period. The move was an effort to remove a potential barrier for individuals and families who struggle with the impact of fines, thereby supporting the County’s commitment to reducing poverty through removing barriers. Due to the trial’s success the Library has since eliminated overdue fines permanently.
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• + Pilot for Family Transition Program

  A team at Woodingford Lodge worked to develop an innovative new program that supports future residents and their families as they prepare for, and transition to, long-term care. Through the program-- the first of its kind in Canada-- the Woodingford Lodge team works with families before a new resident’s move-in day to help ease common stressors, depression and behaviours.
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• + Updated woodlands conservation by-law

  Oxford County’s new woodlands conservation by-law was approved in June 2018 after nearly two years of consultation, study and refinement. The by-law was updated to ensure the County is able to sustain its natural heritage resources; use good forestry practices; enhance biodiversity and forest resilience; and enhance the social, economic and environmental value of its woodlands.
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A County that employs people who make a positive difference

• + "Our People, Our Strength" strategy refreshed

  In 2018, Human Resources developed and launched the updated "Our People, Our Strength 2018-2020" plan. The plan describes the specific actions Oxford County will undertake over the next few years to enable the County to continue to attract, retain and develop the highest quality talent.
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• + Ensuring workplace mental health and wellbeing

  In November 2018, County Council adopted a new framework to manage psychological health and safety in the workplace. The framework, which includes a new policy and handbook, guides the programs and resources offered by Oxford County that contribute to positive workplace mental health. The new psychological health and safety framework is a key deliverable from the "2018-2020 Our People, Our Strength" plan and enhances the County’s overarching occupational health and safety program.
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• + Coaching professionals on reporting elder abuse

  Woodingford Lodge partnered with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario in 2018 to create a training video on reporting elder abuse and neglect and whistleblower protection legislation. The video supplements other RNAO training resources for health professionals on preventing and addressing the abuse and neglect of older adults, and of the moral, ethical and legal imperatives for doing so.
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• + Improving internal systems

  In 2018, a cross-functional team at Oxford County began work on updating the County’s patchwork of workforce management systems. The new myCloud system is a mobile-friendly, self-service, real-time tool that will, on full implementation, offer access to work schedules, facilitate payroll processing, and perform other functions for the County’s more than 800 employees.