The objectives, outcomes and targets within this plan are based on a comprehensive review of local data from a variety of sources including Statistics Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Ministry of Finance, the City and County etc. The CKLH-H Housing & Homelessness Assessment Report provides details on the data reviewed and considered.
Plans
Plans turn strategy into action. Each strategy may involve one or more plans that guide specific initiatives, projects, or areas of service.
On This Page
- Kawartha Lakes Strategic Plan
- 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan
- Active Transportation Master Plan
- Asset Management Plan
- Budget and Financial Plans
- Community Improvement Plan
- Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
- Destination Development Plan
- Economic Studies
- Energy Management Plan
- Fire Master Plan
- Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
- Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan
- Municipal Accessibility Master Plan
- Municipal Housing Pledge
- Road Depot Master Plan
- Trails Master Plan
- Transit Master Plan
- Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan
Kawartha Lakes Strategic Plan
The 2024-2027 Kawartha Lakes Strategic Plan sets our direction for the future. It identifies Council's vision, mission, values, guiding principles and strategic priority areas. It also identifies goals and actions that Council and staff will deliver on over the next four years.
Vision: Thriving and growing communities in a healthy and natural environment
Mission: Working together to deliver the highest standard of municipal service and uphold our commitment towards a sustainable future for all.
Values: Accountability, Respect, Teamwork
Guiding Principles: Fiscally Responsible, Open and Transparent, Partner and Collaborate, Service Excellence
Strategic Priorities:
- A Healthy Environment
- An Exceptional Quality of Life
- A Vibrant and Growing Economy
- Good Government
The Strategic Plan references Master Plans and Strategies that outline specific actions for service areas. Many of these reports are available on the Reports, Studies and Plans page.
2024-2027 Kawartha Lakes Strategic Plan
Download the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
Visit Jump In, Kawartha Lakes to read about the process of developing the Strategic Plan.
2020-2023 Strategic Plan
Download the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan.
10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan
Our housing and homelessness programs are guided by the 10 year Housing and Homelessness Plan. The Plan establishes priorities for housing and homelessness services based on targeted consultations and research.
The Plan enables the City and County of Haliburton to:
- Create a long-term community vision of shared goals, agreed upon priorities and strategies for a continuum of housing and homelessness services
- Improve access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing
- Coordinate and integrate housing and homelessness services to assist families and individuals
- Assist in determination of housing and homelessness funding including but not limited to priorities and processes
- Prepare for future senior government funding and partnership opportunities
- Make recommendations on the process and structure of service delivery within Municipal Programs and delivery partners
Active Transportation Master Plan
The Kawartha Moves Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) was developed to create a long-range (20+ year) strategic planning document with supporting policies, programs, tools, and design solutions to improve the overall understanding of and support for active transportation in Kawartha Lakes.
Download the accessible PDF of the Active Transportation Master Plan
Kawartha Lakes Active Transportation Plan Appendix A: Proposed Facility Types
Please be advised we are currently working on an accessible format of the complex visual images located in Appendix A of the Kawartha Lakes Active Transportation Master Plan. Staff are available to offer support to those who require assistance by e-mailing: mfaulhammer@kawarthalakes.ca or by calling 705-324-9411 extension 2153.
Kawartha Lakes Active Transportation Plan Appendix B: Proposed Phasing and Priority Maps
Please be advised we are currently working on an accessible format of the complex visual images located in Appendix A of the Kawartha Lakes Active Transportation Master Plan. Staff are available to offer support to those who require assistance by e-mailing: mfaulhammer@kawarthalakes.ca or by calling 705-324-9411 extension 2153.
Asset Management Plan
Kawartha Lakes is committed to responsible fiscal resource management and efficient infrastructure and asset management. To meet these commitments, the City of Kawartha Lakes has prepared the Asset Management Plan. It forecasts capital needs based on established service levels, existing and anticipated capital asset conditions and industry standards and best practices.
Budget and Financial Plans
The Budget and Business Plan, 10-Year Financial Plan 2018-2027 and Asset Management Plans are available on our Budget and Finance page.
Community Improvement Plan
The Strategic Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the City of Kawartha Lakes provides support to property and business owners in the designated areas who wish to improve their properties. The cumulative result of property improvements in priority areas will be more vibrant downtown and main street areas, to attract residents, visitors, and economic development. The cumulative impact of individual projects undertaken by property owners can be as influential as area-wide public works projects.
The CIP focuses on:
- Derelict building repairs and improvements to functionality
- Heritage districts and building restoration and improvements
- Affordable rental housing retrofits in mixed-use buildings
- Downtown mainstreet revitalization and enhancements
The CIP includes a variety of financial incentive programs, including loans, grants and tax assistance in the form of rebates aimed at addressing the City’s priorities and strategic goals. The programs cover a broad range of improvements from minor aesthetic updates to major structural upgrades, as well as the professional services that may be needed to prepare plans, studies or reports.
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
The Kawartha Lakes Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is our commitment to ensuring our community continues to be a great place to live, work and play. This plan serves as a guide for the municipality and our partners.
The Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Advisory Committee identifies four priority areas:
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Housing
- Poverty
- Youth
These priorities were established after reviewing local data along with analyzing the results of the community survey and focused sessions held with organizations and agencies.
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan - accessible PDF
Destination Development Plan
The Destination Development Plan guides the coordinated efforts of municipal staff and tourism stakeholders to build upon the tourism sector’s significant contribution to the local economy.
The Plan identifies those areas with the most potential to augment Kawartha Lakes’ natural assets and differentiate the area from competing destinations. It is focused on increasing the spend-per-tourist on an individual trip basis and the overall contribution to the economy as part of a sustainable and diversified economic development strategy.
2020-2025 Kawartha Lakes Tourism Destination Development Plan - accessible PDF
Economic Studies
The Economic Development Strategy can be found on the Strategies page.
Click here to visit our Economic Strategies, Reports and Studies
Energy Management Plan
A Healthy Environment is one of Council's four strategic priorities. The City's Corporate Energy Management Plan is an important part of that goal. It quantifies and provides a roadmap to manage demand for energy for a five year planning horizon.
Fire Master Plan
Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service (KLFRS) updates and maintains a Master Fire Plan (MFP) to provide high-quality fire services to residents, visitors and businesses of the community. This MFP reviews and identifies current and probable community fire risks and needs over the next 10 years and beyond. It will assist KLFRS with future planning relating to staffing and response, fire, life safety programming, and for asset management.
Master Fire Plan - accessible PDF
Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
The Integrated Community Sustainability Plan identifies the sustainability issues facing Kawartha Lakes based on economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability pillars.
Download an accessible version of the Kawartha Lakes Integrated Community Sustainability Plan
Plan documents include:
The City of Kawartha Lakes is taking action to transform our Kawartha Lakes into a more successful, desirable, and sustainable place to live. The transformation includes the development of an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (called Our Kawartha Lakes). Our Kawartha Lakes is a long-term plan, developed in consultation with community members, to provide direction for the community to realize sustainability objectives for the environmental, cultural, social and economic dimensions that make up "Our Kawartha Lakes".
Sustainability
Means: meeting the needs of the present without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Integrates: economic, environmental, and social considerations into planning and action.
We need your help: to define the best values, issues and vision needed to develop the plan's long term sustainability goals and objectives, and to define the tools needed to measure the success of the Plan.
It takes a community to achieve community sustainability. It is up to all of us to do our part, and we need your help because, together, it's Our Kawartha Lakes.
Steering Committee Responsibilities
The role of the Steering Committee will be to:
- Oversee the general preparation of the ICSP;
- Review and comment on materials prepared for the Plan;
- Participate in focus groups as Champions, and
- Elicit broader community interest and involvement in the ICSP process.
To this end, Steering Committee members will be expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in an estimated 8 to 10 meetings, generally on a monthly basis, devoted to the ICSP during 2011 and 2012;
- Review and comment on any draft materials provided in advance of each Steering Committee meeting;
- Participate, as available, in one or more ICSP focus groups; acting as that groups "Champion" before the Steering Committee;
- While the Steering Committee members may have particular expertise and experience in their individual field or sector, they will be expected to bring a broad, balanced, sustainable view to their work on the ICSP Steering Committee.
Proposed Focus Group Areas
- water
- agriculture
- natural systems
- resource consumption
- human health and education
- economy
- culture and heritage
- finance and affordability
Water
The City of Kawartha Lakes is defined by water. This invaluable resource is shared between the people and the land of Kawartha Lakes. To be a vibrant, strong, and resilient community we need to establish targets and develop strategies to address:
- healthy watersheds -healthy lakes, rivers, and shorelines
- water system management - municipal systems, stormwater control
- water quality and use -safe drinking water
- Floodplain management
Agriculture
Historically, agriculture has formed the backbone of communities within Kawartha Lakes. Looking to the future, it will continue to play an important role, as it continues to grow in importance and application. The agricultural focus group will examine the following by establishing targets and developing strategies for:
- local food production and consumption
- food security and community health
- town and village agriculture
- farming economy
- agri-tourism
Natural Systems
Kawartha Lakes has many natural cores and connections of forest, wetlands, riparian areas and grasslands. The biodiversity of these ecological systems forms Kawartha Lakes natural system, which requires understanding, assessment, and strategies for preservation. These ecological systems are currently under threat by manmade forces (development pressure, introduction of invasive species, global warming, etc.). The natural systems focus group will examine the following by establishing targets and developing strategies for:
- wetlands
- forests
- river margins and banks
- alvars (limestone plain)
- grasslands
- biodiversity of species
Resource Consumption
When we consume products or services we use resources - energy, infrastructure, and materials - and we create waste. Resource consumption also depletes natural systems, often at a rate that cannot be naturally renewed. A key component of resource consumption is conservation, this will be considered throughout each topic area. The resource consumption focus group will examine the following by establishing targets and developing strategies for:
- Energy
- Materials - recycled and recyclable
- Infrastructure - transportation (aging, expansion), public services and facilities (aging pipes, roads, plants and expansion)
- Waste - diversion (composting, reuse and recycle), landfill
Human Health and Education
A sustainable community is a healthy community. Human health is integral to the current and long term success of Kawartha Lakes.
- active transportation/active community - systems of parks, trails, recreational, and open spaces
- population health
- accessibility and quality
- lifelong learning
- safety
- seniors
- youth - active youth, walking school bus initiative
Economy
An economically sustainable community requires consideration of targets and strategies of the following:
- growth
- agriculture, Tourism, and Industry
- technology
- employment
- education
- health
- affordability - household, municipal
Culture and Heritage
For a community to be sustainable and desirable, it needs to recognize its distinctiveness, celebrate its achievements, and build on them in every possible way. It also needs to appreciate those characteristics which might need to be better aligned with a sustainable future.
- history and achievements,
- identity, distinctiveness, character and heritage (both built and non-built) preservation
- naming, festivals, enduring cultural and recreational celebrations
- systems of parks, trails, recreational, and open spaces
Finance and Affordability
There are four pillars of sustainability - cultural, social, environmental, and financial. We propose to use financial viability and affordability as a filter to assess the strategies that address social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. Financial viability relates to both municipal and individual household capacity. The purpose of this filter is to determine whether the strategies are within the purview of the City's and resident's capacity to implement now or in the future.
Each work group is asked to ensure that its obligations are fully met for the following 9 areas of activity. Focus Group Responsibilities for each of the eight Focus Groups:
1. Know: current performance, baselines, precedents.
Make yourselves familiar with the required knowledge to work effectively in guiding the community in your focus area. Your group's knowledge should include:- A clear, specific description of the current performance of the CKL community; and
- Advanced levels of performance reached by precedent communities similar to CKL
2. Imagine: a desired future for CKL in general, and in the realm of your focus group
Imagine an overall ideal set of sustainability conditions in CKL, within which it should set performance targets in its area of focus for the community to reach over a specified time frame.3. Assess: the gap between current performance and desired state
Develop a clear description of the difference(s) between current performance and future targets in community level performance.4. Strategise: the ways to get to the desired state
Create and agree on a set of strategies for CKL to reach the desired set of sustainability conditions.5. Act: implement the strategies
Ensure that each strategy has a person or group within the City of Kawartha Lakes community that could be responsible for its implementation, within a clear time frame.6. Coordinate: ensure regular information exchange, and collaborate to ensure all aspects of the CKL ICSP make a coherent whole.
Collaborate with the other work groups addressing various other target areas, to ensure that:- Unnecessary overlaps and/or conflicts are avoided;
- Each group takes full advantage of the aligned efforts of other groups; and
- Overall understanding of the whole ICSP effort is heightened
Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan
The Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan (KLHEP) is a City-led, community-focused initiative. The goal of the plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with federal targets for 2031. Adaptation efforts will focus on preparing for the anticipated impacts of climate change such as warmer temperatures and more intense precipitation patterns.
The plan was constructed using the People for Climate Protection Five Milestone Methodology with funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Mitigating and adapting to climate change requires support from individuals, businesses, institutions and various levels of government. We all have a role to play in ensuring the resiliency and prosperity of our community.
In the fall of 2021 Council welcomed representatives from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Kawartha Lakes was awarded milestones one through three recognizing both the community and corporate emissions plans.
Download the Healthy Environment Plan.
Municipal Accessibility Master Plan
The City of Kawartha Lakes recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive community, one where all people are given an equal opportunity to live, visit, raise a family, work and retire. The City is committed to improving opportunities for persons with disabilities by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers so that individuals of all abilities can participate to their full potential in everything that this community has to offer.
The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equality of opportunity, and to meeting or exceeding the requirements of the standards enacted under the AODA.
The Municipal Accessibility Master Plan was created after consultation with the Kawartha Lakes Accessibility Advisory Committee, the CAO and Senior Management Team, and contributing City departments throughout 2023.
Download the Accessibility Master Plan 2024-2029
Municipal Housing Pledge
Ensuring everyone has a place to live is a collective priority and accountability.
Locally, the housing crisis has taken a toll on residents within the City of Kawartha Lakes, particularly affecting those with moderate to lower household income levels. Affordability becomes a significant hurdle for these individuals, compounded by extremely limited resources, placing them among the most vulnerable members of society. The challenge of securing housing is exacerbated by low vacancy rates, restricted housing stock, and an insufficient variety of housing options. As a result, finding a suitable place to live becomes a formidable struggle for many in our community. Addressing this pressing issue requires thoughtful and targeted efforts to enhance housing accessibility and affordability for all residents.
The City, as laid out in this pledge, is committed to forward thinking and looking at every option or initiative to innovate, integrate and enable housing development across the continuum of housing to meet the needs today, along with the projected growth to 2031 and beyond.
Municipal Housing Pledge - accessible PDF
Road Depot Master Plan
Roads Depot Master Plan - accessible PDF
Trails Master Plan
The City of Kawartha Lakes is a growing municipality made up of several unique communities, including the settlement areas of Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Omemee and Woodville. These communities are located amidst a rich and diverse natural environment, with over 350 km of trails winding through the towns, and abundant farmland. Kawartha Lakes, in partnership with external partners, has long been a proponent of recreational activities, tourism, and travel through the design and development of trails.
The Trails Master Plan is the result of a process initiated by the City of Kawartha Lakes and supported by CIMA+ The Report has been developed with the intent of serving as the City’s policy support, blueprint, and guide to trail planning, design, implementation, management, and maintenance.
Information contained within this report includes a series of trail recommendations which have been developed, reviewed, and confirmed based on input from City staff, stakeholders, and decision makers. They reflect the strong history of trail planning established by the City as well as reflections on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that need to be addressed over the next 20 years.
Download a copy of the Trails Master Plan (14MB)
For more information on the Trails Master Plan e-mail the Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division.
Transit Master Plan
Transit Master Plan - accessible PDF
Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
