St. Catharines Strategic Plan

Economic Prosperity

This pillar focuses on our commitment to building and growing a diverse and resilient economy through fiscal responsibility, urban regeneration and collaborative partnerships.

Economic Prosperity Pillar objectives:

• Develop a Financial Plan as an overarching guiding document that informs all financial decisions and investments.
• Develop a 10-Year Capital Infrastructure Plan that includes all major investments to address City needs, priorities and growth.
• Establish a Capital Financing and Debt Strategy to balance affordability and investment needs.
• Continue to implement the Economic Development Strategy (2017-2022) with particular focus on investments, employment and partnerships to attract, retain, and grow the economy of the City.

Social Well-being

The Social Well-being Pillar aims to build and support strong, inclusive neighbourhoods that provide high quality of life for residents of all ages. 

Pillar objectives:

• Establish area-specific plans for the redevelopment of key sites in the City to promote strong, compatible, connected neighbourhoods that enhance the quality of life.
• Improve transportation and overall connectedness (all modes, including GO Rail, VIA Rail, and inter-municipal transit and active transportation), incorporate urban design guidelines and provide complete streets in City neighbourhoods.
• Refine and implement the Recreation Facilities and Programming Master Plan (2015-2026)
• Incorporate key deliverables into the Capital Infrastructure Plan and annual budget process
• Implement Park Renewal Plan (2017) and invest in prioritized play structures
• Develop and implement sponsorship policy and pursue partnership opportunities for parks infrastructure.
• Invest and leverage outside investments in Canada Summer Games Legacy projects that will provide permanent facilities and upgrades for future generations.
• Update the Parks Policy Plan to include options for urban parks, civic spaces and exploration of a community benefits strategy.

Environmental Stewardship

This pillar sets a strategic goal of adapting innovative approaches and continuing responsible community planning and decision-making that balances growth, enhances quality of life, manages emergencies, and minimizes the environmental impacts of climate change.

The pillar's main objective is to develop a Climate Change Action Plan to address:

• Climate change impacts and mitigation planning
• Energy conservation and demand management
• Waterfront/shoreline protection and water course erosion
• Advocacy for updated floodplain mapping
• Storm water management options 
• Identification of capital investments to address climate change
• Establish corporate waste reduction targets and ­sustainable building guidelines ­ 

Cultural Renaissance

This pillar is focused on celebrating the City’s rich history, diversity, arts and cultural assets through leadership, promotion and investments that support measurable, sustainable creative growth.

Pillar objectives:

• Support of the creative cluster and promotion of cultural talent, festivals, events and venues ­
• Stable, sustainable cultural support and funding
• Addressing Heritage Preservation