A County that works together

• + 10-Year Shelter Plan

  Council approved Oxford's 10-Year Shelter Plan in June 2015, a strategy that will guide how shelter services are developed and delivered in the County so that all residents have access to affordable, appropriate and stable housing and, from stable housing, an opportunity for improved quality of life More...

• + Housing First policy

  County Council became one of only a few municipalities in Ontario when it adopted a "Housing First" policy in September 2015 to support affordable housing development. The policy directs the County to redevelop or reinvest proceeds from the sale of County-owned properties to help meet the growing demand for housing. About 3,500 households in Oxford County are living in housing that does not meet adequacy, suitability, or affordability standards. More...

• + Healthy menu choices at community centres

  Oxford County Public Health joined with Blandford-Blenheim and Zorra Townships in January to bring healthy menu options to community centre concession stands. Healthy snack offerings like fresh smoothies, yogurt, and hummus and pretzels are a natural fit for families enjoying physical activity at the community centres, creating a hub for healthy, active living. More...

• + Oxford County Cheese Trail

  Announced in the fall of 2015, Tourism Oxford's revamped Cheese Trail promotes local agriculture and food with "more cheese, exciting flavours, and new experiences." The Trail features more than 20 stops at restaurants, retailers, attractions and award-winning cheesemakers right here in Oxford County. More...

• + Oxford Fresh

  Tourism Oxford and the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture merged their local food initiatives into a new Oxford Fresh Brand in 2015. Sixty-three growers, artisanal producers and markets participate in this local food program More...

A County that is well connected

• + Trans Canada Trail extension

  Oxford County and Tillsonburg announced a partnership in September 2015 to begin developing a 27-kilometre missing link on the Trans Canada Trail, with Trans Canada Trail and Para Pan-AM Games legacy funding covering 65% of the costs. An expanded trail system offers economic, environmental and health benefits for communities connected to the trail More...

• + Ride Oxford 1 Million Kilometre Challenge

  Scenic views, gentle rolling hills, and unique places make Oxford County a tourism destination for cyclists. The "Ride Oxford" cycling map was developed in 2015 in consultation with the Oxford County Cycling Advisory Committee. Cyclists continue to pedal toward their collective goal in the "1 Million KM Challenge." More...

A County that thinks ahead and wisely shapes the future

• + Future Oxford: Our path towards sustainability

  Approved by County Council in September 2015, the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan is our community's vision for how we will manage human (community), natural (environmental) and financial (economic) resources to improve quality of life for current and future generations. The Plan in its current stage sets out 70 distinct targets and actions to reach this goal. More...

• + 100% Renewable energy by 2050

  A unanimous vote by County Council in June saw Oxford County become the first municipal government in Ontario to commit to a 100% renewable energy target. The County is working to achieve this goal by 2050 by working in partnership with area municipalities, community partners and private businesses through Smart Energy Oxford. More...

• + Becoming a Zero-Waste community

  On September 9, 2015, County Council voted to become a "zero-waste" community, a commitment that seeks to increase waste diversion, end waste exports, and extend the life span of the Salford municipal landfill to 2100. More...

• + Source water protection

  All four of Oxford County's Source Protection Plans were approved by the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change in 2015: Thames Sydenham and Region, Catfish Creek, Long Point Region, and Grand River. Under the Clean Water Act, 2006, Ontario's municipalities must develop source protection plans that show they are protecting drinking water sources. More...

• + Low-flow fixture rebates under Water Efficiency Plan

  A new low-flow fixture rebate program was approved in December 2015 under the County's Water Efficiency Plan. The program offers cash rebates to replace toilets ($50) and clothes washers ($100) with water efficient models. Toilets are the single largest user of water in a home at 30%, followed by clothes washers and showers each at 20%. More...

• + Seeking protection for West Quarry Lake

  Oxford County sought an appeal of an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) in 2015 that allows Carmeuse Lime to discharge sewage and/or partially treated effluent into West Quarry Lake. The appeal was not heard, but Oxford County continues to advocate against Carmeuse Lime using the lake as part of its surface water treatment system More...

A County that informs and engages

• + Beachville Area Air Quality Assessment

  Ongoing since 2014, the Beachville Area Air Quality Assessment is Public Health's response to citizen concerns about air quality in the Beachville area. The project studied whether or not quarry operations impact air quality and affect human health. Community engagement in 2015 included a citizen survey, two community meetings, Council presentations, and an open forum for questions and comments through Speak Up, Oxford! More...

• + New Tourism Oxford website

  A new mobile-friendly format, easy social media sharing, and stunning local photography are a few of the features of the new and improved TourismOxford.ca launched in May 2015. Each year one million visitors come to Oxford County More...

• + Be ready with Oxford 72 Hours.ca

  Are you prepared to keep you and your family safe for up to 72 hours in an emergency? Oxford72hours.ca was launched in May 2015 to help residents, families and businesses be ready when disaster strikes More...

A County that performs and delivers results

• + New waste management program

  Oxford's new waste management program rolled out in September 2015, bringing single-stream recycling (no more sorting), more recycling pick-up days, co-collection of garbage and recycling (less cost and environmental impact), and a new online tool that puts answers to pick up and other questions at your fingertips, Wasteline.ca. Don't forget to sign up for auto reminders! More...

• + Community referrals by paramedics program

  Paramedics responding to a 911 medical emergency call are often in the unique position of witnessing living conditions that could be improved with help from other community agencies. Community Referrals by Emergency Medical Services (CREMS) was launched in March 2015 with provincial funding to help patients get additional care after an emergency call. More...

• + Safety improvements to snow plows

  Oxford County's snow plow fleet received new lights in 2015 to improve safety for plow drivers and the motoring public. Flashing blue lights were added onto the edge of the front blade to assist drivers in opposing lanes identify the edge of the plow closest to their vehicle. Larger plows were equipped with lights on their wing blades for added visibility. More...

• + Ontario Accreditation for Oxford County Library

  Oxford County Library received a Certificate of Accreditation at the Ontario Library Association in December 2015, affirming its vision, operational excellence, and leadership in the early adoption of e-services More...

A County that employs people who make a positive difference

• + "A Happy Medley"

  Woodingford Lodge staff and residents launched their own music video in February 2015 that showcased why the long-term care home is "an exceptional place to live and work." A Happy Medley incorporates several of Woodingford's resident recreation programs and was a highlight for both residents and staff who worked on it over the fall and winter months. More...

• + ACE Awards
  (Applauding Commitment and Excellence)

  With 2015 as its inaugural year, the Applauding Commitment and Excellence (ACE) program recognizes peers and leaders in the County for excellence in demonstrating the County's corporate values: customer service, leadership, accountability, innovation, integrity and teamwork More...

• + Future Ready Leadership Program

  Oxford County is providing professional development opportunities for emerging leaders with the Future Ready Leadership Program. The program teaches critical thinking skills and behaviours that fit the County's leadership competencies. In 2015, 20 employees spanning all County departments entered the initial offering of the program More...