Vision 2050 Report Part 6: Residents Call for a Cleaner, Fairer, More Transparent Owen Sound
Nearly 700 residents shared detailed visions for a prosperous and vibrant Owen Sound — one that takes care of its people, uses its strengths wisely, and connects every neighbourhood.
We continue our independent analysis of community responses to the City of Owen Sound’s ‘Vision 2050’ survey, the results of which were obtained in 2025 through a freedom of information and access request.
In Part 1 of our report, we dug into responses on whether Council’s existing priorities should be reframed. In Part 2, we explored additional priorities community members want to see reflected by Council.
Part 3 asked what strengths we’re underusing, and Part 4 looked at characteristics of our city that are uncomfortable to speak about or offer a significant opportunity for improvement. Part 5 broke down the missed opportunities Owen Sounders want to see action on.
This week’s focus is on Q14: In one to three sentences, share your idea for a prosperous, connected, vibrant and safe Owen Sound.
Residents Want to See a Clean, Connected City with a Sustainable Economy
A total of 692 respondents shared their thoughts on what a prosperous, connected, vibrant and safe Owen Sound could look like. Their ideas range from broad visions for economic growth to simple hopes for cleaner streets and a stronger community spirit.
Together, they describe a city that takes care of its people, connects its neighbourhoods, and creates lasting opportunities to live, work, and belong.
Across hundreds of answers, these themes stand out clearly:
A Clean, Safe and Caring City
Residents see safety and dignity as the foundation of Owen Sound’s future. Many call for cleaner streets, better lighting, and a visible presence downtown to ensure people feel comfortable walking, shopping, and gathering.
Others stress that true safety comes from compassion — by addressing homelessness, addictions, and mental health through housing-first and supportive approaches rather than enforcement alone.
These perspectives share a common goal: restoring confidence, pride, and a sense of care in every part of the city.
A Connected and Active Community
Respondents imagine a city where people cross paths easily: walking or cycling along the waterfront, attending local events, or meeting in parks and public spaces that feel welcoming and well used.
They emphasize “connection” not just as transit or infrastructure, but as belonging: opportunities for youth, families, and seniors to take part in community life.
Calls for better transit, more accessible recreation, and year-round events reflect a shared desire for a more inclusive, social, and vibrant Owen Sound.
A Prosperous and Sustainable Local Economy
Economic strength underpins almost every response. Residents want to see more attainable housing, meaningful work, and support for small businesses and entrepreneurship.
They connect prosperity to both stability and creativity, attracting new industries and tourism while nurturing local talent, arts, and innovation.
Many also highlight the importance of doing this sustainably, ensuring growth enhances rather than erodes the character and natural beauty that make Owen Sound unique.
You’ll find every response to Q13 in full in Column F of Owen Sound Current’s copy of the Vision 2050 raw survey results, obtained from the City via an information request under MFIPPA.
In reviewing these responses, we also see key characteristics respondents believe Owen Sound must collectively develop to become a prosperous, connected, vibrant and safe city.
1. A Community That Welcomes, Listens, and Leads with Empathy
Many residents envision a city where differences are respected, and where diversity of thought and background are seen as strengths rather than sources of conflict.
“Welcoming diversity of thought — including perspectives we disagree with — neighbour coexisting with differences of politics, religion, culture, worldview peacefully.”
People want to see that same principle reflected in city leadership: decision-making grounded in compassion, collaboration, and fairness.
“A community where city leadership models concern for its citizens, encourages the public to advocate for its most vulnerable members, and invests in preventative programs (affordable housing and childcare, accessibility services, support programs for at-risk mothers, mental health services, trauma-informed providers, etc.) to ensure equity for all.”
“A city that shows up with an enthused council that sees its citizens (all of them) as the heartbeat of the town.”
Residents want a city culture that values empathy and inclusion, led by local government that is both responsive and reflective of the community it serves. Prosperity, in their view, begins with belonging.
2. A City That Uses Its Strengths Wisely
Dozens of responses point to the same idea: Owen Sound already has what it needs to succeed — a rich cultural scene, natural beauty, and dedicated residents. The frustration lies not in what the city lacks, but in how it uses its resources.
“This city has the potential, the talent, the creativity, the layout and location to be a vibrant thriving social center. There are lots of people working really hard on this already — we just need to get out of their way.”
“We need to stop the financial bleeding and force staff to find efficiencies. Too many draw a big paycheque and don’t even live in the city. Get rid of the full-time fire service, we’re one of the only places left with that and can’t afford it.”
“Stop trying to cut services if you want to grow the community. People need to know they are safe and have adequate help in emergencies.”
“Try to bring downtown business back. Snow clearance similar to Port Elgin, downtown is free of snow.”
Residents believe prosperity will come not from new spending or studies, but from practical, transparent management and better use of what already exists — people, assets, and ideas.
3. Taking Care of What’s Ours: Planning, Property, and Pride
Many respondents highlight visible neglect — vacant buildings, brownfields, and unkept streets — as daily reminders of stalled progress. They call for decisive, coordinated action to restore pride and purpose to the city’s built environment.
“We need to impose a ‘hoarding’ tax on those holding our massive stock of contaminated (brownfield) sites if the owners aren’t improving them. They suck the life out of the town... and are evidence of non-caring owners and a powerless council.”
“We need to design a better future for our brownfield sites. First we need to build on what is already in the plans, then move to design, then look at supporting property owners who try to make it happen with incentives, and higher taxes on those who just let them sit there rotting.”
“Use vacant downtown space for pop-up businesses, make sure any new subdivisions/developments have mixed use... and a range of housing types.”
“Require all building owners downtown to repair and keep tidy their street-facing buildings. Use the windows of empty shops to highlight cultural organizations rather than have boarded-up buildings.”
“Be very cautious of gentrification. We can make our city pretty but we can’t abandon the people who struggle to live here.”
Residents see visible neglect as both a symptom and a cause of deeper issues. They want policies that encourage maintenance, redevelopment, and reuse — but with equity in mind, ensuring renewal doesn’t push vulnerable people out.
4. A More Open and Collaborative City Hall
Perhaps no theme cuts deeper than the relationship between residents and City Hall. Many said they feel their input is sought but not acted upon; that consultation often feels performative.
Others propose practical fixes: open town halls, citizen committees, and more honest two-way communication.
“Transparent two-way communication for city governance accountability and mutual respect in all sectors.”
“Why, is anyone listening? We’ve been saying the same for years and council does whatever they want.”
“Use the knowledge and expertise of residents to solve problems and propose solutions. Community involvement (like this survey) is incredibly important for anything sustainable to happen.”
“Need to set a committee separate from the City Council but made up of current volunteers in areas of management... to focus on this matter and expand on the results of this survey to create needed positive change.”
“Meetings led by city councillors where public concerns can be aired, addressed... and consensus built on a path forward.”
“City of Owen Sound undergoes much-needed organizational change to learn how to become a collaborator and community supporter vs. controller, obstacle, and red tape machine.”
The message is consistent and direct: residents want a City Hall that listens, communicates clearly, and partners with the community — not one that manages from a distance. Openness, humility, and shared ownership are seen as essential to rebuilding trust.
A Note on Engagement Fatigue
A small but notable group of respondents questioned the design of the survey itself, expressing frustration with its tone and structure.
“You have to be kidding. Three sentences. Shame on you for asking such a patronizing and thoughtless question.”
“This is repetitive and generic. Again, check in with a survey design course, hire an experienced engagement consultant for future surveys.”
“I actually have no idea what ‘connected’ means here. Connected with our citizens? Other communities? I think it is a buzzword that means nothing.”
These comments underscore the need for ongoing improvements in how the City seeks input, and how it demonstrates that feedback is used.
The frustration expressed by residents throughout the Vision 2050 responses now sits in sharp relief against Council’s October 6 approval of the strategic plan. While the new plan cites “listening to the community” as its foundation, Council rejected all proposed amendments raised on October 6 to use existing data sources to measure progress on the very issues residents emphasized most: housing affordability, local incomes, public transit, and safety.
This reinforces the sentiment heard throughout the survey: people don’t just want to be asked what they think; they want to see that what they said has changed how the City measures success.
In approving a plan that relies almost entirely on repeated surveys (one-way communication) and subjective satisfaction scores, Council risks widening the same gap in trust that residents described in their comments: a sense that public consultation is cyclical and symbolic rather than informative and catalytic.
To close that gap, future updates to Vision 2050 will need to move beyond perception toward performance with clear metrics, transparent data, and demonstrable action.
Final Thoughts
Residents’ answers to Question 14 make it clear they want a clean, compassionate, well-managed city that uses its assets wisely, listens openly, and acts visibly.
The vision is detailed and achievable: ideally, Owen Sound will become a place that is prosperous because it is fair, connected because it listens, and vibrant because people believe in it.
Next week, we’ll explore the main themes and suggestions from Q15 in the City’s Vision 2050 survey — and it’s a crucial element in activating this plan: What expertise and talent exist in the community to move a strong strategic plan forward?
You’ll find all responses to this question in full in Column E of Owen Sound Current’s copy of the Vision 2050 raw survey results, obtained by our publication from the City of Owen Sound via an information and access request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
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