1. Addiction/Substance Use

This category includes the health condition of addiction related to alcohol use, cannabis use, illegal drug use, prescription drug use, gambling (online, racetrack, casino, etc.), access to addiction services, and coordination between addiction services in the community.

 

Concerns/Indicators

Below are some of the key Addiction/Substance Use indicators and concerns highlighted in local data. Action Tables will explore these in order to inform the creation of specific CSWBP Action Plans, as well as to monitor progress and improvements.

• Regular heavy drinking remains a known issue in our community, with self-reported use in Bruce and Grey tracking higher than Ontario.
• Alcohol use has been recognized as a long standing, serious public health issue for many years in the Bruce and Grey region and has been the focus of several interventions/projects (8).
• School student alcohol and cannabis use is increasing.
• Of Emergency Department visits, over half (57%) are linked to alcohol, and there has been a 2.5-3 times increase for opioid-related visits.
• This concern is not necessarily reflected in some of the local police data for drug offences because of the legalization of cannabis in October 2018; it is difficult to note trends at this point in time.
• Addiction/substance use is the cause of increasing hospitalization and death in the region.

 

Community Perceptions

Addictions/Substance Use category ranked highest (#1) overall in the Bruce and Grey CSWBP Community Engagement Survey (overall, by Bruce County, by Grey County and by 13 of the 16 participating municipalities). It was ranked in the top 3 areas of importance by 58% of survey respondents (Bruce County 56%, Grey County 59%). When asked which areas were of particular concern in this category, illegal drug use, alcohol use, access to addiction services and prescription drug use were the top areas of concern, and several comments in the survey mentioned concern about the availability of illegal drugs in their community and the negative impact that it appears to have on crime rates, mental health and employment.

 

Locally, the following organizations, programs and committees are already working to address concerns related to addictions/ substance use across Bruce and Grey:

• Programs and services delivered by Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce and Grey Bruce Health Services
• The Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy
• R.I.D.E. Programs
• Programs delivered by the Grey Bruce Health Unit

* This list is not all-inclusive.

 

2. Mental Health

This category includes mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder), emotional or psychological trauma, suicide, access to mental health services, availability of mental health services, affordability of mental health services, and coordination between mental health services in the community.

 

Concerns/Indicators

Below are some of the key Mental Health indicators and concerns highlighted in local data. Action Tables will explore these in order to inform the creation of specific CSWBP Action Plans, as well as to monitor progress and improvements.

• Self-rated mental health indicators show approximately 25% of Bruce and Grey residents rate their mental health as excellent or very good, however approximately 20% experience a lot of stress and 15% are seeking help for mental health issues.
• More than 30% of students Grade 7-12 experience moderate to severe psychological distress and a third of those want to talk to someone about their mental health but don’t know where to turn.
• Both EMS and Police Services in the region have seen an increase in calls related to mental health concerns.
• 211 calls related to mental health have also increased.
• Self-harm Emergency Department visit rates have tripled among young females locally (comparable to Ontario).
• Bruce and Grey males 25-44 yrs have higher hospitalizations and deaths by suicide than Ontario.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for 25-44 yr olds (higher than Ontario) and is the second leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds (same as Ontario).

 

Community Perceptions

The Mental Health category ranked second highest (#2) overall in the Bruce and Grey CSWBP Community Engagement Survey (overall, by Bruce County, #3 for Grey County and #2 by 10 out of 16 participating municipalities). It was ranked in the top 3 areas of importance by 41% of survey respondents (Bruce County 42%, Grey County 41%). When asked which areas were of particular concern in this category, availability of mental health services, access to mental health services, mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety,) and affordability of mental health services were noted. Several comments in the survey identified concern about the need for more mental health services for children, long wait times, and more/better crisis services.

 

Locally, the following organizations, programs and committees are already working to address concerns related to mental health across Bruce and Grey:

• Programs delivered by Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, Grey Bruce Health Services and Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services
• Supports provided within Bluewater District School Board, Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board, and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
• WeCARE
• Wes For Youth

* This list is not all-inclusive.

 

3. Crime Prevention

This category includes animal cruelty, arson, break and enter, child abuse, drug trafficking, elder abuse, gang activity, homicide, human trafficking, intimate partner or domestic violence, physical assault, theft, sexual assault, and threats.

Concerns/Indicators

Although it is difficult to get a clear picture of police crime statistics for the Bruce and Grey region as a whole because of the differences in reporting between the OPP detachments and the 4 local Police Services, individual statistics are available for each OPP detachment and Police Service, and a review of this information will be of utmost importance as action planning in this area begins. In addition to these statistics, below are some of the key Addiction/Substance Use indicators and concerns highlighted in local data. Action Tables will explore these in order to inform the creation of specific CSWBP Action Plans, as well as to monitor progress and improvements.

• Criminal Court cases show trends are increasing over time for most offences (2017 vs 2019-20 - 17% to 27% increase).
• Overall, assault injuries are comparable to Ontario rates except that the Bruce and Grey rate of Emergency Department visits due to assault is higher than the Ontario rate.

 

Community Perceptions

This category ranked third (#3) overall in the Bruce and Grey CSWBP Community Engagement Survey (overall, by Bruce County, 2nd by Grey County, and in top 3 by 12 out of 16 of the participating municipalities). It was ranked in the top 3 areas of importance by 44% of survey respondents (Bruce County 42%, Grey County 46%). When asked which areas were of particular concern in this category, break and enter, drug trafficking and theft were the top areas of concern followed by intimate partner or domestic violence and human trafficking. Several comments in the survey mentioned concern about the road safety issues, drug related property crimes and violence as well as the need for greater proactive/preventative policing.

 

Locally, the following organizations, programs and committees are already working to address concerns related to crime prevention across Bruce and Grey:

• Violence Prevention Grey Bruce
• Services provided by Victim Services Bruce Grey Perth
• RIDE program
• Bruce Peninsula Safe Communities Committee
• Southern Bruce County Safe Communities Committee

* This list is not all-inclusive.

 

4. Housing and Homelessness

This category includes access to housing, availability of housing, affordability of housing, safety of housing, quality of housing, and homelessness.

 

Concerns/Indicators

Below are some of the key Housing and Homelessness indicators and concerns highlighted in local data. Action Tables will explore these in order to inform the creation of specific CSWBP Action Plans, as well as to monitor progress and improvements.

• Compared to Ontario and Canada, this region has more owned dwellings and fewer rental dwellings.
• Some areas have more subsidized housing (Owen Sound, Meaford, Kincardine, Southgate).
• Over 15% of homeowners and almost 50% or renters in Bruce and Grey spend more than 30% of their monthly income on shelter costs, a situation that leaves them only 1-2 paychecks away from not paying their mortgage/rent.
• Average housing prices are increasing but are lower than Ontario.
• Seasonal housing numbers are high in North Bruce Peninsula, Town of The Blue Mountains and South Bruce Peninsula.
• Very low rental vacancy rates in our region are similar to Ontario.
• Housing Wait Lists are increasing as are calls to 211 for housing issues.

 

Community Perceptions

This category ranked fourth highest (#4) overall in the Bruce and Grey CSWBP Community Engagement Survey (overall, by Bruce County, by Grey County). It was ranked in the top 3 areas of importance by 29% of respondents overall but especially in Owen Sound, North Bruce Peninsula and Kincardine. When asked which areas were of particular concern in this category, affordability of housing, availability of housing, and access to housing were noted, followed by homelessness. Several comments in the survey mentioned concern about the lack of affordable housing in communities, the lack of variety (e.g., smaller, more affordable homes), need for more education of tenants and landlords on rights, and the concern that many individuals or families stay in unfit, unsafe housing because there are no other options available to them (3).

 

Locally, the following organizations, programs and committees are already working to address concerns related to housing and homelessness across Bruce and Grey:

• Programs and services delivered by the Counties of Bruce and Grey
• The Bruce Grey Poverty Taskforce
• RentSafe
• Habitat for Humanity
• Giiwe and The Indigenous Supportive Housing Program
• YMCA Housing
• The Blue Mountains Attainable Housing Corporation
• Safe N Sound Grey Bruce

* This list is not all-inclusive.

 

5. Poverty and Income

This category includes ability to pay bills and meet basic needs, ability to enjoy life and participate in leisure activities, stress related to financial concerns, availability of financial supports, and access to financial supports.

 

Concerns/Indicators

Below are some of the key Poverty and Income indicators and concerns highlighted in local data. Action Tables will explore these in order to inform the creation of specific CSWBP Action Plans, as well as to monitor progress and improvements.

• Median household incomes in our region are lower than Ontario (lowest in Owen Sound, Hanover, and South Bruce Peninsula).
• Overall, approximately 20% of children in the region live in poverty (Low Income Measure-After Tax); highest in Huron-Kinloss (30%), Chatsworth (28%) and Owen Sound/Southgate/Arran-Elderslie (all approximately 25%).
• Trends from various organizations are showing increasing needs for support such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, United Way Backpack Program, Utility Assistance, 211 calls for food/meals and utility assistance.
• Over 25% of residents report spending more than 30% of income on housing and 5% in past year had not paid rent/mortgage on time; 18% report not paying other bills on time and 9% ate less because they did not have enough money.

 

Community Perceptions

This category ranked fifth highest (#5) overall in the Bruce and Grey CSWBP Community Engagement Survey (overall, by county and by several municipalities). It was ranked in the top 3 areas of importance by 32% of survey respondents (Bruce County 31%, Grey County 34%). When asked which areas were of particular concern in this category, ability to pay bills and meet basic needs, stress related to financial concerns, access to financial supports, ability to enjoy life and participate in leisure activities as well as availability of financial supports were highlighted. Several comments mentioned concern about lack of affordable housing in the region, lack of quality/stable employment including the challenges of seasonal work, the need for living wage and/or basic income plan, and food insecurity concerns.

 

Locally, the following organizations, programs and committees are already working to address concerns related to poverty and income across Bruce and Grey:

• The United Way of Bruce Grey
• Programs and services delivered by the Counties of Bruce and Grey
• The Bruce Grey Poverty Taskforce
• RentSafe
• Beaver Valley Outreach
• The Four County Labour Market Planning Board

* This list is not all-inclusive.