Norwich to request language change for Safe and Well Oxford plan

Luke Edwards, Post Contributor

When it comes to health and safety in Oxford, are Indigenous or racialized people, newcomers, 2SLGBTIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, older adults, and youth “priority groups” or “groups of particular concern”?

That’s been a question Norwich councillors have asked recently, but ultimately a majority of them believe it should be the latter. As a result, the township will be requesting a change to the county’s proposed Safe and Well plan.

“My position is that using the term priority groups is discriminatory language and I oppose discrimination in all its forms,” said Coun. Karl Toews.

Municipalities that direct police services in Ontario must have a health and safety plan, which must be updated every four years. For regions like Oxford County, it’s a unique challenge because the lower tier municipalities direct police services, but places like Norwich Township don’t have the social service infrastructure to implement such plans.

As a result, Oxford County developed a plan, seeking support from the lower tier municipalities. Norwich is the only lower tier municipality that hasn’t yet approved the plan.

It outlines priority risks - including mental health and well-being, housing for all, people and belonging, substance use and addiction, gender based violence, and affordability and economic stability - along with an implementation strategy to attempt to address those risks. The strategy includes an advisory committee. Municipalities that agree to the plan would have a seat on that committee.

“Priority groups face added barriers from stigma, discrimination, and a lack of culturally safe care. Service providers highlighted challenges with early identification, mental health literacy, and navigating a fragmented system, especially for children, caregivers, and older adults,” the plan reads, including a footnote referencing the seven groups.

Coun. Lynne DePlancke tried to defend the plan including priority groups in the plan, comparing it to triage at a hospital: everyone should have access to care, but a person with chest pains should be prioritized over someone with a sprained wrist. She wanted a reconsideration and for council to ultimately approve the plan as it was originally presented.

That didn’t happen. Instead, Toews, Adrian Couwenberg and Shawn Gear voted to request the change of the terminology, which will require support from all other Oxford municipalities.

Gear used the discussion to rail against what he perceived as a never-ending expansion of so-called priority groups. He seemed to reference the furry community, a subculture of people who anthropomorphising animal characters.

DePlancke asked Gear if she agreed the seven groups the plan identified as priority groups should be given some consideration.

“I support the majority of them. I do not support all,” he replied.

Next steps for the Safe and Well plan will depend on how the other municipalities respond to Norwich’s request.