The Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Framework provides the vision for an inclusive, compassionate and safe city for all Edmontonians.
The City of Edmonton is investing in community-driven, evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of poverty, violence and discrimination. Through CSWB, the City invests in strategies and programs that create a safer, more inclusive city today, while building resilience for tomorrow.
The 7 Pillars of the Framework (Long-term Outcomes)
Community Safety and Well-being is grounded in 7 pillars designed to address complex social issues facing our city.
The City of Edmonton actively identifies and eliminates racism in all forms by changing systems, institutions, policies, attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate racism.
Edmontonians experience safety and security through collaborative, evidence-based and equity-informed approaches to prevent and address violence and crime.
The City of Edmonton actively removes systemic barriers through inclusive, anti-discriminatory, anti-racist, reconciliatory policies and structures, enabling equitable access to programs, services and spaces.
Edmontonians have the resources and opportunities to achieve economic stability through stable income, continued employment, affordable housing, and access to basic and fundamental necessities.
The City of Edmonton, Indigenous Peoples, and Edmontonians have authentic, ongoing and interconnected relationships that honour, understand, and collaboratively integrate Indigenous worldviews, experiences, histories and cultures.
Edmontonians can access and enjoy safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming spaces shaped alongside communities.
Edmontonians have the opportunity to experience and improve physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being supported by connection and participation in wellness promoting activities (such as recreation, sport, arts, leisure and cultural events).
Many Edmontonians feel they have a good quality of life and the city is safe, but we know that experience is not shared by everyone. Indigenous people, racialized people and people with disabilities in Edmonton report feeling less safe and experience higher rates of racism or discrimination than the citywide average.
Members of Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community also feel vulnerable and unsafe in our city as the number of hate-related incidents rise.
The Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Framework is a unifying structure that brings together a wide range of strategies, frameworks, action plans and initiatives from across the City that collectively contribute to community safety and well-being.
The following 20 strategies, action plans and frameworks currently underpin the Framework. This list is expected to change over time as new strategies are added to address priority needs and others are concluded.
Timeline
June
City Council holds five days of non-statutory public hearings on the role of policing in Edmonton’s community wellness and safety ecosystem. Council heard from over 140 registered speakers.
July
City Council passed a motion to:
- Reduce the 2021 Edmonton Police Service budget by $11 million
- Suspend the EPS Funding Formula policy pending a review and analysis-informed update
- Redirect the funding harvested from the police budget to community programs, partners, and to end homelessness
- Initiate the establishment of a Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force to provide external subject matter expertise and deliver a report on ways to better leverage monies spent to achieve better system outcomes
October
The Community Safety and Well-Being Task Force was formed with 11 appointed community members, two members appointed by the Chief of Police, two members appointed by the City Manager, and one appointed by the chair of the Edmonton Police Commission.
April
The Task Force presented the "Safer for All" Report to City Council, which included 14 recommendations for the Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton. Council directed Administration to work with the Edmonton Police Commission to review the Task Force’s recommendations, develop a strategy to enhance safety, well-being, inclusion, and anti-racism, and report back to Council in the first quarter of 2022. Council also directed Administration to return in 90 days with a report identifying quickly actionable items
June
Administration provided the Safer for All - Interim Report to the Community and Public Services Committee, identifying in-progress and quickly actionable items that support community safety and well-being outcomes.
July
In response to the interim report and based on feedback from the public, Council directed Administration to collaborate with the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee and other Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour community partners to identify tangible actions and outcomes aligned to the Task Force’s 14 recommendations.
November 2021 - April 2022
City staff met with community-serving organizations and partner representatives for exploratory and relationship-centred conversations.
May
On May 24, City Council approved the Community Safety and Well-being Strategy and is providing $8.7 million in funding for 11 related projects to address immediate needs for the remainder of 2022.
On July 4, Administration provided a CSWB Implementation Update Report to Council, outlining the spectrum of community action, current outcomes, associated investments, related strategies and plans and upcoming CSWB related reports.
Administration provided recommendations for adjusting funding allocation for the 2025/2026 year, with increases to the operating expenditure budget in the Social Development Branch and the City Manager's Office.
The first Community Safety and Well-being Progress Report for 2022 - 2024 was shared with City Council, showcasing the breadth and depth of CSWB work and its alignment with Edmonton’s vision for a safer, more inclusive city.
Reports
Community Safety and Well-being Strategy Implementation Update (271.62 KB)
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Transforming Edmonton’s Response to Safety and Well-Being
Attachment 2 - CSWB Strategy Spectrum of Action
Attachment 3 - Current CSWB Strategy Outcomes
Attachment 4 - CSWB Investments and Municipal Services
Attachment 5 - Related City of Edmonton Strategies, Plans and Policies
Attachment 6 - Upcoming CSWB Related Reports
Attachment 7 - CSWB Strategy Implementation Update
Contact Us
Email sppteam@edmonton.ca