The Greenbelt Foundation has awarded Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) a $40,000 grant for increased engagement in Plan the Bruce – Bruce County’s community engagement initiative to guide the new Official Plan, said a March 13 joint SON and Bruce County media release.

“Engagement with all Bruce County communities is important to the success of Plan the Bruce,” said Mark Paoli, Bruce County’s Manager of Land Use Planning. “Bruce County was proud to support SON’s grant application and look forward to this opportunity for further collaboration as we map out the next 25 years in planning.”

Doran Ritchie, Manager of Resources and Infrastructure for SON, added “Bruce County’s current Official Plan speaks to the importance of a formal consultation partnership with SON. The grant comes at the right time to help advance that relationship and to develop a clearer and stronger relationship when it comes to planning in the SON Territory.”

SON will use funds to hire a Resource Associate to coordinate community participation in Plan the Bruce. The grant will also fund a community workshop, supported by the Shared Path Consultation Initiative, between Bruce County and SON on shared interests in land use planning.

“I’m delighted to be working with Bruce County and SON to help formalize their consultation relationship,” said Clara MacCallum Fraser, Executive Director of the Shared Path Consultation Initiative.

For more information about Plan the Bruce, visit planthebruce.ca.