Vital Signs 2026 is a community check-up that measures vitality, identifies significant trends and supports action on issues that are critical to our quality of life. Our report contains important data on 6 topics related to life in Grey Bruce: health and wellness, the environment, living standards, arts and culture, education, and community connections.
This report is part of a nation-wide movement where numerous Community Foundations from across Canada release their individual Vital Signs reports. Visit the Vital Signs website at www.vitalsignscanada.ca to read reports from other regions.
The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force is a contributing member of the Vital Signs Advisory Committee along with other partners. Our partner perspective is featured in the 2026 Report in the section on living standards. Living standards refers to the distribution of wealth and economic security, including employment opportunities, housing and homelessness, poverty, food security and transportation.
Affordable housing and addressing homelessness are major considerations in providing community health, economic vitality, and reducing public costs on health care and emergency services. This Report has a dedicated section focused on housing and homelessness. This follows up on the Vital Conversations on Housing Report 2021.
At our March Food Security Action Group meeting, Simona Freiberg shared their latest numbers and documentation from the Grey Bruce Community Garden Network.
In a world that often emphasizes individual success, the true strength of a community lies in its togetherness. Community gardens serve as a beautiful testament to the power of collaboration, fostering food security, wellness, and shared purpose. They are not just about growing food; they are about growing relationships, resilience, and hope.
Food Security Through Community Effort
Food security means having reliable access to sufficient, nutritious food. In community gardens, members take an active role in ensuring this security, cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs that nourish both body and spirit. Growing our own food fosters independence while reinforcing interdependence—when a neighbor needs support, the community is there to help. Watch this inspiring video on community gardening in Grey Bruce: Community Gardens Video
The Role of Each Member
Each person who participates in a community garden plays a vital role. Whether it’s planting, watering, harvesting, or sharing knowledge, every contribution strengthens the collective wellness of the group. In these shared spaces, the emphasis is on cooperation rather than competition. Unlike the isolation of individualism, community gardens promote unity, showing that we are always stronger together.
Healing Through Growth and Sharing
The act of planting and harvesting is deeply therapeutic. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and create a sense of fulfillment. The joy of watching seeds turn into nourishment reflects the potential for transformation—not just in the soil, but within our communities. Sharing the harvest further deepens the sense of belonging, reinforcing the idea that no one should go hungry when abundance exists within our collective hands.
Join the Movement: 2025 Garden Educational Workshops
To continue this journey of empowerment and sustainability, we invite you to take part in their 2025 Garden Educational Workshops. These workshops will offer hands-on learning experiences for both beginners and seasoned gardeners, covering topics such as soil health, sustainable practices, and efficient food production.
Together, we can cultivate a future where food security is a shared responsibility and our communities thrive through the bonds we build in the garden. For more details, contact Simona at simifreiberg@gmail.com.
Get Involved with the Community Garden Network
To further support and expand the impact of community gardens, explore the Grey Bruce Community Garden Network through The Sustainability Project. This initiative connects individuals and organizations, fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and sustainability in community gardening efforts.
Please feel free to contact Simona with any questions, thoughts, or ideas you may have for Community Gardens. If you are interested in gathering some seeds for gardening, please reach out as there are plenty to share. If your organization is interested in starting a garden, Simona is always happy to share knowledge and collaborate when possible.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce Grant deadline is April 15, 2025.
Community Grants are an opportunity to support new or expanding projects and programs that improve the community vitality of Grey and Bruce Counties. Applications from eligible community service organizations of up to $5,000 will be considered. Applicants must either have a registered charitable number or be sponsored by an organization that is a CRA qualified done within Grey or Bruce County. Contact the office at 519-371-7203 to ensure your project is eligible for funding before filling out an application form or email foundation@cfgb.ca Criteria for Granting- https://cfgb.ca/grants/community/criteria/https://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/grants/community
Robin Cork, Food Security Action Group Chair and Food Coordinator, United Way of Bruce Grey
October 17th is the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This is a day devoted to presenting and promoting concrete activities for the eradication of poverty.
Poverty is a violation of human rights. We need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.
The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force along with the United Way of Bruce Grey and The Grey Bruce Community Foundation are thrilled to release a Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Case Study. The study focused on the free income tax programs offered at The Meeting Place/Tobermory and the South East Grey Community Health Centre in Grey Bruce.
Together, The Meeting Place CVITP and South East Grey Community Health Centre CVITP helped 332 residents access over $1 million ($1,165,528) in income benefits, tax credits and refunds across 5 municipalities. On average, each beneficiary received $3,100 ($3,099.81).
The Meeting Place helped 62 individuals in North Bruce Peninsula access $281,932 in income benefits, tax credits and refunds after filing 76 returns. On average, each beneficiary received $3,710 ($3,709.63) with some individuals filing more than 1 year.
South East Grey Community Health Centre helped 270 individuals in 4 municipalities (Southgate, Grey Highlands, West Grey and Chatsworth) access $883,596 in income benefits, tax credits and refunds after filing 300 returns. On average, each beneficiary received $2,945 ($2,945.32).
There are 14 organizations throughout Bruce and Grey Counties that are registered with the CRA, to provide free income tax services. In 2022, 3,550 returns were filed by 3,050 individuals in Bruce, Grey and Huron Counties. Based on the findings of this Case Study, the overall CVITP contributed to a potential return of $11 million to households in 3 Counties.
“There are too many people across Grey Bruce facing poverty and in need of support. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program has been instrumental in assisting many constituents file their taxes to ensure they have access to important government benefits and entitlements. This latest study shows just how impactful this program along with our dedicated community volunteers are in helping those in need. My thanks to all those involved for #makingadifference.”- MP Alex Ruff.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty’s 2023 theme is Decent Work and Social Protection. Being able to file your income tax and receive additional financial benefits has a significant impact on local people enduring poverty.
For local people, filing their taxes is a significant opportunity to gain further income and supports for their household.
The Poverty Task Force is encouraging people who are interested in volunteering with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program to connect with local Grey Bruce organizations listed at: www.freetaxclinics.ca
Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of the housing crisis in Grey Bruce? Do you want to share your perspective on affordable and attainable housing in our area?
Your organization and the public are invited to join us for a Vital Conversation on Housing in Grey Bruce. This free, online forum is on Thursday, Dec 9th, 2021 from 4-6pm.
The goal of this Vital Conversation is to give participants a deeper understanding of the housing crisis through learning and sharing new perspectives on the issue.
At the Vital Conversation, participants will hear “lightning talks” from four inspiring local guest speakers and will have the chance to participate in smaller group discussions on relevant topics. The guest presenters will be:
Diane Giroux: Project Manager for Giiwe at M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre
Kee May Ip: Project Coordinator for the Four County Labour Market Planning Board
Christine MacDonald: Director of Bruce County Human Services
