Review finds that a high proportion of local RCMP responses are made to non-criminal complaints for which the response is costly and not optimally effective [image: istockphoto]

The City of Nanaimo has released the final report [opens to full PDF document] of its core services review, underway since December. It includes a recommendation that the city develop a long term Social Wellness strategy that engages the Province (Ministry of Children and Family Development, Ministry of Health), Island Heath, local non-profit groups, City Recreation, Social Planning, Fire/Rescue and RCMP staff in identifying better options and resources for dealing with social disorder and promoting social wellness.

Another recommendation is that the city examine the potential to incorporate wellness-linked programs in some recreational facilities as part of a broader social and community health and safety strategy.

The word “poverty”, however, does not appear in the document, despite reports that more than 3,000 youngsters in Nanaimo are living in poverty – 21.3 per cent no older than six (2011, Statistics Canada).

The review, aimed to provide information on the delivery and financing of city services, efficiencies, savings and improvements.