The City of Brantford has been formally recognized by the Government of Ontario as an Age-Friendly Community, an acknowledgement of the city’s efforts to improve accessibility, inclusion and quality of life for older residents.
The designation was presented at the Ontario Age-Friendly Community Recognition Ceremony on Jan. 18, 2026, held during the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference. Kevin Davis accepted the award on behalf of the municipality.
“I am incredibly proud to accept this award on behalf of the City of Brantford,” Davis said in a statement. “Ensuring people of all ages and abilities have opportunities to thrive in our community is a key priority for Brantford.”
The recognition follows Brantford city council’s recent approval of the Healthy Aging Strategy 2025–2027, which sets out 20 priority actions aimed at strengthening age-friendly policies and services.
Identified initiatives include the installation of additional pedestrian crossing signals, curb cuts and tactile warning indicators; continued improvements to street-lighting levels and energy efficiency; implementation of Phase 2 of the Brantford Transit Moving Forward Plan; and free Seniors Month programming throughout June.
The city first introduced its Healthy Aging Strategy in 2018. Since then, municipal staff report progress across several areas, including expanded paved paths and sidewalks, a fully accessible transit fleet, additional transit shelters, facility upgrades, increased affordable housing units and expanded community services at seniors’ housing sites.
Participation by older adults in recreational and social programs has also increased, according to the city.
Brantford was previously recognized as an age-friendly community by the World Health Organization in 2017 and has received subsequent acknowledgements from Ontario’s Ministry of Seniors Affairs for ongoing efforts related to accessibility and aging.
More information on Brantford’s age-friendly programs, events and resources is available through the city’s Healthy Living portal.
