Local News and Views (March 2025)
An overview of local news and other happenings in and around Waterloo Region
Waterloo resident and former Region of Waterloo employee, Geoff Bell, has walked every single Grand River Transit route, part of a long-distance hiking hobby shared with his wife Susie. That’s over 650 kilometres!
I’m often surprised at how many people end up driving into our ion trains, so anytime seems like a good time to share these reminders of how to be safe around trains. The video shared in the link includes real footage from near misses and actual collisions.
Apparently, I’m not the only one keeping an eye on these ion collisions. The ION Crash Counter site keeps followers up-to-date on how many days it’s been since the last collision. You can also follow them on Bluesky.
It’s estimated that nearly 1,500 persons with developmental disabilities are on the wait list for supported living, community support and crisis placement across Waterloo Region.
“Nine member agencies of the Developmental Services Planning & Advisory Council of Waterloo Region are asking the provincial government to fix what they see as a broken system and address the growing demand for essential programs and services.”
In an older post from his Probably Worth Sharing newsletter, Marko Savic celebrated exploring your hometown and made the case that KW’s food scene competes with the best of Toronto. Do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
Guelph is preparing for the upcoming closure of its consumption and treatment services (CTS) site with the creation of a new drop-in program for people who are actively using or are in recovery.
“Without these services people will be isolated, leading to more deaths, said Tonya Evans, Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington peer navigator with lived experience. The closure is part of what prompted her to start the group because she knew more people would be needing support.”
Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice has written to the Minister of Health, Kamal Khera, in support of Sanguen Health Centre’s application to allow their Drug-Checking Program to continue operating.
Ontario is currently seeing the worst outbreak of measles since it was declared eradicated in 1998 and with that, Waterloo Region has confirmed it’s first case since 2019.
"Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily among those who are unvaccinated. Vaccination remains the most effective way to limit the spread and protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Region of Waterloo Public Health's medical officer of health.
Residents who think they or someone else has been infected with the measles can use the self-assessment tool on the public health website.
Update: We now have at least two more cases locally.
The former Electrohome site (at Shanley and Duke St) is being transformed into an 8-storey apartment building that hopes to welcome tenants by early 2026.
The building, known as The Shanley, “will have 172 units, in a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and one bedroom plus den. Eighteen of the units will be affordable.”
The Cambridge Food Bank is in search of a larger space in order to better meet the growing needs of the community. While the Food Bank still has four years on its lease, their current 16,000 square foot location doesn’t allow them to adequately serve their 2000 customers each month.
“The food bank operates in a single long, narrow hallway that makes it difficult for staff and volunteers to manoeuvre carts loaded with food a dozen times a day. Due to the rising demand, the food bank has resorted to storing some food off-site and in the office space on the second floor.”
If anyone has suggestions, wants to help with fundraising, or can assist in finding a location, they are encouraged to reach out to the food bank directly.
Woolwich looks to double the tree canopy in the township’s settlement areas with a commitment of about 200,000 plantings over the next 10 years. The project is expected to cost ~$5 million. Local not-for-profit ReForest Woolwich “has a confirmed donation of $1.25 million from Earthscape Catalyst, a local social enterprise, and another $750,000 in probable matching funds” with the hope that private donors and the township will cover the remaining costs. It is expected that the majority of the plantings will occur on private property.
More information is available at reforestwoolwich.ca.
If you’re trying to stay informed on city issues while also reducing your social media use, Waterloo has you covered. “The City of Waterloo offers e-newsletters, email updates on projects and topics, easy subscription options for news, Council updates, events, alerts and a comprehensive service-centred website.”
Subscribe to e-newsletters: http://www.waterloo.ca/Subscribe
Register for Engage Waterloo: www.engagewr.ca/waterloo
Subscribe to news, alerts and calendar updates: http://www.waterloo.ca/Subscribe
Cambridge’s housing needs assessment identifies a number of ways that the city is falling behind in its housing options.
“Shortfalls include a need for more rental units, an increased supply of community housing, more affordable options for young households, a need for suitable and affordable housing for aging households, and diverse housing types to match growth trends.”
Quick Links:
The liquidation of the Hudson’s Bay Company has begun.
Waterloo welcomes Aristocanine, the “hippest hangout for dogs and their humans”.
In rather obvious news, Waterloo Region experienced it’s snowiest February in years, with over 75 cms falling last month.
Both Kitchener and Waterloo are recipients of Housing Accelerator Funds which is meant to reward “top-performing” communities. Kitchener will receive $4.2 million and Waterloo gets $1.35 million.
Grand River Transit has expanded fare-buying options with the new GRT Pay app.
Kitchener has launched a Support Local campaign to help offset the impacts of the Canada-U.S. trade war.
EngageWR is “a platform where people can contribute to decisions that directly affect their lives” and it recently underwent a significant upgrade.
Downtown Kitchener’s Apollo Cinema has been sold.
Beginning next month, GO Bus Route 15 (running between Brantford and Burlington) will extend to serve stops in Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.
Cambridge has ended the lease of the Fashion History Museum in Hespeler.
Due to rising rent, Counterpoint Brewing has found a new home.
Have Your Say:
The Victoria Park Master Plan project is moving into phase two and public engagement will occur through several events, in-person and virtually, in the spring and summer of 2025.
Read the full update: www.engagewr.ca/victoriaparkmp/phase-2-engagement-update
Waterloo’s Lincoln Heights neighbourhood will soon be home to a new park. Learn more about the Margaret Ave Park project and how residents can engage in the process.
As Kitchener works toward a tree canopy target of 30% in each ward by 2050, the public tree bylaw is being updated to better protect city-owned trees. Click to learn more about this project.
Upcoming Events:
Stacked Glass Bead Backpack Keychains inspired by the University of Waterloo School of Architecture’s Ceramic Morphologies - March 29 & 30, 1-4pm
MT Space hosts CONVERSATIONS: Hidden Stories – A collaboration between Vanguardia Dance Projects and Aanmitaagzi | March 27-30, 2025 | The Registry Theatre
CONVERSATION: Hidden Stories is “a dialogue of bodies extended in various latitudes of the Americas. Starting from the investigation of 'body and territory' by the Colombian-Canadian choreographer Olga Barrios, this work seeks a conversation between women throughout the Americas, seeking a South-North echo.”
Culture Talks: Art, Architecture, the Public Realm and Social Infrastructure featuring Mitchell Cohen | Thursday, April 10, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
”Through captivating narrative that transcends urban planning, architecture, community development, and business, Rhythms of Change explores the revitalization journey through the eyes of Mitchell Cohen—a social activist, a musician, and the visionary CEO of The Daniels Corporation.”
The Good Co. is hosting their next secret show on April 25th, 2025. The cost is $25. “The event will be held live at a location only revealed to ticket holders, fully in-person. The show will feature two top secret artists from drastically different genres — one of whom is a touring act that we are excited to welcome to Kitchener.”
Join the Waterloo Region Community Foundation and a panel of experts to learn more about social infrastructure and the framework of Hubs, Havens, and Hangouts | May 7, 2025 01:00 PM
And to wrap things up - it’s official that we are back in election season (again!?) with a federal election now scheduled for April 28th. If there’s a candidate in your riding who you are excited about, please reach out to their campaign office to find a way to support them, whether it’s with a financial donation, to pick up a sign, or to volunteer your time - every bit helps!