When I ran for city council in 2018, I was told several times that no one really pays attention to the election until after the Labour Day weekend. Well, that has now passed so let’s really dig into things, shall we?! Today’s post will focus on who is running for Regional Council this Fall.
Note that only the municipalities (Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo) have representatives directly elected specifically as a regional councillor. The townships (North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich) are automatically represented by their mayor. Visit the Region’s website to learn more about Regional Council.
I have listed all of the candidates alphabetically, by municipality. Candidate names are linked to their website, if they have one. I have also included a direct statement or quotation from candidates’ websites or social media that outlines their priorities or platform (when available).
This is the first in a series of posts focusing on the different seats in Waterloo Region. As requested via a Twitter conversation, these first candidate updates will focus on candidate contact information and their platform priorities (if available). I will follow up closer to the election with some thoughts on candidates who I believe will help create a more caring and compassionate (dare, I say ‘world-class’) community - so stay tuned!
Region of Waterloo candidates:
Regional Chair (elect 1)
Brendon John Da Costa
Email: dacostaforkw@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brendonjohndacosta
Email: redman4region@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/karen-redman-99b7b326
Phone: +1-519-577-8248
Can also be found on: YouTube Facebook and Twitter
“Working towards an inclusive, equitable, thriving and sustainable community with connected rural and urban communities and a global reach that fosters opportunities for current and future residents.”
Email: electnarinesookram@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narinesookram/
Phone: +1-519-579-4680
Can also be found on: YouTube Facebook and Twitter
“A healthy democracy requires a concerted effort and positive collaboration between local politicians and the residents they represent, and to have an open-door policy of listening more and talking less or even better still, go the extra mile to accomplish and tackle issues of concern and implement the necessary changes that are necessary.”
Cambridge (elect up to 2)
Tyler Calver
Email: calver4cambridge@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-calver-0b610790/
Phone: +1-519-242-7521
Can also be found on: YouTube and Twitter
Doug Craig
Email: douggcraig@icloud.com
LinkedIn: https://www.youtube.com/user/mayordougcraig
Phone: +1-519-841-1904
Can also be found on: Facebook and Twitter
Email: Bobbi.stewart@sympatico.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbi-stewart-913163145/
Phone: +1-519-716-3238
Can also be found on Facebook and Twitter
“I am about health and well – being, community, and collaboration. I view everything through the lens of social justice and the environment. I am a new face in municipal politics, energetic, tenacious, a good listener and I believe strongly in the importance of direct conversations in order to make things happen.”
Email: info@voteprakash.ca
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/prakash-venkataraman-74167b17
Phone: +1-800-311-5611
Can also be found on: Facebook and Twitter
‘Prakash’s Pledge’ (from website): Follow the money, Get the priorities in check, Renegotiate the Region’s program and services commitment to Cambridge, and, Improving affordability.
Crystal Whetham
Email: crystalwhetham85@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/crystalrw
Phone: +1-226-755-1616
Can also be found on: Twitter
Email: pam_wolf@rogers.com
Phone: +1-519-622-8154
Can also be found on: Instagram and Twitter (protected account)
Priorities listed on Pam’s website: Affordable living solutions, Improving community engagement, Fixing city infrastructure, and, Creating safe neighbourhoods.
Kitchener (elect up to 4)
Heather R. Caron
Email: hrcaron@icloud.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/heather-caron-4b46796
Phone: +1-519-603-1512
Email: rob@deutschmannlaw.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/robdeutschmann
Phone: +1-519-574-4001
Can also be found on: Twitter
“Experienced Leadership. Fresh Perspective.” Rob’s website outlines many ‘policy reflections’ including: Respecting our rural and urban harmony, Climate change, Heritage and arts, and, Economic development.
Email: electjoegowing@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gowing-52715a3a/
Phone: +1-226-898-3250
Can also be found on: Facebook and Twitter
“He would like to be able to help our region build more affordable housing and invest in mental health resources. He believes we need to work towards less shelters over time by investing in mental health and detox/ addiction services. The environment, specifically protecting our water, is a major concern for him.”
Email: mac@klynefinancial.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mac-graham-23190b53
Phone: +1-519-721-7254
Can also be found on: Facebook
Issues outlined on Mac’s website: Increase the amount of housing available, Solve the homeless crisis now, Economic development, and, Climate change.
Email: michael@michaeldharris.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelharriswr/
Can also be found on: Twitter
Email: tjh.hiller@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tj-tom-hiller-a76a0817
Phone: +1-519-574-0783
Email: cnsargeant@gmail.com hello@colleen-james.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenjames01/
Phone: +1-519-500-8220
Can also be found on: Instagram Facebook and Twitter
“As a Regional Councillor, I will advocate to ensure that the region is adapting in a way that is proactive, responsive and flexible to meet our unique community needs.” Areas of focus: Housing, Access to Services, Smart Investing, Safer Communities, Environment, Transportation and Reconciliation.
Soo Bok Lee
Email: sobokdh24@gmail.com
Phone: +1-519-500-5797
Can also be found on: Facebook
Duncan McLean
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-mclean-4b738430/
Can also be found on: Facebook and Twitter
Email: Parkinson4RC@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-parkinson-290367209/
Can also be found on: Twitter
Iffat Sultana Riasat
Email: vote4iffatriasat@gmail.com
Phone: +1-519-621-6677
Email: vote@mattrodrigues.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-rodrigues-14402782/
Phone: +1-226-799-1406
Can also be found on: Instagram Facebook and Twitter
“Let's build a community that leaves no one behind.” Priorities: A connected region, A forward-thinking region, A caring region, and, A responsive region.
Mary Henein Thorn
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryheneinthorn/
Can also be found on: Instagram Facebook and Twitter
Kari Williams
Email: kariwilliamswr@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/kari-williams-51600022 /
Phone: +1-226-791-2484
Can also be found on: Twitter
Waterloo (elect up to 2)
Email: jamesball2022@hotmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-ball-b000961b/
Phone: +1-519-500-7378
Jim Bolger
Email: vote4jimbolger@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bolger-9439376/
Phone: +1-519-577-6336
Can also be found on: YouTube Facebook TikTok and Twitter
Email: jimaerb@gmail.com
Phone: 519-897-1353
Can also be found on: Twitter
Priorities: Change for the future, Affordable housing, Opioid strategy, Greenbelt protection, Economic development, Belonging, and Transportation.
Mark Fisher
Email: markforRC@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-fisher-25262349/
Email: info@gordgreavette.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordongreavette/
Priorities: Affordable housing solutions, Expanded public transit, Opioid and drug misuse plan, Enhanced recreation and entertainment, and, Environmental sustainability.
Chantal Huinink
Email: Huin9160@mylaurier.ca
Ryan Keating
Email: Keating4council2022@gmail.com
Phone: +1-519-635-3510
Peter Neufeld
Email: Peteneufeld72@gmail.com
Phone: +1-226-749-4819
Email: vieth4region@selfip.ca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-vieth-a562a619/
Priorities: Maintaining or improving the quality of life for all citizens, including provisions for adequate and affordable housing, access to healthcare and sustainable infrastructure; Achieving the best overall value for citizens from funds the municipality spends; and, Sustaining our local economy to continue providing a rich and diverse range of employment opportunities.
Cindy Watkin
Email: cindy.s.watkin@gmail.com
Phone: +1-519-501-7704
Thank you!
Thanks so much, Melissa for pulling together this helpful information.