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Region of Waterloo Candidates

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Region of Waterloo Candidates

More about who is running, how to contact them, and their priorities

Melissa Bowman
Sep 9, 2022
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Share this post

Region of Waterloo Candidates

citified.substack.com

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!

Regional council chambers
Soon we will have many new faces sitting in Regional Chambers.

Region of Waterloo candidates:

Regional Chair (elect 1)

  • Brendon John Da Costa 

Email: dacostaforkw@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brendonjohndacosta 

  • Karen Redman 

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.”

  • Narine Dat Sookram 

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

  • Bobbi Stewart 

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.”

  • Prakash Venkataraman 

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

  • Pam Wolf 

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

  • Robert Deutschmann

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.

  • Joe Gowing 

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.”

  • Mac Graham

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.

  • Michael Harris

Email: michael@michaeldharris.ca 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelharriswr/ 

Can also be found on: Twitter

  • Tom Hiller

Email: tjh.hiller@gmail.com 

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tj-tom-hiller-a76a0817 

Phone: +1-519-574-0783 

  • Colleen James 

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

  • Michael Parkinson

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

  • Matt Rodrigues

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)

  • James Ball

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

  • Jim Erb

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/

  • Gord Greavette

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

  • John Vieth

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

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Region of Waterloo Candidates

citified.substack.com
3 Comments
Kara
Sep 10, 2022Liked by Melissa Bowman

Thank you!

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Jane Arnold
Sep 9, 2022Liked by Melissa Bowman

Thanks so much, Melissa for pulling together this helpful information.

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