The Council Round-Up (Aug 2025)
A snapshot of what's happening in council chambers around Waterloo Region
Welcome to Waterloo Region’s newest council member, representing Kitchener, Joseph Gowing. Regional Council had chosen to fill the vacancy left by Councillor Kari Williams’ passing, through an appointment process. After hearing from the 40+ applicants yesterday, Council selected Mr. Gowing. His first council meeting will happen August 27th.
Click to watch Joseph Gowing’s delegation to council (at 3:58:30).
Thanks to everyone who put their name forward to fill this seat.
Did you know? Kitchener’s public works teams operate, maintain and care for:
2,128 lane km of roads
1,269 km of sidewalks
5,055 ha of parks, open spaces and natural areas – that's equivalent to 7,077 football fields
Approximately 43,000 street trees
460 licensed on-road vehicles (73% of the passenger car fleet is fully electric)
Waterloo’s Carnegie Library at 40 Albert St could eventually be home to the City of Waterloo Museum. The current location in Conestoga Mall faces “challenges related to limited exhibition space, storage capacity, and programming flexibility.” The project is now in the detailed design phase “which will refine cost estimates, confirm storage strategies for the museum’s growing collection, and explore phasing opportunities, while giving staff time to pursue potential external grant funding and partnerships.”
As Regional Council considers plans for the ion’s phase 2, the region is hosting several input sessions to outline what it's considering presenting to the province.
Cambridge Today says, “Options council agreed to explore in the business case in 2023 include scrapping the plan altogether, laying track for the ION on two shortened routes, going the full route to an Ainslie Street terminal (at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion), or laying the groundwork for bus rapid transit instead of LRT.”
Complete the Stage 2 Rapid Transit to Cambridge project survey.
Waterloo Council had hoped to temporarily transform a former church into an arts hub while the site awaited redevelopment. However, those plans have shifted as the majority of council rejected moving ahead with the plan. Councillor Diane Freeman is concerned about costs, noting that other sites may be leased to artists for less.
“‘There is a financial implication to the city,’ Freeman said. City hall plans to spend $350,000 to make the building temporarily available to artists while also paying up to $150,000 in operating costs over three years. This spending is part of a $2.9-million cost to acquire the site and prepare it for housing. Purchasing the church was not part of an approved city budget.”
Councillor Royce Bodaly disagreed and worried about the impact of changing the plan this late in the process. “‘The community brought this opportunity to us,’ Bodaly said. He warned that council has damaged its reputation by not following through with the plan.”
If you have ever utilized the Weber St. and Stirling Ave intersection, it likely won’t surprise you that there have been at least 17 collisions there in the past five years. Regional Council hopes that recently approved changes will reduce that number.
Proposed changes include: signs to restrict left-hand turns and through traffic from Stirling onto Weber, as well as a technical review to consider implementing a centre-raised median on Weber. The median could be installed next year.
The staff report notes, “Introducing a median will physically eliminate left-turn movements (in and out) from Stirling Avenue and straight-through movements across Weber Street. In doing so, staff anticipate reducing the more severe angle/turning collision types by as much as 85 per cent.”
In June, Kitchener Council approved plans to develop a Rental Renovation Licensing bylaw. A full report and draft bylaw are expected by early 2026. I recently wrote about council’s decision in more detail.
Similarly, in Waterloo, staff recently provided Council with “a review of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to prevent or minimize unlawful tenant evictions.” Council approved several actions and also directed staff to draft a Renovation License bylaw program framework.
There are some concerning actions happening in Cambridge regarding tent encampments and it caught the attention of Canada’s federal housing advocate, Marie-Josée Houle. “The city's plan to evict 10 people at two Cambridge encampments during days of extreme heat angered the federal housing advocate last month who condemned the move in a letter sent to council.”
Houle urged Cambridge to avoid threats of eviction, especially during weather events, such as extreme heat. "I urge you to keep in mind the impact of extreme weather events to avoid creating additional harm and ensure people are safe and secure," Houle wrote.
A motion from Councillors Earnshaw and Hamilton was to be placed on a recent council agenda, however, it seems Mayor Liggett asked for the item to be removed from the agenda. “Hamilton was told instead the city would revisit the issue in September, once staff had more information.”
Since then, there have been at least two additional attempts to evict encampment residents in Cambridge, however, the city decided not to enforce the evictions. “Laura Pin, an assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University said the city's claims of a trauma-informed, human-rights-centred approach don't align with what she witnessed on the ground on July 15; police, bylaw and the contractor hired to clean up the sites showing up hours ahead of outreach workers.”
Update: Since first publishing this post, I have been made aware of a video response from Mayor Liggett that outlines her perspective, saying that adding the item to the agenda “would or could have put council in a compromised legal position.”
The majority of Kitchener’s infrastructure assets are rated as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. However, city facilities (i.e. pools, community centres, parking garages, etc) did not fare as well and were largely rated as poor. According to the Asset Management Plans report, they require an additional $24.5 million a year to meet proposed service levels.
“Denise McGoldrick, general manager of infrastructure services, said when problems arise at facilities, they are dealt with more reactively than the city would prefer, due to funding. She said the city is shifting to a preventive maintenance program to get ahead of some of the repairs.”
Cambridge is currently working on its Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) which is a legislative required plan to identify barriers to accessibility and inclusion in the city. “The plan provides a structured framework for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing initiatives to enhance accessibility across the city.”
The MYAP final report to council is expected on Sept. 2, 2025 and you can read a draft version here.
Kitchener is developing a 10-year plan for the Huron Natural Area and they are gathering information about “its land, plants and animals, and how people use the park, in crafting a long-term plan that provides future direction and safeguards its resources.”
Provide your input by Aug. 31st.
The latest Wilmot Lands news leaves us wondering if an EV plant is out and a data processing centre is in. “QScale is looking to move into Ontario with around a $4-billion investment, and Martin Bouchard, the company’s president and co-founder, confirmed that Wilmot and other parts of the region are included in the evaluation.”
However, Tony LaMantia, CEO of the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation, has said that a data processing centre will not be built on that site. “There is no connection at all between the Quebec data centre and the mega-site being assembled. None whatsoever. The two are not connected,” LaMantia said.
Cambridge has a new way for residents to engage with the 2026 budget - W.I.T.Y. the budget bot. “W.I.T.Y. stands for What’s Important to You and the bot is essentially a mobile survey with a built-in touchscreen.”
Wilmot has reported a budget surplus of just over $100,000, though staff say that further tax increases are still required. “Council hiked property taxes by more than 18 per cent in 2025 after staff recommended a 51 per cent increase to help get the township’s finances back on track.”
Kitchener is updating its Digital Kitchener strategy which aims to improve connectivity, encourage innovation and make digital tools more accessible. The press release states: Since this multi-year plan launched, the City has been able to focus on leveraging technology to improve the lives of community members such as:
converting streetlights to LED, enabling the lights to dim or brighten based on how much light is needed, saving energy and money while cutting down greenhouse gas emissions
launching the Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab, allowing the City to test new ideas faster, support local post-secondary co-op programs and improve services more quickly
providing free Wi-Fi and the use of public computers and printers in City facilities, keeping community members connected with access to email, the internet and online services
Quick Links:
The City of Kitchener won the 2025 Willis Award for Innovation for the City Hall service centre.
Local doggos will have a new leash-free hang-out available to them (temporarily) later this year in Waterloo Park.
Regional Council has asked staff for a report to help determine whether right turns on red lights at some intersections should be banned.
Tara Cooper has been announced as Kitchener’s 2025 Artist in Residence. Cooper will create a site-specific public artwork for Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre.
Wilmot Council voted unanimously to place the ‘Prime Ministers Path’ in a “less prominent location” in the park at Castle Kilbride.
Waterloo Council approved the Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Grant Program which aims to “help incentivize construction of additional housing units and encourage their rental at affordable rates.”
Indigenous artist Jackie Traverse will create a mosaic for the aquatics centre in the new RBJ Schlegel Park. It’s entitled Gidinawendimin - an Anishinaabe word meaning “we are all related.”
School Board Updates:
The following summary is generously provided by community advocate and WRDSB parent, Lauren Weinberg. Thank you to Lauren for providing this informative overview of recent WRDSB meetings.
Since June was Pride month, perhaps it was inevitable that WRDSB and WCDSB trustees who have tried to make queer students, families, faculty, and staff feel safe and included would be lambasted by the Campaign Life Coalition.
Alison Gaymes-San Vicente, WRDSB's Associate Director, Education Services, responded to complaints about the board's commitment to DEI, saying, "The heart of it is, are we allowing people to be who they are within the classroom and see themselves reflected in the curriculum? Not to take anything from someone, but to offer something to everyone."
At least the WRDSB hasn't been taken over by the Ministry of Education (MoE), like the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the Thames Valley District School Board, and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board.
According to the Toronto Star, Minister of Education Paul Calandra accused these boards of financial mismanagement, but "the school boards’ association has said that per-pupil funding since the Ford government took power in 2018 has dropped (adjusted to 2018 dollars), leaving a $693-million gap for the province’s 31 English public boards alone."
When the WRDSB's Finance Department presented the 2025–26 budget at the June 11 meeting, staff emphasized that provincial funding is inadequate. (They balanced the budget—even though the MoE did not confirm the WRDSB's funding until May 23, 2025!) Nick Landry, Superintendent of Business Services, told trustees that the cost per student for classroom supplies, computers, textbooks, and other learning materials has increased 43.5% since 2009, but MoE funding for these items has only increased 2.3%.
Trustee Mike Ramsay did not support the board's decision to write to the MoE to request that funding keep pace with inflation and price increases, but he really, really wants police in schools. Ramsay announced that, this fall, thanks to provincial Bill 33, he will introduce a motion to rescind parts of the WRDSB's 2021 motion to remove School Resource Officers (SROs).
Thanks for the updates, Lauren!
Upcoming Events:
KidsPark Sunday, August 17 | 11am-5pm
“Bring the whole family and join us in Victoria Park for KidsPark, bringing together music, entertainment, learning, activities and so much more.”
Out On The Ice curling league provides a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ2S+ curlers. Saturdays 3:00 - 5:00 pm, beginning October 4, 2025.
Far East Asian Night Market | Sunday, August 17th | 3-11pm
“This year, over 50 vendors will line King St (Cedar-Frederick), Eby St, and the Kitchener Market, offering a diverse array of food, retail, services, and more. Get ready for another year of sensational live performances, engaging activities, and a variety of captivating entertainment.”
Council reports: Recent staff reports, strategies, and plans presented to council.
June 2, 2025: Rental Replacement By-Law Year-One Update (Kitchener)
June 2, 2025: Increased Penalty Fines for Parking Violations (Kitchener)
June 2, 2025: Updates to the Public Tree Bylaw (Kitchener)
June 10, 2025: Proposed Turning Restrictions on Stirling Avenue at Weber Street (Region)
June 16, 2025: Evictions due to Renovations (Kitchener)
Asset Management Plan (Kitchener)
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (Cambridge)
Thanks for reading!
I live on Stirling Ave. S. and have regularly used Stirling as a cycle route to Dumfries Ave. to get to the Frederick Mall and Victoria St. at Edna. It would be inconvenient to not be able to directly cross Weber St. but have to take some kind of detour. Maybe the Region needs to reduce the speed of cars on Weber St. that hurtle around the curve at excessive speed.
I’m not a Jan fan but this article is incorrect. She released a 7 min video 2 days ago on Instagram (and perhaps other places - I only follow her there) about what happened with Councillor Hamilton’s motion from her perspective. To say she hasn’t commented is untrue, she explained all of it there.