Regional Council: Making decisions that matter - Dec. 14, 2022

With input from the community, Regional Council sets the direction for the Region as an organization and makes decisions that help improve the lives of Waterloo Region residents every day. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting. 

Council approves microloan program for up to 300 small businesses

Pending a successful grant application, the Region will partner with area municipalities and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre to help up to 300 small businesses rebound from the impacts of the pandemic. The group is applying for three million dollars under the federal Community Economic Development and Diversification Fund to start a microloan program in Waterloo Region. The Region will contribute $250,000.

If the funding application is successful, the microloan program will serve to help scale-up and start-up-sized businesses, including owners from equity-deserving groups, who have struggled to secure loans from traditional lending establishments. The program will help them create proof of strong financial performance and score a stronger credit rating. Equity-deserving groups will be prioritized when loan recipients are selected.

Council makes licensed home child care more affordable

Council is making licensed home child care for families with children five and under more affordable by reducing fees more than 52 percent compared to early 2022 rates, starting January 1st. The reductions will result in additional monthly savings of close to $300 for a typical family with a toddler in home child care. The Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan will fund the reduction, which is an additional 37% reduction compared to the previous rebates and reductions already in place through the plan.

Council gives final approval to 51 new affordable homes

Council has approved the allocation of $3.4 million in Regional and provincial funding to support the development of two new affordable housing projects. St. Paul's Not For Profit Corporation will develop 21 affordable, accessible housing units as part of a 48 unit apartment for seniors at 137/149 Queen St. South in Kitchener. 55 Franklin GP Inc., a private sector housing provider, will develop 30 affordable housing units, as part of a larger development at 55 Franklin St. South in Kitchener and partner with housing providers to operate the units. The Region selected the two projects from an Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP) issued in August. They scored the highest based on criteria such as construction readiness and affordability.

Council approves Bleams Road improvements

Council has approved improvements to Bleams Road (Regional Road 56) from just west of Fischer-Hallman Road to Trussler Road. A study of the current and projected traffic patterns along this section of Bleams found the road needs improvements to accommodate the recent and future intensification of land use along both sides. The changes will include widening Bleams Road to four lanes from Fischer-Hallman Road to Commonwealth Street/Abram Clemens Street, new multi-use trails, and four roundabouts. Technical evaluation and public input found that roundabouts were preferred over traffic signals or a combination of traffic signals and roundabouts.

Council calls on Province to reconsider Bill 23

Council is asking the Province to reconsider Bill 23 and conduct more consultation with municipalities on the legislation. The legislation has the stated goal of addressing Ontario’s housing crisis by increasing housing supply and incentivizing the construction of homes by alleviating development charges. However, the Region relies on development charges to provide the infrastructure required to support growth and new housing. The Region has already developed a comprehensive housing strategy that exceeds provincial recommendations. Additional impacts of Bill 23 include the vulnerability of protected land, natural ecosystems, and the region’s water supply due to lack of protection of groundwater recharge areas. Council is requesting that the federal and provincial governments develop sustained infrastructure funding to meet the needs of growing communities rather than shift the burden of growth to existing taxpayers.

Council rescinds prior decision to extend benefits to Regional Councillors

Council has rescinded and repealed a decision made in the previous term to provide lifetime benefits to Regional Councillors. The extension of benefits to Councillors who served on the previous term will end on December 31, 2022. In the third year of this Council’s term, a Citizen Advisory Committee will study and provide recommendations on remuneration and benefits, including an analysis of similar jurisdictions. The committee must not consider lifetime benefits fully paid for by the Region.

Increasing efficiency and improving the employee experience

Council approved a contract award to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for $6.4 million for the joint acquisition and implementation of a new Enterprise Human Resource Information System (EHRIS). The EHRIS will be used jointly by the Region and the Waterloo Region Police Service as part of a commitment to digitizing and modernizing services and supports. The new system will, over time, replace eight different information systems into one, improve the employee experience, increase efficiency in supporting staff through self-service delivery, and more.