Making decisions that matter - November 20, 2024

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 calls on Province for an agreement to help address rising service pressures and infrastructure needs 

Through the Regional Chair’s office, Council will ask five local MPPs to work with the Province to reach an agreement to help the Region address rising service pressures and infrastructure needs as the community continues to grow. The Chair’s office will ask that the financial agreement reflect those reached between the Province and the cities of Toronto and Ottawa. The resolution will be shared with area municipalities. 

Council and staff ensure accountability and transparency to public around lobbyist activities 

Council has approved the by-law and code of conduct for a lobbyist registry that will enable residents to safely and securely search the record of people who lobby public office holders outside of meetings that are open to the public. The online accountability and transparency tool will allow the public to view activity between lobbyists and elected officials or municipal staff. Lobbying is a legal activity that enables individuals, groups, and companies to communicate with public office holders to influence a particular position or outcome related to a municipal issue or decision. 

Region takes ownership of a section of Oxford Road 5 around Punkeydoodles corner 

At the request of Wilmot Township, the Region has taken on ownership of a stretch of road leading through Punkeydoodles Corners. Traffic volume in this area has increased and this stretch of Oxford Road 5 is being used for more inter-regional transportation. The Region will be responsible for maintaining Oxford Road 5/Wilmot Easthope Road between Oxford-Waterloo Road and Concession Road. The intersection at Perth Road 101 and Oxford Road 5 recently underwent upgrades to improve safety for the public. The Region undertook a portion of the costs. 

Upgrades and expansions of separated bike lanes will make busy areas safer and easier for cycling and walking 

Council has approved the design concepts for several upgrades and expansions to the separated cycling network that will make it safer and easier for people walking, rolling or cycling to get around busy areas. The improvements include the following roads:  

• King Street between University Avenue and Weber Street North  
• University Avenue between Westmount Road and Albert Street  
• Bridgeport Road between Lancaster Street and Lang Crescent  
• Bridgeport Road between Goldbeck Lane and Albert Street  
• Caroline St. between Albert Street and Erb St West 
• Erb Street East between Caroline Street and Goldbeck Lane 

The improvements will be bundled with road reconstruction work already planned for the corridors and will result in long-term savings through reduced maintenance costs. 

All-way stop makes it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get around Roseville 

Council has approved an all-way stop at the intersection of Fischer Hallman and Roseville Road to make it safer and easier for residents walking, rolling, and cycling through the hamlet of Roseville. The recommendation came from a staff review that looked at which townships needed all-way stops to help vulnerable road users get around. Two other intersections were identified as part of the review; an all-way stop was installed at Manser Road and Ament Line in Linwood in 2023 and staff are currently looking at options for the intersection of Stanley and Swan Street in Ayr.  

Council lowers speed limit on section of Weber Street in Waterloo to optimize safety 

Council will lower the speed limit on Weber Street between Allen and just south of King Street to 50 km/hr from the current 60 km/hr to optimize safety and prevent collisions. The change in speed for this section creates a uniform speed to keep traffic moving well. A survey of more than 23,000 vehicles showed that the average travel speed along Weber Street is 48 km/hr.  

Council takes next step towards a new bridge on the Kissing Bridge Trailway   

Council is moving forward with studies and design for a pedestrian bridge over the Conestogo River for users of the Kissing Bridge Trailway. The Region will complete an environmental assessment and start detailed design, contingent on grant funding from the province. Private funding has also been pledged to support the design and construction of the bridge located near Wallenstein. The Kissing Bridge trailway is an important tourist destination that stretches across the northern portion of the Region and forms part of the Guelph to Goderich (G2G) Rail Trail. 

Council calls on Province to help mitigate rising costs for people living with disabilities 

Council will call on the Ontario Government to maintain or raise the monthly income provided to people living with disabilities, as the cost of living continues to rise. The average monthly rate for the Ontario Disability Support Program, combined with the federal government’s Canada Disability Benefit set to start in 2025, is below the poverty line. The motion will also be circulated to area municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. 

Council calls on Province to withdraw bill requiring provincial approval for certain cycling lanes 

Council is calling for the Province to withdraw a bill requiring provincial approval for new cycling lanes that would remove vehicular traffic lanes. The Region joins the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s position that municipalities should make decisions about local transportation matters based on local knowledge and community input. The Region has developed a comprehensive plan to enhance walking and cycling facilities. The resolution calls on other municipalities across Ontario to adopt similar resolutions. 

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