Making Decisions that Matter - August 28, 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.
General Contractor chosen to create 136-unit affordable housing in Cambridge
Seven-stories of new affordable housing will be built at 589 Langs Drive in Cambridge by Norlon Builders for $52 million. This project will have 136 units, ranging from one to five bedrooms, to provide more affordable homes for people in Waterloo Region. The building will also include a space for the Langs Drive Youth Centre, and be efficiently designed, with solar and geothermal energy sources so that it has net-zero carbon emissions. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall.
Bike lanes coming to Benton and Frederick Streets
Regional Council has approved the addition of new cycling lanes near downtown Kitchener. One lane in each direction will be reserved for cyclists in 2025, on Benton Street between Courtland Avenue and Charles Street, and on Frederick Street between Weber and Lancaster Streets. These will improve road safety and better connect people to nearby bike lanes and trails. Staff are also looking at a long-term plan for separated cycling lanes along the Benton-Frederick corridor.
New paramedic station coming to Cambridge
Regional Council has approved plan to redevelop a Region-owned property at 651 Concession Road into a new Paramedic Services station in Cambridge. A new station is needed here to meet the demands of a growing population, to support service to the southern half of the Region, and will help improve ambulance response times. Using this existing Region of Waterloo property will likely save approximately $1 million. The estimated construction cost is $12.6 million and the project is expected to be finished in 2027
Cart-based waste collection for downtown businesses
Regional Council has approved a new automated cart-based system for garbage, recycling, and organic pick-up for downtown businesses. This matches the cart-based system coming in 2026 for residential waste pick-up. The areas where businesses are eligible for collection is also changing. These changes improve consistency across Waterloo Region and encourage waste diversion by maintaining recycling and adding a new organics collection for businesses. The automated carts will reduce litter, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve pest control.
Region of Waterloo investing $225,000 in local festivals and events
Regional Council has approved $225,000 for 19 local arts groups and festivals through the Cultural Drivers of Tourism program for 2024. The program provides annual funding to eligible non-profit organizations that help attract tourists to the region. Groups from each municipality in the Region of Waterloo will receive funding to enrich the cultural offerings throughout our community.
Region of Waterloo pledges funds to support e-sports event
The Region of Waterloo will provide $200,000 in cultural funding to Explore Waterloo Region, if their bid to host a major esports event is successful. This community has been shortlisted as a possible host for a competition in June 2025. Esports are multiplayer video games played competitively for spectators, with international appeal. If their bid is chosen, Explore Waterloo Region expects significant positive impacts on tourism and local businesses, including an economic impact of more than $17 million and 8,000 visitors per day. These regional funds would come from a reserve fund designed to support one-time cultural events.
Region to receive $18M in infrastructure funds
Regional Council has passed a by-law enabling the Region of Waterloo to receive $18 million in federal funds for infrastructure repairs. These yearly payments from the federal government’s Canada Community Building Fund are used to maintain the transportation infrastructure that residents rely on. The Region of Waterloo will receive a total of $97 million from 2024 to 2028.
Council endorses rail link from Cambridge to Guelph
Regional Council is asking for a new passenger rail connection from Cambridge to Guelph, the largestunserved transit corridor outside of the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area. The train service would connect Cambridge to the GO rail network via Guelph Central Station. With almost 2.7 million annual car trips between Guelph and Cambridge in 2023, this service would provide faster travel times for our growing population reducing a 26–55-minute car drive (depending on time of day) to a 15-minute train ride. It would also reduce the need for driving by providing an equitable alternative, connecting people to job opportunities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Council is asking the provincial transportation agency Metrolinx to work on implementing this service in the future.
Region to review its Taxi By-law
Regional Council has directed staff to review the Region of Waterloo’s taxi by-law for accessibility enhancements and other positive changes. Staff will consider Calgary’s centralized Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle dispatch method as an approach that could be adopted in Waterloo Region. As a result of recent changes implemented to the Region’s taxi incentive program, the number of accessible taxis available in Waterloo Region has recently increased from 16 taxis to 25. Staff will report back to council with an update in March 2025.
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