Making decisions that matter - May 21, 2025
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 limits tax rate increase for residents
Council has asked staff to bring forward a 2026 Plan and Budget that limits the tax rate increase for residents to five per cent. The motion helps ensure the Region can maintain efficient services residents rely on every day and helps address critical issues while keeping the budget affordable. Over the past year, the Region has made considerable gains in priorities identified by the community, including homelessness, affordable housing, economic growth, transit, childcare, paramedic services, community safety and energy management. An affordable plan and budget will support essential services while requiring a continued focus on working efficiently and effective funding and revenue strategies.
Region wants to fast-track critical projects to protect residents
The Region is calling on federal and provincial governments to introduce municipal stimulus strategies that will protect residents from the effects of tariffs. Stimulus strategies would fast-track large-scale investments in critical infrastructure, transit, and housing projects and allow for funding of social housing programs, including wrap around services for vulnerable residents.
Council enhances taxi services for people with mobility needs
People with mobility needs who use taxis will soon have more options. Council passed a recommendation to add five more accessible taxis in Waterloo Region in 2026. Currently, there are 25 accessible taxis in the region. To help fund the conversion of vehicles, the accessibility fee charged to taxi companies will increase from seven cents to 10 cents per auxiliary trip. This increase is in line with fees in other municipalities and will help support the continued expansion of incentive programs for accessible taxis. The incentive program, along with GRT MobilityPlus’ scheduling improvements, will help increase the availability of accessible taxis for on-demand services.
Over 13,000 GRT riders will get faster service with new priority signals
New transit priority signals and queue jump lanes approved by Council will lead to faster service for more than 13,000 Grand River Transit riders. Priority signals allow buses to get through an intersection faster than other vehicles, using existing right-turn lanes. Starting in 2025, ten new locations will be added to 13 bus routes that often experience delays. On average, customers can expect to save three minutes on their trip during the afternoon peak period.
View the report to see the list of locations.
Region calls on Province to better protect our drinking water from salt
Council is calling on the province to better protect residents and aquatic life from salt pollution with new strategies for curbing its commercial use. The Region will ask the province to develop limited liability legislation and best management practices for dealing with snow and ice. It will also ask the province to create an expert committee that can advise municipalities on how to do more to protect drinking water from the impacts of salt. Salt levels in groundwater aquifers and other bodies of water have worsened since the 1970s. The Region and local municipalities have worked to mitigate this, but these measures would be more effective with the support of legislation.
Region to review winter maintenance standards to ensure bike lanes, paths and transit stops are safe for all residents
Following a snowy winter, staff will reviewmeasures to ensure areas used by pedestrians, cyclists and people with mobility devices are safe from snow and ice buildup this year. Council has asked staff to review winter maintenance standards and agreements to recommend potential improvements to ensure consistent snow and ice clearing along the ION LRT corridor, separated cycling tracks and lanes, sidewalks, multi-use trails, and transit stops. Waterloo Region faced several significant weather events this past year and the most snowfall since 2008.
Vendor chosen to make improvements to Maple Grove Road
Council has approved a vendor for improvements to Maple Grove Road that will increase capacity for the movement of goods through this key corridor, while adding active transportation facilities to support cycling, walking and rolling. The work between Hespeler and Beaverdale Road includes a new roundabout at Maple Grove and Hespeler, a paved multi-use path, streetlight improvements, repairs to the Ellis Creek bridge, and road widening from two to four lanes. These changes will support existing and future development in the area. Work begins in June.
Improvements to Regional roads in Woolwich and Wellesley will enhance safety and efficiency for all users
The Region is improving safety for all users on key Regional roads in response to suggestions from residents. A staff review led to improvements in Woolwich and Wellesley townships. The Region will add two pedestrian crossovers on King Street in St. Jacob’s (at High Lane and Cedar street) with rapid flashing beacons that advise drivers they must stop. In Wellesley, an all-way stop at Nafziger Road and Gerber Road will help to reduce the frequency of collisions.
Pilot in Region-owned community housing will reduce GHG emissions
The Region will replace 84 gas-powered hot water heaters that are at the end of their life span with electric heaters in Waterloo Region Housing communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent. Tenants who pay utility costs will receive a monthly rebate to cover the electricity cost increases. The pilot program will help contribute to the overall Regional emissions reduction target of 50 per cent by 2030.
Region expands community safety zones for vulnerable road users
In support of safer roads for residents, the Region continues to expand community safety zones and lower speed limits on Regional roads near schools. The designated zones are on certain Regional roads in Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. The expansion supports the Municipal Speed Camera program with benefits including improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse and buggies, reduced traffic violations, and more awareness in the community of the importance of slower speeds near schools.
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