Committees
The Region of Waterloo has a Standing and Advisory Committee structure to assist Regional Council with municipal matters. Standing Committees offer policy and operational recommendations to Council to aid in the decision-making process. The three main Standing Committees include all members of Council, with the Regional Chair as ex-officio member on all Committees. We also have many advisory committees that serve as forums for members of the public to provide their viewpoints on issues to Regional Council and staff.
View our meeting calendar for agendas, minutes and webcasts.
For information on how to submit correspondence or to speak at a Council or Committee meeting, you can visit our Communicate with Council page.
Standing Committees
Waterloo Region has three main Standing Committees that are solely comprised of the Members of Regional of Council:
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Administration and Finance Committee |
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The Administration and Finance (A&F) Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting on all matters of administrative and financial importance referred to it by Council and other areas within the organization, including:
Members: All members of Regional Council Chair: Michael Harris Vice Chair: Robert Deutschmann Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Community and Health Services Committee |
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The Community and Health Services (C&HSS) Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting on all areas within the Public Health and Paramedic Services and Community Services departments referred to it by Council and other areas within the organization, including:
Members: All members of Regional Council Chair: Jim Erb Vice Chair: Pam Wolf Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Planning and Works Committee |
The Planning and Works Committee (P&W) is responsible for reviewing and reporting on all matters relating to planning issues and public works operated by the Region and other functions related to the Region's facilities, including:
Members: All members of Regional Council Chair: Colleen James Vice Chair: Doug Craig Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
The other Standing Committees have some Councillors but not all of the them. They are:
| Audit Committee |
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The Audit Committee monitors the effectiveness and efficiency of Regional programs by reviewing and directing the following:
Members:
Chair: Michael Harris Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Budget Committee |
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The Budget Committee discusses budget issues and concerns and approves the Regional budget annually. Members: All members of Regional Council Chair: Michael Harris Vice Chair: Robert Deutschmann Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Economic Development Committee |
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The Economic Development Committee (EDC) is composed of seven Regional Councillors and the Regional Chair. The Committee meets as required to deal with issues of Regional economic development. Chair: TBD Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Library Committee |
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The Library Committee is composed of the four Township Mayors representing the rural municipalities of the Region, and reports to Regional Council which serves as the Library Board. The Committee is responsible for making recommendations to Council on:
Chair: TBD Vice Chair: TBD Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Licensing and Hearings Committee |
The Licensing and Hearings (L&H) Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting on all matters relating to consumer protection, public safety and nuisance control within the Region of Waterloo, including:
Chair: TBD Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
Advisory Committees
| Active Transportation Advisory Committee |
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The Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) serves as a forum for the public to advise Regional Council and staff on cycling and pedestrian issues. Chair: A. Cullen Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee |
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The Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC) advises staff on development applications and environmental assessments which potentially affect the Region's most significant natural features. It also advises on other environmental issues of interest to the Region. Chair: Ron Donaldson Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee |
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The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) is a cross-disability municipal advisory committee. Guided by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, the committee provides advice to the local municipal Councils of the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot, and North Dumfries. The Committee provides vision and direction to promote and facilitate a seamless approach to effectively remove barriers across the community. Please visit the GRAAC website for more information on this committee. Co-Chairs: Heather Clark-Harris, and Teresa McQuillin. Contact: Emily Moore, 226-753-7461
Recruitment and applications for the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee is done by the City of Kitchener |
| Heritage Planning Advisory Committee |
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The Heritage Planning Advisory Committee (HPAC) was established in 1994 to advise the Region on heritage policies, issues and strategies. The committee is responsible for:
Current Initiatives:
All members must be residents of Waterloo Region. Appointed by Regional Council, they are chosen for their interest and experience with natural and built heritage. Municipal Heritage Advisory Committees in Waterloo Region:
Chair: TBD Contact: Regional Clerk's Office, 519-575-4400 |
| Public Art Advisory Committee |
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The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) reports to the Administration and Finance Committee and administers Public Art Policy. This includes the procedure for selecting, acquiring, disposing, placing, maintaining and cataloguing public art using funds available from the Public Art Reserve Fund. Chair: Open position, to be filled 2023 Contact: Helen Chimirri-Russell, 519-575-4499 |
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Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) |
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The City of Guelph and the area municipalities from the Region of Waterloo are working together to establish a joint Municipal Elections Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC). For more information on what MECAC does and to apply, please visit the Compliance Audit Committee page. Questions regarding the Committee or the application process may be directed to regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca. |
Conduct of Members of Local Boards, Foundations or Advisory Committees
The purpose of the Code of Conduct for Citizen Appointments to Local Boards, Foundations or Advisory Committees, is to provide a general standard for all citizen appointed members to ensure they are acting in a manner that is appropriate with regard to the body that they have been appointed to.
A complaint about a Member of a Local Board/Foundation/Advisory Committee must be submitted to the Regional Clerk for their consideration. The Clerk shall determine if a complaint should be sent to the Integrity Commissioner for their review.
Appointments
Board of Director Applications for Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation
The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation is a non-profit Corporation that assists in the preservation of the heritage and culture for the Region of Waterloo. The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation provides grants for investment in heritage-related endeavours and advises on a wide number of heritage issues throughout the Region.
This is an exciting time for the Foundation, as it completes a strategic review to consider how the role of our heritage and historic environment is evolving as we mature as a community, and to evaluate how it aligns with Regional Council’s strategic priorities, including Climate Action, Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The review aims to ensure grant funding is robust, transparent, equitable, and purposeful; meets the needs of a growing and diverse community; and supports the Region’s strategic objectives. Committing to set clear priorities, the Foundation will work to ensure its programs make meaningful and strategic impacts in the community based on known pressures on the historic environment and the heritage sector and complements the work of other heritage stakeholders in the Region.
Board of Director applications are available via website (www.wrhf.org), or email wrhf@regionofwaterloo.ca. The application deadline is May 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
The By-laws for the Foundation provide for the election of ten members-at-large to its Board of Directors. As of the 2023 Annual Meeting, there will be three (3) vacancies to be filled for three-year terms. The Board of Directors currently meet at 5:30 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except July, August and December. Currently, participation in all meetings is electronic. However, some meeting months may also have an in-person option.
Elections will be held at the
Annual General Meeting on
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting to be held in the Waterloo County Room/Electronically
Advertised positions on a particular Board may be filled by current members whose terms have expired. All applicants will receive written notification about the result of their application.
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to determine suitability for appointment. Questions regarding the collection of personal information should be referred to the Office of the Regional Clerk at 519-575-4493 or regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca.
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