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 Services Committee |
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The Community Services (CS) Committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting on all areas within the Public Health and Emergency 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-Chair: Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Dawn Clelland (Co-Chair), Contact: Jennifer Walker, 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
2023 Citizen Appointments to Boards, Commissions, Advisory Committees & Special Purpose Bodies
You can become actively engaged!
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo advertises for applications from the public and appoints residents to various Boards, Commissions, Advisory Committees and other Special Purpose Bodies needed for a particular year(s) or Council term of office. These appointments give residents of this Region, from a variety of backgrounds, a chance to volunteer and become actively engaged as a member of a Board, Commission, Advisory Committee or other Special Purpose Body.
Interested residents and incumbent members are invited to apply for appointment to any of the following:
Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC)
Up to thirteen persons are required for a term of up to four years. ATAC will serve as a forum for the public to raise their viewpoints on particular active transportation issues and to advise Regional Council and staff on cycling and pedestrian issues. Residents from all areas of the Region are encouraged to apply to provide a balanced regional perspective on cycling and pedestrian issues.
Ecological and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC)
Up to fifteen persons are required for a term of up to four years. Persons with knowledge, interest, professional and/or technical qualifications in environmental issues related to such disciplines and policy areas as biology, ecology, hydrology, hydrogeology, forestry, agriculture, environmental law/policy, wildlife management and urban/rural planning are encouraged to apply.
Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC)
Up to six persons are required for a term of up to three years. PAAC develops and recommends policies for the selection, acquisition, display, retention, maintenance, storage and de-accessioning of public art which is owned by or on loan to the Region.
Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation (WRHF)
Up to four persons are required for a term of up to three years. 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. More information on the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation and the application form can be found at www.wrhf.org.
Kissing Bridge Trailway Advisory Board
Up to six persons are required for a term of up to three years. The Kissing Bridge Trailway Advisory Board advises the County of Wellington and Regional Council on the development and management of the Kissing Bridge Trailway. The Trailway Advisory Board requires up to three local non-farming landowners, two local farm landowners, and one member of the business community. It is helpful, but not necessary, for representatives to live in communities through which the Trailway passes, but they should be familiar with and preferably users of the Trailway.
Persons interested in serving on the boards listed above must file an application with the Regional Clerk before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023. Application forms are available here
For more information contact the Office of the Regional Clerk at 519-575-4493 or regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Advertised positions on a particular committee may be filled by current members whose terms have expired and/or Regional Councillors, and therefore, the number of actual positions may be different from the number of advertised positions. 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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