One Million Ready – 2025 Provincial Election Priorities
Introduction
Waterloo Region is quickly growing to one million, after reaching 700,000 residents in 2024.
As a community comprised of both thriving urban centres and rich rural communities, we are well positioned to accommodate growth.
With the goals of building more homes, creating critical infrastructure, bolstering economic prosperity, and ensuring a world class quality of life for all who choose to call this place home, the Region of Waterloo is outlining its top five priorities during the 2025 provincial election period.
This is to ensure all voters and candidates are aware of the Region of Waterloo’s plans and partnership opportunities along the road to becoming one-million ready.
Bolstering our economy and sustaining our community in uncertain times
With the threat of US imposed tariffs, the Region of Waterloo is a partner in building the critical infrastructure needed to keep our communities safe and creating the climate to accommodate growth.
Increased costs and supply chain issues as a result of tariffs could halt or delay key community-building projects. Stimulus spending should support municipalities in building infrastructure and sustaining the essential services our community relies on.
This will ensure affordability for residents.
Addressing the housing and homelessness crisis
The Region of Waterloo is facing an affordable housing crisis and a drastic increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness.
As of October 2024, 2,371 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region. Last year, an unprecedented investment of over $245-million was made from all sources to support capital projects and programs. Despite that, homelessness is projected to triple by 2028 if further commitments are not made. The Region of Waterloo is able to leverage funds to provide shelter, in turn supporting community safety and well-being for all and greater economic prosperity.
The Region of Waterloo created the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, which calls for a $342-million investment over five years. A dedicated, sustainable funding model to support service managers in addressing the root causes of homelessness is deeply needed.
Dedicated support to manage aging assets and build housing-enabling infrastructure
Within Waterloo Region there is an asset management plan gap.
This is due to extreme capital cost inflation and chronic under-funding for asset renewal. Based on on the 2019 Asset Management Plan and inflating values to 2023 dollars, this gap is currently estimated at $61- million each year. A sustained funding model to address aging infrastructure is required to close this gap.
Funding for our new housing-enabling infrastructure is essential to support this growth. This will ensure that residents in the Waterloo Region and Ontario have the roads, bridges, water, and wastewater infrastructure that they rely on.
Expanded support for transit projects
Our transportation network is essential to supporting our growth. With a demonstrated track record of leveraging transit investments to garner results and build community, the Region of Waterloo is seeking a commitment to expand transit services through a fully funded Kitchener Central Transit Hub, the creation of a Breslau GO Station, ION Stage 2, further Two-Way, All-Day GO Service between Toronto and Kitchener, and the exploration of a rail connection between Cambridge and Guelph.
The Region is doing its part, investing in new infrastructure and growing its service offering. As a result, Grand River Transit had over 24-million transit boardings in 2024. The Region’s investment in Stage One ION resulted in nearly $5-billion of investment along the line, spurring unprecedented transit-oriented development. In 2024, the Region of Waterloo purchased land for a future Breslau GO Station and new housing in its immediate vicinity.
A new funding framework for the Region of Waterloo
With a population of now 700,000, growth comes at a cost.
The Region of Waterloo and municipalities across Ontario are facing increased pressures with outdated revenue tools. The demand for services continues to increase and will only grow as we prepare to accommodate a community of one million people. The Region of Waterloo currently funds over $215-million in services that have historically been within the mandate of federal and provincial levels of government. This only increases tax pressures on property owners.
As property taxes are not means-based, this has the potential to push more residents out of their homes – escalating the housing and homelessness crisis.
The Region of Waterloo is seeking a commitment to work together to ensure the long-term stability and sustainability of municipal finances. An affordable Ontario means a new deal for municipalities.
One-Million Ready - 2025 Provincial Election Priorities - The Region of Waterloo printable file.
Next Steps
The Region of Waterloo is a proud partner with a track record of innovation and collaboration.
We look forward to working with the next provincial government to deliver on the five top priorities for Waterloo Region.
Contact Us