Making Decisions That Matter - June 17, 2026
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.
Partnership will turn vacant land into affordable homes for residents
Regionally-owned land at 30 Lauris Avenue in Cambridge will soon become home to 101 new apartments, including 31 with affordable rents for at least 63 years. The Region of Waterloo will lease its vacant land to the non-profit Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation (COCHF) for free in exchange for building and operating new affordable housing on the site. The Region will work with the City of Cambridge and COCHF as this new housing moves through the final stages of planning and construction. Neighbours will also be engaged as the project moves forward. This is the latest example of unlocking Region-owned land to support affordable homes.
Pilot project looks to boost safety by prohibiting right turns at red lights
The Region is testing a new road safety measure in fall 2026 by restricting right turns at 12 intersections. After a year, Regional Council will use data from this pilot project to decide on broader right-turn-on-red restrictions across the Region of Waterloo. These 12 intersections were chosen based on collision history, pedestrian volumes, and right-turning traffic volumes:
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Franklin Boulevard and Glamis Road/Robson Avenue, City of Cambridge
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Water Street at Park Hill Road, City of Cambridge
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Ainslie Street at Main Street, City of Cambridge
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Hespeler Road at Eagle Street / Pinebush Road, City of Cambridge;
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Fairway Road at Wilson Avenue, City of Kitchener;
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Fairway Road at Lackner Boulevard/Fairway Crescent, City of Kitchener;
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Benton Street / Frederick Street at King Street, City of Kitchener
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Victoria Street at Lawrence Avenue, City of Kitchener
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Northfield Drive at Davenport Road, City of Waterloo
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Weber Street at University Avenue, City of Waterloo
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University Avenue at Albert Street, City of Waterloo
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University Avenue at Phillip Street/Commercial Access, City of Waterloo
Planning ahead for growth at YKF
The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) has a long-term strategy to grow alongside this community and remain a key part of the local economy. The new Airport Growth Plan charts a course for YKF to evolve over the next 20+ years. It includes long-range options to connect people to the airport with rapid transit, build a new terminal building, and continued investments in sustainability and the environment. It also proposes an Indigenous Landscape Initiative on airport lands. A thriving airport will continue to attract jobs and investments from the aviation and aerospace sector that benefit people across Waterloo Region.
Working together to grow the local economy and create good jobs
The new Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy will help this community attract talent, support business and innovation, and navigate through economic turbulence. The strategy helps the cities and townships, the Region of Waterloo, local economic development organizations, and businesses coordinate their efforts to grow the local economy. It was shaped by almost two years of extensive public engagement, with the participation of over 1,800 Waterloo Region residents and businesses.
Updated street designs will help build safer roads
The Region of Waterloo is updating how it designs and builds new roads to safely move people and vehicles. The Street Design Guidelines inform how the Region constructs roads with appropriate size and shape. These guidelines now include new elements to help reduce speeding and noise, such as narrower lane widths, intersections designed to reduce turning speed, and placement and design of spaces where people walk and bike. The updated Street Design Guidelines will help accommodate people of all ages and abilities who are walking, wheeling and rolling, both along roads and at intersections.
Roadmap to build the 2027 Plan and Budget
A timeline to create the Region’s 2027 Plan and Budget is now set. Regional Council will review next year’s Plan and Budget in January and February, with February 23 targeted for a final decision. The 2027 process is later than normal because a new Regional Council needs to be formed after the fall municipal election. Every year, the Plan and Budget delivers critical services and invests in community priorities outlined in the Growing with Care strategic plan. Residents’ input will help shape Council’s budget decisions, and Region staff will launch a variety of community engagement opportunities in the coming months.
Region of Waterloo supports employees in Canadian Reserves
The Region of Waterloo is committed to supporting employees who serve in the Canadian Reserves. Employees who miss work time for an approved Reservist Leave have a service gap, when they did not pay into their OMERS pension plan. Employees can choose to purchase that service time to eliminate the gap. Under a new Reservist By-law, the Region will now match the employer portion of these contributions. Previously, employees had to bear the full cost.
New buses will refresh GRT fleet
Grand River Transit will replace 19 diesel buses that are at the end of their life cycle. The new hybrid buses will arrive from New Flyer Industries Canada in 2027 for approximately $29.5 million plus taxes. GRT buses are replaced on a 14-year lifecycle to achieve the lowest overall cost of service. Supporting a strong, reliable public transportation network helps make it easier for people in Waterloo Region to get around and make climate-friendly choices.
