Making Decisions That Matter – December 17 edition
This is a summary of Regional Council’s decisions from its December 17, 2025 meeting. 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.
Moving forward on two new affordable housing projects
Regional Council approved a staff recommendation for two housing projects to receive $2 million from the Regional Strategic Investment in Affordable Housing fund, and $872,660 from the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative. The projects will add at least 35 new affordable units for local people who need them. Thresholds Homes and Supports will build 27 units at 667 Victoria Street South, Kitchener for tenants who require mental health supports. Some units will be reserved for Indigenous residents. Another property, operated by Supportive Housing of Waterloo at 362 Erb Street West, Waterloo will provide at least eight homes for older adults who are precariously housed or at risk of homelessness. This support is part of the Region of Waterloo’s strategy to move quickly to create affordable, accessible, and equitable housing.
Read the full reports here and here.
Progress towards launching GRT service across rural townships
Grand River Transit is working to launch new and improved public transit across all Waterloo Region townships. The Region of Waterloo will apply for provincial funding to help create more connections between rural and urban areas. GRT’s plan includes new transit routes for Wellesley and North Dumfries and improved services for Woolwich and Wilmot Townships starting as soon as Fall 2026. The Ontario Transit Investment Fund could fund a total of 50 per cent of the new and improved services over five years. Provincial support would decrease over time as the service is established and ridership stabilizes.
Incentives for developments that transformed old properties
Regional Council has approved grants to support the redevelopment of two properties near downtown Kitchener. A total of $1.4 million from the Region’s Tax Increment Grant will go to the developer of 120 Victoria Street South and 108 Garment Street. These properties, including the Huck Glove factory, were contaminated industrial “brownfield” sites that required clean-up and remediation. They have now been redeveloped into valuable office and condominium buildings. The Region’s Tax Increment Grant supports redevelopment projects like this by reimbursing eligible clean-up costs.
Read the full reports here and here.
Supporting tourism through the Ontario Summer Games
Regional Council is supporting Explore Waterloo Region with $250,0000 as they host the 2026 Ontario Summer Games. The funding comes from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve fund, which can be used for one-time funding for events that attract tourists to Waterloo Region. The Games take place from July 30 to August 2, 2026. This four-day event will bring approximately 4,200 competitors across 24 sports, with an estimated 3,000 additional visitors (friends and family). The economic benefit for Waterloo Region is estimated at $6 to $7 million.
Working together with Circular Materials to help residents understand changes to recycling program
Staff will collaborate with Circular Materials to ensure that recycling information is included when the Region communicates with residents about waste collection. The Region of Waterloo is responsible for green bins and garbage, but not responsible for blue box recycling as of March 2024. Circular Materials is moving Waterloo Region to every-other-week recycling collection starting in March 2026.
Staff will also monitor changes to the volume of waste being brought to Regional landfill and increased resident inquiries following the March 2026 transition.
Council requests childcare support from the province
Regional Council is calling on the Province of Ontario and the Minister of Education to provide more childcare funding to invest in Waterloo Region families. The Region’s current waitlist is 14,000 children for affordable childcare through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program. More funding from the province would support local children, families, and childcare operators in Waterloo Region, where we have high need and sustained population growth. Childcare access is also an equity issue that disproportionately impacts women and affects economic stability for families.