So good evening and welcome to our Council meeting on
August the 26, 2026. I will now call Tim Brubacher
Regional Clerk to conduct the roll call. There we go.
Thanks, Chair. Chair Redman. Present. Councillor Craig. Councillor Foxton. Present.
We have regrets from Councillor Gowing. Councillor Harris. Councillor James.
Present. Councillor Liggett. Councillor McCabe. Councillor Nowak. Councillor Rodriguez. Present.
Councillor Salonin. Councillor Shantz. Present. Councillor Vrbanovic is running a
little late. Councillor Wolf. Present. Thank you, Chair. I'd like
to acknowledge that the land on which we gather today
is a traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishnawbe
and the Chonnonton Peoples. In doing so, I want
to reflect on what it means to be doing important
community work like we are in engaging in collectively today.
And also my own individual relationship to the land. As
a settler, one of the most important aspects of my
individual journey towards truth and reconciliation has been to listen.
I am continually grateful to community who shares their stories
and their concerns with me. As well as the chair
of the region, I know that I carry a large
responsibility to ensure that it is not just myself on
an individual level listening and acting, but that as a
government, we are listening and creating action with community. I'm
offering this acknowledgement as one of the many actions I
am personally in the region largely is taking towards truth
and reconciliation. We acknowledge in during Presence of the Indigenous
people with whom we share this land today, their achievements
in their contributions to our community. I also want to
acknowledge a couple of days of significance this month. August
25th is Rohingya Genocide Awareness Day, which honours the memory
of the lives lost during the attacks by minimars, armed
forces on August 25th, 2017. August 31st, 2026 marks the
25th year of international overdose awareness day. It is a
day to remember those we've lost to drug overdose and
poisoning. And to acknowledge the grief carried by the families,
the friends, and the communities left behind. To commemorate international
overdose awareness day and exterior lightning of regional buildings will
be in purple on August 31st. Colleagues, are there any
declarations of conflict of interest. Seeing none I now would
consider a motion to go into close if I have
a mover in a second or move my councillor James,
seconded by Councillor. I'm going to ask you to use
your escribe, but we are going into a closed
meeting to receive advice, subject to clients this privilege regarding
potential, well - interference policy, receiving advice that is subject
to solicitor client privilege relating to litigation on the Ontario
Land Tribunal and discussions related to identify individuals and labour
relations regarding organisational structure. Colleagues, do I have unanimous consent
to go into closed. Yeah. Thank you. We will reconvene
in the Waterloo County room.
So I'd like to welcome all of a guests in
the gallery and I'm looking to counsel we need a
motion to reconvene an open session if I have a
move by accounts or fox and seconded by Councillor James.
Do I have unanimous consent to reconvene an open session?
Thank you. We are now back in open session. So
we begin to night with a very positive note to
our meeting. We come together to honour the recipients of
the 2026 Jack Young Civic Award. It is a pleasure
to gather with friends, family, and current and former colleagues
and members of Regional Council to celebrate two individuals whose
dedication and service have been, have made a lasting impact
on the regional Waterloo. The Jack Young Civic Award is
one of the region of Waterloo's highest civic honours named
after Jack Young, The Regent's First Chair. It recognises individuals
who exemplify the values that have defined his public service,
which were integrity, leadership, civic commitment, and dedication to improving
the lives of others. What makes this award especially meaningful
is that it honours people whose contributions closely are connected
to the region of Waterloo government, the programs, and the
services that support our community. Their work may not have
always been in the spotlight, but it has been atlasting
impact on the region of Waterloo and the residents we
serve. One of my favourite parts of being regional chair
is the Opportunity to recognise people who have made a
genuine difference. Tonight we celebrate two individuals whose dedication, professionalism,
and commitment to public service have strengthened both our organisation
and our community. Our first recipient this evening is Terri
Plummer. For 15 years, Terry served the region of Waterloo
with dedication, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to helping others.
During her career and council and administrative services, she supported
regional council and committees helped administer elections, manage the Waterloo
Regional Arts Fund and contributed to countless projects that help
keep the organization running smoothly. Terri became known as someone
colleagues could always count on. She stepped in whenever support
was needed and embraced new challenges and approached every task
with a positive attitude and a strong focus on service.
Through her work with the Waterloo Region Arts Fund, she
helped support local artists and cultural initiatives that continue to
enrich communities across the region. She also volunteered her time
to support elections and community initiatives always going above and
beyond what was required. What stands out most about Terri
is the way she treated people, whether working with residents,
volunteers, colleagues, our community organisations. She consistently demonstrated kindness, patience,
and professionalism. Even in retirement, Terri continues to give back
through volunteer work and fundraising efforts. Terri's commitment to service
and her positive impact on both the organisation and the
community make her a truly deserving recipient of the Jack
Young Civic Award. So please join me in congratulating Terri.
And if Terri, if you want to make a few
comments, you're welcome to the podium.
Thank you, Chair Redman. And Regional Councillors.
When I received the email notifying me that I had
been awarded at the Jack Young Civic Award, I just
thought that I had been included in an email as
a courtesy regarding someone I'd known and worked with, or
perhaps included inadvertently by mistake. But when I actually began
reading The Message written by Karen, I immediately burst into
tears. So as we go through our lives, we get
jobs, we do our work to the best of our
abilities. We try to do a good job. We try
to work well with others and working at the region
of Waterloo. We hope we make a small difference in
the everyday lives of people in our community. And then
if we're lucky, we retire. And we figure that's it,
right? Because we're often just remembered for that last project,
that last report rewrote. And the last meeting we were
at, mine was actually on my 65th birthday. I very
much appreciated working in the regional clerk's office. I was
fortunate to work with a lot of really wonderful people.
And our team was wonderful to work with every day.
I enjoyed working with others in many different areas at
the region, including. Craig Dyer. And I enjoyed the diversity
of the work that we did. I really, really did.
And I even provided Administrative support to the Jack Young
Civic Award Committee at one point for a little bit.
So full circle. One of the things I'm most proud
of was the work I did with the region of
Waterloo Arts Fund. Art has such a fundamental and diverse
role in our community. Creating beauty, providing entertainment and generating
conversations. It's all such an important part of what makes
this community vibrant and living. An artists are people I
have great admiration for. Providing our community with art is
a wonderful and a very hard thing. And making a
living added is even harder. I was pleased to be
able to work with so many creative people from artists
struggling to submit grant applications, and they did struggle. To
the artists who were successful in receiving grants. And I'm
very proud of the support I provided to the region
of Waterloo Arts Fund Board. Most of the more volunteers,
people who were artists, art administrators are just strong supporters
of the arts and lovers of the arts. So many
wonderful people who I admire for the hard work they
did to provide artists with the funding resources to bring
us all the art in our community. It's an honour
to receive this award. And I thank Karen. And the
other members of the Jack Young Civic Award Committee and
Stacey Abbott. Who nominated me. And I thank you all
for this recognition. Thank you very much. Can you join
me in the middle.
Our second recipient this evening is Craig Dyer. For more
than 36 years, Craig dedicated his career to municipal government,
public service, including 12 years as Region of Waterloo's Commissioner
of Corporate Services and our chief financial officer. Throughout his
career, Craig earned the respect of colleagues and elected officials
alike as a trusted advisor and exceptional leader. He helped
guide some of the region's most significant initiatives, including major
infrastructure investments, long - term capital planning, and the implementation
of the Ion Rapid Transit. One of Craig's greatest strengths
is his ability to take complex financial information and make
it understandable. His advice helped council make informed decisions that
balanced immediate needs with long - term interests of residents.
During the COVID - 19 pandemic, Craig's calm and steady
leadership helped guide the organisation through a period of significant
uncertainty while maintaining a focus on financial sustainability and responsible
stewardship. His expertise was respected not only within Waterloo region,
but across Ontario's municipal sector, where he became a trusted
voice on Financial Planning and Governance. Even after retirement, Craig
continues to contribute his knowledge and experience to the broader
municipal community. Craig's integrity, professionalism, and commitment to public service
reflect the very qualities that this award was created to
celebrate. So Craig, I'm going to invite you to the
podium if you'd like to say a few words.
I was hoping you wouldn't notice. So it's a bit
strange standing here. I got to say, and I should
start off by saying, no, I don't miss the 10
- hour budget meetings. At all. Um, and I should
also say that, uh, Terry and I did not have
any conversations about what our speeches would be like. The
fact that our opening paragraphs are virtually identical. Is, um,
truly, uh, coincidence, because nobody was more surprised than me
when I saw the email, I read it four or
five times and concluded that it had gone to the
wrong Craig. And, um. And, uh, I was surprised. And
I thought I was thinking afterwards about why was I
so surprised? And I was surprised because, um, I think
by definition as public servants, we think about the public
and we think about service. We don't think about, um,
I don't know, personal glory or, you know, our share
price or our profit margin. We're always thinking about how
do we deliver better service? And we're constantly asking ourselves,
you know, is this good public policy? I have a
little sign in my backyard office that says, is this
good public policy? Um, yes, I'm a nerd. I know
that. I was going to get to that later in
the speech, but, um, and I say all of this
because it seems to me we're at a time where
public servants, uh, are under an immense amount of pressure,
both elected officials and staff, the, you know, calm, respectful
public discourse is hard to find these days. And then
enough patience and not enough reflection and not enough desire
to better understand differing viewpoints. And so it seems even
more important to me that opportunities to recognise the great
work that gets done in local government, um, every day,
uh, are so important. And it's with that context in
mind. Um, that I find myself, um, deeply honoured and
grateful to have received this recognition. Someone took the time
to nominate me. I think I now know who it
is. Um, so thank you. Um, and thank you Chair
Redman and members of the award committee and regional council
for believing that, uh, self - confessed municipal finance nerd
is worthy of this level of recognition. Public service has
never, um, a one - time, sorry, a one person
effort. And I've been so fortunate throughout my career to
have spent time working with such smart, um, smart, dedicated
colleagues who share a commitment to the local government sector.
I've learned so much from so many of them. And
I'm grateful for the many relationships and friendships I've built
along the way, some of which continue strongly to this
day. And, uh, you know who you are. Um, for
the other finance nerds here today, municipal Finance happens, like
there like municipal finance. It's one of the conclusions I've
come to in the last while, um, it happens for
the most part, quietly behind the scenes, except for budget
time, of course. Um, but it plays a huge role
in building prosperous and sustainable communities. Well, at the same
time, uh, caring and showing compassion for those who struggle
to share in such prosperity in our communities. It's been
an honour to have contributed to this kind of work.
In municipalities across the province and most significantly at the
region of Waterloo. And then finally, I thank once again
my long suffering family who are here tonight back here,
um, for their patients, their understanding and support over the
years, especially when I subject them to another municipal finance
rant. Of which there have been many in the last
little while. Um, I feel truly honoured today. So thank
you very much. So Craig, if you'll join me in
the, at the round table, and I just want to
tell you from my perspective, I've been doing this a
little while. It's never only about money, but it's always
about money.
I know there are people at home watching this on
YouTube and they are not going to be able to
pan the gallery, but there are so many familiar faces
of current and past people who have made this region
what they are. So what we are. So thank you
very much for coming and supporting these two outstanding people.
And it doesn't surprise me that Craig and Terri had
very similar speeches because you're both incredibly humble people. And
you get the job done and you make sure that
everybody else has looked after, uh, you have provided amazing
leadership. So we thank you very much. Today we've recognised
two remarkable individuals whose contributions made Waterloo regions stronger. Terri
Plummer and Craig Dyer have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to
public service and have left a lasting legacy through their
work. So on behalf of Regional Council and the residents
of Waterloo Region congratulations and thank you for everything you've
done.
Now I'm going to invite all of you to stay
if you choose to, but we will not think poorly
of you if you decide that you want to, um,
carry on and do other things over the evening. Thank
you all for coming. Terri's offering to run the
cameras one of her old tasks.
So colleagues as the gallery, um, becomes a little bit
thinner and people are leaving. Um, I'm just going to
draw your attention to a petition that was received earlier
this week, The Bloomingdale Traffic Coming, uh, petition. And we've
received that for information. I'd now like to welcome our
delegations. There we will hear them as they're listed on
the agenda. And I would like to remind all delegations
of some guidelines for participation. If you are attending in
person, please proceed to the podium when you're called upon
to speak. The podium has the ability to be lowered
and raised using buttons on the right. If you're attending
virtually, please turn on your microphone and camera when you
are called upon. You will have five minutes to speak
if you registered before the deadline and three of you
registered afterwards. When the light on the podium turns yellow,
that means you have one minute remaining. When the light
turns red, that means your time is up and you
may hear me give you a reminder of your remaining
time. Additionally, some general reminders, if you conduct yourself in
any of the following manners, it will result in an
immediate removal from the meeting. Interrupting councillors, staff, or other
delegations derogatory statements about councillors, staff, or others. Turning on
your camera at inappropriate times and H speech or defamatory
comments. One last reminder for Delegations, please do not take
offence if following your presentation. There are no questions from
council. This is counsel's time to really listen and reflect
upon the opinions and the ideas shared with us from
our community members. And a quick reminder to members of
the audience, you're asked to maintain order. Our first delegation
is Alan Carpenter, North Dumfries. Alan, I believe you're here
in person. Welcome to the podium. You have five minutes.
Sorry. And our safety issues, uh, before us on the
road. Let me just read from my notes. Let me
pick it up. Um, so we're here before the region
for that purpose. We're talking about regional road 49 from
Scott Street to Spragues Road. Just a 5K road. And,
uh, it takes about, uh, 080K, which is the speed
limit. It takes, uh, 32 seconds. But if you drop
it down to 60, um, then I'm sorry, at 60,
it's 42. So it's just a difference of one minute
if we can get the speed down by 20K. So
we'll brief counsel here on the area resident concerns related
to road safety. Within the settlement area of Wrigley and
along the broader Wrigley Road corridor. So we request that
the region undertake speed reduction, to 60, okay. Within the settlement
area, I live in the settlement area and many of
our residents also. Also a speed review this summer, uh,
they did a speed review. And I mentioned it later,
but, uh, they did it in the wintertime. So you
can understand that the speeds are much, much different in
the summer. So we would look for, uh, a review
of speeds, uh, before the summer's finished. And Wrigley, as
I mentioned, is 5K in length under the jurisdiction of
the region of Waterloo, including authority over speed limits, road
design, driveway permits, and road maintenance. The road bisects are
settlement area of Wrigley where rural residential properties font. Directly
onto the corridor. And where there are no sidewalk cycling
facilities or streetlights. Residents on the north side would have
to cross the road carefully to retrieve their mail. The
current posted speed limit is 80, but I would mention
viewing westbound, at all. There's no sign. Uh, so 80
through the settlement area and along the corridor between Scott
Street and Spragues Road. Residents of raised concerns over the
past two years regarding vehicle speeds and broader road safety
conditions. Speed monitoring undertaken by the towns of North Dumfries
during the winter months. Approximately a high percentile at 78
kilometers an hour. A maximum record was 103 and approximately
10 percent of vehicles above the Post - 80 threshold
within the settlement area. Comparable regional roads throughout other rural
settlement areas in North Dumphreys are posted at lower speeds,
including Roseville, Clyde, branched in and Browns, which vary from
50 to 60 kilometers an hour. Only the Wrigley settlement
area has a posted speed of 80. Despite similar built,
uh, roads characteristics, when contrasted against other rural communities. The
residents along Wrigley Road, which is supported by an adopted
resolution of North Dumfries Council is requesting a broader road
safety study, not simply a posted speed limit review to
consider Pedestrian and cycle safety driveway movements. Centre line passing,
farm equipment, traffic volumes, car truck splits. Collision history, topography,
uh, and quarter land issues, uses. Recommended, we ask of
regional council, uh, that direct staff to compete a speed
review and comprehensive road safety assessment for Wrigley Road. Extending
from Scott in the west to Spragues at the east
end, particular attention to our settlement area and the transition
from approaching the settlement. This is a road safety request,
not simply a speed limit request. The residents along Wrigley,
which has been endorsed through an adopted resolution of North
Dumfries Township Council is seeking a comprehensive analysis of the
corridor becomes speed, traffic mix, roadside conditions. Settlement form and
vulnera world users must be considered together. Wrigley functions differently
within the settlement area than it does in the open
roll corridor. Rural residents, uh, front directly onto the road,
The Residence must interact with traffic from driveways along the
roadside with sidewalks, cycling facilities. Or treatment. No, no cycling.
Facilities and no street lighting. The current 80 posted should
be reviewed in context, although the winter months at about
78 an hour. The settlement context in comparison with other
rural sediment areas suggest that a review is warranted. Examples,
and I mentioned them Roseville Road, Clyde, Branchton, et cetera.
Alan, you're out of time if you want to sum
up, please. Okay. Um, that's too bad. Um, I will.
Um, so looking ahead, um, we've got a 290 housing
development coming in across from the air fire hall. And
we got two new gravel pits and that's going to
add a lot more traffic to Wrigley. My closing message
of I can read that and I'll be done. The
area residents along the Wrigley Road are recognized that
Wrigley Road is a regional facility and that any changes
must be informed by regional analysis. The request before regional
counsel is to undertake that analysis so that future decision
on speed, design, and road safety improvements are evidence -
based corridor - wide and responsible responsive to the settlement
context and road approaches. Uh, there was a Waterloo Regional
Police Service study last year. And it had a lot
of what we're asking for tonight to make road safe.
Thank you to Region for having us tonight, Mayor Foxton
and Andrew McNeely, Alita Wilma for forgetting us here tonight.
And, uh, I'll take any questions. Thank you. Hey, can
we, Alan, we do have some questions. So don't run
away. Uh, Councillor Foxton. I was going to make a
comment after the next Delegate, please. Thank you. Councillor Shantz.
Thank you. I don't have questions for the Delegate, but
I also have some comments and questions for staff. So
thank you, Alan. Uh, you can take your seat. Thank
you. So Council, the Shantz and Foxton, you want to
hear the next delegation before you pose your comments and
questions. I would like to. It's one of my councillors,
Alida Wilms. Thank you. So the next delegation is Alita
Wilms Councillor Ward for War 3 in North Dumfries. You're
joining us virtually and you have five minutes. Welcome. Thank
you. Good evening. Chair Redman, members of Council and staff.
My name is Alida Wilms and I'm award councillor in
North Dumfries. And thank you very much for this opportunity
to talk to you about a safety matter. That's important
to our shared community. Wrigley Road is a regional road
that connects the village of ayr, Cambridge, and Paris. It's
a very busy rule road with a lot of commuters
and trucks. But Wrigley Road is also home. It passes
directly through wetlands, active farms, local businesses, and their residential
Wrigley Rural Settlement area where the neighbours, before you Tonight
live. Currently, Reglonal Road is an 80 kilometer zone. It
has limited shoulders, no lighting, and is very straight and
flat. It's the only road in North Dumfries that
permits a speed of 80 kilometers an hour through a
designated residential settlement zone. That's fast. Residents in the settlement
need to access their mailboxes, mow their lawns, walk their
dogs, shovel their driveway, all within a couple of feet
of high speed, heavy traffic. Residents of Wrigley have been
concerned about the increase of traffic for some time. This
past winter, a young resident was severely injured when she
was hit by a car. In April, resonance appealed to
directly to North Dumfries Council for help. In turn, Council
unanosleep past emotion to bring this urgent matter before count
directly before the region. So we asked for two things.
An immediate reduction of the speed through the residential settlement
area to 60 kilometers an hour. So that's first. And
second, a traffic safety study for all of Wrigley Road
to evaluate engineering and traffic calming measures that could help
slow drivers down. We recognise that there are many rural
regional roads that share similar characteristics. They're straight, they're fought,
and they're busy. However, the concentration of residential homes and
daily pedestrian activity along this specific stretch creates an issue
that requires regional intervention. Our residents are simply asking to
feel safe outside their own homes. Please support our request
to bring moderation, lower speeds, and improve safety to Wrigley
Road. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you
very much, Alida. Um, Councillor Foxton, is this a question
or comment to the delegation or to staff? This is
two staff and council. Okay. Um, Councillor Shantz, your questions
to the Delegation or to staff. Okay. Thanks, Alita. You
may want to hang on because we are now going
to talk to staff. So Councillor Foxton, please go ahead.
Thank you. So you have to realise North Dumfries is
an air is an interesting community in that we are
a major arterial role to the 401. Dumfries Road runs
into Wrigley's world and it is the major arterial world
off the fore one going towards the 403. So these
residents are dealing with major, major Commuter traffic. On top
of that, you've got a letter today an email, I
believe from an individual that lives on Wrigley's Road talking
about they don't want the speed limit dropped. They said
it's a clear role. They can just fly on down
and it's great. And that's the whole point. If you
look at some of the pictures that were up, you'll
notice it's very tree - lined. So you can't really
see the houses. So this woman was that, that was
injured. She was out jogging on a winter's morning. She
got hit and thrown into the air. Into snow bank.
No, not even the bank, Snow in the field. One
of the regional snow ploughs saw this grey sweater. And
thought First thing we were going to do anything. And
then they thought it doesn't look right. So they stopped
the plough and went into that field and found her
body. He wasn't even sure she was alive. That's only
one of several cases. There's been fatalities on this world,
quite a few. Um, now you have to figure that
your rule. Some of my seniors, you have to cross
Wrigley road to get your mailbox. They're on the opposite
side. And you're competing with now we are getting as
it. We're getting two new subdivisions. One, the potential of
two gravel pits on either side of the boat and
a subdivision. So that traffic is going to be heading
towards the 401 Wrigley road. They're going to be going
either to Hamilton. So the girl on the Sprage's road
or they'll be going to the 401 to get to
wherever they go in the destination. So we're increasing the
amount of traffic there. We're putting these people in risk.
The only option you can say to them is only
getting your cars when you're going to go get your
mail only getting your cars that you're going to go
any threat. There's no walking to your neighbour. There's no
because otherwise you're putting your life at risk. And I
think this is a true situation of many of the
township roads. What they want is, and what we've done
as a council, every hamlet, every little set of communities,
settlement areas, we have lowered the speed. So that we
can try and at least control that and even have
police come out there and charge people. And that's what
right now they're asking is one, to have the speed,
Lord, in the hamlet area. It's about 15 houses, 20
hoses. Maybe 30. Maybe 30 houses. And this one area,
um, and then do a traffic study. And I think
you're probably going to hear from my colleague along the
same lines because of the Bloomingdale one is one that
came to us. So if we could do just these
few small things and you save one life, you've done
us tremendous thing. Thank you. Councillor Shantz. Thank you. And,
uh, thank you to the Delegates and to the folks
in Bloomingdale for sending this in. And it's a reminder
for me that, um, sometime in this term of counsel,
we asked for a rural strategy. For our towns because
all the world roads are connecting roads. And the speeds,
it doesn't matter what's posted. People drive too fast through
them. Um, I'm not sure if I've shared with you
a video of, um, from, from winterboure that was
shared with me. And it showed some kids out playing.
And while they were out playing someone hit a garbage
can and dragged it. And the sound was just horrifying.
Um, it's a problem. For all our regional roads coming
into towns and our hamlets and our villages. And so
I guess my question is what happened to that study.
Or that strategy. I was expecting it before now. Commissioner
Getsky. Thank you to you, Chair. You think you for
drawing our attention again. As you know, during this mandate,
um, a couple of years ago, the focus was very
much on automated speed enforcement as a tool that enables
to control speeds everywhere across the entire regional network. Uh,
that program was accelerated and then cancelled by the province.
So we had to pivot. Since the late spring of
this year, we initiated a township traffic calming program. Uh,
in partnership with area municipalities, we identified alongside in Bloomingdale
and Wrigley are part of it. Uh, there's 47 sites
in total. We understand that as, as more and more
houses get built in the townships, the settlements expand. And
that is becoming a more frequent problem. You're talking about
winterboure. There's many other communities that have similar problems
between, or friction between the houses that are being built
and the heavier traffic that may go through. So we
have 47 sites that are being investigated right now. So
the first part, um, that went through the summer was
about data collection. They will continue that. And we will
bring back that to council. I think the expected timeline
is mid next year to provide examples of countermeasures. Uh,
so measures that can be implemented to be able to,
uh, reduce speeds effectively, uh, and sustainably in these different
sites with all their specific, you know, the specific characteristics
of each of each hamlet, but also we want to
have some consistent solutions across the region throughout the townships.
Councillor Shantz. Not happy. Councillor Foxton. Uh, thank you. Colleagues,
my colleagues. I'm asking you to please watch this and
make sure that something's done. And you were trying to,
it's not that we want fancy things. We just want
to save lives. So if you could please on our
behalfs, keep your eyes on this for us. Thank you.
So Commissioner Getzky, I understand you need the data and
that you're trying to do this in a holistic way.
Can you maybe get back to council and see if
the way we could expedite that. They could come back
to council in a more time efficient manner. Uh, yes
we can. Thank you. I see no more questions in
this section. The next delegation is Dr. Terry Polevoy, from
Waterloo, who is joining us virtually. Terry, uh, you have
five minutes and you have the floor.
Can you hear me now? Yes, we can. Great. Okay.
I haven't spoken to the council for, um, many years.
The last time I was there was maybe 10 years
ago talking about tobacco issues. But this is basically, um,
I'm a retired physician. And been retired for about 10
years now. And I've been noticing thermography promotions. Which
is using a camera to claim to screen for breast
cancer, which is totally untrue. I have no commercial interest
in what I'm about to describe. And I'm not asking
the council to take a position on any of the
businesses. Which I'm not going to mention. What's being sold
here. In this region, women can pay hundreds of dollars.
For an infrared breast scan. That's advertised as a way
to assess their risks of developing breast cancer. Some of
this marketing promises and early morning, years before other methods.
Some of it grades a woman's result on a risk
scale. And then offers her treatment to move her score
down. This is not new. It's been going on for
over two decades in our region. Health Canada years ago
has addressed this only twice. We both notices. Are basically
hidden away on their website. In November, 2012, the Health
Canada Advised Canadians and Healthcare Practitioners that no thermography machines
have ever been approved to screen for breast cancer. Anywhere
in Canada. And that they may present a potential risk
for women who rely on these results. In 2017, September,
it went even further. These devices are licensed only to
measure skin temperature, like a simple thermometer. There's absolutely no
evidence that the cameras could detect breast cancer early. And
if a woman relies on thermography alone, cancer could go
undetected. I also said that I would follow up with
manufacturers because advertising or selling these devices for breast cancer
screening is prohibited in Canada. Yet they're all over the
place. Nine years have passed since I first contacted Health
Canada. And no outcomes of that follow - up has
ever been published on their website. Growth Health Canada notices
now carry an archive banner. So you're not going to
be able to find it very easily on health Canada
website. If you look for thermography. That happens automatically with
notices from healthcare after four years. The federal warning, a
woman finds today is marked as not updated while the
websites across Canada, especially in this region. Are selling the
scan. Continuously and they're updated regularly. My concern is not
the camera itself because a camera doesn't harm anybody. A
woman who's told her skin is normal may feel reassured
that that reassurance leads her to delay or skip mammography.
The delay is the harm. Not the picture. I want
to be clear that this is not only my view.
I wrote the region of Waterloo Public Health Associated Medical
Officer of Health recently. And described my concerns accurately. That
breast thermography may provide false reassurance and could discourage some
individuals from participating in evidence - based breast cancer screening.
The associate medical officer of health told me correctly that
medical devices advertising claims and regulated health professionals all full
outside the mandates of the local public health unit. I
accept that. I'm not here to ask counsel to overturn
it. But I would ask counsel to notice the pattern.
Health Canada have moved my complaint that queen its own
branches cancer care Ontario said publicly 20 years ago that
health candidate regulates the promotion of treatments not of screening
tests. And call this case of Buyer Beware. This month,
even state medical boards in the United States, like in
Texas, told me that they don't even track these devices.
Carry your eyes. They don't even have Terry you're out
of time. Can you just sum up please? Yes. Um,
I would like to make a request. That the council
issue a public advisory. On breast thermography. And it's not
going to cost you one nickel. It's not going to
cost anything to make that public announcement. And I've included
supplementation supplemented papers and so forth. For your review. Thank
you very much. Terry. Um, I see no questions. Dr.
Wong, would you like to give a response. Thank you
through you, the chair. So I would recommend that public
health act. Within its legislated role and establish program responsibilities,
uh, we do not regulate medical devices advertising claims or
health professionals. And we do not deliver the provincial breast
cancer screening program. Public health also does not lead breast
cancer screening communications. Provincial screening communications are coordinated through cancer
care, Ontario. And lastly, I would like to thank Dr.
Pollovoy's longstanding. Thank him for his longstanding service to our
community and his commitment to the health and wellbeing of
our residence. Thank you. Thank you Dr. Wong and thank
you Dr. Polevoy for Delegating. The next, I
see no further questions. The next delegation is David Marskell,
CEO of the Museum. David, you're here in person. Welcome
to the podium and you have five minutes. Thank you
very much. And it's good to see everybody. Um. I'll
move fairly quickly through the first part of the deck
because I assume you all received it and it's on
public record. Uh, but we have a wonderful and continue
to have a great stellar, uh, board of directors, um,
over the last two years. We will have turned that
over by 60 percent. Next. Um, we follow the mission
vision and values next. Um, and art and technology, a
play that was the original model of the children's museum
that opened 24 years ago, continues to be our model
for motto for all stages of life. Next. We have
a bright future. We've been working with the city of
Kitchener. We appreciate your support in terms of the annual
grant. We have been meeting the needs of the of
the, um, of the growing population. And we are getting
close to returning to pre - COVID numbers. Thank you
next. Our fiscal that just ended was extremely successful. Our
attendance was up over 20 percent previous over the last
year. And we had our highest numbers in terms of
March break, an individual day had 1, 700 people and
highest revenues ever in a number of lines. Um, and
we've started our fiscal July 1st and July was our
highest attendance since 2012 and August is on target. Next.
We have a stellar group of Canadian speakers, um, launching
the Leonardo da Vinci 500 years of genius exhibition. Um,
starting November 22nd with Bob McDonald. And we have a
nostril and we're bringing back to the community Margaret Atwood
next. Leonardo da Vinci, um, I'm sure you all know
him incredibly what he thought, what he did, what he
created from science, her monatomy to the Mona Lisa in
the last, uh, the last supper next. Um, we are
in partnership with a number of incredible organisations. Are there
any Italians in the room, Karen? Like we've got a
lot of Italian. I've been meeting so many Italian friends
across the province. Um, the ambassador will be opening the
event on September 23rd. And I messed up and you
have a council meeting. So we will figure out a
day right after that, uh, sometime to get you there
to, to enjoy the show. Uh, we're working with so
many groups across, um, The Italian Community. Next. The Da
Vinci Festival, which I think is what we do best
is wonderful. On the right is some of the galleries
and rooms that will be explored. On the left, we
are what we do normally from school groups
to some of our Special events. Next. Top right is
the anatomy room that you'll see some of the drawings.
Um, much of what he did. He didn't actually make.
He created drawings. So in the bottom right, you're seeing
some of the things like the bicycle, uh, and so
on. Um, we have our immersive eye pool room on
the left, which we'll talk about Florence and some of
the places that he lived. But that just gives you
a sense of what people will enjoy next. This is
the, this is the best part of it. From Margaret
Atwood to seven post - secondary, um, institutions from Villanova
all the way to Georgian College to our universities to
Guelph, um, Carlton. The speaker series, for the most part
on Sunday afternoons is incredible. Um, and, um, I would
urge you all to, to come to some or all
of those. Um, Dorothy, I don't know if you knew
this. I certainly didn't know that in Waterloo and the
Hydro Cut that the Waterloo Cycling Club created the Da
Vinci Bridge to make it passable for cyclists and people
walking in Waterloo. Um, it's a pretty awesome lineup that
we have next. The building wrap dropped last week on
furrowed last week as a beacon to downtown Kitchener in
the heart of the region. And I think we're winding
down. I don't see a clock, but I think I'm
on time. Next. Yeah. About 31 minutes. Seconds minutes. Oh,
minutes. I can go for, yeah. Anyway, it's, it's a
wonderful, um, really on brand for us what he embodies
an art and technology at play what we inspired to
bring to this community. It's probably the biggest brand that
we've ever done, notwithstanding the Rolling Stones, Titanic and all
of those things. This is probably the biggest one ever.
Next. Maybe you could say this word, Karen, so I
don't butcher. Grazie, grazie. There it is. And thank you
very, very much. That was all for information. So David,
thank you very much. I have to say, I'm very
excited about this and not just because, uh, Italian is
my family roots, but, um, it feels to me like
you're going to be able to go to Italy and
it's much cheaper way to get there and enjoy the
beautiful artifacts and the inspiration from Da Vinci. So thank
you very much for coming and presenting this. We actually
have one of our colleagues, I think is in Italy
as we speak. So I will make sure that he
comes too. So, um, thank you for accommodating. I was
very sad to see that it was opening on a
council night. So yeah, we were accommodating the ambassador who
was opening and I do apologise. One ambassador or all
of us, geese David. I'll call him in the morning,
see if we can switch it up. I don't see
any questions, but thank you very much again for inspiring
the community. Thank you all very, very much. Next delegation
is Craig Sloss from Waterloo. I believe you're here in
person, Craig. You have the podium and you have five
minutes. All right. Uh, good
evening chair and members of Council. My name is Craig
Sloss. I'm an actuary and a data scientist living in
Waterloo. A significant portion of my work these days relates
to policies and practices around responsible use of AI. Core
principles of responsible AI include having a clearly defined value
generating purpose. Understanding the costs and risks associated with AI
and enabling well - informed decision - making that balance
as benefits and risks of AI. From my experience with
my colleagues, I know that there are people who work
with AI diligently and ethically. From my experience as a
consumer of technology products, I know that these qualities are
rare. And speaking today as a resident and not as
a representative of my employer or profession, but my perspective
is informed by my years of experience thinking critically about
these trade - offs. I support the motion requesting a
report to inform policy direction on data centres. And we'd
like to highlight a few areas that may require additional
attention. First, the motion correctly recognises that data centres very
significantly in size function and resource requirements. By then see
that's explicitly reflected in the concrete proposed content of the
report. So data centres have a wide variety of uses.
Many of which generate significant value for society. Hosting websites
and email servers enabling us to share files with friends
and family and hosting databases to support local business operations.
But data centres are also used to flood our social
media fees with AI - generated slop, some of which
is fraudulent or pla plagiaristic. Waste and inefficiency are widespread
in the AI industry. We all see this every time
we do an internet search and get an AI summary
that we never asked for. Every time AI is used
without a valid purpose is a waste of data centre
capacity. Waste that threatens our drinking water, our electricity supply,
and our ability to grow food locally. The policy question
is, how do we ensure that limited resources are used
only for data centres whose function aligns with our community's
values and priorities and prevent local resources from enabling waste,
deception, and abuse. This means that any future policy direction
only to set different rules based on the purpose and
size of the data centre. And the report can support
this by identifying criteria the policymakers can use to categorize
data centres. This should be done in collaboration with the
lower tier municipalities who also need to update zoning bylaws
to reflect different cities in the size and purpose of
data centres. Using my own city of Waterloo, as an
example, our zoning bylaw contains a single definition of data
centre that makes no distinction based on size or purpose.
If we had a zoning bylaw that made no distinction
between a single detached dwelling and a 30 - story
residential tower, I think we'd all agree that would be
an absurd situation. But that's a situation we're currently in
with data centres. Having a clear definition of different categories
of data centres is a critical first step in developing
policy that allocates resources in accordance to our community's priorities.
This season to my second recommendation, which is that the
report should incorporate public feedback, gather through mechanisms such as
engage WR or public feedback meetings. Since the report will
be used to support future policy direction. This direction should
be informed by a summary of public perspectives on data
centres. This information will be needed so that any policy
developed around data centres will prioritize allocating resources to purposes
that are consistent with our values. Finally, I'm glad to
see the report is asking for information on the environmental
impact of data centres and greenhouse gases in particular. It's
important that the report address the impact that data centres
have on the greenhouse gas emissions of the grid as
a whole, not just the direct impact of data centres.
Data centres frequently make use of renewable energy sources. Forcing
other electricity users to rely on more carbon intensive sources.
We've already seen local impacts of increasing grid carbonization. In
April this year, the City of Kitchener reported it primarily
to a 27 percent increase. What's not clear to me
is how much of that increased carbon intensity is due
to the presence of data centres already in operation. And
this is an impact that needs to be better understood.
A full picture of greenhouse gas emissions needs to look
at the system - wide impact of adding data centres
to the grid. And, uh, thank you for taking the
time to listen to my feedback today. Thank you very
much Craig. You finished right on the button. And Councillor
Foxton has a question. Thank you. Um, very informative. Could
you share what you've stated with us. The notes you
mean. Yeah, the notes that you just read off. Yes.
Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. You could share it with
the cloak and they can share it with us. Thank
you so much. Councillor Rodriguez. Yeah, thanks, Jared. Just a
question to staff at the end of the committee report
when we get there. Or I can hold for the
committee report when we get there. Well, I'm going to,
I see no further questions of the delegations.
and then you can, um, ask
your question. Craig, thank you for coming in. And it
was a very thoughtful presentation. So thank you for providing
us food for thought. Thank you. Uh, Matt, do you
want to, or Councillor Rodriguez. Thanks. Uh, thanks Chair. Um,
just to ask a question to staff. You know, I
think there's a lot of good discussion at committee day
about nuance and being specific about the different types of
things that we're talking about when we see the word
data centres. And just wondering if to the sort of
suggestion of getting an understanding of the different scales of
operations and maybe a bit of a local context. And
do you see that being part of the work that
will happen? Obviously there's, I'm sure equated an exercise, but
will there be that bit of an understanding of these
different contexts and what it can mean in our community.
Yeah, through you, chair Redman. Uh, yes, this is, uh,
the report that's underway under development is, uh, is a
summary piece. I think this is, you know, there have
been some excellent suggestions made here regarding, you know, addressing
or understand, trying to understand the current standards for categorizing
data centres, for example. Uh, we. I would say this
is really the beginning of a conversation with future council.
I would suggest it will probably trigger, uh, more questions
than it will answer. Um, and then, uh, following the
Presentation of this, which will be an information report, uh,
Council can provide direction, the future council provide direction on,
on how we want to engage further, uh, through public
consultation and towards, uh, policy agenda. That's a great update.
Thank you, Chair. Thank you. As you know, further questions,
uh, that is the end of our delegations. Colleagues are
going to move on to the minutes of previous meetings.
I need a mover in a seconder to move minutes.
They're under listed under item 9. 1 to 9. 17.
Move by Councillor Shantz, second to my Councillor Salanin. Please use
your eScribe to vote.
Colligues that is carried the next agenda item or Communications.
You have received an information package electronically, um, as well
as correspondence from Jessica Denin. Those are received for information.
Um, next gender item 11. 1 is Finance Reports. There
are three finance reports in unless there are any requests
to remove any of them from consent. I will take
them as one motion. I, if I could have a
mover in a second or move by Councillor Wolf seconded
by Councillor James, please use your eScribe to vote on
all three. Reports.
College that is carried next to gender item 11. 2.
1 is sustainable cenability infrastructure and development committee summary, May
5th. I need a mover in a seconder. For this
section. Moved by Councillor Henick, seconded by Councillor Erb. Please
use your eScribe to vote.
Collexit is carried the next. There are no recommendations from
the library committee, which was held on June 18th, 2026.
The next agenda item, uh, 11. 2. 3 is sustainability
infrastructure development committee summary from August the 11th. If I
could have a mover in a secondary councillor, like it
would you like to move this. Seconded by Councillor Now,
please use your eScribe to vote.
Colleagues said is carried the next agenda item is Community
and Health Services Committee summary from August 11th, 2026. If
I could have a mover in the secondary move by
Councillor Huinink, seconded by Councillor Craig. Please use your eScribe
to vote.
Councillor McCabe.
Colleagues that is carried. The next agenda item is administration
and finance committee summary from August the 11th, 2026. There
are two parts to this motion. We by Councillor Rodriguez,
seconded by Councillor Erb. Please use your eScribe to vote.
Councillor Liggett, are you in favor. Colleagues that is carried.
The next agenda item is licensing and hearing a committee
summary from August the 20th, 2026. If I could have
a mover into seconder. Move by Councillor McCabe, seconded by
Councillor Foxton. Please use your eScribe. I always tell you
there's too many animals on this side of the circle.
Got a wolf, we've got a fox.
Colleague, that is carried. Um, I have no other, um,
matters. Uh, we have no, or there is a notice
of motion by Councillor Craig at Councillor Craig. You're moving
it. Yes, Madam Chair. Sorry. And Councillor Wolf's going to
second it. Thank you. Moved by councillor Wolf. Go
ahead. Would you like to speak to it? Well, thank
you. Uh, members of Council, there's two parts to this
that I want to talk about. First of all, there's
the obvious things that I've written up in the motion.
Which talks about the need for impartial leadership. In terms
of whoever is in the regional chair. I think that's
relatively one of the most important things. Also the possibility
when you combine mayors and chairs together of conflicts of
interest that may arise. And also the concentration of authority.
Under both chairs and mere powers into one individual. And
I think that is really something that, uh, I have
a lot of concerns about. I think what's important is
that we need to say publicly what we believe as
a regional counsel in terms of the development and the
continuation of regional council into the future, what we believe.
And I think the motion is basically sending a message.
To Queen's Park. That we found, yes, this is an
affront to local democracy. That the people of this region
can choose their own chair and they've done that successfully
for a number of years and that we would like
to stay on that path. Um, I want to go
back just a bit in the history of the region.
As I think it's important. When I arrived here in
1991 as a regional council, it was a new breed
because it was the first time regional councillors were elected.
Before that, they were appointed within their municipal councils and
sent to the region. So at that time, here, we
had 26 regional councillors. Over the years, that was condensed
down in 1997 to 22 members. And in 2000 down
to 16. But along with that, you had the regional
chair became elected. Not appointed within the Council. And you
had, of course, uh, directly elected regional council. So the
transparency accountability in a Democratic forum. And over those years,
uh, there was this evolution and it was all done
up front publicly. And we, with Queens park, agreed to
these changes. And we dealt with these changes in a
public forum. This particular, uh, issue now in terms of
regional chairs and mayors, whenever the Queen's Park is dealing
with is really a step back. And I think it's
something that we should be concerned about. And it's something
that we need to, uh, and our own way as
a council, uh, state our position on. So I have
the motion in front of you. I'd like your support
on this as we go forward. And I think it's
important. And I come back to the words transparency, accountability
and Democratic. That's what's happened here over a number of
years and how we've performed how we've worked and how
we have progressed. As a regional community in terms of
how we see government. And my concern, of course, is
what Queen's Park is considering. Thank you, Madam Chair. Councillor
Wolf, would you like to speak to this as a
seconder? Yes, I would. Uh, I'm happy to second this
motion. I too believe they combining strong mayor powers with
the authority of the strong regional chair proofs. Concentrates too
much authority and influence in one individual. And risks creating
an imbalance in regional decision making. I'm also concerned about
fairness to the other municipalities within the region. The chair's
role is to represent the interests of the entire region,
not a single municipality. Finally, I believe the position of
regional chair is a full - time job that requires
full - time attention. Being a mayor is also a
full - time job. We know from past regional meetings,
which have gone very long, that some mayors have had
to leave our meeting to attend their city meetings. Given
the demands of both offices, it would be difficult for
one person to serve effectively in both roles. For these
reasons, the position of mayor and regional chair should remain
separate. And I urge you to support the motion. So
colleagues, I see no further speakers. We had this as
a notice of motion. It has been moved and seconded.
So I would ask you to please use eScribe. Oh,
Councillor James. Thank you through you, Chair. I just have
a question for Councillor Craig recognising the history that you've
outlined for us. Um, if there's, um, any appetite within
your motion to potentially put in a request for, um,
The Province to consider having the elected officials for the
next council be part of the process. If there's a
middle ground, the middle ground would be the elected officials
in the next election would within this horseshoe choose the
regional chair. That's a middle ground. That's what happened at
one point. Uh, and the late, uh, about 19 and
the year 2000. That's why we, we elected the chair.
It was done within the council. So it could be
a middle ground. And it may be something we should
talk to the province about, if in terms of backing
off what they're suggesting. I'll just, I think, you know,
there going through their process that they're in now. But
in Councillor Craig, a support, your motion, um, in terms
of, I see it potentially being really problematic. Um, I
just don't know in terms of where they are in
a process right now. Um, if that's something to find
some sort of common ground. Because what I worry about
is, um, the impacts. There's three things I think about.
I think about the community and we have a very
active and a very vocal community that is very engaged.
And if they are not trusting a process or trusting
who is in this very, um, influential and important position,
there could be, you know, a significant community outcry. I
think about the next term of counsel and next council
that is sitting here and the trust that needs to
be established for the person that's here. Um, and then
I think about, you know, our, our municipal employees. And
they think that there is, there's a lot, um, at
stake that I think that it's very nuanced and layered.
Um, so any appetite that could be there for the
province to think about, um, the next council being part
of this process, I think would be better this region.
So, um, you know, Councillor Craig, I don't, I support
this. I'm going to, uh, I just think they're, if
there was any appetite for the province to say, could
this council be part of that decision making process in
the end? Um, I think that's, that's some sort of
common ground in something that may benefit the community overall
in terms of how this region moves forward in terms
of its leadership and governance. Councillor Shantz. Thank
you. I've spent 12 years assuming that the region is
an organisation that works to bring the air municipalities together
and to work together and to provide services that serve
the area municipalities. And I can't support number two because
the way that reads, um, the mayors will no longer
sit here. You're seven. It's separating municipal and regional leadership.
And it's one and the same. It's not separate. So
as long as that's in there, I can't support this
motion. Thank you through your chair. I had the same
question about that particular, um, second part of separating, um,
municipal and regional leadership. I kind of wanted Doug to
provide clarity. Also, I guess the word municipal because we're
all municipalities of tears. I think the, uh, what I
was trying to get at, probably not worded very well
is the fact emerging or the marriage in one position
of a regional chair and mayor. That's essentially what I
was trying to say. And, uh, I apologise for the
bad wording.
Councillor. So I guess some negotiations going on maybe between
that point. If there's any, any wording changes, um, I'm
going to, um, I'm going to support this, um, enthusiastically,
um, in the, um, limited amount of campaigning I've done
to be reelected in certain groups you talk to in
certain neighbourhoods, transit speed, um, affordability is an issue. But
the number one consistent issue that I'm hearing from people
is the appointment. Of the regional chair number one. And
secondly, that it could be a mayor of one of
the municipalities and that it is a concern to the
public. They feel their Democratic right has been taken away
from them. And, um, it's, it's being articulated and voiced
by people who, um, who I have been talking to.
I don't know what the experience of other people have
been. And so I'm, um, I'm happy to support this
recommendation. Councillor Foxton. Thank you. So, uh, Councillor Craig, are
you going to make a change to the motion so
that it doesn't, uh, take it away from the mayor.
So the talents. I thought number two, my colleagues were
saying that number two, uh, takes away municipal representation. Well,
that's not the intent. You could take two right out
if you want. If you would consider that, that amendment.
I request that amendment. So Councillor Craig, you're suggesting that
you would just strike the second, um, number two. I
just strike it out. It's not was never the intent.
That's what I thought. That's what I've written in a
hurry and a late evening. Okay. I'll just take it
out. Councillor Wolf does striking that out. It's fine. Do
I have unanimous consent that we strike out? Number two
from the motion that's before us. Okay. I see no
dissenting votes. So that's great. Um, Councillor McCabe or Councillor
Foxton and that was the point you wanted to make.
Yes, ma'am. Councillor McCabe. Thank you through you, Chair. I
just wanted to thank Councillor Craig for bringing this forward
because I think it's, it's really important. And I echo
what Councillor said about this being an issue that people
are raising at the doors. They're very confused about why
this is happening. Um, but I just also wanted to
draw people's attention to, um, the AMO, which is a
provincial body to which I was just reelected to the
larger when caucus, Councillor Salonen was reelected to the small
urban rural, caucus, sorry, rural caucus and Councillor Gowing is
on the regional and single tier caucus. Okay. Got that
right. And I think you sit there sometimes too as
well. Chair through your position. I do as chair of
Marko. As Chair Marco. So well represented at AMO. But
AMO represents municipalities across the entire province from very, very
tiny ones to Toronto and everything in between. And
they have taken a very strong position against, um, Bill
100, which is called The Better Regional Governance Act. And
just wanted to underline that they sent a, we've had
lots of dialogue with the province around this point. Um,
and around the point that Councillor Craig's making and they
are across the board, um, in opposed to this direction
of the province and are calling on the province to
reverse Bill and to maintain the Democratic election of heads
of council. So just wanted to reinforce that municipalities represented
by their caucus representatives from across every corner of Ontario
also, um, are opposed to this direction, um, and Bill
100. Thank you. So I just want to recap for
everybody. So the notice of motion that we got stands,
um, regional counts, I'm not going to read the Whereas
as regional council pose any governance model allowing one person
to serve simultaneously as a mayor and regional chair. We
have struck number two. So the next bullet would be
regional council express concern about the concentration of strong mayor
and strong chair powers and one individual. And third, the
resolution before to the premier Ontario, the Minister of Municipal
Affairs and Housing Local MPPs, Area Municipalities and affected regional
municipalities. Councillor Henick, did you want to speak to this.
No, but I. M going to move it. It has
been moved in seconded. Um, we've had unanimous consent takeout
number two. Are there any further discussion. Okay. I would
ask you to please use eScribe and vote then.
Colleagues that has carried unanimously. And just in case we
all thought we were moving along at a great clip,
I actually skipped over one of the committee reports. It
is licensing and hearings committee summary August 20th, 2026. And
this is a motion from that committee that the region
of Waterloo continue providing on - call accessible taxis between
11 p. m. and 5 a. m. as of 2026
pilot project demonstrated increase in the demand to access overnight
accessible transportation services as outlined in a report dated August
2026. Councillor Huinink, would you like to move this. Councillor
Craig, would you like to second it. Okay. Please use
your eScribe to vote. Councillor Foxton, do you have your
hand up? I did have my hand up. Um, so
I just wanted to say that the pilot was a
huge success and that, uh, going with two is a
great thing. And I want to commend staff for the
work they did on this. Thank you. Now we can
all vote.
That is carried. I have no other notices of motions.
Is there any unfinished business. Councillor Craig. Very quickly. And
I don't want to step in on any toes about,
but I'm concerned about the tariff situation. And I know
that, uh, Mayor Vnovich has some sort of committee. But
I'm thinking at some point, if we could possibly get
an update from our economic development about what's happening and
what we might be able to do to help residents
in this region and dealing with this process. Now it
could be completely finished in two weeks. I know that.
And one is hopeful. But on the other hand, I
think we have to be prepared and have it in
our locker that we have another alternative to look at
this situation. That's all I'm suggesting. Madam Chair. So Councillor
Craig, I have to tell you how much I love
working with Optimists that you think this will be done
in a couple of weeks. We have, I believe, all
of us received, um, an email from Tony LaMantia on
behalf of WEDC. And he is calling BESTWR together. And
I, too, have been, um, corresponding with Tony to see,
um, as things unfold if we can have a conversation,
as you recall, we had one last time. That this
sort of surface. So we're on it. And we will
continue this conversation. Councillor Vrbanovic. Yeah. Thank you very much.
And thanks Councillor Craig for bringing this up. I mean,
this certainly is a significant issue. I think all of
us were glued to our computer screens in the news.
And then our phones, um, subsequent to, um, or emails
subsequent to, um, the news right around midnight on Friday
evening. This is an issue of, of significant concern to
many in our community. I think, uh, as we all
know, we have a depending on, uh, the numbers that
you look at anywhere between 17 and 20 percent of
our local economies based on manufacturing. We have a lot
related to automotive with the two Toyota plants in Cambridge
and Woodstock with many people living locally. A number of
tier one, two, and three part suppliers and others. Um,
and, and so as a result of all of that,
we are one of the more, uh, most trade impacted
communities in the country. Um, this is something that, um,
obviously our provincial and federal counterparts are aware of. I
know I've had some conversations with, uh, with some ministers
and so on in the last couple of days is
recently as this morning. Um, and, um, and FCM is
also, uh, getting significantly engaged in this issue. Uh, as
they have been since it started, uh, a year and
a half ago. So I too like, like you, uh,
chair, uh, would love to think that this was going
to be over in a couple of weeks, but, uh,
I think this is going to, uh, this is going
to be a challenge. And at the end of the
day, I think what's most important, uh, is that we
stand united with, uh, federal government with our provincial and
territorial premiers. Um, and, and overall as a country with,
with, with industry and sending a clear message, I think
there's very few things that have united us as much
as this has. Um, and also, you know, really, um,
focus here, um, at the region in particularly, um, in
terms, you know, we're a big purchaser of goods. And
so where it all possible, we really need to be
making sure that, uh, our procurement policies are buying Canadian
wherever possible going forward. Thank you. Thank you for that.
Um, other business. Oh, Councillor James. Thank you. Uh, through
you chair. And I guess this is a question for
Steph. We have someone from Finance here. In terms of
our procurement, and it may be something you come back
to us with, but I'd imagine with some of our
big construction, the back and forth between the U. S.
and Canada. Do we have any sort of idea of,
of regionally what, um, that looks like in terms of
a dollar figure. Thank you, three chair. Uh, at this
point we're just doing the analysis and we will look
at it and we can come back to, um, to
council with the numbers. Okay. And I think it's also
critical to know what the difference is with, with the,
whatever number we're at now. Um, as well. Okay. Thank
you. Darspreet's going to weigh in. Councillor James through your
chair. Yes. We're doing a full analysis right now. In
fact, for Water Waste Water where we have lots of
capital programs, we're moving forward with pre - procurement issuing
purchase orders so that our order is in line without
having an impact from potential tariffs. We just had a
lengthy discussion today with all the CLT members to explore
every procurement that we have underway and anticipated so that
we can take actions if they be required. So we'll
come back with some numbers and potentially some approvals from
council should they be needed so that we can avoid
any premiums that may have to be paid in the
coming months. Okay. Thanks, especially as we go into a
budget process. Yes. In a few months. So thank you,
Um, I'm going to assume that that was
under questions. Are there any other questions. Seeing none? Um,
I would now entertain a motion to enact the bylaws
first, second, and third readings. If I move by Councillor
Foxton and seconded by Councillor Nowak, do I have unanimous
consent to adopt the bylaws. So that is unanimously agreed
to. So this is the motion that makes everybody very,
very sad. I mean by Councillor Foxton and seconded by
Councillor Rodriguez that we now adjourned. Do I have unanimous
consent to adjourn. I'm looking for unanimous consent because a
lot of you have already unplugged your computers. Have a
great evening.