Council Meeting

That a closed meeting of the Council be held on March 25, 2026 at 5:05 p.m., in the Waterloo County Room, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters: Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, related to identifiable individual(s) named in an employee job-sharing audit; and *Receiving a verbal update that is subject to solicitor-client privilege regarding remedies under a contract related to information shared in confidence from an organization. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Council reconvene into Open Session. In Favor (15) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the following minutes be approved. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of Baseline Constructors Inc. for T2025-160 - Spring Valley Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) Upgrades 365 Riverbend Drive Kitchener, Ontario (PQ2025-11) in the amount of $20,710,000.00 plus all applicable taxes as set out in report COR-TRY-26-009 dated March 25, 2026. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct the Regional Clerk to issue public notice of its intention to, on April 22, 2026: repeal By-Law Number 22-051, as amended, of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, A By-Law to Govern the Proceedings of the Council and its Committees; and approve the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, to be effective on April 23, 2026, as provided in Appendix B of Report PDL-CAS-26-003 dated March 10, 2026. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo adopt the proposed Use of Corporate Resources during an Election Policy as outlined in Appendix B of report PDL-CAS-26-004, dated March 10, 2026. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff to: engage with area municipal staff to conduct a thorough review and update of the Council Conference Policy, clarifying the process for double direct elected officials to equitably access conference and professional development funding; and report back by August 2026 Committee Cycle with a proposed update to the Council Conference Policy as outlined in report PDL-CAS-26-005, dated March 10, 2025. WHEREAS over their lifespan most Ontarians will encounter some form of accessibility barriers in the built environment and the design of public spaces, AND WHEREAS the Ontario Building Code establishes only a minimum level of accessibility for buildings and therefore does not presently meet the accessibility needs of all people, AND WHEREAS accessibility in the built environment should be improved by int

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee recommends as follows: That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions regarding the property municipally known as 161 Ottawa Street South in the City of Kitchener, as described in Report PDL-GDS-26-007, dated March 10, 2026: Approve a joint Tax Increment Grant with the Regional amount not to exceed $114,580, to be financed from the incremental tax revenue for the property following remediation, redevelopment and reassessment; and Authorize the Region’s Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services and Commissioner, Corporate Services / Chief Financial Officer to execute any associated agreements, assignments, amendments or other related documents with the registered owner of 161 Ottawa Street South in the City of Kitchener, with the form and content of such Tax Increment Grant agreement(s), any subsequent assignments of the agreement, or other related documents to be satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo adopt the revised and updated Regional Road Assumption Criteria Policy as outlined in report TSD-TRP-26-003 dated March 10, 2026. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo proceed with the multi-phased plan for developing Charles Street Terminal, as outlined in report PDL-BWR-26-001 dated March 10, 2026. And that Regional staff report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee as part of a subsequent Report regar

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the refreshed preliminary Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan – 2026-2030 as outlined in report CAO-EDI-26-002, dated March 25, 2026. And further that an updated plan to address concerns raised today at ROW Council be brought forward as part of an update to Region of Waterloo Committee and Council by June 30, 2027. In Favor (15) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff to amend the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, and any associated practices, by selecting option 2, as outlined in report PDL-CAS-26-006, dated March 25, 2026. And that the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, with the prescribed amendments, be considered at Regional Council on April 22, 2026. In Favor (13) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, C. James, N. Salonen, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing Opposed (2) P. Wolf, and C. Huinink

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo defer EES-WIM-26-003, Optimizing the Sustainable Use of Water Resources for Municipal Supply (1980 Policy on Water Taking - Wilmot to April 8, 2026. In Favor (15) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo undertakes the following with respect to the Region-owned lands municipally known as 15 Charles Street West, in the City of Kitchener, and legally described as Lot 27, Part Lots 21-26, Registered Plan 380; Part Lots 5-10 West of Ontario Street, Registered Plan 393; Part Lot 156 Streets and Lanes, being Part 2 on 58R20916; Part Lot 8 West of Ontario Street, Registered Plan 393, being Part 8 on 58R20916; Part Lot 21, Registered Plan 380, being Part 12 on 58R20916; City of Kitchener, being all of PIN 22427-0172 (LT) (the “Lands”): a) Declare the Lands surplus to the needs of the Region, as detailed in Report No. PDL-LEG-26-012, dated March 25, 2026, in accordance with the Region’s Disposition of Land By-law and to the satisfaction of the Regional Solicitor; and b) If so declared, authorize Regional staff to prepare the Lands for disposition and to evaluate and recommend an appropriate disposition strategy and procurement mechanism, in accordance with Regional policies, for Regional Council’s consideration and approval. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario regulates Permits to Take Water (PTTW) under the Ontario Water Resources Act; AND WHEREAS the Region of Waterloo relies primarily on groundwater for its municipal drinking water supply; AND WHEREAS provincial data indicates there are currently 108 active PTTWs within the Region of Waterloo, authorizing a combined maximum taking of approximately 1.01 billion litres per day; AND WHEREAS within the Mannheim Service Area municipalities (City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Township of Woolwich, and Township of Wilmot ), there are 65 active permits authorizing approximately 740 million litres per day, of which 22 municipal permits account for approximately 472 million litres per day and 43 private permits account for approximately 268 million litres per day; AND WHEREAS recent groundwater capacity constraints identified within the Mannheim Service Area highlight the need for a precautionary and cumulative aquifer-level review of private permitted water takings to prevent the risk of interference to existing municipal and private water supplies, and to safeguard groundwater resources for both the natural environment and potential future use for municipal water supply; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Region of Waterloo formally request the Province of Ontario: implement a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new or expansion of existing private-sector Permits to Take Water within areas of the Region of Waterloo experiencing identified groundwate

Region of Waterloo formally request the Province of Ontario: implement a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new or expansion of existing private-sector Permits to Take Water within areas of the Region of Waterloo experiencing identified groundwater capacity constraints, including the Mannheim Service Area, until completion of the Region’s Water Supply Strategy Update; continue municipal engagement in the PTTW review process by providing formal notification to affected municipalities of new, amended, or renewed PTTW applications; a defined municipal commenting period; and a written provincial response addressing municipal comments prior to final permit decisions; and Whilethe Province currently publishes a quarterly Permit to Take Water dataset, require proactive notification and supporting documentation be provided directly to the Region of Waterloo at the time of application submission and final decision. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo waive notice of motion as per section 70 of By-law 22-051, A By-law to Provide Rules for Governing the Proceedings of Council and its Committees, and to repeal By-Law 00-031, as amended. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

the Region of Waterloo’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, developed under the requirements of the Community Safety and Policing Act, identifies systemic racism, hate, and discrimination as critical risk factors impacting community safety, belonging, and well-being; And whereas the display of a noose is widely recognized as a symbol of racial terror, violence, and intimidation, particularly against Black communities, rooted in the history of anti-Black racism; And whereas symbols of hate, when displayed publicly, contribute to fear, trauma, and exclusion, and undermine the Region’s commitments to equity, inclusion, and proactive prevention within its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan; And whereas the Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-9 to strengthen tools to address hate-motivated offences, including provisions related to the public display of certain hate symbols; And whereas the current draft of Bill C-9 does not explicitly include the noose as a prohibited symbol, despite its well-documented use as an instrument of racial intimidation and its direct relevance to community safety and well-being outcomes; And whereas addressing hate symbols through federal legislation complements municipal efforts by strengthening upstream prevention, reducing harm, and supporting safer, more inclusive communities; Therefore be it resolved that: The Regional Municipality of Waterloo formally request that the Government of Canada amend Bill C-9 to explicitly include the noose

That the following by-laws be approved. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That a By-law to Amend By-law 16-023, as amended, being a By-law to Regulate Traffic and Parking on Highways Under the Jurisdiction of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (No Parking), be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-013, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at this Meeting Held on March 25, 2026, be read a first, second and third time, finally passed and numbered 26-014, be signed by the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk and sealed with the Regional Seal.

That the meeting adjourn at 10:23 p.m. In Favor (14) B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

That a closed meeting of the Council be held on March 25, 2026 at 5:05 p.m., in the Waterloo County Room, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters: 1. Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, related to identifiable individual(s) named in an employee job-sharing audit; and 2. *Receiving a verbal update that is subject to solicitor-client privilege regarding remedies under a contract related to information shared in confidence from an organization. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, M. Harris, C. Huinink, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That Council reconvene into Open Session. In Favor (15): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That the following minutes be approved. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That Council go into Committee of the Whole to consider reports. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo accept the tender of Baseline Constructors Inc. for T2025-160 - Spring Valley Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) Upgrades 365 Riverbend Drive Kitchener, Ontario (PQ2025-11) in the amount of $20,710,000.00 plus all applicable taxes as set out in report COR- TRY-26-009 dated March 25, 2026. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct the Regional Clerk to issue public notice of its intention to, on April 22, 2026: a. repeal By-Law Number 22-051, as amended, of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, A By-Law to Govern the Proceedings of the Council and its Committees; and b. approve the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, to be effective on April 23, 2026, as provided in Appendix B of Report PDL-CAS-26-003 dated March 10, 2026. 2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo adopt the proposed Use of Corporate Resources during an Election Policy as outlined in Appendix B of report PDL-CAS-26-004, dated March 10, 2026. 3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff to: a. engage with area municipal staff to conduct a thorough review and update of the Council Conference Policy, clarifying the process for double direct elected officials to equitably access conference and professional development funding; and b. report back by August 2026 Committee Cycle with a proposed update to the Council Conference Policy as outlined in report PDL-CAS-26-005, dated March 10, 2025. 4. WHEREAS over their lifespan most Ontarians will encounter some form of accessibility barriers in the built environment and the design of public spaces, AND WHEREAS the Ontario Building Code establishes only a minimum level of accessibility for buildings and therefore does not presently meet the accessibility needs of all people, AND WHEREAS accessibility in the built environment s

The Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee recommends as follows: 1. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions regarding the property municipally known as 161 Ottawa Street South in the City of Kitchener, as described in Report PDL-GDS-26-007, dated March 10, 2026: a. Approve a joint Tax Increment Grant with the Regional amount not to exceed $114,580, to be financed from the incremental tax revenue for the property following remediation, redevelopment and reassessment; and b. Authorize the Region’s Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services and Commissioner, Corporate Services / Chief Financial Officer to execute any associated agreements, assignments, amendments or other related documents with the registered owner of 161 Ottawa Street South in the City of Kitchener, with the form and content of such Tax Increment Grant agreement(s), any subsequent assignments of the agreement, or other related documents to be satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor. 2. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo adopt the revised and updated Regional Road Assumption Criteria Policy as outlined in report TSD-TRP-26-003 dated March 10, 2026. 3. That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo proceed with the multi-phased plan for developing Charles Street Terminal, as outlined in report PDL-BWR-26-001 dated March 10, 2026.And that Regional staff report to the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee as part of a subse

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the refreshed Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan – 2026-2030 as outlined in report CAO-EDI-26-002, dated March 25, 2026. And further that an updated plan to address concerns raised today at ROW Council be brought forward as part of an update to Region of Waterloo Committee and Council by June 30, 2027. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf Opposed (1): N. Salonen

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo direct staff to amend the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, and any associated practices, by selecting option 2, as outlined in report PDL-CAS-26- 006, dated March 25, 2026. And that the proposed Regional Procedural By-law, with the prescribed amendments, be considered at Regional Council on April 22, 2026. In Favor (13): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, and B. Vrbanovic Opposed (2): C. Huinink, and P. Wolf

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo defer EES-WIM-26-003, Optimizing the Sustainable Use of Water Resources for Municipal Supply (1980 Policy on Water Taking - Wilmot to April 8, 2026. In Favor (15): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, D. McCabe, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That Committee of the Whole rise and Council resume. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That Council adopt the proceedings of Committee of the Whole. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

The Region of Waterloo formally request the Province of Ontario: 1. implement a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new or expansion of existing private-sector Permits to Take Water within areas of the Region of Waterloo experiencing identified groundwater capacity constraints, including the Mannheim Service Area, until completion of the Region’s Water Supply Strategy Update; 2. continue municipal engagement in the PTTW review process by providing formal notification to affected municipalities of new, amended, or renewed PTTW applications; a defined municipal commenting period; and a written provincial response addressing municipal comments prior to final permit decisions; and 3. Whilethe Province currently publishes a quarterly Permit to Take Water dataset, require proactive notification and supporting documentation be provided directly to the Region of Waterloo at the time of application submission and final decision. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo waive notice of motion as per section 70 of By-law 22-051, A By-law to Provide Rules for Governing the Proceedings of Council and its Committees, and to repeal By-Law 00-031, as amended. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

Whereas the Region of Waterloo’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, developed under the requirements of the Community Safety and Policing Act, identifies systemic racism, hate, and discrimination as critical risk factors impacting community safety, belonging, and well-being; And whereas the display of a noose is widely recognized as a symbol of racial terror, violence, and intimidation, particularly against Black communities, rooted in the history of anti-Black racism; And whereas symbols of hate, when displayed publicly, contribute to fear, trauma, and exclusion, and undermine the Region’s commitments to equity, inclusion, and proactive prevention within its Community Safety and Well-Being Plan; And whereas the Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-9 to strengthen tools to address hate-motivated offences, including provisions related to the public display of certain hate symbols; And whereas the current draft of Bill C-9 does not explicitly include the noose as a prohibited symbol, despite its well-documented use as an instrument of racial intimidation and its direct relevance to community safety and well-being outcomes; And whereas addressing hate symbols through federal legislation complements municipal efforts by strengthening upstream prevention, reducing harm, and supporting safer, more inclusive communities; Therefore be it resolved that: 1. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo formally request that the Government of Canada amend Bill C-9 to explicitly include

That the following by-laws be approved. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf

That the meeting adjourn at 10:23 p.m. In Favor (14): K. Redman, D. Craig, J. Erb, S. Foxton, J. Gowing, C. Huinink, C. James, J. Liggett, J. Nowak, M. Rodrigues, N. Salonen, S. Shantz, B. Vrbanovic, and P. Wolf