What I want for Kitchener
People in Kitchener deserve a city that treats everyone fairly and grows in a way that helps all of us.
I want a city that:
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cares about its neighbourhoods,
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takes action on climate change,
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supports families of all kinds, and
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looks out for people who need extra help.
I am committed to co-creating a city of possibilities with you.
Responsible and sustainable development
We need responsible development for all proposed projects in Ward 9 and surrounding areas. By responsible, I mean... click to read more.
Active transportation
Current road infrastructure is not without its flaws, but active transportation infrastructure must be safe for all users. Read more here.
Meaningful community engagement
As your City Councillor in Ward 9, I will continue to advocate interactive public consultation where residents have the opportunity to air their concerns and ask questions... click to read more.
Affordable housing in the core
We have an affordable housing crisis in the Region which will not be solved by building more one bedroom condos. Read more here.
Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability depends on federal, provincial, and municipal governments, working with businesses and individuals... click to read more.
Community-Directed Funding
I believe in setting aside a portion of the operating budget for community residents to spend as they see fit. Read more here.
Equity and inclusion for everyone
I am very pleased to have served on Council during a time of transition where questions about equity and inclusion are being asked and acted on. Read more here.
Arts and culture funding for local talents
Arts and culture is a complex web of actors and areas of expertise including performing artists, writers, digital composers and filmmakers... click to read more.
Responsible Development
We need development in Ward 9 and nearby areas to follow the City’s rules.
This means new projects should respect the Official Plan, zoning by‑laws, and other City guidelines.
Residents should be involved before decisions are made. New buildings should fit in with the look and feel of the neighbourhood, and follow clear rules for height, set‑backs, and transitions.
New housing should include homes for people with different incomes. Buildings should meet strong environmental standards like LEED. They should also include family‑sized units and affordable units.
We must protect farmland, the water table, and stay within the countryside line.
Active Transportation
Getting around the city can take many forms, and we now have several options. For example, sometimes I drive and sometimes I take transit, and I like to walk all year round.
But what I really enjoy is to bike when it’s warm. One of my main routes is the Iron Horse Trail, and I am glad to see how the City has improved it.
Having a safe, connected cycling network with protected lanes across the city is the kind of action I support. And I am glad that during my time on Council, we approved the downtown cycling grid… and it is now being built!
Roads were made for cars and transit. Going forward, keeping walkers and cyclists safe must be a top priority.
Community input is especially important when safety is involved, and I will continue to seek it out.
Meaningful Community Engagement
In the past several years, public meetings have changed a lot, and online engagement is used to collect data.
As your Ward 9 Councillor, I will continue to support public meetings where people can share concerns, ask questions, and talk with each other.
People may not always agree, but real conversation helps us understand issues and find better solutions.
With all the development happening downtown, community members should be part of discussions about by‑law changes and new proposals. Many groups are involved, and each should have a voice.
Tools like design charrettes – where all stakeholders, including community members, work together to plan and find solutions – can help. I would like to see them used more often.
Community engagement is more than surveys and sticky notes. It means real conversations.
Affordable Housing
When I first ran in 2018, more than 4,000 families were waiting for affordable housing, and over 300 people were chronically homeless. By 2022, the waiting list grew to over 7,000 families, and more than 1,000 people were chronically homeless. In 2024, over 2, 371 individuals were experiencing homelessness in the Region. The situation is getting worse, not better.
Right now, about 60 people are living in tents at Weber and Victoria. The Region is seeking a court order to remove them, even though two shelters have closed and only one new one has opened. These residents have nowhere else to go.
We have a serious housing crisis, and building more one‑bedroom condos will not fix it. Some developers say affordable units are “not their expertise,” and focus only on young professionals. This leaves out people with low incomes and families.
Other places have taken action. For example, Amsterdam requires new buildings to include a mix of affordable, market‑rate, and luxury units. Ontario allows cities to use “inclusionary zoning,” which would require affordable units in new buildings. I have fought hard to pass the inclusionary zoning framework in Kitchener, which has been delayed until 2027 by provincial changes.
As your Ward 9 Councillor, I support a by‑law that requires at least 20% affordable units in new residential buildings. This is one tool to help address the crisis. We also need family‑sized affordable units, not just studios. Truly affordable housing means housing that doesn't cost more than 30% of a full-time minimum wage income.
Other steps include using City‑owned land for affordable housing, lowering development charges for affordable units, supporting “missing middle” housing, and working with other governments to make housing a human right.
Driving people out of the core because they can’t afford rent is not acceptable.
Environmental Sustainability
Protecting the environment requires action from all levels of government, along with businesses and residents. We must reduce greenhouse gases and make sure future generations have a healthy planet.
As your Councillor, I have promoted sustainability work, and I will continue to do so.
In 2019, I was part of the Kitchener City Council that declared a climate emergency. We must keep working to meet our goal of cutting emissions by 50% by 2030.
That means:
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using renewable energy in buildings
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backing district energy systems,
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keeping building heights reasonable,
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reducing the amount of glass in new towers,
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requiring LEED‑certified features in new construction.
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I will continue to push for action that will help us reach climate goals.
Community-Directed Funding
When people are able to make something positive happen in their neighbourhood, it makes them feel good about where they live.
Participatory budgeting is a way to help residents make those changes by giving them a say on how some of the City budget – about 10 per cent – is spent.
Small groups (like a street or a community group) can suggest projects such as a community garden, a crosswalk, or a small park improvement. Projects are costed and reviewed, and the top ideas move forward for City approval.
Kitchener tried a pilot project but did not continue it. I would like to bring it back. It would give residents more direct control and complement programs like LoveMyHood.
For more information on how it works follow the link to the World Bank: http://adrien-fabre.com/Documents/PB.pdf
Equity and Inclusion
I am proud to have served on Council during a time when equity and inclusion are becoming a stronger focus. The City of Kitchener created an Equity and Anti‑Racism Advisory Committee in 2022, which launched the RISE Fund (Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity) to support racialized and Indigenous communities.
The City has also introduced a new Equity, Inclusion and Anti‑Racism Policy, provided anti‑racism training for staff, and updated hiring practices to be more fair and inclusive.
I fully support this direction.
Arts and Culture Funding
Arts and culture include many people and skills, including performers, writers, digital creators, filmmakers, and more. Funding can be complex, but it is important because communities need art. And artists deserve funding to thrive. While most arts funding comes from the Region and Province, the City supports places like The Museum, local galleries, and the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel.
As Kitchener grows and attracts new entrepreneurs, we need to make sure the core continues to offer restaurants, entertainment, and cultural activities for everyone. We should support both established institutions, such as the Centre in the Square, and emerging artists who need space and resources to grow.
Cultural festivals funded by the City should continue.
