Published by the Region of Waterloo
Winter 2011
INSIDE 䊲
The Future of Waterloo Region in 2030 Have you ever thought about what Waterloo Region might look like 20 years from now? The Region is expected to grow by almost 200,000 people by 2030. That’s like squeezing another city with Kitchener’s population into the region. Where will these extra people go? Where will they live? Where will they work? How will they get around? The Region’s planners are taking on these challenges with a new Regional Official Plan, currently in its final phase of approval with the Province. The plan directs growth towards the centres of the region, rather than to build outward over our farmlands and countryside. This will help avoid sprawl, while maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in urban, suburban and rural areas throughout the region.
This is not just a local decision. While the Region certainly embraces the vision, the direction is mandated by the provincial government in its Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The alternative to this plan paints a very different picture. If we continued to build outward, we would depend more on cars to get around. We would have to expand
our regional road system by 25 per cent, adding 500 lane kilometres – the equivalent of 25 new Hespeler Roads – at a cost of $1.4 to 1.5 billion (including associated property costs). In every neighbourhood, new and wider roads would also be much busier.
Waterloo Region Museum PAGE 3
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But the future does not have to be Continued on page 2
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March Break in Waterloo Region Wondering what to do with the family over March Break? With many interesting destinations at your doorstep, why not make the most of this year’s time out from the classroom and explore the historic and cultural places of Waterloo Region. In Waterloo Region, it’s easy to have fun with history! All of the historic and culture sites operated by the Region of Waterloo are offering a full schedule of March Break programs, so planning the mid-winter break has never been easier or more affordable. At Joseph Schneider Haus, explore how the first pioneers lived. Kitchener’s oldest landmark has been restored to demonstrate what life was like in the early to mid-1800s. Participate in our Scottish heritage at McDougall Cottage, a circa 1858 stone cottage on the Grand River. Visit www.region.waterloo.on.ca/jsh for details. And there’s lots to do at Doon Heritage Village, where children can interact with a living history village that recreates life in 1914. As you pass through the new Waterloo Region Museum, you’ll get your first
glimpse of the Village through the Museum’s beautiful grand foyer. And don’t forget to look down! That’s where you’ll see the crossroads of Huron Road and the Grand Trunk Railway that has been recreated in the Museum’s floor. Visit www.waterlooregionmuseum.com for a full list of activities. The Region of Waterloo Library, with 10 branches in the four rural townships, offers a variety of family-friendly activities during March Break, including musical guests, wild critters, and zany entertainers for all ages. Parents can participate or relax with a new magazine, surf the WIFI, or browse the new DVDs for low-cost weekend entertainment. Check www.rwl.library.on.ca for an event schedule and ticket information. If you’re new to the region, find us online at www.region.waterloo.on.ca for a full list of programs and services. Enjoy your Waterloo Region – there’s something for everybody!
www.region.waterloo.on.ca
Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) PAGE 7
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Improving service PAGE 8
Comments or questions? Region of Waterloo Customer Service: regionalinquiries @region.waterloo.on.ca Tel: 519-575-4400
“The future of the Region in 2030” continued from page 1 one of traffic jams and sprawl. In fact, growth is already shifting to downtowns and other central areas. In the first half of 2010, 45 per cent of the building permits issued in Waterloo Region were for residential units in built-up areas. That compares to five per cent in 1991 and 15 per cent in 2001. As a further sign of an increasing shift toward urban living, in the last five years more than 2,000 residential units have been built within 800 metres of proposed rapid transit stations. About $775 million in investments in other types of development has also been realized along this corridor. With more homes, shops, services and offices within walking distance, our downtowns and other built-up areas will become more vibrant in the daytime, evenings and weekends. People will make better use of available services, especially transit. While road expansion will always be a part of our future, rapid transit, along with an advanced and connected bus system, can better manage these growth pressures. The prospects for Waterloo Region continuing to be a prosperous community are very bright. Now is the time to focus on shaping our community – and how people get around within that community – to ensure that Waterloo Region remains a great place to live, work and invest for generations to come.
LET’S IMPROVE SIGNAL YOUR MOVE! How do I signal at a roundabout? Turning right 䊳 Signal right as you approach the roundabout. 䊳 Maintain your signal through the roundabout. 䊳 Maintain your signal as you exit. Going straight 䊳 Do not signal as you approach the roundabout. 䊳 Signal right prior to your exit only. Turning left 䊳 Signal left as you approach the roundabout. 䊳 Maintain your signal through the roundabout. 䊳 Signal right prior to your exit. Going full circle (U-turn) 䊳 Signal left as you approach the roundabout. 䊳 Maintain your signal through the roundabout. 䊳 Signal right prior to your exit.
www.GoRoundabout.ca
Rebates to be given for 4.8-litre toilets only starting in January The Region will provide $60 rebate incentives for water efficient toilets flushing 4.8-litres or less as of January 2011. Six-litre toilets will no longer be rebated. To make sure the Region only provides rebates on low flush toilets that perform well while saving water, performance testing by an independent agency is done. Toilets that pass these tests are then included on the “WaterSense” standard used by the Region and other North American municipalities. “The WaterSense labelling standard has been adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The list includes only dual flush and 4.8-litre high efficiency toilets that flush a minimum of 350 grams of waste,” said Steve Gombos, manager of water efficiency. People who bought six-litre toilets in 2010 but don’t apply for a rebate until 2011 may still be eligible for a $40-rebate if other qualifiers are met. The Toilet Replacement Program was introduced as part of the Water Efficiency Master Plan to reduce water use by over eight million litres per day by the year 2015. For program information including qualifiers or to view the list of Region-approved toilets, call 519-575-4021, email watercycle@region.waterloo.on.ca or visit www.region.waterloo.on.ca/water.
Waterloo Region Museum launches new website The Waterloo Region Museum has launched a brand new website at www.waterlooregionmuseum.com. The new website is fully accessible and features a colourful easy-to-navigate home page. Learn about the new Waterloo Region Museum and all it has to offer our community. The website also incorporates social media tools including Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter. The site features an interactive events calendar that allows the user to click on any day of the year to find out what is happening at the museum. It gives visitors all the information they need to plan their visit. As the Waterloo Region Museum is a multi-faceted building, the website gives information on exhibit galleries, Doon Heritage Village, the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame, artifact collections and much more. The website also features photos and photo galleries that showcase the community space available for rent in the new facility. Be sure to visit the new website at www.waterlooregionmuseum.com to learn all about the Waterloo Region Museum.
Make your next event unique and memorable! The Waterloo Region Museum provides the perfect setting for your next special event. From meetings to wedding receptions and corporate galas. • Outdoor facilities - Gazebo and Green Space • Freeport Church - available for all ceremonies • Christie Digital Theatre - 114 seats available adjacent to the Grand Foyer • The Grand Foyer - 250 theatre style, or up to 150 for a seated dinner • Meeting rooms available that are ideal for business or community meetings
For more information contact: Jamie Perham jperham@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-748-1914 10 Huron Road, Kitchener ON N2P 2R7 www.waterlooregionmuseum.com
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“Let’s do it again with the green bin,” says Father of Blue Box Considered by many to be the Father of the Blue Box, Nyle Luldoph, a Kitchener resident, recently returned to the spotlight in a commercial congratulating residents for their terrific response and support in making the locally created blue box a way of life and challenging us to do the same with the green bin. In 1981, Nyle with Total Recycling (now Laidlaw) asked 1,100 households around the Kitchener auditorium neighbourhood to sort steel cans, glass and paper from their garbage and place at the curb separately on garbage day. Out of the 1,100 households, 250 were provided with a small blue box to store and carry items to the curb. The pilot was a resounding success. Within several weeks, approximately 75 per cent of the 1,100 households were separating and putting out recyclable items. “It became very obvious that people who had the boxes participated the most,” Ludolph recalled. Two years later, in 1983, a decision was made to launch the all-out program across Kitchener. Nyle’s own home study convinced him that sorting waste in the home would offer a very large environmental impact. In 1976, for one full year, Nyle’s family sorted all their waste. They put organic materials into a compost pile in the backyard and took recyclables to a recycling depot. At the conclusion of this test, the Luldoph family of five had put out only 46 kilograms (102 lbs.) of garbage for the entire year. While best known for promoting Blue Box recycling, Nyle also advocated composting. In the early 1980s, Nyle distributed 1,000 composters to residents. The composters were made from J.M. Schneider steel drums, wooden pallets from Kaufman Footwear and Uniroyal, and built by volunteer teams from the Katimavik youth program.
Nyle Luldoph, the Father of the Blue Box After filming the commercial, Nyle asked to be driven around a few neighborhoods to see the green bins at the curb. As of last October all single-family homes in the region had been introduced to the green bin. “We’re getting there,” Nyle proudly noted. The rest of us are just catching up to this visionary.
Healthy Smiles offers dental care for kids
Google launches cycling directions for Waterloo Region Cyclists can now get directions on Google Maps to plan their route in Waterloo Region. Over a year and a half ago, the Region set out to make cycling trip-planning easier. While a cycling and transit map was always available at transit terminals, something more flexible and easier to use would make travelling by bike much easier. In coordination with the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo the Region gathered as much bike trail, path and bike lane data as possible in order to provide accurate, up-todate and consistent information. With this information Google Maps will now be able to provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trips, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling. If you’re looking to bike to work, to go for a leisure bike ride, or to give your car a break, these biking directions will help you find a convenient and efficient route just by typing in your starting point and end destination and clicking on the bike icon to get your directions.
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In October, Region of Waterloo Public Health launched the new Healthy Smiles Ontario program, which is part of the provincial government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. Healthy Smiles Ontario builds upon and links with current public health programs and expands access to dental services for children and youth up to 17 years. Healthy Smiles Ontario is being implemented through Ontario public health units and will provide preventive and early treatment services to eligible children and youth. You must: • Have an adjusted family net income of $20,000 or less; • Have children up to 17 years old; • Be a resident of Ontario; and • Have no access to dental insurance or other forms of dental health coverage. Services provided by Healthy Smiles Ontario will include: dental treatment services provided in public
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health clinics or private practices; preventive care services provided in public heath clinics, private practices or community settings (e.g., Community Health Centres); oral health screenings to identify early signs of dental disease; and health promotion activities. The new program addresses a significant gap that exists in dental care for children and youth from lowincome families. Public Health will continue to work with community partners, such as local dental providers and Community Health Centres, to improve access for those who cannot access regular dental care due to financial barriers. For more information about Healthy Smiles Ontario and eligibility, go to www.ontario.ca/healthysmiles or call the ServiceOntario INFOline 1-866-532-3161. For information about other dental services provided by Region of Waterloo Public Health go to www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ph or call 519-883-2222.
Looking ahead to the next four years
Questions for you
How to participate
After each municipal election, Regional Council develops a new Strategic Plan to outline priorities for the organization over the next four years. That’s where we need your help. In order to ensure that the Region's Strategic Plan reflects the most pressing priorities of our community we are seeking your input to help guide and inform the priorities and future directions. The new plan will be better if we gather information from many sources, including individuals, businesses and community organizations.
In setting priorities for 2011-2014, we need to know what matters most to residents of Waterloo Region. In particular, we want to hear: • What you like and don’t like about living in Waterloo Region? • What priorities you think the Region should focus on for the next four years? • What you think about Regional services and how can we better serve you? • What are the best ways for Regional government to communicate and engage the public?
1 Go to www.region.waterloo.on.ca 2 Click on the 2011-2014 Strategic Plan button on the front page. 3 Click on the online survey link. For more details, or to receive a printed copy of the survey, contact Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Planning, at 519-575-4758 or email lfioze@regionofwaterloo.ca
PROGRESS ON STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2007-2010 Following is an update on major activity in six focus areas of the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan.
Environmental Sustainability: Protect and enhance the environment For 2007-2010, we developed our first Environmental Sustainability Strategy. It provides a framework for dozens of environmental initiatives and ensures the Region will “embrace environmental considerations in all decision-making.” Here are some examples: We purchased six hybrid diesel-electric transit buses. Another three will be delivered in 2011. Fuel efficiency of our fleet of vehicles was improved. Transit and fleet operators are trained in a Smart Driver program that saves gas and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal systems were installed at Sunnyside Home and Regional
Library Headquarters. Solar panel systems were installed at the operations centre and EMS fleet centre. A commitment to add solar panels to 37 Regional buildings will help feed clean energy back into the provincial power grid. Almost all single-family homes in Waterloo Region have received a green bin. The amount of waste diverted from landfill via this program will have increased from 1,700 tonnes in 2008 to an estimated 8,000 tonnes by the end of 2010.
Growth Management: Manage and shape growth to ensure a livable, healthy, thriving and sustainable Waterloo Region The new Regional Official Plan adopted in 2009 reflects our earlier Growth Management Strategy, new provincial policy and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Key elements of the Official Plan include: • Increasingly compact, mixed-use development • More transportation choices, encouraging use of transit, cycling and walking • Protection of valuable farmland, core environmental features and drinking water sources Two more Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes (ESL) were designated, bringing the total to 15,000 hectares in four ESL areas. The ESL designation helps conserve significant natural areas by preserving regional biodiversity. It also benefits water and air quality and contributes to the character of the region. A $500,000 Environmental Stewardship Fund was set up to support stewardship projects, primarily within the ESLs. To date, the Region has provided $182,000 for 24 projects, including trail building, forest restoration, creek rehabilitation and schoolyard naturalization. In 2009, after more than five years of study and public consultation Regional Council endorsed a preferred rapid transit system. Longterm, it envisions a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system from Cambridge to
Waterloo, with the initial phase combining LRT in the northern portion of the route and adapted Bus Rapid Transit in the southern portion. To bolster the rapid transit plan, the Province committed $300 million and the Federal government pledged to pay one-third of the eligible project costs to a maximum of $265 million. Regional staff are considering several options to ensure that the initial phase of the project is affordable and provides best value. The Grand River Transit (GRT) business plan was updated in 2008. Over the past decade, transit use almost doubled to 16.5 million rides in 2009 from 9.5 million in 2000. Improvements include new routes, increased frequency on existing routes, better technology and passenger information systems, bus service to Elmira, enhanced MobilityPLUS service for people with disabilities, and expanded fare subsidies for people with low income. Support to the arts, culture and heritage increased with the construction of the Waterloo Region Museum, endorsement of the new Creative Enterprise Enabling Organization and $500,000 in increased funding to arts and culture organizations.
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Healthy & Safe Community : Support safe and caring communities that enhance all aspects of health The 2007 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Master Plan aims to improve ambulance response times and prepare for a growing and aging population over the next two decades. Between 2006 and 2009, ambulance response times improved by one minute and five seconds. A new traffic signal pre-emption system, which gives emergency vehicles the right of way, is expected to improve response times by another 45 to 60 seconds. In 2009, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council received $3.7 million from the National Crime Prevention Strategy to implement a street gang prevention project. More than 50 organizations helped develop the Region’s first
Community Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan. It guided the Region’s response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and is being updated to reflect experience gained that year. Some 40 critical functions/services were identified across the Region of Waterloo and staff completed a comprehensive business continuity program for each critical function in the event of an emergency.
Human Services: Promote quality of life and create opportunities for residents to develop to their full potential More than 1,500 affordable housing units were built in the region between 2001 and 2008. Our goal is to add another 500 units by the end of 2013. A new 30-unit supportive housing apartment connected to Sunnyside Home provides daily assistance to seniors and people with mental health challenges. The building features a wellness centre and expanded K-W Seniors Day program. The Christopher Children’s Centre in Cambridge was redeveloped to accommodate another 10 toddlers and 15 preschoolers. The building meets the LEED silver designation, while the program meets the criteria of the HighScope Curriculum Approach, a specialized style of early childhood education. To welcome and support immigrants, we developed a website
(www.newwr.ca) to encourage skilled immigrants to locate in Waterloo Region. The site also offers information on immigrant settlement, support and integration. With $200,000 in funding between 2006 and 2010, the Region supported the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network and participated in an immigrant mentorship program with the network and the YMCA. The Region led the development of a Local Immigration Partnership Council to integrate immigrant settlement, support and employment activities in Waterloo Region.
Infrastructure : Provide high quality infrastructure and asset management to meet current needs and future growth The Region updated or created new master plans in virtually all major infrastructure areas, including wastewater treatment, water supply, Grand River Transit, the airport, regional transportation and an accommodation plan for Regional offices. In 2007-2010, we undertook an unprecedented amount of infrastructure repair, replacement and improvements, awarding some 125 construction contracts worth more than $430 million. A number of the projects in 2009-2010 were co-funded by the federal and provincial governments. Work is underway on several very large projects, including the Fairway Road extension and bridge across the Grand River, CPR grade separation at the Delta in Cambridge, and expansions and upgrades to the Kitchener and Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Plants.
In 2009, the Development Charges Bylaw was updated. It ensures adequate funding for infrastructure expansions that will be needed to accommodate growth. The Region continued to do background studies and lobby the Province to improve inter-regional transit services. GO Bus service was introduced in 2009; GO Train service between Toronto and Kitchener will start in late 2011. We completed a study demonstrating the feasibility of GO Train service between Toronto and Cambridge (via Milton), and continue to work with GO Transit and VIA Rail to improve their service to the region.
Service Excellence: Foster a culture of citizen / customer service that is responsive to community needs. As part of a comprehensive service strategy, a Citizen Service Associate is available to the public in the lobby of administrative headquarters at 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener. We are redesigning and streamlining the Region’s website, reviewing how we handle telephone calls from the public and investigating ways to measure public satisfaction with our services. We continue to review policies and procedures, look for ways to save money while improving our effectiveness and accountability.
Finally, the Region is implementing an employee engagement plan aimed at recruiting, retaining and developing skilled, motivated employees focused on providing excellent service. Staff opinions were gathered through our first-ever comprehensive employee survey and the changes underway are based in part on that response.
Progress on the 2007-2010 Strategic Plan
the recession of 2008-2009. The weakened economy had a dramatic effect on a number of our program areas. Unemployment in the region grew to 10.5 per cent in 2009 from five per cent two years earlier and as a result we saw our Ontario Works income-support caseload jump by more than 35 per cent. To try to reduce the recession’s impact, the Federal and Provincial governments decided to help create jobs by subsidizing infrastructure projects. The Region received $53.5 million under the infrastructure and $41 million under the housing stimulus programs.
The Region is committed to informing residents about our progress on the Strategic Plan. The above information provides highlights of the significant work completed in the six focus areas. To get more details on our progress visit our an interactive web-based tool at http://regionofwaterloo.visiblestrategies.com. It is also important to note that, in addition to carrying out the actions of our Strategic Plan, the Region responded to unexpected events such as
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The Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Plant is getting an update The Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Plant is in the middle of a significant update. The proposed plant upgrades were identified in the Region’s 2007 Master Plan for wastewater treatment and will:
minimize the construction period and the impacts on plant operations. Work on the final contract will start in the fall of 2011.
• improve water quality in the Grand River • improve reliability and energy efficiency by replacing aging equipment • dewater biosolids generated at the plant for proper disposal of the remaining waste, as recommended in the Biosolids Master Plan • replace and upgrade the standby power system and • reduce odours generated by the treatment process by installing odour control units The current capacity of the Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Plant is sufficient and is not being increased. The estimated cost of the project is $118.3 million. The funding comes from the current residents’ water bills and from fees collected from newly constructed homes. The construction activities have been assigned to four separate construction contracts. Most of the construction contracts at various buildings will happen at the same time to
Bearskin Airlines adds a fifth daily flight to Ottawa Thanks to community support Bearskin Airlines has increased service between Waterloo Region and Ottawa adding a fifth daily flight each weekday and a third daily flight each Sunday. “Be in Ottawa before you can drive to Pearson! Bearskin flights to Ottawa are about 70 minutes, which can save passengers significant time and expense on a return trip,” said Chris Wood, General Manager of the Region of Waterloo International Airport. “We have no parking, baggage or security delays, and as word continues to spread about available flight options, we are proud to watch Bearskin grow here again at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.”
Christopher Children’s Centre Reopening Christopher Children’s Centre reopened its doors on Oct. 18, 2010 after completion of the new child care centre in Cambridge. The original centre situated at 30 Christopher Dr., was built in 1971. Age and operational challenges prompted the building of a new centre to be located on the existing site. In 2008, Regional Council approved the design and reconstruction for the new centre. The building design meets the LEED silver standard. Features such as facilities for bicycles, solar water heating, enhanced energy performance, water efficiency, on-site gardens, extensive use of natural recycled and local materials and a green bin recycling program have been included. The building design also incorporates features that fit with the HighScope curriculum approach, which is the teaching method used in all of the Region’s five directly operated children’s centres. The interior spaces make use of natural light, wood and other materials to create spaces that are warm, inviting and aesthetically pleasing for children. The centre has an enrolment capacity for up to 62 children ranging in ages from 18 months to five years.
Let the Bear fly you there in less time than it takes to drive from Waterloo Region to Pearson. Save time, money and collect Aeroplan points with every flight. To book, contact your travel agent, visit www.bearskinairlines.com or call 1-800-465-2327. The Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is owned and operated by the Region of Waterloo. Year-round service is provided by: WestJet, offering daily non-stop flights to Calgary with connections to Western Canada; and Bearskin Airlines, offering daily flights to Ottawa. Sunwing returns Dec. 15, 2010 offering weekly non-stop flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. For more information visit www.waterlooairport.ca or call 1-866-648-2256.
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Employment Services becomes one-stop shop The Region’s Employment Services division has been transformed into a full-service destination for regional residents looking to find work or access to education and training programs. Under Employment Ontario services changes mandated by the province that took effect last August, the Region of Waterloo and a number of other organizations including the Working Centre, Lutherwood, the YMCA and Conestoga College were chosen to provide this one-stop employment service in the region. The focus of Employment Ontario is to offer programming that adapts to the needs of the individual rather than forcing the individual to adapt to the program. For those seeking self-directed services, the Region continues to offer employment resource centres at its offices in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Open to anyone, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., these centres provide computers, printers, phones, faxes, voicemail boxes, job postings, weekly employment coaching services and ongoing employment workshops. The centres also offer information on the province’s Apprenticeship, Second Career training and the Ontario SelfEmployment Benefit programs. For those seeking more hands-on assistance,
the Region provides a full suite of programs aimed at developing an individualized plan to meet your education, training and employment goals. These include: • employability assessments and counselling with an employment facilitator • career planning groups, • help with your job search and self-marketing • help filling out applications for provincial programs • help with securing job placements including offering incentives for employers and jobretention coaching and strategies These assisted services are available to those who are working and/or attending school less than 20 hours per week. For more information on the Region’s Employment Ontario programming, call 883-2101, ext. 5655. For information on programs offered by other local service providers, go to http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employment ontario/.
Providing opportunities through education The Region of Waterloo working with Conestoga College has been providing classes for Ontario Works clients since April 2010 to prepare them to write the General Educational Development test, an international testing program for adults who have been unable to complete high school. By writing and passing the test, students receive a high school equivalency certificate. Arrangements were made to have the test administered in Waterloo at 99 Regina St. S. as there are no local centres to write the test. The first group wrote the test on Oct. 4 and 5, and 18 of the 20 who wrote the test were successful. If you are an Ontario Works client and are interested in attending the classes, contact your case worker. Another test is planned for June. Community members can write the test as space permits. For information, call 519-883-2036.
Changing lives by providing homes for the homeless prevent persistent homelessness for 100 people by December 2010 have been achieved.
Fred is in his early 50s and had used the Out of the Cold Program and lived on the street for the last 10 years. In June 2010, he moved into one of the new units at the Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) building. SHOW provides housing with 24/7 on-site support for those experiencing or at-risk of persistent homelessness. Fred has been supported to replace his identification, pay off previous Community Housing arrears, receive support for his alcohol use and reconnect with his family. In Fred’s own words, “I’m still pinching myself; I can’t believe I’m here.” When William was 12 years old, he left home for the first time. For the next three years he cycled in and out of his mother’s home due to instances involving conflict or abuse. The last time William returned home at 15 years old, he found his mother had moved away and that she wanted no further contact with him. He never knew his father. William spent years accessing the emergency shelter system – until now. William is now in the new “Five Beds to a Home” program at Argus where he is provided with housing and 24-hour intensive support. Recently, William received grades back on his Grade 12 chemistry tests – 92 per cent and 100
Highlights of just a few of the completed actions include:
Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) per cent. He plans to attend university next year. These and many others have found places to call home in part as a result of All Roads Lead to Home: A Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy for Waterloo Region, approved by Regional Council in October 2007. A total of 90 per cent of the 92 actions within the Strategy have been completed or are in progress. Further, targets set by Regional Council to end persistent homelessness for 50 people and
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A Youth Housing Options report was completed supporting Argus Residence for Young People in Cambridge beginning “Five Beds to a Home,” which provides permanent housing with intensive support for youth experiencing homelessness. Reaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF) will pilot “PAR” (Providing a Roof - a youthspecific emergency shelter in Kitchener).
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The Homelessness and Housing Umbrella Group (HHUG) completed three annual report cards to support local education and awareness of homelessness and housing stability.
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Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) opened a 30-unit building providing housing and 24/7 supports for people who were experiencing or at-risk of persistent homelessness.
A new Strategy is planned for spring 2011. For further details, visit the Region’s website at www.region.waterloo.on.ca.
You’ve experienced it. Trudging into work with salt stains on your boots. Watching your pet nursing their sore paws. Repairing your salt rusted vehicle. Imagine what it can do to our groundwater . . . the water we drink. Some salt is necessary to keep us safe, but sometimes there’s just too much sparkle on the sidewalks, parking lots and roads. You can help stop the overuse of salt. Learn why companies are becoming smart about salt and then tell your building manager about the good things that happen when you’re smart about salt. Do you wear winter boots? Do you have pictures of sparkling sidewalks? At what temperatures does salt work best? Join the conversation at www.smartaboutsalt.com.
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COUNCIL CONTACTS REGIONAL CHAIR Ken Seiling kseiling@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4585 (R) COUNCILLORS CAMBRIDGE Jane Brewer jbrewer@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3402 (R) 519-653-3315 (H) Doug Craig dcraig@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3404 (R) 519-740-4517 Ext. 4215 (W) Claudette Millar cmillar@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3408 (R) 519-621-7202 (H) KITCHENER Tom Galloway tgalloway@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3401 (R) 519-578-2112 (H) Jean Haalboom jhaalboom@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3406 (R) 519-748-1508 (H) Geoff Lorentz glorentz@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3413 (R) 519-741-1494 (H) Jim Wideman jwideman@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3409 (R) 519-576-5150 (H) Carl Zehr czehr@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3403 (R) 519-741-2300 (W) NORTH DUMFRIES Rob Deutschmann rdeutschmann@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3407 (R) 519-621-0340 (W) WATERLOO Brenda Halloran bhalloran@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3400 (R) 519-747-8700 (W) Jane Mitchell jmitchell@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3411 (R) 519-886-9626 (H) Sean Strickland sstrickland@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3414 (R) 519-503-0613 (C) WELLESLEY Ross Kelterborn rkelterborn@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3410 (R) 519-699-4611 (W) WILMOT Les Armstrong lesarmstrong@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3412 (R) 226-748-8971(C) WOOLWICH Todd Cowan tcowan@regionofwaterloo.ca 519-575-4404 Ext. 3405 (R) 519-669-0591 (H) General Fax for Council 519-575-4048
Improving Service at the Region of Waterloo As part of the actions under our 2007-2010 Strategic Plan, the Region of Waterloo developed and adopted a corporate wide Service Strategy. This strategy provides a plan to deliver excellent services across the organization with a goal to identify what people using our services need and how we can best meet those needs. The three focus areas of the plan are: • to improve access to our services through the telephone, website and in person; • to measure the satisfaction of people who use our services and act on that feedback; and • to support the staff and volunteers that deliver our services. The Region will gather feedback from the public about what matters most to the people living in Waterloo Region. As part of this process, the Region has conducted a statistically valid, random telephone survey of 1,150 Waterloo Region residents; and run community focus groups and meetings.
are significantly more satisfied now than when this research started), and feedback on topical issues (e.g. strategies to address customer concerns regarding privacy and security of personal information when using online services). These results will allow us to compare ourselves with other municipalities and levels of government. All of these results combined will be used to target key areas that the Region can focus on to improve service delivery. For more information about the Region’s Service Strategy and actions please contact Deb Bergey, Manager of Citizen Service at 519-575-4097, email DBergey@regionofwaterloo.ca or TTY: 519-575-4608. A new Citizen Service Associate is available to help at 150 Frederick St.
In addition early in 2011, the Region of Waterloo is participating in Citizens First 6, which is the latest in a series of research initiatives conducted by the Institute for Citizen Centred Service focused on offering government insight into citizens’ views of government services, and providing trends and suggestions on where to focus service quality improvements for greatest results. The research provides an invaluable perspective on the ways government service delivery has evolved (i.e. citizens
Region of Waterloo named Top Waterloo Area Employer The Region of Waterloo has been named one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers as part of the Top 100 Employers annual competition run by Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Region was selected based on a list of criteria including wellness programs and on-site gyms, family-friendliness, green initiatives, physical environment and more. Considering a job at the Region? The Region has so much to offer its employees. You will have the opportunity to establish your career, enjoy an interesting work environment and contribute to the development of your community. Our employees provide innovative
leadership and a wide variety of programs and services that are essential to creating an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community. They engage in rewarding and challenging work and are committed to living our organizational values of service, integrity, respect, innovation and collaboration. Our employees take pride in serving their community. We invite you to join us in making a difference every day. For current job opportunities, visit our website at www.region.waterloo.on.ca.
Your Region Council for 2010 - 2014
W-work R-region H-home C-cell
Back Row, (L to R): Les Armstrong, Jim Wideman, Carl Zehr, Geoff Lorentz, Doug Craig, Sean Strickland, Rob Deutschmann, Ross Kelterborn, Tom Galloway Front Row, (L to R): Jean Haalboom, Jane Mitchell, Brenda Halloran, Ken Seiling, Jane Brewer, Claudette Millar, Todd Cowan
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