The Region of Waterloo’s Role in the Community
The Region of Waterloo was officially established on January 1, 1973. Since then services have evolved considerably, touching the lives of every citizen. The Region of Waterloo is responsible for providing approximately 60 per cent of municipal government services in this community and provides a range of services through seven departments and a Chief Administrator’s Office.
This document cited from Strategic Focus 2011-2014 background document #797071 v14
Public Health • Clinics - Immunization (e.g. influenza, Hepatitis B, HPV), HIV testing, International Travel, Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Dental Health, Tuberculosis • Disease surveillance and health status reporting to the public • Communicable disease control and environmental health (management of cases, outbreaks, health hazards and the human health impacts of environmental problems) • Food and Water safety (inspections and promotion) • Preparedness and response for public health emergencies e.g. Pandemic Influenza Planning • Health promotion and awareness initiatives e.g. vaccination, injury prevention, tobacco use prevention, healthy eating and active living, preconception health, healthy child development, community engagement, policies to prevent illness and promote health • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children • Emergency Medical Services (land ambulance)
Social Services • Plan for and administer local child care system • Five directly operated Children’s Centre and a licensed home child care program • Financial assistance with child care costs • Infant & Child Development Program • Services for Children with Special Needs • Sunnyside Supportive Housing and Assisted Living • 263 Bed Long Term Care Home • Senior’s Wellness Centre • Homemakers and Nursing Program • Sandhill’s Café • Community Outreach Program • Community Supports and Programs • Financial Assistance (Ontario Works) • Emergency Energy Assistance Program • Employment Resource Centres • Employment Ontario Service Provider • Employment Services and Supports for Ontario Works Participants • Providing emergency food, shelter and clothing during a disaster • Homelessness to Housing Stability Strategy programs and services
Planning, Housing and Community Services • Growth Forecasting and planning for growth management • Regional Official Plan • Review and approve area Municipal Official Plans • Review and approve various development applications • Community Housing Administration and Affordable Housing Strategy • Regional and Community Housing • Transportation Planning and Corridor Control • Grand River Transit Planning • Transportation Demand Management • Region of Waterloo (Township) Libraries • Waterloo Region Museum, Doon Heritage Village, Joseph Schneider Haus, McDougall Cottage
Transportation and Environmental Services • Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment • Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection in Wellesley and North Dumfries • Waterloo Landfill Site and Transfer Stations, Blue Box and Materials Recycling, and Garbage Collection • Grand River Transit including MobilityPlus • Light Rail Transit Project • Region of Waterloo International Airport • Regional Roads and Traffic Signals • Design and construction of all Regional engineering projects such as roads, bridges, water treatment plants etc.
Human Resources • Attracting, developing and retaining effective and dynamic employees • Human resources programs and services including Return to Work Programs, Benefits Administration, Employee Wellness, and Organizational Development and Design • Labour Relations services • Health and Safety programming and consulting advice • Employee Fitness Centres
Corporate Resources • In-house legal and real estate services • Maintenance and construction services for Regional buildings and property • Fleet acquisition and maintenance • Information and communications technology • Business systems analysis • Council support • Information and document management • Design, Print and Mail Services • Provincial Offences Court administration and prosecution • Licensing and enforcement services • Citizen services • Public access to information • Corporate archives • Energy Management and Environmental Sustainability Office
Finance • Financial, accounting, treasury, payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, stores and purchasing services to all departments and external agencies of the Region • Budget coordination • Corporate Performance Measurement • Risk Management/Insurance • Property Tax Policy • All debenture financing for the Region and Area Municipalities • Grants to Voluntary Organizations • Grant claims to senior levels of government • Development charge collection and administration
Chief Administrator’s Office • Emergency Management • Corporate Communications • Internal Audit • Strategic planning
Directly and indirectly the Region is also involved with community partners in economic development, community safety and crime prevention, heritage preservation, funding for the arts and hospital capital financing. The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is responsible for providing policing services to the citizens of Waterloo Region and is an “arms length service” to the Region of Waterloo, which means the service is associated with and receives funding from the Region of Waterloo, but governance of the WRPS is the responsibility of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board.