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City Council Columns - April 2025
Hi Ward 1, Happy Spring! I hope you’re well, all things considered.
You may have noticed our seasonal campaign of traffic calming measures popping up. These include the yellow, flexible, middle-of-the-road signs that remind drivers to slow down in the area. In a few places we use similar signs but with additional “road narrowing” stakes on either side which are a bit more aggressive in getting automobiles to slow as they squeeze through. Finally, on some streets, you’ll see what I like to call the “reminder-radar” that shows you how fast you’re going. Oftentimes our speeding is entirely unintentional and these implementations remind us to drive safely. We have a limited number of these measures, to ensure effectiveness, but the locations that are chosen are always based on traffic data. You may notice the two rubber tubes laid across roadways in the warmer months. This is how we collect the anonymous data detailing not only road speeds, but traffic volume as well. You might recall, with my support, Kitchener opted out of the punitive photo-radar options on our streets. That implementation offered no flexibility on timing or speeds, and had an automatic doubling of any fines. It’s a topic I’m happy to revisit once the program focuses more on positively shaping behaviour, than punishment. For questions on this, or anything else City related, please do not hesitate to contact me any time using the above contact information. And please remember, check the labels and do your best to BUY CANADIAN!
It’s so nice feeling Spring in the air.
You’ll see our city crews in action as they begin to perform all our spring operation activities, like fixing potholes created during our harsh winter. Permanent repairs will start once our local hot mix asphalt plants begin operations in a few weeks. We had significant landscape damage this winter, and these repairs start when temperatures support seed germination. To report potholes or turf damage call our Contact Centre at 519.741.2345.
Street sweeping operations have started and our seasonal traffic calming measures will be installed this month. Crews have already begun our spring litter blitz, and we love it when neighbours do community clean-ups. Earth Day is April 22 and doing a clean-up is a great way to celebrate. To register go to lovemyhood.ca and search community clean ups―We provide all the supplies and pick up your bagged garbage!
On March 24 all of City Council stood with Mayor Vrbanovic as Kitchener launched our Support Local Campaign. We’re amending our procurement bylaw to “Buy Canadian” and “Buy Local” and we’ll deepen our partnership with the BIAs, Chamber of Commerce and Kitchener Market to identify new measures to support our local businesses.
The Kitchener Rangers and KW Titans are in the playoffs. Let’s get out to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and cheer our local teams on.
If I can assist you, contact me directly or use our 24-hour Contact Centre, 519-741-2345 or info@kitchener.ca. Follow me on Instagram and X, @DaveSchniderKW or friend me on Facebook. Visit daveschnider.com for lots of Ward 2 and city info.
Earth Day is April 22. Consider connecting with neighbours to organize a spring clean-up. It’s never too early to plan ways to care for our environment and community. At this time of year, the city has more staff allocated to clean up litter. Garbage bins that were relocated to accessible locations for winter collection will be returned to their summer locations later this month or by early May. Check out the www.kitchener.ca/garbagecanmap, a live tool that can be used when out in the community to locate the nearest garbage can to you. Year round collection is provided to about 500 locations across the city.
Tree Planting and Maintenance Planting is scheduled to start late April. Beginning in 2023, the street tree program continues to run year-round, focusing on raising and pruning the trees in our city neighbourhoods. Find out when your street will be pruned at www.kitchener.ca/UrbanForestMap/
Trails in Ward 4 Spring marks the time when city crews begin trail repairs. If you notice a location in need of attention, please let our Corporate Contact Centre know, and they’ll generate a service request: 519-741-2345.
Easter Egg Hunt The Doon Pioneer Park Community Association is holding an Easter Egg Hunt at the community centre on Saturday, April 19 at 10am. Bring your own basket to collect the goodies! For more info go to dppca.ca.
Coffee & Chat Meeting you in person is important to me. I’ll be at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Center on Saturday, April 26 from 10-11:30am. I look forward to connecting with you.
You can reach me at 226-752-9541 or christine.michaud@kitchener.ca.
Dear Ward 5 Residents,
I hope you are enjoying the change of weather and the beauty of the spring season! With warmer days ahead, there are some exciting updates and events happening in our community.
Earth Day Clean-Up – April 26. Join us at Williamsburg and Huron Community Centres on Saturday, April 26, from 10 AM – 12 PM to help keep our neighbourhoods clean. This is a great way to give back and connect with your neighbours!
Calling Local Musicians! Neighbourhood Day is coming up in June, and we’re looking for local talent to perform. If you or someone you know is interested, reach out to my office.
Spaces and Places Report – April 14. The final draft of the Places report, part of Kitchener’s Parks Master Plan, will be presented to the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee on Monday, April 14. This plan is shaped by community input and will influence the quality of our parks for years to come.
Kitchener Indoor Recreation Complex (KIRC) Update - Things are starting to come together. Construction is moving ahead! The aquatics centre steel is complete, work on the fieldhouse has begun, and the north parking lot is on track to reopen by April 15. We are also planning for the facility’s operations, including sponsorships and programming. Exciting times ahead!
Happy Easter & Passover To those celebrating, I wish you and your families a joyful and meaningful holiday.
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Dear Neighbours,
I’m excited to share that Kitchener has received an additional $4.2 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund —a recognition of our success in advancing innovative, inclusive housing solutions. With this continued support, we’re accelerating policies and incentives that make it easier and faster to provide more housing.
This builds on the $42.4 million received in 2023, bringing even more momentum to our work to expand housing options across the city. These new funds will also support a Community Improvement Plan that encourages a broader mix of housing, also known as “the missing middle.”
In the past year, Kitchener has:
· Created Canada’s most flexible planning rules around major transit station areas;
· Enabled the creation of more low-rise starter units city-wide through adding as-of-right zoning flexibilities; and
· Provided land and funding for non-profit housing providers.
These bold actions have already led to a 70% increase in permits for multi-unit and backyard homes.
As Chair of the Planning and Strategic Services Committee, I’m proud of the leadership Kitchener has taken in its continued efforts to address the housing crisis. This is about more than numbers - it’s about creating real options for families, seniors, and new Kitchener residents.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we build a city where everyone has a place to call home.
Connect with me at paul.singh@kitchener.ca, or pop in to chat 7-8pm on April 16 at the Country Hills Community Centre.
Hi Ward 7! It’s been a bit of a slow start to Spring with some snow, freezing rain and cold temperatures, but soon enough we will have forgotten the chilly days and will be enjoying spring flowers and sunny days.
Just a reminder that Earth Day is April 22. Please head to earthday.org to learn more about this important day and the different ways you can help make a difference in our community and the world. If you would like to organize your own community clean-up of a local park, public space, or trail you can register your event to get free supplies from your local community Center. Please visit www.lovemyhood.ca for more information.
Speaking of spring clean-ups, as you head out into your own yard or garden to start some spring cleaning, you’ll be pleased to know that the Region’s yard waste program began the week of March 31. For more information and schedules please visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca and search “yard waste”
I wanted to share a welcome reminder that the winter parking bylaw ended on March 31, meaning parking on driveway aprons is no longer required as residents can once again park overnight on the street, up until November 30. For more information visit www.kitchener.ca keyword search “parking bylaw”.
April is a busy month for the Easter bunny! Happy Easter to those who celebrate. And Happy Passover for those celebrating.
Hey Ward 8! Hope you are enjoying the sun! It’s lovely to see it again.
Unfortunately with the spring thaw, we see the results of garbage that was not disposed of properly in the winter. It’s disappointing to see, but good to know that community groups step up to the plate to organize community cleanups. Below is a list of the ones I know of happening in and around our Ward:
Forest Heights Community Centre Cleanup: Saturday, April 12th – 9am – meet at main entrance, garbage bags and gloves supplied
Paulander Princesses hosting Easter Fun Day on April 19 from 1-3 pm up at the Gazebo. Please come join us for a fun filled afternoon of games and refreshments with us.
Lakeside Park Cleanup and Potluck Lunch – Saturday April 26 – cleanup 10:30, potluck at 11:30 – meet in the parking lot by Lakeside Dr.
Gzowski Park Clean up - Saturday April 26. Meet outside the community center to clean up the Park, kids earn tickets to redeem for snacks at Spring Fest. Gloves and bags provided.
You too can help! While you are out and about on your spring walks, please bring a bag with you and collect garbage along the way. Thanks for your help and thanks for modelling positive behaviour.
I would also like to promote shopping local and supporting our Ward 8 businesses. Our amazing Belmont Village retailers would love to have you visit them! So many great stores and restaurants there and it’s the perfect venue for a spring walk, shop and refreshment stop! Modern Paw recently opened in the Village and it is a terrific place to shop for food, treats, pet accessories and is a grooming salon, check it out!
I was very pleased to learn that the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) ruling was in favour of the tenants at 267 Traynor Ave. The residents who were being threatened with renoviction put their whole lives into fighting back against the landlord.
The process took over two years, during which time residents were in fear of becoming homeless. They feared being evicted from their affordable and rent controlled homes and forced into a rental market of uncertainty where rents are out of reach for many of us. The LTB ruled that the owner had abandoned the case which meant the tenants could remain housed.
Most cases do not end this way, hence the need for a renoviction bylaw to give greater protection to residents in rent-controlled units. According to a recent Record article, when tenants are evicted for the purpose of renovations, they have the legal right to return once the renovations are completed, at the same rent they were paying prior to the eviction. Many tenants are unaware of their rights. I look forward to June 2 when staff bring a report about renovictions forward for Council to consider.
April 22 is Earth Day. Neighbourhoods across the city have organized community clean-up events. Check out their social media posts for dates and locations or host your own! Register at lovemyhood.ca/cleanup to get free gloves and bags. According to Earthday.org, this year’s theme is ‘our power, our planet.’ It “invites everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.” Together we can make a difference.
Hi Ward 10! There are two development applications in our ward that I would like to draw your attention to:
924 King St W – Planner Evan Wittman, evan.wittman@kitchener.ca
20 Victoria Marie Court – Planner Andrew Pinnell, andrew.pinnell@kitchener.ca
You can reach out to both the planners and myself with your notes. We welcome comments in the form of emails, phone conversations, and even 1 on 1 meetings with members of the public. Note that no decisions have been made regarding these applications, but I am requesting community feedback. If you go to www.kitchener.ca/planningapplications you will find an abundance of information regarding these development applications.
Learn more about the project, share your thoughts and understand your appeal rights, visit www.kitchener.ca/planningapplications.
You are invited to reach me directly. You can visit my website www.stephanie.stretch.ca and sign up for my newsletter if you are looking for more updates from Council and the community. I also strongly encourage you to contact The City any time for questions and/or reporting issues. Over-the-phone service can be accessed 24/7 by dialing 519-741-2345.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic's column will return.
I want to congratulate the tenants at 267 Traynor Ave. on fighting back against an unfair and unjust “Renoviction”. There is power in numbers and determination, and the residents demonstrated this. I’m very happy for them all.
These last few weeks have been unprecedented and unpredictable times in our lives. The tariffs being levied against Canada are not just a mere slap in the face. It’s a threat to our Sovereignty, wellbeing and livelihoods. I’m happy that our council passed a motion to look at our procurement processes, and other ways to address, protect and react to tariffs, to help minimize their impact.
I would like to encourage you all, if you haven’t done so already, to buy Canadian and local. I know selection, season and price can make this a challenge, but we must protect our country. Grocery stores are making it easier to distinguish between Canadian and American products, and there is produce available from Ontario and Canadian greenhouses―you get what I’m saying.
It’s also a great opportunity to stay in Canada for your summer vacations. Consider travel up Hwy 11 to Gravenhurst, or the 401 to Ottawa or Kingston; the options are endless. My household has made the decision to not cross the border over the next 4 years and instead see Canada.
I also suggest a call to your local MP or MPP to advocate for a stay in Canada travel tax rebate. This initiative would help offset some of the costs of travel this summer.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time if there are concerns, suggestions or comments to Jason.deneault@kitchener.ca.
Have a great Easter Weekend.