Waterloo Council's Final Meeting of the Term

Waterloo council's final meeting of the term covered the city's Platinum bicycle-friendly designation, climate initiatives and a pilot allowing eligible grassroots groups to use some municipal meeting spaces at no cost. Council also approved meeting minutes, enacted bylaws and adjourned the term after farewell remarks from outgoing members.

Topics Discussed

CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Staff reported that the city's corporate greenhouse-gas emissions in 2025 were approximately 34% below 2010 levels. Staff said an additional 1,363 tonnes of reductions are needed to reach the city's target of a 50% reduction from 2010 levels by 2030.

Staff also reported that about 90% of the actions in the city's Corporate Climate Action Plan are complete, ongoing or in progress. About 86.4% of the actions in the corporate adaptation plan are complete or underway.

Council discussed a Climate Wise Budget Assessment Pilot, social vulnerability mapping, a tree-canopy strategy, energy retrofits and incentives to replace fuel-oil heating. Staff also reported funding for a Level 3 electric-vehicle charger at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

CYCLING AND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Waterloo received the Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. It is the second Ontario municipality to receive the coalition's highest ranking after Ottawa.

"This is an extraordinary achievement, the highest designation awarded through our program," said Eleanor McMahon, founder and board chair of the coalition. "And there is only one other city mayor that has achieved this now and it's Ottawa. So, you're in very elite company."

Waterloo also volunteered to pilot the Bikeability cycling education program as it is introduced in Ontario. Mayor Dorothy McCabe said the city's cycling work had required effort "especially in the face of some opposition sometimes," but added that "this is really about building for the future and it's the right thing to do."

FREE COMMUNITY SPACE PILOT

Council approved a pilot policy to provide eligible grassroots groups with free access to some municipal meeting and multipurpose rooms. The pilot is expected to run from January 2027 through at least January 2028.

The spaces must be used for free, public programs involving recreation, arts, culture, leisure or community connection. Organizers may recover material costs but may not make a profit. Sports surfaces and athletic facilities are excluded, and private parties and commercial activities are not eligible.

Groups do not need to be incorporated nonprofits, and residents aged 16 and older may book space. Staff said the pilot will track usage and unsuccessful applications before council considers whether to make the policy permanent.

A staff member involved in the program said the city would take a flexible approach to eligibility: "If there's a small group of people who tend to run the group, that'll do." She added that the pilot would help identify whether the criteria created "too high of a barrier."

ELECTION SIGN ENFORCEMENT

Council discussed delays in removing improperly placed election signs. The mayor asked staff to consider removing such signs immediately and notifying the associated campaign.

"Can you take back going forward that if there's a sign that's improperly placed it's removed and the campaign is notified?" the mayor asked.

Staff said delays can result from overlapping responsibilities on regional roads and agreed to coordinate with Municipal Enforcement Services and the Region of Waterloo.

HOUSING, SERVICES AND TRANSITION

Outgoing councillors discussed housing affordability, municipal services and priorities for the next council.

Councillor Bodley said resident engagement does not guarantee agreement with council decisions. "Engagement is not agreement," Bodley said. "It just means engagement is not agreement."

Councillors also discussed the cost of maintaining services and investing in public infrastructure. Councillor Vasic said investment in core services and service improvements provides "perennial financial and social returns," while austerity "bears cost by those we just never have to face."

The outgoing mayor cited upcoming work on a regional hospital and medical technology hub, affordable housing at 2025 University Avenue, the Fire Master Plan, a west-side recreation centre, library redevelopment and the Laurel Greenway.

Motions

• Approval of September 28 and October 5 meeting minutes — Moved by Councillor Wright, seconded by Councillor Rowe; carried.
• General consent motion — Moved by Councillor Rowe, seconded by Councillor Bodley; carried without items being removed.
• 2026 Sustainability and Climate Change Update and related climate initiatives — Moved by Councillor Roach, seconded by Councillor Vasic; passed unanimously.
• Free Use of Community Space Pilot Policy — Council approved recommendations to launch the pilot for eligible community groups.
• Enactment of bylaws — Moved by Councillor Bodley and seconded by Councillor Vegh or Councillor Vasic, according to the meeting notes; enacted.
• Adjournment of the council term — Moved by Councillor Rowe, seconded by Councillor Freeman; carried.

Attendees

The supplied meeting notes identify the following councillors and mayor as participating or present:

• Mayor Dorothy McCabe
• Councillor Bodley
• Councillor Freeman
• Councillor Hanmer
• Councillor Roach
• Councillor Rowe
• Councillor Royce
• Councillor Vasic
• Councillor Vegh
• Councillor Wright

The notes also refer to Councillor Roe in one passage; it is unclear whether this is a separate councillor or a reference to Councillor Rowe.