Council Summary April 14, 2025

Posted On Monday April 14, 2025

** The council summary below provides a snapshot of the major items presented at Monday’s council meeting. The council meeting webcast is available on the City of Waterloo YouTube page. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.


City of Waterloo achieves 40 per cent corporate GHG reduction

The City of Waterloo has achieved a 40 per cent reduction in corporate GHG emissions (from the 2010 baseline) and is well on its way to achieving the milestone of 50 per cent reduction by 2030, then to net-zero corporate emissions by 2050.

The 2025 Sustainability and Climate Change Update Report provides an overview of the progressive climate change work happening at the City and in the community. As the first municipality in Waterloo Region to set a corporate target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, City of Waterloo staff have been taking a collaborative approach to integrate sustainability in daily operations.

Highlights of sustainability and climate action in 2024 include:

  • Continued electrification of City facilities, buildings and fleet.
  • Expansion of the cold-water ice flooding program at City rinks.
  • Integration of climate change considerations in the City's 2024 Asset Management Plan and Official Plan Review.
  • Expansion of the active transportation network (new sidewalks, new and refurbished lengths of multi-use paths and off-road trails).
  • Engaging with the community on sustainability, climate action and sustainable infrastructure through two Strategic Plan Community Conversations and a neighbourhood summit.
  • City staff planted over 1,000 trees and supported two new community gardens.
  • Volunteers did plantings, and educated through stewardship activities, in parks and throughout the community.

 Waterloo supports and celebrates thriving arts and creative industries sector

The Arts and Creative Industries team presented the 2024 Culture Plan Report Card, summarizing the events, cultural programs, initiatives and collaborations of Waterloo’s cultural sector in 2024. The report is the culmination of Waterloo’s Culture Plan: A Catalyst for Culture 2014-2024, which guided a decade of city-building and reinforced the City’s commitment to culture as a key driver of a vibrant, creative and engaging community with a strong local economy.

Significant achievements from the ten years of the plan include:

  • Public Art Policy, approved by Council in 2015
  • Arts Grant Program, launched 2023
  • Lumen, launched 2018
  • Micro-grant for artists program, launched 2021
  • Museum and Collections Strategy, approved by Council in 2017
  • Neighbourhood Strategy, approved by Council in 2018
  • CreateWaterloo social media channels, developed 2016

Highlights from the 2024 report card include:

  • The first intake of the Arts Grant Program (approved 2023) funded 23 arts organizations.
  • Over 200 artists were hired as part of the City's programming.
  • Lumen 2024 had another record-breaking year with 40,000 attendees, featuring more than 50 local and international artists and organizations.
  • A significant surge in programming and event activity at the Visitor Information Centre (former train station) space for rehearsals, classes, performances and community art projects.
  • Waterloo Public Square bookings increased 25 per cent.
  • Create Waterloo, the Arts and Creative Industries dedicated social media channels promoting our vibrant arts scene had a nearly 20 per cent increase in followers.

In 2025, staff will develop an Arts Strategy, considering priorities identified through their participation on the regional Cultural Planning group: distribution of funds and grants; access to physical spaces; promotion and awareness of arts and culture; and equity and diversity in representation and support. The new strategy will refine and expand support for artists, organizations, and creative industries in Waterloo and be presented to Council later this year.


Waterloo urges province to take action on road salt pollution

Councillor Wright brought forward a motion urging the province of Ontario to act on road salt pollution. The threat of environmental and health damage from road salt and the impacts on Ontario’s aquifers, creeks, rivers, and lakes is something municipalities have tried to address through Salt Management Plans. At the same time, the use of road salt is a best practice for liability protection in preventing slips, falls, and injury/collision claims, which can result in over-salting by cautious snow and ice management contractors or private owners.

The motion urges the province of Ontario to prioritize work to develop limited liability legislation for snow and ice management, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially endorsed standard best management practices. Council unanimously endorsed the motion, which also urges the province to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution.


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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Director, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca