City of Waterloo council summary June 15, 2026
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.
Waterloo looks ahead to 2027 Budget and 2027-2030 Strategic Plan
City of Waterloo staff presented an update on timelines and process for the staff tabled 2027 Budget and the City's 2027-2030 Strategic Plan. The staff tabled budget will be released in December 2026. Public engagement on the budget will occur throughout December, January and February, with the Mayor and Council considering the budget and public feedback, and making final approval in February 2027. Work on the City of Waterloo 2027-2030 Strategic Plan, a joint plan of Council, staff and the community to define Waterloo's focus over the next term of Council, will begin in September 2026 and include a municipal services satisfaction survey, public meetings and focus groups.
Details on engagement opportunities for both the 2027 Budget and the 2027-2030 Strategic Plan will be available through Engage Waterloo later this year.
Waterloo will participate in the Ontario and Canada Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP)
On March 30, 2026, the governments of Ontario and Canada agreed to a cost-matched structure to provide a combined $8.8 billion over 10 years for infrastructure investments in Ontario. On June 1, 2026, the Ontario and Canada Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) was opened with applications for funding from municipalities due by June 19, 2026. Successful DCRP projects will be cost shared between municipal applicants, the province and the federal government. This includes a minimum of 10% of project expenditures covered by municipalities with the remaining 90% or less cost-shared by the province and federal government.
Council approved the City of Waterloo's participation in the program, approving a reduction in Residential Development Charges (recently approved on March 23, 2026) in-principle by 30% retroactive to March 30, 2026. City staff will prepare an application to the Ontario and Canada Development Charge Reduction Program for the City’s Conservation Drive Sanitary Pumping Station project, and Erbsville Road – Ira Needles to Columbia St – Watermain Expansion project. If successful, both projects could be funded up to $14,790,600 (90%) by the DCRP and the City would contribute $1,643,400 (10%). The funding intake is a competitive process, and funding approval is not guaranteed.
Waterloo continues to support complete communities and approve housing
Staff provided Council with an update on the City of Waterloo Museum’s key activities in 2025. In 2025, the City of Waterloo Museum experienced growing demand for adult and seniors focused programming, particularly historical presentations and community talks. Museum staff also continued stewardship and public interpretation of the Log Cabin in Waterloo Park. Visitors were welcomed on select dates to explore the cabin’s history, with a special focus on its 130-year presence in Waterloo Park.
March Break programming at the City of Waterloo Museum featured an Indigenous Creation Story puppet show presented in partnership with Conestoga Mall. In the spring, the Museum coordinated an Amazing Race-style program in collaboration with the Waterloo Public Library, Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo Horticultural Society, and the Uptown Waterloo BIA. In the fall, the Museum participated in Explore Waterloo Region’s fall itinerary program with a self-guided “Haunted Histories” tour of Mount Hope Cemetery.
The City of Waterloo Museum also introduced a new element to Remembrance Day commemorations in partnership with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530, and the Uptown Waterloo BIA. In addition to the annual poppy installations at City Hall and the LAV III memorial, the Museum developed a Veterans Banner Project featuring a tribute to Waterloo men who lost their lives in the First World War, as well as local women who contributed to the war effort both overseas and on the home front. Twenty-four commemorative banners were installed along the Spur Line Trail, while additional community-sponsored veteran banners were displayed by the Uptown BIA along Regina and William Streets.
The City of Waterloo Museum at Conestoga Mall is open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and Saturdays in July and August). Admission is always free!
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