City of Waterloo launches its first Get READI Plan to become a welcoming and inclusive Waterloo

The City of Waterloo’s Get READI Plan sets out the priorities that will support the City in becoming an inclusive and welcoming place for all residents. It focuses on READI (Reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion) work and identifies goals that the City will work towards to become a more equitable, accessible and inclusive space.

The Get READI Plan reflects the experiences and feedback shared with the City by equity-denied individuals across Waterloo. The City’s READI Team, at the direction of Council, conducted extensive public engagement to learn what residents would like to see implemented, adjusted and changed to offer more welcoming and inclusive programming and services. Community voices informed the priority areas within the plan, which include:

• Reconciliation.
• Equity in the distribution of resources.
• More Accessible buildings, programs and services.
• Diversity in staff and leadership.
• Inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

“As a community, Waterloo continues to grow, change and diversify, and the City’s staff, services, programming and decision making must reflect this,” said Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. “We’re working to build a community where everyone belongs, and can live, play, work and learn no matter their age, stage of life, income or abilities.”

The Get READI Plan is a tool to guide all City of Waterloo divisions as they plan, budget and provide services and programs for residents and visitors. This plan is the result of a joint effort involving the City of Waterloo’s READI team, community members, and staff. It will guide the City of Waterloo on its journey to embed READI into the values and work of the corporation. 

The supporting Implementation Plan is anticipated to be shared in Spring 2025 followed by more public engagement to monitor progress. The Implementation Plan will support accountability, transparency and awareness of efforts taken by staff to meet the goals within the Get READI Plan.

The launch of the Get READI Plan is meant to highlight to residents how the City intends to improve inclusion in community programs and services. Follow the project at www.engagewr.ca/get-readi-plan and stay tuned for more input opportunities.

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Media contact:

Stacey Abbott
Communications Manager, City of Waterloo
Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca