Waterloo approves sustainable, future-ready strategic plan

On Monday, June 26, 2023, Waterloo Council approved a new strategic plan, defining the focus and priorities for Council and staff for the next four years. The plan includes a new vision for the City of Waterloo: A leader in sustainability and a future-ready community for all.

“This plan represents the collaborative efforts of community, staff and Council,” Mayor Dorothy McCabe said. “It is a bold statement of our shared values and commitment, where diversity and inclusion are valued, and sustainability and the future are our focus. The city is committed to continuing to work together to create a sustainable, future-ready community for all.”

In addition to a new vision, the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan includes a new mission and updated guiding principles that encompass the values of the community and the City, as well as five strategic priorities to guide departmental planning and future decision-making for this term of Council.

Mission:

To actively engage, collaborate with and respond to Waterloo’s diverse community through bold leadership, empathy and accountability.

Guiding Principles:

• Equity and Inclusion
• Sustainability
• Integrity
• Workplace Wellbeing
• Community-centred
• Operational Excellence

Strategic Priorities:

Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion

Value that an inclusive city is one that recognizes differences and diversity in planning, decision-making and service delivery for all residents to have equal opportunities and benefits. Through a commitment to Reconciliation, justice, equity and inclusion for all, the City will disrupt and dismantle all forms of discrimination and systemic oppression.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

Become a leader in environmental sustainability practices and climate action by making transformational changes related to City operations and services while working with the community towards climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

Complete Community

Achieve a high quality of life for all residents and overall community vibrancy through strategic density, diverse housing options and equitably available parks, public spaces and other recreational and cultural amenities.

Infrastructure and Transportation Systems

Expand and support infrastructure and transportation systems in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable manner that provides residents with resilient public infrastructure and sustainable transportation solutions.

Innovation and Future-Ready

Demonstrate resiliency and readiness to do things differently, address social developments and integrate new ideas through collaboration with key partners while continuing to grow a diversified economy and innovation ecosystem.

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan was developed through an extensive community engagement and strategic planning process involving information sharing and conversations with Council, staff and the community.

Next steps:

The strategic planning process does not end with the approval of the strategic plan. As part of the transparent implementation of the plan, the project team now shifts their work to introducing the new strategic plan to staff and the community. The strategic plan will be implemented through actions including the three-year budget and business planning process and the new Community Conversations initiative. A yearly progress report will provide an update on implementation of the strategic plan and will include performance measurement metrics.

Community Conversations will be an opportunity for staff, Council and community members to collaborate and bring the Strategic Plan to life, launching this fall.

“I’m looking forward to ongoing dialogue with the diverse voices of our community through these conversations,” said Mayor McCabe. “We will be actively engaging and collaborating, seeking feedback and fresh perspectives specifically focused on our strategic initiatives, in addition to the ongoing engagement we have around our projects and services.” 

We thank the community and everyone who shared their thoughts and contributed to this strategic plan.

To read the full strategic plan report, as well as other supporting documents, please visit engagewr.ca/strategic-waterloo.

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Media contact:

Cari Van Niekerk
Acting Director, Corporate Communications
City of Waterloo
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca