Ten Pillar Community Platform

A practical plan for an affordable, accessible, connected and environmentally responsible Ward 6

This platform is built around ten areas of municipal responsibility that directly affect everyday life in Ward 6.

The goal is to combine responsible financial management with investment in housing, transportation, neighbourhoods, the environment, local economic development, recreation, animal welfare and accessibility while maintaining an open and collaborative relationship with residents and community organizations.

Pillar 1 Affordability and Responsible Municipal Finances

Protecting affordability while maintaining the services residents depend on

Kitchener is responsible for approximately $15 billion in municipal assets, including roads, bridges, water infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure, parks, community facilities and forestry, which means that responsible financial planning has to consider both today's costs and the long term cost of maintaining what the City builds.

The 2026 City budget includes a 2.2 per cent municipal property tax rate increase, while the average homeowner is also facing increases to water, sanitary sewer and stormwater charges, demonstrating why municipal financial decisions need to be considered together rather than looking only at the property tax rate.

Responsible spending

Major municipal projects should clearly identify their initial cost, expected operating costs, long term maintenance requirements, funding sources and expected community benefits before major commitments are made.

Protecting essential services

Road maintenance, snow clearing, parks, recreation, community facilities, fire services, transportation infrastructure and other essential municipal services should remain central considerations when Council establishes spending priorities.

Looking for outside funding

The City should continue pursuing appropriate provincial, federal and other funding opportunities so that municipal taxpayers are not unnecessarily responsible for costs that could be supported through other funding programs.

Understanding the whole tax bill

Residents should receive clear information explaining that their property tax bill includes municipal, regional and education components, with the City of Kitchener portion representing approximately 29 per cent of the total 2026 property tax bill.

Measuring value

Major investments should be evaluated after implementation to determine whether the expected benefits were actually achieved and whether operating costs remain sustainable.

Pillar 2 Housing and Neighbourhood Growth

Building housing while planning for complete communities

Kitchener Council approved a housing pledge in 2023 supporting the creation of 35,000 additional homes by 2031.

The City's strategic plan reports that 8,088 dwelling units had received building permits since the housing pledge was established by the end of 2025, while 16,150 dwelling units had received Council approval through official plan amendment or zoning bylaw amendment processes.

Housing growth needs to be considered together with transportation, parks, schools, recreation, stormwater, sidewalks, community services and other infrastructure.

More housing choices

Ward 6 should have access to a range of housing choices that can accommodate families, seniors, young adults, renters, homeowners and people with different household sizes and financial circumstances.

Affordable housing

Municipal government has an important role to play within its jurisdiction in supporting affordable housing partnerships, planning policies, municipal land opportunities and collaboration with non-profit housing organizations and other levels of government.

Complete communities

New housing should be planned alongside the infrastructure and services necessary for people to live healthy and connected lives rather than treating housing construction as an isolated objective.

Predictable planning

Residents, builders and community organizations all benefit from planning processes that are transparent, understandable and consistent.

Neighbourhood character and change

Neighbourhood growth should recognize existing community characteristics while also acknowledging that Kitchener needs additional housing and that neighbourhoods naturally change over time.

Pillar 3 Roads, Transportation and Mobility

Making it safer and easier to move around Ward 6

Transportation is a municipal responsibility that directly affects people's ability to reach work, school, recreation, businesses, parks and community facilities.

Kitchener's strategic plan recorded two transportation related deaths and five serious injuries in 2025, compared with zero transportation deaths in both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating why transportation safety requires continuous attention and measurable action.

Road maintenance

The City should continue maintaining and renewing roads based on condition, safety, usage and long term infrastructure planning.

Safe walking

Sidewalks, crossings, curb ramps and pedestrian routes should be evaluated from the perspective of people who actually use them, including children, seniors and people with disabilities.

Cycling and active transportation

Kitchener's strategic planning includes active transportation as part of its connected city objectives, and future improvements should focus on creating practical connections between neighbourhoods, parks, businesses, transit and community facilities.

Traffic safety

Transportation safety decisions should be informed by collision data, traffic conditions, road design and community experience rather than relying only on individual complaints.

Accessible mobility

Transportation infrastructure should accommodate people who use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other mobility devices as well as people who experience less visible mobility barriers.

Better communication

Residents should receive clear information about major construction projects, road closures, detours and changes that affect their daily travel.

Pillar 4 Safe and Connected Neighbourhoods

Creating neighbourhoods where people feel connected to their community

Safe and connected neighbourhoods require more than policing alone.

They require well maintained public spaces, functioning infrastructure, good lighting, accessible sidewalks, parks, community facilities, responsible development and opportunities for residents to participate in their communities.

Neighbourhood infrastructure

Residents should have clear ways to report concerns involving sidewalks, roads, lighting, parks, public spaces and other municipal infrastructure.

Public spaces

Well maintained parks, trails and community spaces can support physical activity, social connection and community participation.

Clear responsibility

When a concern belongs to the Region, Province or another organization rather than the City, residents should be told clearly who has responsibility and how they can pursue the issue.

Community partnerships

The City should continue working with neighbourhood associations, community organizations, businesses and residents to identify local concerns and develop practical solutions.

Evidence based safety

Municipal safety investments should be guided by evidence, including collision information, infrastructure conditions, service data and resident experience.

Connected communities

A strong neighbourhood is one where people have opportunities to meet one another, participate in community activities and access public spaces without unnecessary barriers.

Pillar 5 Environmental Justice, Climate and a Healthy Natural Environment

Making environmental protection a matter of health fairness and long term community resilience

Kitchener has maintained a Strategic Plan for the Environment since 1992 covering natural heritage and recreation, water resources, air quality, land management, energy management, waste and consumption and public education.

The City's 2025 strategic plan data reports citywide tree canopy at 26 per cent, compared with 27.2 per cent in 2019, while the City's long term target is 30 per cent canopy coverage in every ward by 2050 and 33 per cent citywide by 2070.

Environmental justice

Environmental benefits are not distributed equally across a city.

Some neighbourhoods have more mature trees, shade and green space while others experience greater exposure to heat and have fewer environmental amenities.

Environmental investment should therefore consider where environmental needs are greatest and whether residents across Kitchener are receiving equitable access to the benefits of nature.

Tree equity

Kitchener has identified Wards 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 as lower tree canopy priority wards as of 2026, meaning Ward 6 has an important role to play in the City's broader tree equity work.

The City is undertaking a program expected to plant nearly 20,000 trees during 2025 and 2026, with planting focused on communities with minimal canopy coverage so that the benefits of trees can be distributed more equitably.

Protecting mature trees

New tree planting is important, but mature trees provide established shade, habitat, carbon storage, air quality benefits and stormwater management, so municipal planning should consider preservation wherever reasonably possible.

Climate resilience

Environmental planning should include preparation for extreme heat, heavy rainfall, flooding and other climate related risks.

Stormwater

Natural areas, vegetation and urban wildlife contribute to a healthy ecosystem and should be considered was 65 per cent and the unemployment, trees and appropriate green infrastructure can contribute to stormwater management and should be considered alongside traditional infrastructure.

Biodiversity

Natural areas, pollinator habitat, wetlands and urban wildlife contribute to a healthy ecosystem and should be considered when planning growth and infrastructure.

Clean air and healthy communities

Environmental policy should recognize the relationship between air quality, transportation, land use, trees, green space and public health.

Environmental affordability

Climate and environmental programs should also consider household affordability and the operating costs associated with environmental investments.

Measuring environmental justice

Environmental progress should be measured using indicators such as tree canopy, tree equity, park access, shade, stormwater performance, naturalized areas and climate resilience.

The goal should be a Kitchener where environmental protection is not concentrated in only some neighbourhoods but is treated as a citywide responsibility with particular attention to areas experiencing greater environmental need.

Pillar 6 Local Economy, Small Business and Employment

Supporting local businesses and creating the conditions for a diverse local economy

Kitchener's strategic plan identifies economic prosperity as one of its five major strategic directions and tracks indicators including business activity, employment, unemployment, labour force participation and development density.

The City's reported business startup and retention indicator recorded 263 businesses in 2025, while the employment rate was 65 per cent and the unemployment rate was 7.7 per cent.

Supporting small businesses

Local businesses should have clear information about municipal permits, planning requirements, inspections, grants and other programs.

Efficient approvals

Municipal processes should be understandable and predictable while still protecting public safety and maintaining appropriate planning standards.

Neighbourhood businesses

Appropriate local commercial activity can help residents access everyday services closer to home and contribute to vibrant neighbourhoods.

Arts and culture

Arts, culture, festivals and creative industries contribute to Kitchener's economic and community life and should remain part of the City's economic development conversation.

Employment

Economic development should consider not only investment but also the quality and accessibility of employment opportunities available to residents.

Measuring outcomes

Economic initiatives should be evaluated through business activity, employment, investment, commercial development and community benefits rather than simply the number of announcements or programs created.

Pillar 7 Recreation, Families, Seniors and Community Life

Investing in the places where residents live play learn and connect

Parks, recreation facilities, libraries, community centres and cultural facilities are important parts of municipal infrastructure and contribute to physical health, social connection and quality of life.

Kitchener's strategic plan tracks local park area per person and reported approximately 8.9 square metres of park area per person in 2025 against a target of 10 square metres per person.

Accessible recreation

Recreation programs should be accessible to people with different ages, abilities and financial circumstances.

Families and children

Parks, playgrounds, recreation programs and community facilities should provide safe opportunities for children and families to participate in community life.

Seniors

Municipal planning should consider the needs of an aging population and support opportunities for seniors to remain active, independent and connected.

Community facilities

Existing facilities require ongoing maintenance and renewal, while new facilities should be considered where population growth and demonstrated community demand justify investment.

Parks and playgrounds

The City reported an average playground age of 18.2 years in 2025, making renewal and accessibility important considerations for future parks planning.

Community partnerships

The City should work with community organizations to identify gaps in programming and opportunities to expand participation.

Measuring participation

Facility usage, program participation, accessibility and community demand should help guide future recreation investments.

Pillar 8 Open Government Accountability and Resident Service

Making municipal government easier to understand and easier to participate in

Kitchener's strategic plan uses measurable indicators to track progress across its major strategic goals, providing a framework that can be built upon through more transparent reporting to residents.

Transparent decisions

Residents should receive understandable explanations of significant municipal decisions, including their financial, environmental and community implications.

Public reporting

Major commitments should have measurable objectives and regular progress updates.

Accessible information

Municipal information should be available in formats that residents can understand and use, including people who experience accessibility or communication barriers.

Clear responsibilities

Residents should not be left to navigate multiple levels of government without guidance when an issue falls outside direct municipal jurisdiction.

Community consultation

Public consultation should happen early enough to meaningfully inform decisions rather than simply communicating decisions that have already been finalized.

Closing the feedback loop

When residents provide significant community input, they should be able to understand what was heard, what was considered and how the information affected the decision.

Measuring service

Resident service should be evaluated using response times, completion rates, satisfaction information and other appropriate measures.

Long term accountability

Accountability should continue throughout the term of Council rather than being limited to election periods.

Pillar 9 Animal Welfare, Responsible Pet Ownership and Community Well-Being

Supporting humane treatment of animals and responsible coexistence within our community

Animal welfare is connected to community well-being, responsible pet ownership, environmental stewardship and the management of public spaces.

Responsible ownership

Residents should have accessible information about responsible pet ownership, licensing, animal safety and municipal requirements.

Animal welfare partnerships

The City should work constructively with animal welfare organizations, rescue organizations, veterinary professionals, community organizations and residents to understand local challenges and identify appropriate municipal responses.

Lost and abandoned animals

Public information should make it easier for residents to understand what to do when they encounter lost, abandoned or vulnerable animals.

Humane approaches

Municipal approaches to animal related issues should consider humane treatment, public safety, responsible ownership and the practical responsibilities of the organizations involved.

Wildlife

Urban wildlife should be considered as part of environmental planning, particularly where natural habitat, parks and development interact. Our local wildlife, flora and fauna, landscapes and pets should all be protected and respected.

Community collaboration

Animal welfare organizations and residents with relevant experience should have opportunities to contribute to municipal discussions affecting animals and public spaces.

Pillar 10 Accessibility, Disability Inclusion and Universal Design

Building a city where people with disabilities can participate fully in community life

Accessibility should be considered at the beginning of municipal planning rather than treated as an issue that is addressed after a project has already been designed.

Kitchener maintains an Accessibility Plan specifically focused on identifying, removing and preventing barriers for people with disabilities.

Accessible transportation

Sidewalks, curb ramps, crossings, pedestrian signals, trails and transit connections should be designed and maintained so people using mobility devices can navigate the community safely.

Accessible parks

Parks, playgrounds and recreational spaces should incorporate accessibility into their design, maintenance and renewal.

Accessible buildings

Municipal facilities should provide meaningful access for people with different mobility, sensory, communication and cognitive needs.

Accessible communication

Municipal information should be available in accessible formats and public engagement should provide reasonable opportunities for residents with different communication needs to participate.

Invisible disabilities

Accessibility planning should recognize that not every disability is visible and that barriers can affect people with sensory, cognitive, neurological and other disabilities.

Winter accessibility

Snow and ice management should consider the importance of maintaining accessible routes between homes, sidewalks, crossings, transit connections, community facilities and public spaces.

Universal design

Where practical, public infrastructure should be designed so that it can be used by the widest possible range of people without requiring separate accommodations.

Lived experience

People with disabilities should be meaningfully involved in decisions affecting accessibility because lived experience provides information that technical planning alone cannot provide.

Measuring progress

Accessibility should be evaluated through actual barrier removal, accessible infrastructure, participation and resident experience rather than simply through the existence of policies.

Commitment to Collaborate

Working With Residents and Community Organizations

Listening before deciding

Residents and community organizations have knowledge that municipal data cannot always capture.

A commitment to collaboration means creating meaningful opportunities for residents to participate before major decisions are finalized.

Community organizations as partners

Neighbourhood associations, environmental organizations, accessibility organizations, animal welfare organizations, youth organizations, seniors organizations, cultural organizations, businesses, nonprofits and volunteer groups all contribute knowledge and experience that can strengthen municipal decision making.

Inclusive engagement

Community participation should include multiple ways to provide input, including online engagement, written submissions, community meetings and accessible consultation.

Reaching people who are often missed

Municipal engagement should make an effort to hear from people who may not normally attend City meetings, including people with disabilities, seniors, renters, newcomers, youth and residents facing other barriers to participation.

Closing the feedback loop

Residents deserve to know what was heard, what recommendations were considered and why particular decisions were ultimately made.

Respectful disagreement

A healthy community will not always agree on every issue.

The commitment should be to listen respectfully, consider evidence and lived experience, explain decisions clearly and continue working with residents even when there are differences of opinion.

Ongoing collaboration

Community engagement should continue throughout the term of Council rather than becoming active only during an election period.

Overall Commitments

Building Ward 6 Together

Ward 6 is part of a rapidly growing Kitchener and decisions made today will influence the community for decades.

The City itself describes its long term vision as building a city for everyone where residents work together to take care of the world around them and each other.

This platform is built around that principle.

A commitment to affordability.

A commitment to responsible growth.

A commitment to safe and accessible transportation.

A commitment to strong neighbourhoods.

A commitment to environmental justice.

A commitment to local economic opportunity.

A commitment to recreation and community life.

A commitment to transparency and accountability.

A commitment to animal welfare.

A commitment to accessibility and disability inclusion.

Above all, it is a commitment to listen to residents, work with community organizations, use evidence responsibly and communicate openly about the decisions that affect Ward 6.