2022 State of the Region focuses on community conversations

Waterloo Region – This morning, the Region of Waterloo hosted the 2022 State of the Region address in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Waterloo region.

This year's event was called Community Conversations. Chair Redman invited three special guests for one-on-one conversations to highlight their work, how it contributes economically and socially to the Region, and benefits residents. 

Joining the conversation was Clarence Cachagee, founder of Crow Shield Lodge, Communitech CEO Chis Albinson, and Dr. Suzanne Kearns from the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics. 

"We have a vision for our community - working towards an inclusive, equitable, thriving and sustainable region. With connected urban and rural communities, a global reach, and fostering opportunities for current and future generations," said Chair Redman. 

Each guest represented ways our Region is experiencing and adapting to growth. 

From unlearning the past and working to become allies and supporting Indigenous people; to the innovative spirit that attracts big thinkers and ideas to call Waterloo Region home and to putting sustainability at the forefront of expansion and infrastructure, the Region of Waterloo is leading the way.

"Growth in all of its forms is not just important. It is essential. It is only possible through strong leadership, partnerships, and forward thinking. Together we have a vision for growth in this community," continued Redman. "Together, we set goals for the future. We make things happen. That is why this Region matters." 

Transcript of the Chair's speech

Welcome, everyone, to this year’s State of the Region address. 

We have many notable people in attendance here today, including Regional Councillors, partners from area municipalities and townships, local Members of Parliament as well as our three panel members for this morning’s discussion.

I would first like to thank the Rotary for their ongoing partnership with us. Back in 2020,  Rotary approached me for the very first State of the Region event. We have worked together since then, raising money for an important cause.

Thank you to those who generously donated this year to KidsAbility, an organization that supports nearly 9,000 children and youth to reach their developmental goals each year.  KidsAbility works to meet a critical need for our families. And their services are vital to our community. 

This is our third State of the Region, and every year it evolves. We began in person in 2020, went virtual last year, and we are doing a bit of both in 2022. No matter where you are joining us from, thank you for being part of what will be a thoughtful conversation about how our community is growing together.

We have a vision for growth in our community – working towards an inclusive, equitable, thriving, and sustainable region. With connected urban and rural communities. With global reach. Fostering opportunities for current and future generations.

Growth comes in many forms.

It is the ability to learn and unlearn. Together, as an organization and as a community, we are working on this.

We are learning to listen – to really listen – to community voices and diverse perspectives that surround us…

We are learning to make decisions with the community… 

We are learning how to address inequities and barriers in a meaningful way…

We are learning about the importance of self-determined communities, and supporting this with key investments.

Growth… is healing. 

We are on this journey together. Unlearning the past. Working to become allies and support Indigenous people. 

Clarence Cachagee from Crow Shield Lodge is here today to speak with us about these opportunities. Clarence is a helper in our community. He is building bridges between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people in the region.

This growth – the learning, unlearning, and healing, is happening together. That is how we are working towards an inclusive, equitable community where everyone can thrive.

Growth is also the ability to adapt.

Together, we are visionary and pragmatic. We are known for our resilience in the face of adversity.

For picking ourselves up. For reinventing ourselves. Through industry change. Through the pandemic. Through global issues and crises that impact us here at home.

We are a welcoming community. We are a community with forethought and big ideas. Our innovative spirit draws like-minded thinkers and is leading this community to exponential growth in many sectors, including tech. 

Communitech had projected the tech industry here would reach 24 thousand workers by 2025, but we surpassed that milestone last year – four years earlier than expected.This morning, Communitech CEO Chris Albinson will chat with us about what this growth means for our community and the challenges it can pose.

Together, we are thoughtful about our decisions on how we grow.

Growth must be smart. It must be sustainable.

The Region is working towards this with our partners in many sectors. Our airport was the sixth busiest in Canada last year, and we have invested in major expansion. We have an opportunity with our partners to collaborate to leverage this investment and lead the world as a hub for sustainable aeronautics.  Dr. Suzanne Kearns with the University of Waterloo’s aviation program is working to build this living lab. She is doing innovative work in this area and she will chat with us about it today.

Growth in all of its forms is not just important, it is essential. And it is only possible through strong leadership, strong partnerships, and forward thinking.

Together, we have a vision for growth in this community. It is captured in the Region’s Official Plan – a roadmap for the future of the community.

For transformational climate action and a thriving economy.

For sustainable transportation.

For housing that is affordable.

For improving the health and wellbeing of people who face systemic barriers. We are intentional.

Together, we set goals for the future. We make things happen.

That is why this region matters.

We matter because of our partnerships and our visionary leadership. We matter because of our diverse voices. We matter because we work together towards transformative change. 

To build the best community in Canada.

In this community, graduate students want to stay and build a life. In this community, all voices are heard. In this community diversity is not only respected, it is something we actively strive for.

I look forward to great things to come as we continue to work together in 2022.

Thank you.