Citizens called upon to help create Waterloo Region’s future

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo launched a public input process today to understand citizen’s priorities on how and where to grow from now to 2041.

The Region’s population is expected to reach 835,000 people and 404,000 jobs by the year 2041. They are currently reviewing the Regional Official Plan (ROP), a key document that guides long-term growth and development in the Region, and public input is critical.

“We’re building on the success of the current plan that made intensification a priority, to protect our urban and rural countryside line preventing urban sprawl,” said Tom Galloway, Chair, Planning and Works Committee, Region of Waterloo. “We’ve heard from residents in the past that protecting the environment, water and employment land are also important, now we want to get their ideas going forward.”

The Region is hosting a series of public input meetings and an online engagement website, known as engagewr.ca, to collect your ideas on what we should look like in 2041. They’re seeking opinions on themes such as: housing, transportation, agriculture, conservation, communities and employment to name a few.

“We want to know how people see Waterloo Region 20 years from now,” said Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development and Legislative Service at the Region. “How do we live? How are we getting around? Where do we work and go to school, and what kind of communities do we want to spend time in with family and friends?”

Visit engagewr.ca to share your opinions or for a list of open house events happening throughout the Region. Visit the Region’s website for more information on the ROP.

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For more information please contact:

Bryan Stortz, Director of Corporate Communications, 519-575-4408 or bstortz@regionofwaterloo.ca

Rod Regier, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Service, 519-575-4001 or rregier@regionofwaterloo.ca