Council Info – Oct. 10, 2018

August 01, 2025

Council Info is a summary of discussion and the major items presented at Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. You are encouraged to quote from and copy this information. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.

Region to help implement cannabis legislation

Council approved amending the Code of Use By-law to regulate the smoking of cannabis on Regional facilities. Council also approved amending the Smoke-free policy for new leases and transfers to prohibit the use of cannabis at Region owned community housing facilities. The consumption of cannabis will become legal in Ontario on October 17, 2018.The Region’s Cannabis Working Group (CWG) has been reviewing policies, procedures and by-laws to determine what changes must be made prior to the cannabis legalization date. Smoking of cannabis will be prohibited on Regional property, unless there is a designated tenant or resident cannabis smoking area on Community Housing or Sunnyside property. Regional employees will not be allowed to smoke cannabis on Regional properties unless there is an accommodation for medical reasons.

Efficiency programs help achieve possible budget surplus

Regional Council received a financial update on year-end budget projections for 2018. While water and wastewater budgets are expected to break even, direct Regional tax supported operations are projected to end the year under budget – leaving a surplus of approximately $3.6 million. Here are some of the ways the Region saved money:

  • Electricity costs $764,000 below budget.
  • Received additional funding for Paramedic Services.
  • Increased transit ridership earned approximately $1 million more than expected.
  • Supplementary taxes will add $1.6 million to Region’s budget.

The Region has worked to streamline processes and implement efficiency plans to save on energy costs, water treatment, and housing and building maintenance. Also some funds saved for emergencies weren’t needed. Not all program areas achieved savings but overall the Region expects to come out ahead in 2018.

Retired ambulance will be donated for use in Guatemala

Paramedic Services will donate a retired ambulance to Alianza Canada for use in rural Guatemala. Alianza is non-profit community health project in Comitancillo, Guatemala. This rural community has no public health system or government-funded emergency responders. A group of grassroots volunteers now respond to medical calls, fires and natural disasters. This ambulance will help them better respond to medical emergencies. Alianza will cover the cost of shipping and insurance for the ambulance. For more information, go to www.alianzacanada.org.

Video highlights Good Samaritan Act 

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) and the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Networkwill be raising awareness about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act through a short Public Service Announcement (PSA) and film to be released during the week of October 29. The PSA and film feature local citizens and highlight a law that removes some of the barriers for people seeking medical assistance during an overdose emergency. The legislation is a result of a private members Bill (C-224) based on research completed by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. The PSA, film and other resources about the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act will be made available at www.overdoseprevention.ca.

Council approves additional temporary shelter

The Region of Waterloo approved the YWCA on Frederick Street in Kitchener as a temporary shelter overflow option for 2018/19. The Emergency Shelter System operates as one system and is never “full”. If capacity at one site is reached, shelter participants are referred to another site or overflow option in the region so that all available beds are used. Over the last six months, occupancy in the adult-serving shelters has been running at close to full occupancy. To prepare for the need for additional spaces over the colder winter months when demand for shelter increases, another shelter overflow option was required. This temporary shelter overflow option will be covered by existing provincial funding at cost $347,000.

Tenders/Contracts:                                                                    

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

  • $8,919,914 to Maple Reinders Construction Ltd. and Ball Construction Ltd. (joint venture) for New Hamburg Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades.
  • $2,282,837 To Dialog Design Inc. for Waterloo Regional Police Service Central Division consulting service at 200 Frederick Street in Kitchener.
  • $1,100,418 to LGL Limited to provide consulting services over a 5.5 year period for undertaking the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program.
  • $512,800 to Iron Bridge Fabrication Inc. to supply three prefabricated pedestrian bridges for Homer Watson Boulevard Improvements.
  • $396,820.74 to The Aftermarket Parts Company for miscellaneous bus parts for a three year period (annual estimated cost of $132,273.58).
  • $390.954 to Frank Cowan Company Ltd. for the General Insurance Program for Waterloo Region Housing.
  • $351,600 (combined total) to LP Landscape Plus Inc. ($190,600) and Botelho Asphalting & General Maintenance Ltd. ($161,000) for winter maintenance at Grand River Transit Bus stops for Waterloo, Woolwich, Wilmot Townships and Cambridge service areas.

 

Region’s Oktoberfest float wins award

The Region’s 2018 Oktoberfest Parade float, entitled “The past, present and future” has been recognized with the Hans and Frieda Award. The float features eight historical photographs from around Waterloo Region, digitally merged with modern-day photographs of the same areas. The five-foot images are currently on display at 150 Frederick Street.


Next Council Meeting
November 14, 2018 at 7 p.m.