Residents invited to give input into Region’s 2024 budget

Waterloo Region – The 2024 Plan and Budget process is underway, with residents invited to give input into how the Region of Waterloo should invest taxpayer dollars. The budget outlines how the Region will invest in programs and services that residents depend on every day.

Like residents, municipalities across Ontario continue to face rising costs. As Waterloo Region rapidly grows, so too does the need for more services. The Region also needs more funding from other levels of government to keep up with the growth.

“Given continued high inflation, cost escalation, and increasing service demands, the 2024 plan and budget presents challenges even greater than previous years,” says Regional Councillor Michael Harris, Chair of the Region’s Strategic Planning and Budget Committee. “We are committed to balancing affordability with delivering the essential services residents rely on. Hearing from the public is critical to getting the right balance – whether online or in-person through our public input sessions.”

The plan and budget will be guided by the priority areas identified in the Region’s four-year Strategic Plan, Growing with Care: homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities, and a resilient and future ready organization.

The region’s population is expected to grow to one million people by 2050.

There are several ways for community members to give input into the budget, including public input sessions and an online survey. For more information, visit: www.engagewr.ca/2024-plan-and-budget.

Regional Council will finalize the 2024 budget on December 13.

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