1 day Ago By CBC
Waterloo region's municipal leaders say they're keeping a close eye on what's happening in provincial and federal politics. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he'll step down as Liberal leader once a new party leader is chosen and prorogued parliament until March 24. On top of that, rumours continue to swirl about a possible provincial — and maybe even a federal — election in the next few months.
Regional Chair Karen Redman says despite the political distractions, the next steps are pretty simple: Focus on what is needed locally. "What the region needs to do is continue to focus on priorities, continue to articulate those priorities and make a business case for those priorities because then local representatives carry those priorities," she told CBC K-W's The Morning Edition with Craig Norris on Tuesday. She says that includes talking to people who are elected, or who are running for seats, about important infrastructure projects like expanding the Ion LRT.
"It's those big ideas and those solutions and that path forward at the local level that engages provincial and federal representatives say we could, you know, support that," she said. LISTEN | Regional Chair Karen Redman on what's in store for Waterloo region in 2025 : Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe says work between city staff and provincial and federal staff will continue because while politicians may not be debating each other right now, staff continue to deliver programs. She says Trudeau has worked well with municipalities and "made cities a priority.
" "I certainly hope that that continues with whoever is the next prime minister," McCabe said. But, she added, elections are a good chance to articulate key municipal priorities directly to candidates and to remind local residents of them, too. "We'll continue to talk to them about the need for a new social and economic fiscal framework.
That's something that's really key for municipalities," she said. She added the city and region are always ready to talk about the need for infrastructure funding, including helping upgrade facilities to reduce carbon emissions or to build the second stage of the Ion LRT line. Regional Chair Karen Redman says the region's priorities in the coming weeks needs to be to focus on local issues and continuing work to advocate for local priorities, even despite a possible provincial and/or federal election.
(Kate Bueckert/CBC) 'We still have wants and needs' Wellesley council is preparing to pass the township's 2025 budget on Jan. 14. Mayor Joe Nowak says they're passing a budget "without additional expectations from the other levels of government other than what has already been committed.
" But, he added, that doesn't mean meetings with other levels of government will stop. "We will continue advocating to whoever will listen. Like all municipalities, we still have wants and needs," he said.
Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz says when it comes to advocating for their needs, municipalities rely on support from organizations like the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "The value here can be found in the power of having collective voices to advocate for all municipalities at both a provincial and federal level," she said. Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett says she has "no concerns" and fully expects programs like the housing accelerator fund will not be affected by Trudeau's announcement and any possibility of a federal election.
"Any current policies or legislation will be ongoing while political machinations envelope the country," she said. Elections 'an opportunity' to raise priorities Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen agreed with McCabe that a possible provincial and/or federal election is "an opportunity to advance our municipality's priorities with upper levels of government." "We are hopeful that the elections on the horizon will provide an opportunity for current elected officials and hopeful candidates to engage with municipal priorities and our vision for Wilmot's path forward," she said.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic also agreed the federal government has worked well with the city and region, and "quite frankly, has raised the bar in terms of what's expected in that relationship going forward." He says ongoing investment in the community is going to be necessary, no matter who wins any future provincial or federal elections. North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton, right, sits with township councillor Derrick Ostner, left, and regional councillor for Cambridge Doug Craig, centre, at a press conference in this June 2023 file photo.
Foxton says work in the township must move forward even as other levels of government face turmoil and/or elections. (Carmen Groleau/CBC) North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton says for her, there are many questions and concerns going into 2025, "especially about potential grants in process but not confirmed." While township staff have been told grants will be processed, it's unclear when that will happen, she said.
"As the federal government is in a state of transition and the provincial government prepares for a potential election, we will move forward with caution and hope but we will move forward," Foxton told CBC News. "The people deserve steady and consistent service from their municipalities and that is exactly what we will continue to provide.".
