Connie MacDonald, Chief Communications & Strategy Officer, spoke about the Region's growth challenges and the effect those challenges will have on the 2023 Strategic Plan refresh and the 2023 Budget processes.
Close to one million people will call Waterloo Region home by 2051. This is exciting growth but will put pressure on the Region's essential services.
Rod Regier, Commissioner, Planning, Development and Legislative Services, spoke about a diverse, equitable, sustainable and thriving vision for Waterloo Region.
The annual rate of growth across Waterloo Region has been just under 2%, one of the highest growth rates in Canada. This can be challenging to the way that we deliver services, but also presents a significant opportunity. It helps create a situation where the Region can respond more progressively, build urban infrastructure to address communities and build neighbourhoods that are vibrant and sustainable.
R. Regier summarized a number of considerations for the 2023 Plan and Budget process and the 2023 Strategic Plan Refresh, including:
- The Region's commitments to decrease greenhouse gas emissions
- Global income and wealth inequality
- United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- Economic Development, Industry and Infrastructure
- Relationships with Indigenous communities
- Creating 15 minute neighbourhoods
- Protection of agriculture resources and the natural heritage systems
- Affordable housing
- Transformational climate action
Several members of the Committee thanked staff for the informative presentation and requested that the presentation slides be shared with community groups, organizations and be available on the Region's website.