Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee

Minutes

Tuesday, November 04, 2025 at 9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Council Chambers

Members Present:

• K. Redman, 
• D. Craig, 
• J. Erb, 
• S. Foxton, 
• M. Harris, 
• C. Huinink, 
• C. James, 
• J. Liggett, 
• D. McCabe, 
• J. Nowak, 
• M. Rodrigues, 
• N. Salonen, 
• S. Shantz, 
• B. Vrbanovic, 
• P. Wolf, 
• and J. Gowing 

Should you require an alternative format or a copy of the official minutes please contact the Regional Clerk at Tel.: [phone], TTY: 519-575-4605, or

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1.

Call to Order

Chair C. James called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Chair C. James provided a land acknowledgement.

3.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest under the “Municipal Conflict of Interest Act”

None declared.

4.

Presentations

None.

5.

Delegations

5.1

Allen Langdon, Chief Executive Officer, Circular Materials and Jennifer Kerr, Director, Community & Media Relations - Ontario

The delegation spoke to the blue box transition that the organization is assuming for municipalities.

In reply to a question from the Committee, the delegation clarified the timeline for the anticipated changes.

Responding to a question from the Committee, the delegation indicated the organization can report back to the Committee on progress. Furthermore, the delegation elaborated on the partnerships and education programs ongoing, especially as it relates to providing information to the public. The delegation further clarified that the information will be available in English and French, with other languages being available upon request, and added that Council members will have the toolkit for communications to provide to residents as well.

D. McCabe joined the meeting at 9:06 AM. ()

N. Salonen joined the meeting at 9:17 AM. ()

5.2

Kathryn McGarry, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the Light Rail Train (LRT) extension into Cambridge.

M. Harris left the meeting at 9:37 AM. ()

5.3

Sheri Roberts, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.4

Patrick Simmons, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

M. Harris joined the meeting at 9:46 AM. ()

5.5

Patrick Gaskin, President & CEO, Cambridge Memorial Hospital

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

M. Harris left the meeting at 9:54 AM. ()

5.6

Eric Bolton, Owner/Founder, E-Bolt Music, Galt Love, and Grand River Pride and Bryan Causarano-Bolton

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

D. McCabe left the meeting at 9:57 AM. ()

5.7

Brian Paul, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

D. McCabe joined the meeting at 10:06 AM. ()

5.8

Tom Galloway, Kitchener

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

In reply to a question from the Committee, the delegation emphasized the necessity of communicating with the public and business owners along the route as a critical lesson from phase 1. He elaborated on the potential expense savings for road projects that may result from the building of the LRT. 

5.9

Brian Kennedy, Executive Director, Downtown Cambridge BIA

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.10

Brooklin Wallis, Kitchener

Did not appear.

5.11

Ellie Liu, Waterloo

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

J. Gowing left the meeting at 10:22 AM. ()

5.12

George Sousa, Member, Citizens for Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.13

Tara De Souza, Sustainable Transportation Specialist, and Andri Efstathiou, Administrative Officer, School of Architecture

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

In reply to a question from the Committee, the delegation spoke to the way transit effects students and how the LRT extension may serve to benefit students.

5.14

Joseph Puopolo, Co-CEO, Polocorp Inc.

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

In reply to a question from the Committee, the delegation emphasized the importance of investment at various level of governments as well as the potential for private funding for projects of this scale.

J. Gowing joined the meeting at 10:43 AM. ()

D. McCabe left the meeting at 10:43 AM. ()

D. McCabe joined the meeting at 10:44 AM. ()

5.15

Scott Hamilton, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.16

Matthew Bugeya, Kitchener

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.17

Mackenzie Meek, Planner/Project Manager, Cambridge Mill

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.18

Helen Shwery, Councillor Ward 1, City of Cambridge Councillor

The delegation spoke in opposition of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

S. Shantz left the meeting at 11:10 AM. ()

5.19

Seth Van Leeuwen, North Dumfries

The delegation spoke in favour of the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.20

David Craig, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in opposition to the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.21

Adam Cooper, Cambridge

The delegation spoke in moderate opposition to the LRT extension into Cambridge.

5.22

John Waylett, President, Property Taxpayers Alliance Inc.

The delegation spoke in opposition to the LRT extension into Cambridge.

6.

Consent Agenda

Items 6.2.1 and 6.3.1 were pulled from the consent agenda.

• Moved by J. Gowing
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  That the Consent Agenda items be received for information and approved for item 6.1.1. Items 6.2.1. and 6.3.1 were removed from the consent agenda.

  In Favor (13)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

  Carried (13 to 0)

6.1

Strategic Priority - Homes for All

6.1.1

PDL-GDS-25-013, Monitoring Change in the Central Transit Corridor, 2025 Report

6.2

Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

6.3

Strategic Priority - Resilient and Future Ready Organization

6.2

Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

6.2.1

EES-FFM-25-003, Minimum Sustainable Construction Standard for Regional Facilities

In reply to a question from the Committee, Jennifer Rose, Commissioner, Engineering and Environmental Services, provided details as to the difference between the new standards versus the current one, and explained the implact related to environmental costs.

M. Harris joined the meeting at 11:48 AM. ()

• Moved by C. Huinink
  Seconded by P. Wolf

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following actions to promote sustainable development and practices for Regional facilities, as outlined in report EES-FFM-25-003, dated November 4, 2025:

  1. update the minimum sustainable design and construction standard to Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building-Design (ZCB-Design) Standard for new Regional facilities, replacing the existing LEEDTM Silver standard

  In Favor (14)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

  Carried (14 to 0)

6.3

Strategic Priority - Resilient and Future Ready Organization

6.3.1

TSD-TRP-25-017, Regional Road Sign By-law Update

• Moved by J. Liggett
  Seconded by D. McCabe

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo revise By-law 10-030 titled “A By-law Respecting Signs on Regional Roads”, to include the following revisions to Part VI - Farm Accessory Signs:

  1. Remove the following Part VI – Farm Accessory Signs from By-law 10-030:

  No person shall place or permit to be placed on a Regional road any farm accessory sign except for a farm accessory sign that:

  1. is a ground-mounted, moveable or wire-mounted sign; and
  2. has no part of the sign within:
     1. 0.5 metres of a roadway if there is a curb and no shoulder;
     2. 0.5 metres of a shoulder;
     3. 3.0 metres of a roadway if there is no curb and no shoulder;
     4. 0.5 metres of a sidewalk;
     5. 5.0 metres of a driveway other than the farm driveway, measured from the nearest edge of the driveway; or
     6. 15.0 metres of an intersecting road, measured from the nearest edge of the shoulder or the roadway if there is no shoulder.

  2. Add the following Part VI – Farm Accessory Signs to By-law 10-030:

  No person shall place or permit to be placed on a Regional road any farm accessory sign except for a farm accessory sign that:

  1. has dimensions that are not more than 2.0 metres in sign width (side to side) and not more than 1.0 metre in sign length (top to bottom);
  2. is a moveable or wire-mounted sign;
  3. has no part of the sign within
     1. 0.5 metres of a roadway if there is a curb and no shoulder
     2. 0.5 metres of a shoulder;
     3. 3.0 metres of a roadway if there is no curb and no shoulder;
     4. 0.5 metres of a sidewalk;
     5. 5.0 metres of a driveway other than the farm driveway, measured from the nearest edge of the driveway; or
     6. 15.0 metres of an intersecting road, measured from the nearest edge of the shoulder or the roadway if there is no shoulder;
  4. is placed within the perpendicular projection into the road of the side property lines of the premises of the farm being advertised, on the same side of the road as the farm, but only where the physical location of the building in which the farm resides is so close to the road so as to preclude the sign from being located off the road; and
  5. directs attention only to the activities, products, services or facilities produced, manufactured or provided by the business or enterprise at that same location.

  as outlined in Report TSD-TRP-25-017 dated November 4, 2025.

  In Favor (14)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

  Carried (14 to 0)

7.

Regular Agenda

7.1

Strategic Priority - Climate Aligned Growth

7.1.1

TSD-RTS-25-003, Stage 2 ION Initial Business Case Results

Doug Spooner, Acting Commissioner, Transportation Services, introduced the report and presentation for Rapid Transit to Cambridge. He elaborated on the results of the business case and the rationale behind the staff recommendation.

Replying to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to the costs and challenges associated with elevated guideways at platforms.

In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner indicated that other projects have received full funding and spoke to the possibilities for funding more broadly.

Responding to the Committee, D. Spooner provided clarification as to the expected economic benefits of extending the LRT into Cambridge. He further clarified the expected operating and maintenance costs associated with the project. D. Spooner indicated that that ongoing communications will be implemented so the public has an awareness of updates as they come.

S. Shantz joined the meeting at 12:31 PM. ()

B. Vrbanovic joined the meeting at 12:31 PM. ()

• Moved by P. Wolf
  Seconded by D. Craig

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo take the following action regarding the Region’s proposed extension of Rapid Transit to Cambridge, as outlined in report TSD-RTS-25-003, dated November 4, 2025:

  1. Endorse a full-length extension from Fairway Station in Kitchener to Downtown Cambridge as the preferred route length;
  2. Endorse Light Rail Transit (LRT) as the preferred vehicle technology; and
  3. Direct staff to pursue full funding from the Provincial and Federal governments for project development and implementation.

  In Favor (15)	B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing
  Opposed (1)	J. Liggett

  Carried (15 to 1)

7.2

Strategic Priority - Resilient and Future Ready Organization

7.2.1

TSD-TRP-25-016, Regional Road Assumption Criteria Policy Update

8.

Information/Correspondence

8.1

Council/Committee Tracking List

Received for information.

8.2

Zack Red, Waterloo

Received for information.

8.3

Jesse Wilson, Kitchener

Received for information.

8.4

Douglas E. Bartholomew-Saunders, Cambridge

Received for information.

8.5

Howard J. Levine, Grimsby

Received for information.

8.6

Devin Sisak, Cambridge

Received for information.

8.7

Damian Mikhail, President, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA)

Received for information.

8.8

Kae Elgie, Waterloo

Received for information.

8.9

Jeff Donkersgoed, Cambridge

Received for information.

9.

Other Business

In reply to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to the Elmira truck bypass public input session. He indicated this project can be discussed as part of the budget process as well as in December of 2025 with the anticipated introduction of the Integrated Mobility Plan.

Responding to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner spoke to the work being done in North Dumfries for truck diversion.

In response to a question from the Committee, D. Spooner provided clarification to the ridership updates especially as it pertains to recovery and heightened demand. Furthermore, he spoke to the pilot program for not-for-profit organizations.

10.

Next Meeting - December 2, 2025

The next meeting for the Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

11.

Motion to Enter into Closed Session

B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at 1:03 PM. ()

J. Liggett left the meeting at 1:04 PM. ()

• Moved by M. Rodrigues
  Seconded by S. Foxton

  
  That a closed meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee, Community and Health Services Committee, and Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee be held on November 4, 2025 immediately following this motion electronically, in accordance with Section 239 of the “Municipal Act, 2001”, for the purposes of considering the following subject matters:

  1. *Receiving information related to an identifiable individual;
  2. Receiving information regarding employee negotiations related to Union matters;
  3. *Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege regarding potential litigation;
  4. *Receiving advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege related to a proposed acquisition of land.

  In Favor (14)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

  Carried (14 to 0)

12.

Adjourn

• Moved by J. Gowing
  Seconded by J. Erb

  That the meeting adjourn at 1:04 p.m.

  In Favor (14)

  J. Erb, J. Nowak, K. Redman, M. Harris, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, M. Rodrigues, and J. Gowing

  Carried (14 to 0)