Category Archives: Newsroom

Posts from the CKMS Newsroom programs, community shows, and associated news sites.

The CKMS Newsroom works to provide a deeper analysis of the issues that impact our communities, than which the mainstream news sources provide.

The CKMS Newsroom is comprised of volunteers and journalists and is organised by the Newsroom Committee:
dan kellar (@dankellar) is the current lieutenant of news with Bob Jonkman as the technical expert and newsie.

From May 2023 the CKMS Newsroom has been receiving funding from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and Heritage Canada through the “Local Journalism Initiative” project. Check out the country-wide LJI content at frequencynews.ca

The journalists for the LJI project are: Leah Gerber, dan kellar

Past newsroom journalists include: Ivan Angelovski, MP Holmes, Shalaka Jadhav, and Namish Modi.

Region of Waterloo Public Health urging people and children to get vaccinated for measles as measles outbreak continues in Ontario

Host: Leah Gerber

While no cases have been reported in Waterloo Region yet, a measles outbreak that started in October continues in Ontario. So far, over 200 cases have been reported in the province, double the number reported between 2013 and 2023 combined. This comes at the same time Waterloo Region Public Health staff released a notice stating that nearly 9,000 children in the region need to get their vaccination records up to date or face suspension in early April. 

Radio Waterloo spoke with David Aoki, the director of infectious disease and chief nursing officer for Region of Waterloo public health as well as Zahid Butt, assistant professor in the school of public health sciences at the university of waterloo and canada research chair in interdisciplinary research for pandemic preparedness to learn more about measles, and why people might be hesitant to vaccinate their children.

CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

CKMS news -2025-03-06- New mini-documentary series digs into “secretive” assembly of farmland in Wilmot township by regional government

dan kellar
Wilmot Township, ON – 
A new group of concerned residents has formed to support the farmers in Wilmot township whose lands  are being targeted by the regional government for an undisclosed industrial project. Since the
Wilmot Civic Action Network (WilmotCAN) formed in December 2024, members have been raising awareness about the land grab and demanding accountability from local politicians. 

Beyond delegating to municipal councils, and confronting provincial politicians at public events, the group has also co-ordinated the creation of two mini-documentaries about the issue. A third video in the “Unearthed” series is in production.

This show features an interview with John Jordan, a founding member of WilmotCAN and a direct neighbour of the land targeted for purchase by the regional government. Jordan spoke to CKMS News about the Wilmot Civic Action Network, the mini-documentary series they are producing, and the lack of transparency around the project.

CKMS News reached out to Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris Jr and Regional chairperson Karen Redman for comments about claims made in the videos and at council meetings, but did not receive a response.

For more on the land assembly check out this piece from CKMS News: https://www.frequencynews.ca/news/farmers-bring-over-40-tractors-into-downtown-kitchener-to-protest-wilmot-township-land-expropriation/

Many religions practice fasting, and a local Muslim group is hosting an event to talk about it

Host: Leah Gerber

Fasting is the topic up for discussion at an upcoming multi-faith celebration at the Kitchener City Hall Rotunda this coming Sunday, March 9. The InterFaith and Multicultural Flavours of Iftar event includes a panel discussion on the role of fasting in various faiths featuring leaders from Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Jewish traditions. There will also be a discussion about how fasting and Iftar a celebrated during Ramadan around the world, the keynote speaker Imam Aizaz Khan of the Baitul Islam Mosque in Vaughan. The event is capped with a meal featuring local caterers showcasing food from cultures around the world. 

Radio Waterloo spoke with organizer Nabeel Rana and local Imam Fatir Mahmood Ahmad who is speaking on the panel, both of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community that is hosting the event. They spoke about the importance of fasting for physical, moral and spiritual health, as well as their hopes the event will bring the community together. 

Anyone interested in learning more or attending the event is encouraged to connect with baitul.kareem.mosque@gmail.com

CKMS News -2025-03-04- City of Waterloo launches “Get READI” plan to address systemic inequity.

CKMS News – 2025-03-04- City of Waterloo launches “Get READI” plan to address systemic inequity.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – As Waterloo works to incorporate reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, the launch of the Get READI plan in mid-February will now guide all city divisions as they plan and provide programs and services for the community. 

While announcing the launch, mayor Dorothy McCabe said that the work the city does must reflect the growing size and diversity of the city’s population. The city has been working towards this goal since 2017 to address historical systemic denial of equity.

This show features an interview with Divya Handa, the director of reconciliation, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion at the city of Waterloo.  Handa discusses the Get READI plan including the genesis and origin of the city’s work, the cooperation needed in drafting the plan, how implementation will happen, and addresses some of the critiques of DEI that have been raised.

More affordable housing slated for downtown Kitchener, along with a new fire station

Host: Leah Gerber

A new project is in the beginning stages to build a dual-purpose project in downtown Kitchener. The site at 450 and 470 King Street East is slated to be developed with both an affordable housing site and the city’s eighth fire station. 

Radio Waterloo spoke with Rosa Bustamante, director of planning and housing policy with the city, and Lori Trumper executive director of Kitchener Housing Inc, which will oversee the project, about some of the details 

While the project is still in it’s very early stages, Bustamante and Trumper say there will be about 150 units of mixed size and affordability. Bustamante says city staff are hopeful the project will begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027.

CKMS News -2025-02-26- Speed management initiatives put the brakes on driver speeds in Waterloo.

CKMS News -2025-02-26- Speed management initiatives put the brakes on driver speeds in Waterloo.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –
The
second progress report on Waterloo’s Speed Management Plan was presented to city council on Monday, and in most cases, drivers are slowing down.  The report looked at the data gathered before and after new speed limits were posted on neighbourhood streets across most wards in the city. Limits were reduced to 40km/h in most places and to 30km/h in school zones and ward 7, the area around uptown.

Across the affected areas, city staff found an average reduction in driver speed to be around 5km/h, which according to a 2012 report form Ontario Coroners office would amount to fewer deaths and less severe injuries in the case of a crash with another vehicle or someone not in a car. City staff told CKMS News that the number of crashes and other incidents has reduced since the speed reductions initiative commenced.

This show features an interview with Jenny Renaud, the manager of transport engineering at the City of Waterloo.

A chat with Catherine Fife, NDP candidate and current seat holder for Waterloo’s riding

Host: Leah Gerber

Radio Waterloo spoke with the candidates for the Waterloo riding as the 2025 Ontario provincial election, scheduled for February 27 draws closer. 

We’ll be releasing a series of four pieces, each highlighting our interview with one of the candidates. We’ve included the Ontario Liberal, NDP, Green and New Blue parties. The Ontario Progressive Conservative party did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. 

Today’s piece features the NDP candidate for the Waterloo riding, Catherine Fife. Fife has held Waterloo’s seat since 2012 and is in her fourth term as MPP.

Fife shared her thoughts on what she feels are the top issues in Waterloo, how she and her party plan to address them. She also spoke about what the tariff threats coming from the United States could mean for this community and her party’s stance on addressing them.

Other posts in the series:

Meet Shafaza Esmail, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo’s provincial riding

Clayton Moore, Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Waterloo Region wants less talk and more results for average Ontarians

Suja Biber, New Blue Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo Riding says she’s ready to deal with the root causes of Ontario’s problems, rather than scratching the surface

Suja Biber, New Blue Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo Riding says she’s ready to deal with the root causes of Ontario’s problems, rather than scratching the surface

Host: Leah Gerber

Radio Waterloo spoke with the candidates for the Waterloo riding as the 2025 Ontario provincial election, scheduled for February 27 draws closer. 

We’ll be releasing a series of four pieces, each highlighting our interview with one of the candidates. We’ve included the Ontario Liberal, NDP, Green and New Blue parties. The Ontario Progressive Conservative party did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. 

Today’s piece features the New Blue Party of Ontario candidate for the Waterloo riding, Suja Biber. 

Biber has a background in physiotherapy, massage therapy and public administration, and previously served on the board of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. She values balancing professional work with giving back to her community.

Note: In her discussion of the local doctor shortage, Biber said there are about 40,000 to 60,000 people in Waterloo without access to a family doctor, but this number more closely corresponds to the rough statistic for Waterloo Region, which is 60,000 to 70,000. 

Note: The audio in this piece was edited to remove a portion saying Biber currently serves on the board of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. She no longer serves on this board.

Other pieces in the series:

A chat with Catherine Fife, NDP candidate and current seat holder for Waterloo’s riding

Clayton Moore, Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Waterloo Region wants less talk and more results for average Ontarians

Meet Shefaza Esmail, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo’s provincial riding

 

 

CKMS News -2025-02-20- New exhibitions at city of waterloo museum a “space for reflection” on the region’s colonial roots.

CKMS News -2025-02-20- New exhibitions at City of Waterloo Museum a “space for reflection” on the region’s colonial roots

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –
New exhibits which explore Indigenous histories and resilience have opened at the City of Waterloo Museum.  These “impactful and informative” exhibits are a “space for reflection” about the effects of colonialism “in our own backyard”.  

Two of the exhibits are Killing the Indian in the Child: Generations Lost and Bi-Giwen: Coming Home – Truth-Telling from the Sixties Scoop, both created by the organisation Legacy of Hope.  The Sixties Scoop refers to actions by provincial governments which intensified in the 1960’s where Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities and adopted out to primary Euro-Canadian middle class families throughout North America. The Sixties Scoop was a continuation of colonial violence, and similar to Residential Schools the goal was assimilating Indigenous children into “western society”.

The other two exhibits are Bead the Tract from the organisation Protect the Tract which is a beadwork representation of the Haldimand Tract, and graphic recordings by Mohawk artist Dakota Brant. Graphic recordings are large-scale colourful drawings with written information, which are used for translating spoken word by facilitators during community engagement.

In a press release announcing the new exhibits, the city says “these exhibitions delve into the lasting impacts of the Residential School system and the Sixties Scoop while amplifying Indigenous voices, resilience and the ongoing journey toward Reconciliation.”

This show features an interview with Jennifer Huber, the program and engagement associate with the City of Waterloo museum, which is located in Conestoga Mall on King Street North in Waterloo. Admission is Free.

CKMS News -2025-02-19- Non-partisan pre-election forum to focus on building local community power

CKMS News -2025-02-19- Non-partisan pre-election forum to focus on building local community power

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON –
Ahead of the provincial election and in the midst of several overlapping social, environmental, and economic crises, the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region is hosting the first in a series of community discussions centered on building local community power. 

The first event, called Cutting Through the Noise: A Forum for Building Community Power, is happening on Friday February 21st. Describing the impetus to organise the event’s webpage reads “history has shown us that social change is possible”.

David Alton, the facilitator of the event told CKMS News “I don’t want any political party to think they just get the vote of people in waterloo region, they have to earn it”

This show features an interview with David Alton, the lived expertise program facilitator at the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region, and the facilitator of this first event which runs from 7-9pm on Friday, February 21 St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, on Duke St in downtown Kitchener.

 

Clayton Moore, Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Waterloo Region wants less talk and more results for average Ontarians

Host: Leah Gerber

Radio Waterloo spoke with the candidates for the Waterloo riding as the 2025 Ontario provincial election, scheduled for February 27 draws closer. 

We’ll be releasing a series of four pieces, each highlighting our interview with one of the candidates. We’ve included the Ontario Liberal, NDP, Green and New Blue parties. The Ontario Progressive Conservative party did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. 

Today’s piece features the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for the Waterloo riding, Clayton Moore. Moore is a scientist and business professional focused on science communications and start-ups. 

Moore spoke about his take on the top issues in Waterloo, how he and the Ontario Liberals’ plan to address them. He also spoke about what the impact of potential tariffs coming from the United States could mean for Waterloo, and how his party would address these threats. 

Other pieces in the Series:

Suja Biber, New Blue Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo Riding says she’s ready to deal with the root causes of Ontario’s problems, rather than scratching the surface

 

A chat with Catherine Fife, NDP candidate and current seat holder for Waterloo’s riding

Meet Shefaza Esmail, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo’s provincial riding

 

Meet Shefaza Esmail, Green Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo’s provincial riding

Host: Leah Gerber

Radio Waterloo spoke with the candidates for the Waterloo riding as the 2025 Ontario provincial election, scheduled for February 27 draws closer. 

We’ll be releasing a series of four pieces, each highlighting our interview with one of the candidates. We’ve included the Ontario Liberal, NDP, Green and New Blue parties. The Ontario Progressive Conservative party did not respond to repeated requests for an interview. 

Today’s piece features the Green Party of Ontario candidate for the Waterloo riding, Shefaza Esmail.

Esmail shared her thoughts on the top issues in Waterloo, how she and her party plan to address them, what the tariff threats coming from the United States could mean for this community and her party’s stance on addressing the tariffs.

Other posts in the series:

Suja Biber, New Blue Party of Ontario candidate for Waterloo Riding says she’s ready to deal with the root causes of Ontario’s problems, rather than scratching the surface

 

A chat with Catherine Fife, NDP candidate and current seat holder for Waterloo’s riding

Clayton Moore, Ontario Liberal Party Candidate for Waterloo Region wants less talk and more results for average Ontarians

CKMS News -2025-02-13- Delegates warn of increased precarity and homelessness due to continued inaction on renoviction bylaw

CKMS News -2025-02-13- Delegates warn of increased precarity and homelessness due to continued inaction on renoviction bylaw.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – With hundreds of tenants in the city of Kitchener currently facing renoviction, local residents and housing advocates were pleading to city council on Monday night to fast-track by-laws to protect renters from “bad actor” landlords who use renovations as an excuse to evict tenants and increase rental prices. 

While Kitchener council has previously asked city staff to report back in June on the feasibility and jurisdictional issues of a renoviction by-law, 11 delegates, all in favour of stronger protections, argued that the city already has enough information to create new rules. Toronto, London, and Hamilton have all approved renoviction by-laws with Hamilton’s being enacted at the start of this year.

Several delegates at the meeting are members of the grassroots advocacy group Waterloo Region ACORN, who has been organizing renters facing renoviction at several buildings including 250 Frederick St and 141 Borden Ave. 

In the end, councillors voted for the status quo, and staff will still have until June to gather more information.

This show features audio from the February 10th council meeting, including delegates, city staff, and councillors.  

Cricket is so popular now in Waterloo Region, the cities are making a strategy to accommodate all the new players

Host: Leah Gerber

Cricket has exploded in popularity in Waterloo Region in the last few years. So much so, staff with the cities of Cambridge, Waterloo and Kitchener are working together to create a regional cricket strategy so they can accommodate the needs of the booming cricket community. 

Cricket community members have responded saying they need more space to play, indoor facilities and lighting so they can get as many players playing as possible in the area. 

Radio Waterloo spoke with Giridhar Bannaravuri, the president of the Southern Ontario Cricket Association, an organization which facilitates cricket in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Stratford and Guelph, as well as Lisa Collins, the manager of sport development and golf for the city of Kitchener to hear more about the upcoming strategy and the needs of the cricket community. 

Excerpt from “SOCA 2024 Season _ KWC Cricket _ SOCA Gala 2024” used with permission from SOCA.

A commercial meat cannery is opening in New Hamburg to ship tens of thousands of pounds of meat around the world

Host: Leah Gerber

Food insecurity is a major issue around the world, and made worse by conflicts and natural disasters. The Mennonite Central Committee is an organization that provides relief for people impacted by these disasters. Part of that work is to send canned meat. To this end, the organization has opted to open a commercial grade meat cannery in New Hamburg with the aim to produce 50,000 cans, or about 90,000 pounds of meat in its first year. 

Radio Waterloo spoke with Michelle Brenneman, the Executive Director of MCC Ontario as well as volunteer Doug Wagner to hear more about the new cannery and what will be involved with its operation. 

CKMS News -2025-02-05- Waterloo council endorses “sobering” homelessness report

CKMS News -2025-02-05- Waterloo council endorses “sobering” homelessness report

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –
Waterloo city council voted unanimously to endorse the recent report from the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario which found that more than 80,000 people were homes in Ontario in 2024, a rise of more than 25% since 2022.  

The report, titled “Municipalities Under Pressure: The Growing Human and Financial Cost of Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis” was released on January 9th of this year.

Beyond the numbers, the report offers ideas to address homelessness by focusing on long-term housing instead of the go-to actions of creating temporary emergency shelters and promoting police backed enforcement of property laws. 

This show features audio from the January 27th meeting where councillor Vasic and mayor McCabe spoke about the findings in the report, and heard from staff member Sandy Little who created a summary of the report for council.  Little notes that the conclusions and recommendations from the report are being investigated at the city and region.

Airbnbs and Vrbo rentals are now limited in Waterloo

Host: Leah Gerber

Short term rentals such as Airbnb or Vrbo rentals will now be limited to an owner’s principal residence in Waterloo. Waterloo city council voted unanimously earlier this month to this change as a response to complaints from neighbours about the rental units as well as to the ongoing housing crisis.

Radio Waterloo spoke with Waterloo mayor Dorothy McCabe for the reasoning for this change, as well as City of Kitchener Manager of Licensing Kristin VanDerGeld to ask if Kitchener staff and council are planning a similar move. 

Mayor McCabe said that city staff and council understand that people use short term rentals to supplement their income. She said that she still supports people doing this, but they need to do it in their primary residence, and that this move is an effort to find a balance so that other residents are not negatively impacted by someone’s rental property.

Seniors – a lot of them – are meeting up in Waterloo to talk about travel

Host: Leah Gerber

Every other Friday afternoon anywhere from 120 to 180 people gather together at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Community Pavilion to listen to a presentation about someone’s travel story.

The program has been meeting for well over ten years, and in the last few years has really begun to pick up steam with 2400 attendees in 2024.

Radio Waterloo spoke with Sarah Kelly, who organizes the program for the City of Waterloo, as well as long-time participant, volunteer host and presenter Rick Chambers to speak about the program and what exactly is drawing all these people together.

CKMS News -2025-01-25- City staff share progression on parking space reductions for developments with designated affordable units

CKMS News -2025-01-25- City staff share progression on parking space reductions for developments with designated affordable units

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – During the
city council meeting on January 27th, Waterloo policy planner Adam Zufferli presented an update on the city’s plan to reduce the number of parking spaces required for housing developments which include at least 25% affordable housing units.

Fewer parking spaces translates into a smaller footprint of each unit and a lower cost of development.  The parking space reduction initiative fits into the city’s affordable housing strategy and is a part of the city’s Housing Accelerator Fund plan that was approved by the federal government in April 2024. 

Council voted to receive the report and to instruct staff to “finalize the process, legal agreement template, and monitoring framework for reviewing parking reduction requests for affordable housing units”.  Public comments on the plan were due on the day of the presentation and Zufferli mentioned they will be included in the final presentation in a month’s time.

CKMS News 2025-01-24- A deep connection to place brings new classical composer back to Waterloo to launch debut album.

CKMS News -2025-01-24- A deep connection to place brings new classical composer back to Waterloo to launch debut album.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –
The Icarus Album, which is the debut work of new classical composer Erik Lankin, is being released today with a listening party and discussion at the Waterloo North Mennonite Church, a place with deep connection to his family. Lankin, who “grew up slowly in Kitchener-Waterloo” and is now based in Montreal, has reinterpreted the myth of Icarus and Daedalus for this album, as a metaphor for losing his father to mental illness.

Lankin says the musicians involved in the project are some of canada’s top classical soloists and neoclassical producers.

In an early review of The Icarus Album, Robin B. James of Igloo Magazine wrote “This amazing work of Erik Lankin creates a new triumph, which I would place high in the pantheon of significant human musical expressions.”

This show features an interview with The Icarus Album composer Erik Lankin. The listening party is a free event which starts at 7pm.

Gutsy farmers are taking on the challenge of re-invigorating the Canadian wool market

Host: Leah Gerber

These days, most Canadians source their sweaters, socks, hats, mitts, blankets, and all the other things we use yarn and cloth for, from abroad. The textile industry was once a major part of Waterloo Region and across Canada, but it’s been globalized away. For many farmers, selling their fleece isn’t worth the cost of transporting it, so much of Canada’s fleece is thrown away or burned. 

But, there is a small contingent of people in Ontario joining in a movement to make their living in a local textile industry. This includes raising sheep or other fibre-bearing animals, processing their fleece, and selling new products.

Radio Waterloo spoke with Romy Schill, Lindsay Webber and Donna Hancock, all women who keep fibre animals and have blazed new trails to make products from Canadian wool.

CKMS News -2025-01-22- Extreme cold threatens lives while regional government initiates action.

CKMS News -2025-01-22- Extreme cold elicits advocate pressure and forces regional government action

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON –
As daytime temperatures dipped below -20 degrees this week in Waterloo Region, anti-poverty advocates in Waterloo Region demanded action from municipal governments to open more indoor space for homeless community members. In response, the region teamed with local service providers to open a new
20 person emergency overnight warming space in Kitchener. A second emergency overnight warming space will open early next week in Cambridge.

This show features interviews with anti-poverty and housing advocate Regan Sunshine Brussé and councillor Jim Erb of the regional government. 

Brussé discusses the human rights approach to housing which the regional government adopted in the 2024 Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and offers her thoughts on how to address the extreme cold this winter.  Councillor Erb says the regional government and staff are working diligently to address the extreme cold, and he responds to ideas advocates have brought forward such as using Grand River Transit’s bus fleet or regional properties for emergency warming sites.

What Waterloo Region’s home buyers, sellers and renters need to know going in to 2025

Host: Leah Gerber

Heading into 2025, the Region’s potential home buyers, sellers and renters are anxious to know what the outlook is for this year’s real estate market. Experts including Christal Moura of Cornerstone Association of Realtors and Anthony Passarelli of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation say the Bank of Canada’s recent decrease in interest rates means more buyers will be entering the market – hopefully helping the backlog of potential buyers who have been sharing homes or staying at home longer than intended finally buy a home. For renters, the recent federal cap on the number of international student permits will mean a decrease in demand for rental units. This, coupled with the increase of for-purpose rental units completed this year in the region will mean more choice, though not necessarily lower prices, for the region’s renters.

CKMS News -2025-01-17- MT Space hosting “Works-in-Progress” mini festival this weekend

CKMS News – 2025-01-17- MT Space hosting “Works-in-Progress” Mini Festival this weekend.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Theatre lovers in Waterloo Region will have a chance this week to peek behind the curtain and experience some of the creative process involved in creating a play, as MT Space hosts their first ever “Works-in-Progress” mini-festival, part of their 20th year celebrations.

Patrons are invited to the Registry theatre for presentations of plays which are still being worked on by their creators.  Putting the “process over the product” each play will give audiences a glimpse into the creative process, and provide them the opportunity to give feedback to the playwrights.

This show features an interview with MT Space artistic director Pam Patel. Patel discusses the themes of the plays being presented and speaks about the value of developing a piece of theatre with audience feedback. Visit MTSpace.ca for more information about the festival.  Tickets for shows on January 17th and 18th are still available and are pay-what-you-can.