Category Archives: CKMS Community News

News from the Waterloo Region community.

The CKMS Community News receives 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 https://frequencynews.ca/

The journalists for the LJI project in 2026-2027 are: dan kellar, Leah Gerber, R Avery, Shalaka Jadhav, and Eren Berke Yörük.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-10-24- Kitchener Voters Stayed Home in 2022. Is It Any Different This Time?

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CKMS News -2026-10-24- Kitchener Voters Stayed Home in 2022. Is It Any Different This Time?

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON – In Kitchener, only about one in five eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2022 municipal election. With Election Day approaching on October 26, the city is introducing new ways to encourage more residents to vote.

A total of 8,208 people voted during the advance voting period between October 8 and 20, an increase of 42 per cent compared with the previous municipal election.

Amanda Fusco, Kitchener’s director of legislated services, said voter turnout depends on several factors, including voter fatigue, campaign activity and public awareness of municipal government.

“Voter turnout is so complex,” Fusco said.

This year, the city introduced new voting options, including home voting visits, advance voting at retirement homes and long-term care facilities, drive-thru voting and “shop and vote” locations at Fairview Park Mall and Kitchener Market.

Fusco said drive-thru voting attracted just over 1,000 voters over two days, while around 1,000 people voted at Fairview Park Mall. Another 250 cast ballots at Kitchener Market.

Feedback on drive-thru voting was positive, with residents citing convenience and accessibility. However, the city has no specific voter turnout target for 2026, beyond hoping to improve on the previous election.

Fusco said municipal decisions directly affect residents’ neighbourhoods, parks, roads and libraries.

“We want everyone to make their mark,” she said.

Eligible Kitchener residents can vote on October 26 at any of the 33 voting locations within their ward. Voters must bring identification showing their name and current address.

For more details about voting in Kitchener, visit City of Kitchener website.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News-10-21-26-Waterloo’s Regional councillor candidates: Manary and Said

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Host: Leah Gerber

Municipal elections are underway,  included in that is the electoral race for the city of Waterloo’s two regional council seats besides the mayor’s.  This year’s election is seeing a major focus on affordability and transparency from the Region of Waterloo, among other issues. Each candidate has their own take on these issues. 

People running for this term’s seats include: Sitting councillors Jim Erb and Chantal Huinink, who are both seeking re-election. Newcomers include Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Chris Moser, Lindsay Manary, Soo Bok Lee and Rami Said. 

Radio Waterloo interviewed Erb, Huinink, Singh, Manary, Lee and Said. Moser did not respond to the invitation for an interview. 

We will publish a series of three pieces that highlight two candidates at a time. We asked each of the candidates the same questions and we will include their answers here.

This piece highlights candidates Lindsay Manary and Rami Said.

Candidate introductions were taken from the candidate’s own campaign communications where applicable. 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News-10-21-26-Waterloo’s regional councillor candidates: Singh and Lee

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Host: Leah Gerber

Municipal elections are underway,  included in that is the electoral race for the city of Waterloo’s two regional council seats besides the mayor’s.  This year’s election is seeing a major focus on affordability and transparency from the Region of Waterloo, among other issues. Each candidate has their own take on these issues. 

People running for this term’s seats include: Sitting councillors Jim Erb and Chantal Huinink, who are both seeking re-election. Newcomers include Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Chris Moser, Lindsay Manary, Soo Bok Lee and Rami Said. 

Radio Waterloo interviewed Erb, Huinink, Singh, Manary, Lee and Said. Moser did not respond to the invitation for an interview. 

We will publish a series of three pieces that highlight two candidates at a time. We asked each of the candidates the same questions and we will include their answers here.

This piece highlights candidates Sarvesh Singh and Soo Bok Lee.

Candidate introductions were taken from the candidate’s own campaign communications where applicable. 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News – 2026-10-21-Waterloo’s regional councillor candidates: Huinink and Erb

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Host: Leah Gerber

Municipal elections are underway,  included in that is the electoral race for the city of Waterloo’s two regional council seats besides the mayor’s.  This year’s election is seeing a major focus on affordability and transparency from the Region of Waterloo, among other issues. Each candidate has their own take on these issues. 

People running for this term’s seats include: Sitting councillors Jim Erb and Chantal Huinink, who are both seeking re-election. Newcomers include Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Chris Moser, Lindsay Manary, Soo Bok Lee and Rami Said. 

Radio Waterloo interviewed Erb, Huinink, Singh, Manary, Lee and Said. Moser did not respond to the invitation for an interview. 

We will publish a series of three pieces that highlight two candidates at a time. We asked each of the candidates the same questions and we will include their answers here.

This piece highlights sitting councillors Jim Erb and Chantal Huinink, who are both seeking reelection. 

Candidate introductions were taken from the candidate’s own campaign communications where applicable. 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-10-17- Kitchener Helps Local Businesses Pursue Government Contracts Through Procurement Sessions

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CKMS News -2026-10-17- Kitchener Helps Local Businesses Pursue Government Contracts Through Procurement Sessions

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON – The City of Kitchener has brought local businesses together with federal and provincial procurement experts through a two-day “Buy Canada–Buy Ontario” initiative at Kitchener City Hall.

The sessions aimed to help businesses access an estimated $300 billion in annual government procurement opportunities amid growing international trade challenges, according to Senator Sandra Pupatello.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said local companies need the information and resources to compete for government contracts at all levels.

“It’s really all about making sure that businesses have the information they need to compete on business opportunities, whether they’re at the local, provincial, or national level,” Vrbanovic said.

Pupatello said businesses outside major administrative centres may overlook opportunities to supply governments with goods and services.

“If you don’t live in a capital region, you don’t tend to think of what the government buys that you can actually offer,” she said, encouraging local suppliers to explore public-sector contracts.

With tariffs creating challenges for traditional manufacturing sectors, the initiative focused on helping local businesses identify new opportunities through government procurement.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2026-10-10- The Canadian Dream and the municipal election

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CKMS News – 2026-10-10- The Canadian Dream and the municipal election

by: dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – While folks are still deciding who to support in the municipal election on October 26th a coalition of actors and advocates will use theatre to drive democratic participation.  There will be a performance of “The Canadian Dream”, followed by a meet and greet for candidates from Kitchener’s ward 9, regional council,  and mayoral races.

The free event is taking place on Friday October 16th at 6:30 pm in the Pavillion in Willow River Park, and is being co-hosted by local theatre troupe Outta Work Actors, the Social Developement Centre of Waterloo Region, the Festival of Neighbourhoods, and Indigenous Creatives United.

The play itself is an “interactive performance that bridges real lived experiences of homelessness in Kitchener with community civic participation.”, and was developed over the past several years by the Outta Work Actors through the Kaleidoscope Two Minute Play Laboratory. 

Following the performance, a non-partisan all-candidates meet and greet will allow residents a chance to discuss the performance and speak with candidates with “curiosity and dialogue rather than adversarial debate”.

This show features an interview with Heather Majaury, the artistic director of Outta Work Actors, and collaborator with the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region.  For more about the event, the play, and the Outta Work Actors, visit https://outtaworkactors.com.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-10-10- Waterloo Region Approves 10-Year Housing Plan as Community Housing Waitlist Surpasses 11,000 Households

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CKMS News -2026-10-10- Waterloo Region Approves 10-Year Housing Plan as Community Housing Waitlist Surpasses 11,000 Households

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON – Waterloo Region has moved forward with a new 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan as local community housing waitlists reach historic highs.

According to regional data presented on October 6, 2026, nearly 11,300 households were on the waitlist at year end 2025, while wait times have stretched past a decade for one bedroom units and over 12 years for larger family homes.

Presenting the plan, Director of Housing Ryan Pettipiere reminded council that real lives sit behind the escalating statistics. “Every data point represents a real person,” Pettipiere said. He pointed to early progress in flattening the homelessness curve, but warned that “there are serious challenges ahead without strengthened and sustained investments in solutions.”

Commissioner of Community Services Peter Sweeney also addressed systemic root causes, noting that “we cannot have any discussion about solving chronic homelessness if we do not also address economic insecurity and poverty.”

With local taxpayers already covering 65 percent of the Region’s $68.6 million homelessness budget, staff emphasized that municipal resources alone cannot close the gap without long term operating support from provincial and federal governments.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News – 2026-10-06 – Scams targeting seniors are on the rise

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Host: Leah Gerber

Scams targeting seniors are on the rise. In 2024, older adults in Canada lost 178 million dollars to financial scams, a 300 percent increase from 2020, according to a House of Commons committee report. This is also an underrepresentation, since many people do not report when they’ve been scammed, out of embarrassment. 

Radio Waterloo interviewed Cosmin Munteanu, an associate professor at the University of Waterloo, and the Schlegel Research Chair in Technology for Healthy Aging at the Research Institute for Aging, as well as David Parkinson, founder of the John Parkinson Family Foundation to understand why senior-targeted scams on are the rise, the signs of senior financial abuse, the most common types of scams, and how to take proactive action. 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-10-02- Uptown Waterloo neighbourhood associations engaging neighbours through all candidates meetings

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CKMS News -2026-10-02- Uptown Waterloo neighbourhood associations engaging neighbours through all candidate meetings

by: dan kellar
Waterloo, ON –

As the municipal election heats up, a coalition of neighbourhood associations have teamed up to host two all candidate meetings for their electoral wards. According to a press release from the group, a goal of the events is to engage neighbours because “the people elected to local and regional office make decisions that directly affect our daily lives”

In a press release, Ann Liebau of the Uptown West Neighbourhood Association said “You don’t have to be a political junkie to care about your neighbourhood. If you care about your street, your park, your library, your water, you have a stake in this election. Rather than complaining about City Hall later, it’s far more productive to show up now and ask the candidates what they’re going to do.”

The first meeting, on Sunday October 4 from 6-8 pm, will focus on the five candidates seeking to become Mayor of Waterloo. The second meeting, on Wednesday October 7 from 7-9 pm, has two parts: first the seven candidates vying for Waterloo’s two seats on Regional Council, then the two people who want to represent Uptown Ward 7 on Waterloo City Council.  Both events are happening in the Community Pavilion at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.

This show features an interview with Daisy Arseneault , the chair of the Uptown North neighbourhood Association.

For more information or to submit questions in advance, email allcandidateswr@gmail.com

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-23- Saint Luke’s Place Begins Construction on New 192-Bed Long-Term Care Home in Cambridge

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CKMS News -2026-09-23- Saint Luke’s Place Begins Construction on New 192-Bed Long-Term Care Home in Cambridge

Eren Yoruk

Cambridge, ON – Saint Luke’s Place has officially broken ground on a new six-story, 192-bed long-term care home in Cambridge.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday at the organization’s location on Franklin Boulevard, bringing together local officials, community leaders, project partners and residents to mark the start of construction.

“The demand for long-term care is only gonna grow,” said CEO David Bakker. “This will help more families and more residents access the care they need much closer to home.”

Bakker added that the new building will feature updated infection-control designs and expanded holistic care, addressing the growing demand for senior support across the region.

The new home is expected to expand long-term care capacity in a community facing growing demand for senior care. According to Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care data, Saint Luke’s Place currently has 408 people on its long-term care waiting list.

Local MPP Jess Dixon underscored the importance of securing provincial backing, noting, “Our need to provide homes for people as they age is only growing.”

The redevelopment will replace the existing 114-bed facility and add 78 new beds to help ease local waitlists, with construction expected to take about four years and finish in 2030.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-21- Grassroots group launches municipal election information hub through a “passion for local democracy”

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CKMS News – 2026-09-21-Grassroots group launches municipal election information hub through a “passion for local democracy”

– dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – As municipal elections are starting to heat up across the province, a new local organisation is promoting local democracy by helping to inform and educate Waterloo Region residents on all aspects of the vote.

This show features an interview with Alex Latta, a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and a spokesperson for VisionWR who told CKMS News “We really believe in local democracy and holding politicians to account… and [we want] others in our communities to feel empowered to participate.”

Since starting their work last year, the group has hosted open meetings, run workshops, created toolkits,  developed the vision statements, and has now launched the 2026 regional and municipal elections candidate and voter engagement hub.

According to a recent press release “VisionWR, is a new grassroots volunteer organization dedicated to promoting education, dialogue, and debate on the issues that will shape our shared future: climate change, housing, transportation, water, biodiversity, food security, well being and local democracy.”

To explore the  2026 regional and municipal elections candidate and voter engagement hub, visit VisionWR.org

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News – 2026-09-22- A Room of One’s Home

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by: Shalaka Jadhav
CAMBRIDGE, ON – Hosted at the University of Waterloo Cambridge Architecture Campus, “A Room of One’s Home” is an exhibition curated by Bianca Weeko Martin, and brings together the work of six Waterloo Architecture graduates and alumni whose research reflects on relationships between architecture, diaspora, memory, and cultural knowledge.

Employing drawings, publications, artifacts, and architectural research, the exhibition invites visitors into rooms where, through architectural inquiry,  “home” can be understood as an evolving relationship across generations.

The exhibition and its artists covers several regions:

Ricardo Espinoza, the Caribbean Sea;

Hyjnid (Nidi) Metaj, Albania;

Angeline Reyes, the Philippines;

Giulia Simonetta, Italy;

Zaven Titizian, Syria/Lebanon, and;

Hiba Hasan Zubairi, the Indus River Basin.

Today I’m speaking with Bianca Weeko Martin, curator of “A Room of One’s Home.”

Bianca Weeko Martin is a writer and researcher weaving together architectural practice with theory and personal narrative. She is the author of the “Architectural Guide: Manila” and writes about art, space, and the Filipino diaspora for cultural institutions and publications. She recently made the 2026 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlist for her work “Tita Tallulah”.

“A Room of One’s Home” is on until October 1, 2026. Join Bianca to celebrate the exhibition closing, on September 24, between 5-8pm at the Riverside Gallery. At the closing, exhibiting artist Ricardo Espinoza will be leading a fabric transfer workshop. 

Read about the exhibition at uwaterloo.ca/architecture/news/room-ones-home.

__________

Graduate thesis work of the exhibitors can be found here:

“Beyond the Frame: Culture, Identity, and the Caribbean Sea Diaspora in Canada” – Ricardo Espinoza

“Back to the Mountains: A Guesthouse for the Preservation of Vernacular Memory on Mount Tomorr in Albania” – Hyjnid (Nidi) Metaj

“Manila’s Other City: Toward a Counter-Relocation Approach” – Angeline Reyes

“Tracing Footsteps: Ritual, Place-Making, and Negotiating Identity in Italian-Canadian Processional Landscapes” – Giulia Simonetta

“The Fading Village: An Archive of Exile and Errantry” – Zaven Titizian

“A Woven Divide: Cotton, Property and Partition in the Indus River Basin” – Hiba Hasan Zubairi

Photo Credit: Photo by Harminder Phull

—

This program is a part of the Local Journalism Initiative and is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, Heritage Canada, and the CKMS Newsroom.

You can access archived versions of this program at radiowaterloo.ca/news, and listen to all the Local Journalism Initiative content at frequencynews.ca

If you want to get in touch with comments, or ideas about stories to cover, email us at news@radiowaterloo.ca

The theme music on today’s show was “Polyvinyl” by Anemoia, courtesy of the Free Music Archive, under the Creative Commons Attribution License. You can find it at the Free Music Archive—freemusicarchive.org

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-19- Terry Fox Run Returns as Cancer Research Funding Surpasses $1 Billion

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CKMS News -2026-09-19- Terry Fox Run Returns As Cancer Research Funding Surpasses $1 Billion

Eren Yoruk

Waterloo, ON – The Terry Fox Run returns this Sunday for its 46th year, as the Terry Fox Foundation continues to support cancer research across Canada.

The Foundation surpassed $1 billion raised for cancer research in February. This year, about four million Canadians are expected to take part in runs across 600 communities, including Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

Terry Fox’s niece Jessie Alder says her uncle’s story and message continue to resonate with Canadians and people around the world. She also points to the progress being made through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centers Network, which aims to expand access to precision medicine across Canada.

Terry Fox Foundation COO Martha McClew says the organization funds research through a rigorous peer-review process, with only a small percentage of submitted projects receiving funding. She also highlights the Foundation’s cancer research biobank, which contains cancer cells from 16,000 Canadians and is helping researchers share data and better understand how patients respond to treatments.

Alder and McClew also reflect on what Terry Fox’s legacy could look like if a cure for cancer is eventually found, and why the Terry Fox Run remains important as both a fundraiser and a community event.

The Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, September 20 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit run.terryfox.ca.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-17- Susan Aglukark Performs in Kitchener on Together For Nature Tour

CKMS News -2026-09-17- Susan Aglukark Performs in Kitchener on Together For Nature Tour

R Avery

Kitchener, ON – Juno award winning singer-songwriter and Officer of the Order of Canada Susan Aglukark is performing this evening in Kitchener as part of the Together for Nature Tour, and she spoke with CKMS ahead of today’s show. The tour, hosted by Ontario Nature and Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence, features Susan Aglukark in performance alongside addresses by Okiniwak, Friends of the Attawapiskat River, and a screening of the short film Here We Stand.

Susan Aglukark sat down with CKMS to discuss the tour and her musical career, going back to her first song and music video “Searching,” released in 1991, and her upcoming EP, Disco Ball, to be released later this fall.

The Together for Nature Tour is in Kitchener this evening at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

New stage comedy about growing up biracial in Waterloo Region opens October 1st

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Host: Leah Gerber

A new play titled Mixed(er), about growing up biracial in Waterloo Region is aiming to get you laughing. The story is about a young woman’s fateful homecoming to Waterloo Region after finishing university. She finds out her parents are throwing a surprise birthday party for her and that they’ve invited all her White friends and her only Black friend. Suddenly the worlds she’s worked to keep apart come colliding together in a funny, farcical way. The production is presented by local theatre companies MT Space and Unwrapped Theatre. Radio Waterloo spoke with Pam Patel, artistic director of MT Space and Alten Wilmot, co-writer of the play and founder of Unwrap Theatre to talk about the play and what it aims to do.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-11- Cambridge Fire Department Aims to Raise Fire Safety Awareness with Open House

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CKMS News -2026-09-11- Cambridge Fire Department Aims to Raise Fire Safety Awareness with Open House

Eren Yoruk

Cambridge, ON – The Cambridge Fire Department is preparing to welcome residents to its annual Open House on September 12 at Fire Station 1 on Bishop Street.

The event will give residents a chance to meet firefighters, tour the station, explore emergency equipment and learn about fire and life safety. This year’s event will also feature a live side-by-side burn demonstration showing the impact of residential fire sprinkler systems.

In an interview with CKMS News, Chief Fire Prevention Officer Eric Yates discussed the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, home escape plans and safe battery charging. He also highlighted lithium-ion batteries as one of the department’s growing fire safety concerns.

The interview also covers recent fire loss trends in Cambridge, wildfire preparedness and what residents can do to reduce fire risks at home and outdoors.

You can find more information about the event on the Facebook event page.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-10- Kitchener’s Community Canopy Program Update

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Leah Gerber

Kitchener, Ontario

The City of Kitchener began a program two years ago to increase its overall tree canopy and increase the number of trees in the neighbourhoods that need them most. But now in its third year, how is the program doing? 

Radio Waterloo spoke with Hajnal Kovacs, the city’s forestry project manager, as well as Ashlynn Fleming, the interim manager of tree programs at REEP Green Solutions and community member David Shaftoe to understand the project’s goals and how well they are meeting these targets. 

 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-09-10- Waterloo Region Wilmot Land Assembly Update

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Leah Gerber

Wilmot, Ontario

Waterloo Region staff have been purchasing land in Wilmot Township to put together a very large shovel-ready parcel to attract major industry to the region. So far the Region has acquired 550 acres of its 770 acre goal. The process began with threats of expropriation over two years ago, and because councilors and staff have all signed non-disclosure agreements, the public has not been informed of most of the major plans for this project.

Radio Waterloo reached out to the Region of Waterloo, Wilmot Township, The Grand River Environmental Network and township citizens to provide an update on what is known about the issue so far.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-08-28- ‘That’s A Recipe For Disaster’: Waterloo Region Council Opposes Dual Leadership Model

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CKMS News -2026-08-28- ‘That’s A Recipe For Disaster’: Waterloo Region Council Opposes Dual Leadership Model

Eren Yoruk

Waterloo, ON – Waterloo Region Council is pushing back against a new provincial governance model that could allow one person to serve as both Mayor and Regional Chair.

Cambridge Regional Councillor Doug Craig introduced the motion, warning that combining the two roles could create conflicts of interest and concentrate too much executive power in one person under Ontario’s Strong Mayor and Strong Chair systems.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe backed the motion, calling the combination of Strong Mayor and Strong Chair powers “a recipe for disaster.” She also argued that Strong Mayor powers have not necessarily accelerated housing approvals.

Craig and McCabe also criticized Ontario’s decision to appoint the next Regional Chair rather than have the position filled through an election.

Waterloo Region residents have directly elected their Regional Chair since 1997. Under the province’s new governance rules, Ontario will appoint the next Chair following the 2026 municipal election.

Regional Council passed Craig’s motion unanimously. The resolution will now go to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local MPPs, area municipalities and other affected regional municipalities.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2026-08-19 – Neighbours for Palestine: Waterloo Region Rallies at Pixus Technologies

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R Avery

Kitchener, ON – On Thursday, August 13, community members with Neighbours for Palestine: Waterloo Region assembled at Pixus Technologies on Gage Avenue in Kitchener, as part of the National Day of Action: Put Elbit On Notice called for by Arms Embargo Now. This day of action targeted Canadian suppliers of Elbit, Israel’s largest arms manufacturer. Organizers called on Kitchener’s Pixus Technologies to cease their practice of supplying semi-rugged enclosures and radio components to Elbit, calling attention to the genocide and other grave human rights harms perpetrated by Israel’s military.

 

CKMS Community News, Newsroom

CKMS News-2026-08-13-WRPSbackpacks

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Host: Leah Gerber

Now in its ninth year running, the need for backpacks continues to grow. This year, the Waterloo Regional Police are calling out for more backpacks as they currently do not have enough to meet the demands of the program. Cherri Greeno is the director of corporate affairs with the WRPS and speaks about how the challenge got its start, and the needs of this year’s challenge. Radio Waterloo also speaks with Yasmin Haloubi, the fundraising manager with Reception House, one of the receiving organizations that distribute the backpacks to the community about the impact and importance of the program. 

Find out more about the WRPS backpack challenge here.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-08-13- AI Boom Raises Questions as Waterloo Region Studies Data Centre Impacts

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CKMS News -2026-08-13- AI Boom Raises Questions as Waterloo Region Studies Data Centre Impacts

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON — Waterloo Region Council has unanimously passed a motion to study the potential impacts of future data centre development in the Region, following concerns raised by residents about water use, electricity demand and infrastructure.

Regional Councillor Colleen James brought the motion during Tuesday’s Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development Committee meeting. It directs Regional staff to examine the economic, environmental, infrastructure and fiscal implications of data centres, as well as community safeguards and best practices in other jurisdictions.

The council approved the motion with two amendments, including additional consideration of source water protection and impacts on traditional lands. Regional staff will report their findings back to Council by the first quarter of 2027.

The discussion comes as the rapid growth of artificial intelligence drives demand for larger and more energy-intensive data centres across Canada and beyond.

Waterloo Region already hosts data centres, including Ascent’s facility in Cambridge. James says the motion is not intended to approve or reject any specific project, but to help the Region understand how future facilities could affect its infrastructure and environment.

Residents who spoke at the meeting raised particular concerns about water consumption and the Region’s reliance on groundwater.

James says the goal is to gather information now so future councils can make informed decisions about data centre development.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-08-08- St. John’s Kitchen Opens Around the Clock as Homelessness Crisis Deepens in Waterloo Region

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CKMS News – 2026-08-08 – St. John’s Kitchen Opens Around the Clock as Homelessness Crisis Deepens in Waterloo Region

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON — St. John’s Kitchen in Kitchener has permanently expanded its services to operate around the clock, responding to growing demand from people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region.

The kitchen, operated by The Working Centre, began its new 24/7 schedule on July 27. It now welcomes drop-ins from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., before providing overnight support from 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The facility closes briefly each morning for cleaning and setup.

The expansion comes as homelessness continues to grow across the region. The Region of Waterloo reported in 2024 that chronic homelessness had increased by an average of 28 per cent each year since 2020. Joe Mancini, director and co-founder of The Working Centre, says the growing number of people experiencing homelessness has put increasing pressure on services.

In this story, we speak with Mancini, St. John’s Kitchen staff and volunteers, and a person experiencing homelessness about the impact of the kitchen The interviews explore what the 24/7 operation means for people using the facility, how staff respond to the growing demand, and the broader housing, employment and drug-related factors contributing to homelessness in Waterloo Region.

For more information about St. John’s Kitchen, visit theworkingcentre.org.  

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-07-28- Kitchener ‘Unplugs’ King Street with First Week-long Pedestrian Event

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CKMS News -2026-07-28- Kitchener ‘Unplugs’ King Street with First Week-long Pedestrian Event

Eren Yoruk

Kitchener, ON — For the first time, King Street in downtown Kitchener has been transformed into a week-long pedestrian-only space as the City launches King Street Unplugged, a pilot project aimed at creating a more people-focused downtown.

Running from July 26 to 31, the event closes a section of King Street between College and Young Streets to vehicle traffic, replacing it with live entertainment, games, workshops, markets and family-friendly activities. Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says the initiative builds on previous car-free events but marks the city’s first attempt at a week-long pedestrian experience.

Manager of Downtown Development and Innovation Aura Hertzog says the project responds to community feedback seeking more welcoming public spaces where residents can connect while supporting local businesses. If successful, the pilot could become an annual event.

The city will evaluate the initiative by gathering feedback from businesses and visitors, monitoring attendance and measuring community engagement throughout the week.

Local businesses are already seeing positive signs. Mandy Kowitz, owner of Square Peg, says she noticed increased foot traffic on the first day and expects more customers throughout the week.

Visitors also welcomed the idea. Resident Mila Purcell says closing King Street for a full week creates a more enjoyable downtown experience and hopes the event returns next year.

For more information about King Street Unplugged, visit downtownkitchener.ca.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-07-27- Youth food markets serving fresh local produce at the neighbourhood level

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CKMS News -2026-07-27- Youth food markets serving fresh local produce at the neighbourhood level

 by: dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – Throughout the summer, youth in Waterloo region will be organizing weekly fresh produce markets with vegetables grown at 6 communities gardens and sourced from several local farms.  Dozens of youth, aged 14-19 are participating in the Youth in Food Systems program which involves innovative approaches to garden and market management.

In a press release, Grace Ihejiamaizu, the Program Manager for Youth in Food Systems wrote “This year, youth Market Leaders have also helped design different Pay What You Choose approaches for their markets, exploring how fresh, local food can be made more accessible while giving young people practical experience in leadership, teamwork and community engagement.”

The markets run every Wednesday until August 26 at Eastwood Collegiate Institute and Victoria Hills  Community Centre in Kitchener, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm, and at the Fiddlesticks Community Centre in Cambridge from 3:00pm – 5:30pm.

This show features an interview with Luma Abuarqoub, the summer Youth Program Assistant for the Youth in Food Systems program. Luma details the work of the youth, and we discuss where the program fits in larger efforts of food security, and how the hazardous air quality brought on by climate change fueled forest fires in northern Ontario have affected their operations this summer.

The YFS program, now in its 5th year, is organised by Seeds of Diversity, a Waterloo based charity focused on seed-saving and resilience in local food systems.