Category Archives: CKMS Community News

News from the Waterloo Region community.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-01-27- Water woes in Waterloo Region

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CKMS News -2026-01-27- Water woes in Waterloo Region dan kellar Kitchener, ON – After several years in a row that the aquifers in Waterloo Region have been drawn down more than they have recharged, the municipal government has announced serious water capacity issues and have put a stop fully approving any new developments which require their approval. The water issues were first publicly disclosed in December 2025, and on January 13th the regional council held a lengthy discussion with staff, residents, and land developers regarding the immediate actions and effects regarding the water issue, and some short and medium term actions the regions will be taking to address the water woes. This show features an interview with Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair of the Grand River Environmental Network.  Kevin has been following water related issues in Waterloo Region for years and has reviewed the staff report which describes in detail what the problems are. Additionally, this show features a clip of Sam Nabi of Hold The Line WR delegating at regional council on January 13th.
CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2026-01-14- One Million Neighbours WR launches their Neighbourhood services map

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CKMS News -2026-01-14- One Million Neighbours launches their Neighbourhood services map

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – A new tool for assessing how levels of various services differ between neighbourhoods across Waterloo Region has launched by the One Million Neighbours WR coalition.  The first version of its Neighbourhood Services Map ranks each neighbourhood for access levels based on availability of transit, amount of green space, number of schools, libraries, and healthcare infrastructure, and how many community spaces exist.

A key feature of the map is that the calculations account for population, and as the number of residents that call Waterloo Region  home grows to over 1,000,000 in the coming decades, keeping track of the equity of resource distribution across communities as they grow will be key to understanding a neighbourhood’s needs.

This show features an interview with KW local Sam Nabi, the project coordinator of One Million Neighbours W, and a board member of Hold the Line WR. The map was created with open source data by Civic Tech WR volunteers who will update the data on the map “at least annually”. You can access the map from Connected KW‘s webpage.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-12-15- Police budget push-back as cops ask for another 20 million a year and a new building

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CKMS News -2025-12-15- Police budget push-back as cops ask for another 20 million a year and a new building.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – As the Waterloo regional police ask for another $20,000,000 dollars to be added to their yearly budget, in addition to $173,000,000 for a new “communications centre”, residents and even some regional councillors are questioning the ballooning expenditures. A primary concern is that yearly multi-million dollar increases to the police budgets are starving other services of funding since council is pressured to keep tax increases low.

The Waterloo Region police budget, which was over $230,00,000 in 2025, has increased by more than $100,000,000 since 2014, and has more than doubled since 2013.  This year’s request of over $250,000,000 will represent over 30% of the regional budget.  In comparison, housing and homelessness services are budgeted at $165,200,000 for 2026.

The increase in the police budget will result in an average 6.75% property tax increase for regional residents, that’s another 57$ a month beyond all the previous yearly increases.

The police presented their budget to the Regional Council at the end of November and in a council meeting on December 3rd council heard from the police association and residents.  While the police say more money to the force and more cops “will help save residents” delegates noted that funding upstream services, such as housing options and mental health supports, have more impact on reducing crime than more armed cops with “boots on the ground”.

In a surprise move ahead of the budget vote on December 16th, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic put forth a motion to block the police’s capital budget saying the new communications centre is “beyond their mandate” and it “is highly unlikely that all three emergency services would engage in this partnership in any foreseeable future”. However the same motion calls for the approval of the $20,000,000 yearly increase to the police budget.

This show features audio from both the December 3rd and November 26th council meetings.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2025-12-07- As homelessness increases, a new overnight warming centre offers more than “heads in beds”

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CKMS News – 2025-12-07- As homelessness increases, a new overnight warming centre offers more than “heads in beds”

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – A new space for folks to escape from the cold and receive food and social supports has opened in Kitchener as cold winter weather has set early in Waterloo Region.  Thresholds Homes and Supports opened the doors to the new 30 bed overnight warming centre at 298 Lawrence Avenue in November. The new centre will serve any who is 18+ and is inclusive of all gender identities.

In a press release ahead of the opening Jessica Hill, the new warming centre’s team lead is quoted “We are working hard to go beyond giving people a place to warm up, and will have staff on site, including a peer support worker, to connect folks with other supports, and provide a hot meal and snacks to take with them when they leave.”.

The new warming centre comes at a critical time as homelessness continues to plague an increasing number of local residents. The provincial 2024 “Point-in-time” count found that nearly 2,400 people were experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region, with about 78% of those folks experiencing “chronic homelessness.  At the time only 301 shelter beds were available regionally, and with the new overnight 30 bed warming centre, the number is still well below the required capacity.

This show features an interview with Jessica Hill, the team lead of Thresholds Homes and Supports’ new overnight warming centre in Kitchener.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-12-02- Kitchener fast tracking new housing through the federal Housing Design Catalogue

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CKMS News -2025-12-02- Kitchener fast tracking new housing through the federal Housing Design Catalogue

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Adding to the tool box to build housing in Kitchener faster, the city has fully endorsed the federal government’s new Housing Design Catalogue, which makes full “off the shelf” building design plans available free of charge.  Further the city has fast tracked parts of the application process to make sure that zoning compliance approval is done within 15 days of application, and building permit review is completed within 10 days.

In a recent press release from the city, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said “Together, with Kitchener’s flexible planning frameworks and resources and Canada’s new guide, we’re making it easier to build more housing across our city.”

The press release also claims that the housing design catalogue “aims to make housing more affordable and accessible, providing pre-designed, adaptable housing plans for homeowners and builders, including backyard homes, fourplexes, stacked townhouses and sixplexes.

You can check out the approved designs on the City of Kitchener’s and the CHMC’s websites.

This show features an interview with Katie Anderl from Kitchener’s housing and policy division and Tim Benedict, the manager of building in the city’s building division.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-11-26- Kitchener Fire Department deploys upgrades to 911 services

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CKMS News -2025-11-26- Kitchener Fire Department launches upgrades to 911 services

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Following years of development and adhering to a provincial edict, the Kitchener Fire Department has launched the “next generation” of 911 services in the region.  The upgrades reflect the changes in the ways people communicate with 911, primarily the uptake of mobile phones and the abandonment of land lines.

Next generation 911 will use Internet Protocol tracking to get a more precise location of the caller and allow for faster communication of details between the caller, the dispatch centre, and fire crews rushing to a scene.

The changes to 911 services have been underway since 2022 when the mandate to upgrade was announced by the federal Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The government of Ontario has been supporting the transition over the past three years with $208,000,000 in grants across the province since 2022.  The Kitchener Fire Department  has received $650,000 of those provincial grants while the Waterloo regional police service has been given $3,8000,000.

This show features an interview with Jamal Alam, who has spent the past 3 years as the Program Manager of Fire Systems and Projects with the Kitchener Fire Department.  Alam has been with the Kitchener Fire Department for 9 years.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News 2025-11-05- MPP Catherine Fife elected chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

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CKMS News -2025-11-05- MPP Fife elected chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

dan kellar
Waterloo – Becoming the first Canadian to hold the role, Waterloo NDP MPP Catherine Fife was elected to lead the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) at the organization’s conference in early October. Fife becomes the 8th chairperson in the organization’s history.

According to the group’s website, the CWP is the network of women members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Parliaments and Legislatures and is a means of” building the capacity of women elected to Parliament to be more effective in their roles”.  Fife notes that it is a “huge responsibility” but adds that “this is the kind of work that also gives me energy”.

MPP Fife says she hopes to focus her efforts around access to education, democratic engagement, human rights and climate change.

The CWP over 3,000 Women Parliamentarians, in over 180 Commonwealth national and sub-national Parliaments, .

This show features an interview with MPP Fife, who is excited to take on the role which she says is “a great opportunity to learn, and take things to the next level.”

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-10-28- Residents warn of environmental harm as development proposal abutting the Huron Natural Area moves forward

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CKMS News -2025-10-28- Residents warn of environmental harm as development proposal abutting the Huron Natural Area moves forward

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – A proposed development 1700 Strasburg Road in Kitchener’s ward 5 received preliminary approval at the planning committee meeting on October 27th.  Saying “the people we hire and create these reports are experts… and no offense to any of the delegates, but we are not all experts… we didn’t all go to school for this” ward 3 councilor Jason Denault supported the decision.

The project would see a nearly 40 acre plot of land which abuts the Huron Natural Area (HNA), transformed into a 10 unit industrial space. The proposal will next be considered for approval at the city council meeting on November 10th.

Representatives of the grassroots environmental group Protect Huron Natural Area delegated at the meeting, alongside other concerned residents, and the project proponent’s consultants.  City staff recommended the approval of the project

This show features interviews with Ray Angod and Yvonne Fernandes Protect Huron Natural Area. CKMS News asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests about the inconsistencies between the survey information and the report, but did not receive a response.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-10-02- Panel on genocide in Gaza goes forward despite WLU’s attempts to delay it

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CKMS News -2025-10-02- Panel on genocide in Gaza goes forward despite WLU’s attempts to delay it.

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – On Thursday September 18th, retired professor Peter Eglin received word from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management division, that the September 19th event he was helping to organize and speak at, would be postponed because they required more time to “do a proper risk assessment.”

The event was a discussion between Eglin, who released the book Analysing the Israel Effect in Canada: A Critical Auto-Ethnography  in 2024, and political activist and author, and NDP leadership hopeful Yves Engler, entitled Canada and the Genocide in Gaza. The event was to be moderated by PhD candidate and peace activist Tamara Lorincz, and was scheduled through the University’s online booking platform on August 27th.

On the 19th, the organizers decided to push forward with the event, and it did take place, without incident, in the common area outside the locked classroom, with 50 people in attendance.  Security dropped by the discussion, but did not disrupt the event, and, according to Eglin, did not stick around for too long before leaving.

This show features an interview with Dr. Peter Eglin.  CKMS News reached out to WLU and initially received responses which are referenced in the interview.  However, the school did not respond to follow-up questions regarding any possible threats the school received, how long an assessment usually takes, or if anyone pressured the school to review the event.

*In the interview, Peter Eglin mentions a disruption to Norman Finkelstein’s speech at the University of Waterloo in 2010.  Here is a link to the clip: https://archive.org/details/finklestein-holocaust-card.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-09-19- The Child Witness Centre is Doors Open during regional event

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CKMS News -2025-09-19- The Child Witness Centre is Doors Open during regional event

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – The Child Witness Centre is a Kitchener based organisation which provides support to young victims or witnesses to crime or abuse.  Among their activities, the organisation provides referrals to counseling services, provides education, guidance, and support through police investigations and court processes, and provides strategies for coping and safety planning.

As Robin Heald, the Executive Director of the Child Witness Centre said to CKMS News, these children are “perhaps having the worst day of their lives”.

During this year’s  Doors Open Waterloo Region on Saturday September 20th, Child Witness is opening its doors to the public, for the first time in the organization’s decades long history, to spread awareness about the work done to support child victims or witnesses to crime or abuse.

This show features an interview with Robin Heald, the Executive Director of the Child Witness Centre.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-09-18- “For the water behind the dams”, Walking the Grand River as ceremony

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CKMSNews -2025-09-17- Grand River Water Walk 2025

dan kellar
Waterloo Region, ON – Most people that have walked with us say they have been transformed in how they appreciate the water and appreciate the land”. Those are the worlds of Mary Anne Caibaiosai, an Anishnaabe woman who has since 2018 been organising the Grand River Water Walk. Caibaiosai spoke to CKMS News earlier this week.

Now in its 3rd year of its second 4 year cycle, Caibaiosai also reminds folks that the walk is not a “social event or political statement, but a ceremony. This year’s walk, which begins on September 21st at the mouth of the river near Dundalk “is for the water behind the dams”.  The  walk, down to the river’s mouth at Lake Erie, is for people of all nations and it follows the protocols of Josephine-baa Mandamin, who led water walks around the Great Lakes prior to her passing in 2019.

This show features an interview with Mary Anne Caibaiosai

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-09-09- A delicious month of local eats as townships set to host events celebrating local food.

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CKMS News -2025-09-09- A delicious month of local eats as townships set to host events celebrating local food

dan kellar
Woolwich, ON – The Region of Waterloo’s four rural townships are hosting their 5th annual Taste The Countryside initiative, launching on September 15th with the Countryside Harvest Meal.  Along with the fundraising dinner, the other main event is a 10-day “Dining Trail”, which begins on September 25th, has been organised to highlight restaurants throughout the townships.

While the overall initiative seeks to support farm-to-table dining in the region, this year’s organizers are also putting a focus on local food security with a portion of the Harvest Meal’s ticket sales going to support local food banks. Taste the Countryside’s support for local food banks is very timely; according to the The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, 1 in 8 households across the region access food from support organizations.

This show features an interview with Kurtis Wells, the Economic Development and Tourism Officer for the  Township of Woolwich.

Background restaurant noise was pulled from WikiCommons and is public domain.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-07-31- Caribana Ignite returns to the region with a scorching summer schedule

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CKMS News -2025-07-31- Caribana Ignite returns to the region with a scorching summer schedule.

dan kellar
Kitchener – Caribana Ignite, a celebration of Caribbean culture, has returned to Waterloo Region, with events taking place throughout the summer and culminating in a two-day family-friendly festival and Carnival parade in late August.  For its second year, along with all the new lead-up events, the festival organisers have also teamed up with a costume designer to offer special Carnival costumes, which are only available to residents of Waterloo Region.

From an ongoing weekly patio night in Kitchener, to presenting at an Argo’s game, to a pop-cup caribana in Waterloo and attending regional events, the Caribana Arts Group has organised a summer full of events ending with the a street festival in downtown Kitchener on August 22nd and 23rd.  Over 15,000 people attend the inaugural festival in 2024.

This show features interviews with Geraldine Stafford an organiser of the Caribana Ignite festival and Steve Roth, the manager of special events for the City of Kitchener.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-07-24- Local opposition to the provincial government’s ‘Bill 5’ continues.

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CKMS News -2025-07-24- Local opposition to the provincial government’s ‘Bill 5’ continues

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Before shutting down the Ontario legislature on June 9th for a four month summer break, Doug Ford’s conservative party rushed through new legislation that gives the government the power to ignore environmental and labour laws and bypass Indigenous rights through the creation of so-called “special economic zones“. Bill 5, also gives the government the ability to ignore planning regulations and municipal by-laws for new developments which it deems “critical”.

This show features an interview with Kitchener Centre Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy about the new legislation and the ongoing work the Green Party is doing to bring awareness and support Ontario residents in pushing back against the new legislation.  Thousands of Ontarians have taken part in protests against Bill 5, and the Green Party has been touring the province speaking with organizers and holding community meetings.

Also included is a statement CKMS News received from the office of Kitchener Conestoga Conservative MPP Mike Harris Jr, defending the legislation.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-07-17- Waterloo Region launches pilot study to make roundabouts safer

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CKMS News -2025-07-17- Waterloo Region launches pilot study to make roundabouts safer.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – The Region of Waterloo will be piloting modifications to three roundabouts to find ways to make them safer and more comfortable for pedestrians to traverse the intersections.  The pilot program will run for a year from September 2025 when the modifications are installed, and a report is expected to be delivered to the Regional council in late 2026.

The 3 roundabouts included in the pilot are Homer Watson Boulevard and Block Line Road in Kitchener, Franklin Boulevard and Bishop Street in Cambridge, and Erb Street W and Ira Needles Boulevard in Waterloo.

This show features an interview with  Darryl Spencer, the Manager of Transportation Engineering for the Region of Waterloo who told CKMS News that “statistically speaking we do have a good track record at our roundabouts… but we do hear feedback from members of the public that some of these roundabouts are a safety concern”.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2025-07-10- Kitchener encourages kids to get outdoors with summertime “Play In The Park” program

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CKMS News – 2025-07-10- Kitchener encourages kids to get outdoors with summertime “Play In The Park” program

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Kitchener is piloting a new free program this summer aimed to get kids outdoors and interacting with each other and with nature.  The program, which started on July 2nd is called Play in the Park and will run weekdays from 10am-noon until August 22nd at three neighbourhood parks spread across Kitchener: Wilson Park, Morgan Park, and Gzowski Park.

In a press release Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said “Play in the Park will offer organized outdoor activities that encourage a greater appreciation of nature, our parks and our environment. Some of the best childhood memories come from exploring the outdoors in the summer and discovering new things with friends.”  Play in the Park is a drop-in program which does not require registration.

This show features an interview with Lori Palubeski, the manager of neighbourhood programs and services at the City of Kitchener.

For more information about Play in the park visit Kitchener.ca/PlayInThePark.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-06-25- Library Of Things celebrates OTF grant at annual summer garage sale

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CKMS News -2025-06-25- Library Of Things celebrates OTF grant at annual summer garage sale

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – The Library of Things of Kitchener-Waterloo has been awarded a big grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation which will facilitate a new project and lead to 5 new part-time staff positions for folks who have developmental or intellectual disabilities. The $440,100 grant was celebrated at the annual community garage sale on June 24th at the organization’s headquarters on Moore St in Kitchener.

The LoT, which freely lends out items such as tools, camping gear, and kitchen appliances, and is the social enterprise of the charitable service organization Extend-a-Family has a mission to “build a sharing economy in Waterloo Region by equipping individuals with the tools and resources they need to create, build, and explore, while fostering equity through meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.”

This episode features clips from speeches given at the event, including from Kitchener-Centre Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy, and a short interview with Kim Sproul, the Community Program Manager for the Library of Things.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-06-18- Sunrise ceremony and “Land Back Camp” celebration to kick off the Multicultural Festival on Indigenous Peoples Day

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CKMS News -2025-06-18- Sunrise ceremony and “Land Back Camp” celebration to kick on the Multicultural Festival on Indigenous Peoples Day

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Ahead of the Sunrise Ceremony and celebration for the 5 year anniversary of Land Back Camp on June 21st, CKMS News spoke with Bangishimo, an organizer of the event and an Indigenous advocate in the region.  June 21st is also National Indigenous People’s Day and the summer solstice.

Bangishimo told CKMS News that the Sunrise ceremony will run from 7am to around 9am in the courtyard at the Willow River Centre in downtown Kitchener.  For the first time the ceremony is being held in partnership with the multicultural festival which runs over the weekend in Willow River Park.

The Sunrise ceremony will feature a ceremonial fire, drumming and song, and words from youth activist Skye Smoke, and advocate, educator, and Residential School Survivor Lila Bruyere.

Bangishimo, a coordinator at the Willow River Centre also discusses the impact that “Land Back Camp” has had locally in the five years following land reclamation action.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-06-11- Wildfire smoke triggers air quality warnings in Waterloo Region

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CKMS News -2025-06-11- Wildfire smoke triggers air quality warnings in Waterloo Region

Kitchener, ON – An active start to the wildfire season in Canada has led to warnings about air quality in Waterloo Region over the past weeks.  While currently bouncing between 3 and 5 out of 10, or low and moderate risk on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Air Quality Health Index website, on June 5 and 6th, an air quality warning was issued as measurements were 11, or very high risk.

According to federal government data, the last 3 years are the first to have had days in Waterloo Region with Air Quality Health Index peaks over 10.  As experts expect the frequency and severity of wildfires to increase due to climate change, low air quality could become seasonally endemic.

This show features an interview with Dr Eilish Scallan, a physician working in the Environmental Health department of Region of Waterloo Public Health.  Scallan discusses how air quality affects the health of residents and what folks can do to reduce their exposure to wildfire driven low air quality.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-05-29- An “Urgent Mobilization for Gaza” in Waterloo demands immediate government action to stop the killings in Palestine

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CKMS News -2025-05-29- An “Urgent Mobilization for Gaza” in Waterloo demands immediate government action to stop the killings in Palestine

dan kellar
Waterloo, ON – On Sunday May 25th, several hundred residents attended a demonstration in Waterloo which demanded that the Canadian government implement a full, two way arms embargo and sanctions against Israel.  Speakers at the demonstration called out the “ongoing genocide against Palestinians”, highlighted Canadian complicity in the violence through ongoing sales of weapon and technology, and linked the violent settler colonialism happening in the Palestine to the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous people of their lands in Canada.

This show features an interview with Nick Joseph, the media liaison for the demonstration. Joseph speaks about the demands made by demonstrators, the weapons industry in the region, and other actions folks in Canada can take to work towards justice for Palestinians.  Joseph was previously the spokesperson for the Gaza House protests at the University of Waterloo in 2024.

CKMS News reached out to the local members of parliament, including MP Chagger whose office was along the march’s route, asking for a response to the demands made by demonstrators, but did not receive a response from any of them.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News – 2025-05-27- Everybody wants to be a part of Erick Traplin Day

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CKMS News -2025-05-27- Everybody wants to be a part of Erick Traplin Day

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – With Erick Traplin Day approaching, CKMS News spoke to the cherished entertainer about his craft, his wide-ranging support, and the June 8th celebration of his decades-long career and continuing musical efforts.  Erick Traplin who is based in rural St Clements is a children’s entertainer with 7 albums. He has performed at countless events across Waterloo Region and throughout Ontario.

Speaking about Erick Traplin Day, Traplin told CKMS that he is overwhelmed and grateful and reflected that “when I perform, I feel a joy going through me.”

CKMS News also interviewed Steve Roth, the manager of special events for the city of Kitchener, and a lead organiser of Erick Traplin day.  Roth said the event is an all-ages variety show with activities throughout the afternoon.

Erick Traplin day will take place from noon to 5pm on Sunday June 8th at Carl Zehr square at Kitchener’s city hall. Additional details of the event are available at ErickTraplinDay.ca.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-05-15- Mike Morrice remains committed to Kitchener Centre despite losing his seat in parliament

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CKMS News -2025-05-15- Mike Morrice remains committed to Kitchener Centre despite losing his seat in parliament

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – Mike Morrice made history in 2021 by becoming the first elected Green Party MP from Ontario, however  he will not be returning to parliament in 2025 after being defeated in April’s federal election by 375 votes by the Conservative Party candidate Kelly DeRidder.

This show features an interview with now former Kitchener Centre Green Party MP Mike Morrice.  Morrice  discusses what he accomplished in parliament and what was left undone.  Speaking about what he was proud of, Morrice brought up his work on securing and strengthening the Canadian Disability Benefit, saying that “regardless of the results of the election, that work will continue”.

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-05-08- Kitchener council celebrates the Dark Eyed Junco with “official bird” designation

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CKMS News -2025-05-08- Kitchener council celebrates the Dark Eyed Junco with “official bird” designation

dan kellar
 Kitchener, ON – With a unanimous vote on Monday, Kitchener’s council declared the dark-eyed junco as the “official bird” of the city.  The vote came on the heels of a public delegation from Meredith Blunt, of Bird Friendly City Kitchener. Blunt helped run the City Bird Poll which occurred in November and December 2024.

With 1265 votes cast in the poll, the dark-eyed junco, also known as the Junco Hyemalis,  had 45.1% of the vote. The subspecies most likely to be seen around Kitchener is the Slate-coloured dark-eyed junco.

City staff also recommended the designation of the dark-eyed junco, noting it builds on Kitchener’s “Bird Friendly City” status, and aligns with the city’s strategic plan under the “Cultivating a Green City Together” heading.

This show features the delegation from Meredith Blunt, as well as a question and comments from councillors.  Blunt is hosting birding walks and talks at City Hall’s pop-up space Sq. Peg on Wednesdays through Sundays all through May.

Audio of dark-eyed junco by Matthias Sirch and Doug Hynes from Wiki Commons: xeno-canto. Used under Creative-Commons licence 4.0;

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-05-01- Indigenous artwork at new library branch focuses on interconnectedness and storytelling

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CKMS News -2025-05-01- Indigenous artwork at new library branch focuses on interconnectedness and storytelling.

dan kellar
Kitchener, ON – While the neighbourhood surrounding Kitchener’s newest library branch in still under construction, inside the building, a 15m long wall sculpture has been installed and unveiled, which according to a city press release “explores and honours connection to the earth and to each other, but also the traditional sharing of knowledge within Indigenous communities.”

The artwork, a collaboration with Anishinaabe Indigenous artists Isaac Murdoch and Nyle Johnston is named Wintertime Stories and is a sprawling mixed medium sculpture made with acrylic and wood and features pictographs and iconography. The press release notes the sculpture is “rooted in the Anishinabek storytelling tradition, intersecting cultures and life in the northern woodlands”.

This show features interviews with Wintertime Stories co-creator Nyle Johnston and Eric Rumble, the Coordinator, or Arts and Creative Industries at City of Kitchener, who helped facilitate the selection process for the artwork.

Watch a short film on the artwork here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiputhmpSH4

CKMS Community News, Newsroom, Shows

CKMS News -2025-04-25- More Strong Mayor Powers Granted In Waterloo Region

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CKMS News -2025-04-25- More Strong Mayor Powers Granted In Waterloo Region

dan kellar
Waterloo Region, ON – On May 1st, mayors of 169 small and medium sized municipalities will be granted Strong Mayor Powers by the provincial government, giving them new abilities to direct hirings, enact by-laws, and set their budgets with less democratic participation by city councillors or the public. Since 2023, 47 other mayors have been granted the new status.

The conservative government says that the powers will help municipalities deliver on provincial priorities like building homes and infrastructure.  However, data from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation  shows that housing starts were down 33% in January and February compared to the same months in 2024, leading critics, including the Green Party to question the effectiveness of the Strong Mayor strategy.

This show starts with an interview with MPP Clancy and moves onto interviews with the Mayor of Wilmot Township Natasha Salonen, and Mayor Sandy Shantz of Woolwich Township, who are both about to be granted the Strong Mayor Powers.  Also included is a statement CKMS News received from Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe.