Tag Archives: Municipal politics

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

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

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

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. 

Regime Radio with Waterloo Mayor Candidate, Shannon Weber; Waterloo Regional Councillor Candidate, Lindsay Manary, with William Martin – Community Builder

Municipal election date: October 26.
Today on Regime Radio we spoke with Waterloo Regional Councillor Candidate, Lindsay Manary; and, Shannon Weber, Mayor Candidate for Waterloo.
Topics:
-Affordability and housing
-Accountable Governing – Accountable Budget: where do our taxes go?
-Water capacity and supporting Canadian and local economic growth
-Human trafficking: educational tools, law enforcement, community supports, safe places.
-Strengthen collaborations between different levels of Government to better assist community needs
-Supporting dignity and housing, assisted housing
-Traffic safety, multi-use trails and safety concerns. Creating an online tool where community input traffic issues/areas.
-Updating infrastructure – essential services

“If you are not at the table, you are part of the menu”

Go to vote!
Photo by: New Unique Photography – William Martin
aired on September 25

Meet The Candidate – 2026 Municipal Election

A blue ballot box with a sign "Vote", a hand reaches from the top right to insert a ballot.Meet The Candidate brings the candidates from Waterloo Region into the studio to present their platform, the local issues they’ll tackle, the reasons they’re running, and maybe a personal glimpse into their life outside of politics.

The municipal elections in Ontario are on Monday 26 October 2026 — Get your information about the candidates now!

Meet The Candidate is hosted by Bob Jonkman and airs on CKMS-FM weekdays at 9:00am and again at 9:33am from Monday 21 September 2026 to Friday 23 October 2026, with a Campaign Analysis episode on election day, Monday 26 October 2026, and a 2026 Municipal Election Summary on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

All candidates for Waterloo Region Council (including Mayoralty candidates) were invited by e-mail, the candidate’s online contact form, or on social media. Some have declined to participate, others have not responded. Available timeslots were then offered to municipal council and school trustee candidates.



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Recent Episodes

Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – 2026 Municipal Election Results Bob Jonkman reads the results of the 2026 municipal election, held Monday 26 October 2026, from the websites of the municipalities in Waterloo Region. Note that all these results are unofficial, pending verification of the results by the municipal clerk in each jurisdiction. More information on after-election procedures is at Ontario Guide to Municipal Council … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – 2026 Municipal Election Results →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – 2026 Municipal Election Campaign Analysis with Bob Jonkman and Marinus de Groot 2026 Municipal Election Campaign Analysis with Bob Jonkman and Marinus de Groot discussing the 2026 municipal election candidates, campaigns, and democracy in general. Show Notes: Coming soon! See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-26-E40-2026-municipal-election-campaign-analysis.mp3 Download: 2026 Municipal Election Campaign Analysis with Bob Jonkman and Marinus de Groot (Podcast) (53 MB, … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – 2026 Municipal Election Campaign Analysis with Bob Jonkman and Marinus de Groot →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Nikki Rollick, Kitchener Candidate for Ward 7 Nikki Rollick, Kitchener Candidate for Ward 7, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Friday 23 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://votenikkirollick.ca Email: votenikkirollick@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/votenikkirollick/ See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-23-E39-nikki-rollick-kitchener-candidate-for-ward-7.mp3 Download: Nikki Rollick, Kitchener Candidate for Ward 7 (Podcast) (23 MB, … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Nikki Rollick, Kitchener Candidate for Ward 7 →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Cristina Bairos Fernandes, Waterloo and Wilmot candidate for WRDSB Trustee Cristina Bairos Fernandes, Waterloo and Wilmot candidate for WRDSB Trustee, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Thursday 22 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Email: cristina.bf@pm.me Phone: +1-519-571-4942 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crisbairosfern/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrisBairosFern Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrisBairosFern See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-22-E38-cristina-bairos-fernandes-waterloo-candidate-for-wrdsb-trustee.mp3 Download: Cristina Bairos … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Cristina Bairos Fernandes, Waterloo and Wilmot candidate for WRDSB Trustee →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Carly Pettinger, Kitchener candidate for Ward 8 Carly Pettinger, Kitchener candidate for Ward 8, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Thursday 22 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://votecarly.ca/ Email: carly@votecarly.ca Phone: +1-226-792-2117 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-pettinger-074869b1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/votecarlypettinger/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@carlypettinger Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Carly-Pettinger-for-Ward-8-Kitchener/61590125566603/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlypettinger See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-22-E37-carly-pettinger-kitchener-candidate-for-ward-8mp3.mp3 … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Carly Pettinger, Kitchener candidate for Ward 8 →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Geoffrey Horsman, Waterloo candidate for WRDSB Trustee Geoffrey Horsman, Waterloo candidate for WRDSB Trustee, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Wednesday 21 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://geoff-horsman.ca/ Email: geoff.horsman@gmail.com Phone: +1-226-600-9048 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-horsman-b6b2b023/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeoffHorsmanWRDSB Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/geoffhorsman.bsky.social See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-21-E36-geoffrey-horsman-waterloo-candidate-for-wrdsb-truste.mp3 Download: Geoffrey Horsman, Waterloo … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Geoffrey Horsman, Waterloo candidate for WRDSB Trustee →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Cindy Ward, Kitchener candidate for Mayor Cindy Ward, Kitchener candidate for Mayor, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Wednesday 21 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.cindyward.ca/ Email: cindywardformayor@gmail.com Phone: +1-226-750-9019 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-ward-phd-3408a278/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcindys_kitchenlife/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.ward.3367 See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-21-E35-cindy-ward-kitchener-candidate-for-mayor.mp3 Download: Cindy Ward, Kitchener candidate … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Cindy Ward, Kitchener candidate for Mayor →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Ken Roche, Cambridge candidate for Mayor Ken Roche, Cambridge candidate for Mayor, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Tuesday 20 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Email: kenrochermt@rogers.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenrochermt/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenrochermt/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kenrochermt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560323836436 https://www.facebook.com/kenrochermt See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-20-E34-ken-roche-cambridge-candidate-for-mayor.mp3 Download: Ken Roche, Cambridge candidate for … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Ken Roche, Cambridge candidate for Mayor →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Sam Nabi, Kitchener candidate for Ward 10 Sam Nabi, Kitchener candidate for Ward 10, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Monday 19 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://samnabi.ca/ Email: hello@samnabi.ca Phone: +1-226-988-4137 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samnabi/ Fediverse: https://spore.social/@samnabi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuelnabi/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@samuelnabi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelnabi Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/samnabi.bsky.social TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samnabidemos See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Sam Nabi, Kitchener candidate for Ward 10 →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Vikki Poirier, Kitchener candidate for Ward 4 Vikki Poirier, Kitchener candidate for Ward 4, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Monday 19 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://vikkipoirier.ca/ Email: vikki4council@gmail.com Phone: +1-226-868-1196 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikki-poirier-b3493161/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikkiward4kitchener/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1243585312179762 https://www.facebook.com/vikki.poirier.1977 See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-19-E32-vikki-poirier-kitchener-candidate-for-ward-4.mp3 Download: Vikki Poirier, … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Vikki Poirier, Kitchener candidate for Ward 4 →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Waterloo candidate for Regional Council Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Waterloo candidate for Regional Council, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Friday 16 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.sarveshsingh.ca/ Email: talktosarvesh@gmail.com Phone: +1-647-527-7040 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarvesh_connects See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-16-E31-sarvesh-pratap-singh-waterloo-candidate-for-regional-council.mp3 Download: Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Waterloo candidate for … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Sarvesh Pratap Singh, Waterloo candidate for Regional Council →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Eric Schwindt, Woolwich candidate for Mayor Eric Schwindt, Woolwich candidate for Mayor, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Friday 16 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.schwindtformayor.ca/ Email: schwindtformayor@gmail.com eschwindt@rogers.com Phone: +1-519-272-3441 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-schwindt-1162b4164/ See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-16-E30-eric-schwindt-woolwich-candidate-for-mayor.mp3 Download: Eric Schwindt, Woolwich candidate for Mayor (Podcast) … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Eric Schwindt, Woolwich candidate for Mayor →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Kris Wilkinson, Wilmot candidate for Mayor Kris Wilkinson, Wilmot candidate for Mayor, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Thursday 15 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.kris4wilmot.com Email: kris4wilmot@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriswilkinsonrh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kris4wilmot Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083241619053 See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-15-E29-kris-wilkinson-wilmot-candidate-for-mayor.mp3 Download: Kris Wilkinson, Wilmot candidate for Mayor … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Kris Wilkinson, Wilmot candidate for Mayor →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Scott Piatkowski, Waterloo candidate for Ward 5 Scott Piatkowski, Waterloo candidate for Ward 5, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Thursday 15 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.scottpiatkowski.ca/ Email: scott@scottpiatkowski.ca Phone: +1-519-577-2554 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scott-piatkowski-for-ward-5-waterloo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottpiatkowskiward5waterloo/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@scott.piatkowski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589333936758 See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-15-E28-scott-piatkowski-waterloo-candidate-for-ward-5.mp3 Download: Scott … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Scott Piatkowski, Waterloo candidate for Ward 5 →
Meet The Candidate (two hands reaching for each other to shake; left arm is a woman of colour, right arm is a white person with a blue sleeve. Meet The Candidate – Shannon Weber, Waterloo candidate for Mayor Shannon Weber, Waterloo candidate for Mayor, spoke with Bob Jonkman on Wednesday 14 October 2026 about the issues for the 2026 municipal election. Contact Information: Website: https://www.shannonweber.ca/ Email: info@shannonweber.ca Phone: +1-226-400-6627 LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/shannon-weber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonweberwaterloo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.weber.1612 See all episodes of Meet The Candidate — 2026 Municipal Election. Podcast https://radiowaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/meet-the-candidate-2026-10-14-E27-shannon-weber-waterloo-candidate-for-mayor.mp3 Download: Shannon Weber, Waterloo candidate … Continue reading Meet The Candidate – Shannon Weber, Waterloo candidate for Mayor →

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CKMS News 2025-01-07: City of Waterloo staff and council release the 2025 budget, announce 6.34 percent tax increase

Host: Leah Gerber

The City of Waterloo staff published a press release last week announcing the confirmation of the 2025 budget and a 6.34 percent property tax increase. Waterloo staff and council determine the budget in three year increments, so this was a confirmation of a budget and tax increase that had been predetermined last year, says councillor and finance liaison Diane Freeman. Director of financial planning and asset management for the city, Brad Witzel explained how the average annual increase to each household is determined, as well as the city’s infrastructure funding gap of 39 million dollars.

Kitchener City Council approves $250 Million Plan for Net Zero Emissions by 2050

MP Holmes
Kitchener, ON

At its April 29 Council meeting, Kitchener City Council approved a $250 million capital grant over 25 years ($10 million per year) to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This decision, part of the city’s second corporate climate action plan named Pivot Net Zero, aims to significantly reduce emissions primarily from city facilities and the city vehicular fleet. In an earlier show this week, CKMS spoke to city staff about these changes.

These goals come amidst various challenges including technological uncertainties and financial constraints. Despite these hurdles, the plan has garnered unanimous support from the council, emphasizing the need to set a positive example for the community and act urgently in the face of the climate emergency declared by the city in June 2019.

The plan aligns with the city’s broader strategic goals of cultivating a green city.