Councillor Margaret Johnston
Ward 8
In Office: 2018 - present
Margaret is a passionate community builder, business developer, volunteer and mom. Prior to election, Margaret served as the Kitchener Trustee on the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) where she supported Kitchener students, parents and staff. She worked with fellow trustees and staff to manage a budget of over $638 million and serve the WRDSB's 63,000 students and 5,000 staff.
As a Business Developer at the University of Waterloo, Margaret helps businesses find the talent they need to succeed by creating meaningful jobs for coop students and develop new business partnerships.
Margaret has a long history of serving her community as a member of both the City of Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Council and the City’s Property Standards Committee. She also served on the Service Review Panel for Co-operators of Canada and the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association. In addition, Margaret is an Elder at Knox Presbyterian Church. She has served as Chair and Board Member of Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre, Co–Chaired the St Jacob’s Family Birthing Home Board and served as chair on three school Parent Councils.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Post–Graduate Degree in Adult Education from Brock University. Margaret raised her daughters Allie and Sydney in Ward 8. She lives in Ward 8's Westmount neighbourhood with her golden retriever, Angus.
Current committee appointments
- Community & Infrastructure Services Committee (Chair)
- Animal Designation Appeal Committee (alternate)
- Belmont Improvement Area Board of Directors
- Dog Designation Appeal Committee
- Kitchener Public Library
- Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Enova Power Corp. (until May 31, 2025)
What's new in ward 8
Hello Ward 8 and Happy New Year! Winter has certainly arrived! We have been dealt a wallop of snow, rain, freezing rain - thanks to all of you who are keeping their sidewalks cleared, it has certainly been a lot to deal with and your efforts are appreciated!
If you can't beat 'em then join 'em and since Winter is here to stay, let's enjoy the outdoors! A great way to do that is by going skating! We have lots of free outdoor rinks in our Ward to enjoy:
- Belmont Park, 285 Belmont Avenue West
- Lakeside Park, Lakeside Drive and Gatewood Road
- Victoria Hills Community Centre, 11 Chopin Drive and Westmount Road
- Westmount Public School, 329 Glasgow Street
The City of Kitchener is recruiting winter rink volunteers and coordinators (18+) to help prepare and maintain outdoor rinks until March. For details, contact winterrinks@kitchener.ca or 519‑575‑6104.
Visitors to the Community Centre may have noticed a bright new addition to the Centre in the form of our Kitchener Public Library, Library Lockers! The Kitchener Public Library has brought the library to you! Pick up holds, browse, borrow and return items during open hours! All you need is a library card! Lockers are currently available at Chandler Mowat Community Centre and Victoria Hills Community Centre, on a first‑come, first‑served basis and are refreshed weekly. You have five days to pick up your holds. To get started, register for a library membership at kpl.org and begin borrowing for pickup right at the community centre. Such a terrific service!
In the Spring the new Official Plan should be coming to Council for consideration, probably in April. Here is the link to the Official Plan 2051 information: Kitchener 2051 | EngageWR - this is where you can see the first draft and email the Planning team with your thoughts. I will provide further information about the Official Plan including dates for it to come to Council. In the meantime please share input with the team and myself.
Contact Us
City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
Telephone: 519-741-2345,
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
mailto:info@kitchener.ca