Play a key role in our city's future by sitting on a local advisory committee or board.

On this page:

  1. About committees
  2. Advisory committees
  3. Boards
  4. Quasi-judicial committees

About committees

Committees give advice and feedback to city council and standing committees on a variety of issues, including arts and culture, accessibility, downtown and the environment. Boards have the autonomy to make decisions for the good of their organizations.

Each advisory committee and board also has at least one city council member.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available to committee/board members (and guests) upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.

Advisory committees

Open the accordions below to learn about our advisory committees. For more information, including planned work for each committee during the current term, please use the contact information in the accordion.

Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee

Meets: second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Provides community input to assist city council in creating a livable, environmentally friendly city that is safe for walking and cycling. Advises on design, development and delivery of cycling and trail policies, programs and facilities. For more information, please contact Alison Carlyle, 519-741-2200 x 7372 or review the committee's terms of reference. (current terms of reference under review)  The current appointees are Councillor Councillor Paul Singh, Matthew Bells, Emily Bennett, Jorg Broschek, Philip Charbonneau, Lynn Dramnitzki, Bart Forwell, Victoria Hand, Greg Piccini, Rida Rahman, Barry Tracey and Wanda West.
Aeronautical noise advisory committee

This committee is temporarily suspended.

Provides regular and effective communications between the Region of Waterloo International Airport, residents, local aviation businesses and users, businesses located within Canada's Technology Triangle, Transport Canada, Nav Canada, Canadian Business Aircraft Association and the Air Transport Association of Canada, with regards to the effects of aviation noise from the airport on the surrounding community. For more information, please contact the airport manager at 519-648-2256, or review the committee's terms of reference.
Arts and culture advisory committee

Meets: third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Provides advice and recommendations to city council and staff on arts and culture matters to further our strategic directions. For more information, please contact Karoline Varin or call 519-741-2200 ext. 7912, or review the committee's terms of reference. The current appointees are Councillor Dave Schnider, Olufunmilayo Ajibade, Annabelle Girard, Julie Hall, Maggie Lam, Maria Melo, Brenda Reid, Isabella Stefanescu and Esther Wainaina.
Climate change and environment committee

Meets: third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m.

An advisory committee to city council on all environmental matters. The committee considers the environment in its broadest possible terms, and its mandate includes all activities and operations of the city that affect the environment. For more information, please contact Natalie Goss, 519-741-2200 x 7648, or check out the committee's terms of reference. The current appointees are Councillors Scott Davey and Stephanie Stretch, Klas Bockasten, Jennifer Clary-Lemon, Morgan Garner, Gudmundur Johannesson, Braden Kurczak, Kyle Loveless, Veronica Nhio-Son, Mahyar Shafii, Farzaneh Tohidi, Brian Unrau and Brooklin Wallis.
Compass Kitchener

Meets: first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.

Validates the Compass Kitchener vision, guiding principles, values and strategic priorities on a regular basis, with the community's input and participation. This committee creates and leads public processes to determine community concerns, identify priorities for action and monitor progress toward achieving the community vision. For more information, please contact Allison Remillard at 519-741-2200, ext. 7092, or check out the Compass Kitchener terms of reference. The current appointees are Evren Aitinkas, Kim Brabazon, Troy Glover, Alide Fortmanis, Ruth Lavender, Wasai Rahimi, Judy Stephens-Wells, Linda Terry, Lee-Anne Thompson, Lori Trumper and James Young.
Downtown advisory committee

Meets: fourth Thursday of each month at 4 p.m.

Assists the economic development division with the implementation of various initiatives of the Downtown Kitchener Action Plan, and advises city council on matters that affect the downtown and its adjacent neighbourhoods. For more information, please contact Thea Mistry at 226-750-0592, or check out the committee's terms of reference. The current appointees are Councillors Debbie Chapman and Stephanie Stretch, Aminka Belvitt, Jennifer Birnstihl, Sandra Castle, Joel Leslie, William Turman and Brandon Van Dam.
Economic development advisory committee
Advises city council and the economic development division on the development and ongoing implementation of economic development strategies and initiatives. For more information, please contact Navitha Nandakumar, 519-741-2200 x 7957, or check out the committee's terms of reference.  The current appointees are Councillors Ayo Owodunni, Dave Schnider and Margaret Johnston, Ali Akbar, Mark Bingeman, Ben Campbell, Joe Curto, Srikanth Desikachar, Chuck Howitt, Paul Kreutner, Matthew Kruschack, Jason Malfara, Margaret Lam, Laura Rodriguez Reyes and Barclay Whittaker.
Equity and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee

Meets: monthly or at the discretion of the committee. View the meeting calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

This advisory committee provides advice and recommendations to Council on matters related to equity and anti-racism to support and further the City’s strategic directions. The committee supports the Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives division as a resource, source of collaboration and feedback, and serves as a conduit to the larger community when additional feedback and engagement is required. The committee also serves as the selection committee for the Racialized & Indigenous Supports for Equity (RISE) Fund, a community grant program for Black, Indigenous and racialized groups and organizations. 

For more information, please contact Amanda DrumondOpen new window to send an email to Amanda Drumond, 519-741-2200 x 7591 or review the committee's terms of reference.

The current appointees are: Ann Marie Beals, Avni Adams, Ayesha Munir, Danny Martin, Saba Oji, Fiorella Benini, Oluseun Olayinka, Paul Okoye, Rida Rahman and Veronica Vasquez.
Heritage Kitchener

Meets: first Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Advises on matters involving conservation of publicly and privately owned cultural heritage resources within Kitchener, and serves as our municipal heritage committee, as defined in the Ontario Heritage Act. For more information, please contact Marilyn Mills, or check out the committee's terms of reference. The current appointees are Councillors Christine Michaud and Debbie Chapman, Ilona Bodendorfer, Peter Ciuciura, Shannon Eckel-Braun, Jean Haalboom, Tyler Marshall, Natalie Pikulski, Andrew Portengen, Des Rosskopf and Donny Vongphakdy.

Boards

Open the accordions below to learn about our boards. For more information, including planned work for each committee during the current term, please use the contact information in the accordion.

 Belmont Village Business Improvement Area (BIA)

The Belmont Village (BIA) is a board of management established by City Council.  An elected Board of Directors of business owners and commercial property owners govern the organization.  Through passionate volunteers, the BIA supports essential services, beautifies common spaces and markets the distinct specialties of the business members.  The vision of the BIA is to transform Belmont Village into a delightful destination that captivates and surprises everyone who visits.

Recently the Belmont BIA has requested to expand the boundary of the BIA. There is a process set out in the Municipal Act (the Act) that the City must follow.

  1. The City is required to provide notice of the request to the board of management of the BIA, and to every  person who, on the last returned assessment roll, is assessed for rateable property that is in a prescribed business property class which is located, where the improvement area already exists, in the improvement area and in any geographic area the proposed by-law would add to the improvement area. See the public notice (attached).
  2. Property owners must submit a Tenant List by November 14, 2024 which was mailed in paper or can be completed online with this form.
  3. Property owners and tenants may submit an Objection if they do not want to be included in the proposed boundary. Objection forms were mailed in paper or can be completed online with this form by December 14, 2024.

For more information, contact Lauren Chlumsky.
Centre in the Square board of directors

Meets: monthly on Wednesdays at 8 a.m., except July

The Centre In The Square Inc. is a not-for-profit arts corporation, which operates and maintains the city-owned venue known as the Centre In The Square (CITS) where both local and international artists perform. The main duty of the board of directors is one of governance. From time to time, board members with specific skills are sought including, but not limited to, legal, accounting, human resources, marketing and fund raising. Please ensure you specifically highlight any skills, experience or expertise that would benefit CITS in your application. For more information, please contact the Centre In The Square at 519-578-5660. The current appointees are listed here.

Board description

Position:
Centre In The Square Board of Directors

Term:
Three (3) years, with the option of a second term for three (3) years.

A director that has served two (2) consecutive terms will be eligible for reappointment to the board if they sit out for one full year after the second consecutive term.

Renumeration:
None.

Board members may receive complimentary tickets for shows presented at CITS, when applicable.

Legal Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident or work at a company with a City of Kitchener address. May not employed by Centre In The Square.

Time Commitment Required:
Eleven (11) monthly board meetings, normally held on Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Centre In The Square. The board does not meet in July. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

All reports are distributed via email in advance of meetings.

Several committees (governance, finance, nominating) are in place and their time commitment varies. Board members typically contribute to at least one committee.

General Function of the Board:
The CITS Board of Directors stewards the financials and operations of the facility setting key policies for implementation by the Executive Director. The Board appoints the Executive Director who directs programming, brand management, customer service, marketing, fundraising, finance and operations, and staffing.

Specific Duties of the Board:
  • Attend all board meetings; contribute to committees; support succession planning through committee and board leadership.
  • Promote and advocate the role of CITS as a presenter and animator of the performing arts in the KW region, and support fundraising.
  • Establish and monitor the organization's strategic plan, measuring KPls and adjust plans to meet the overall goals.
  • Assess and adopt policies to govern the organization and its operations.
  • Set the annual operating budget for the organization and facility. Approve the yearly audited statements.
  • Recruit and evaluate annual performance of the Executive Director.
  • When required, participate in planned public relations events; act as spokesperson for the organization; attend outside meetings/ community events.
  • Endorse requests and applications to local, provincial and national funding programs to support programming activities and/or infrastructure improvements.
  • Govern the short-term and long-range maintenance and improvements of the facility.
  • Ensure the organization meets health and safety standards and other legislated compliance for public facilities.
Desirable qualifications and experience
  • Business acumen and demonstrated leadership abilities.
  • Aptitude for planning, short and long range.
  • Ability to work in a political environment.
  • Knowledge of the community's social and economic conditions.
  • Special expertise in finance, fundraising, legal, human resources, or building management are assets.

Contact for additional information
Eric Lariviere, Executive Director
ELariviere@centreinthesquare.com

Dan Carli, Chair, Board of Directors
decarli232@gmail.com
Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA)

The Downtown Kitchener BIA is a board of management established by City Council. An elected Board of Directors of business owners and commercial property owners govern the organization. Through their passionate team, the BIA provides services including streetscape beautification, marketing, festival and event support and more. The Mission of the BIA is to make Downtown Kitchener a destination where people connect with each other, business and culture.
Kitchener Housing Inc. board of directors

Meets: third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Provides leadership for this non-profit organization, and remains committed to developing and managing innovative and affordable housing that fosters personal and community growth. The board's purpose is also to expand and diversify the organization's rental housing portfolio by mobilizing community support and financial resources through the development of innovative partnerships. Please ensure your application includes specific experience, skills and expertise that would benefit Kitchener Housing Inc. For more information, please contact Lori Trumper at 519-744-6655, ext. 209. The current appointees are Councillors Bil Ioannidis and Jason Deneault, Melanie Goodfellow, Andrew Vlcek, Cassandra O’Brien, Tara Bedard and Andrew Portengen.
Kitchener Public Library board

Meets: third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.

The Kitchener Public Library (KPL) board, which is established under provincial legislation, is responsible for the management and control of our local public libraries. Please ensure your application includes specific experience, skills and expertise that would benefit KPL. For more information, please contact KPL CEO Darren Solomon at 519-743-0271, or check out the following description of a board trustee position. The current appointees are Councillors Margaret Johnston and Christine Michaud, Katherine Andrews, Shannon Nicholson, Clare Wagner, Anjali Misra, Jason Hammond, Maggie Lam, Brandon Van Dam, Laura Blythe, Bonita Hansra.

Quasi-judicial committees

Open the accordions below to learn about our quasi-judicial committees. For more information, including planned work for each committee during the current term, please use the contact information in the accordion.

Committee of adjustment

Meets: every third Tuesday morning

The committee of adjustment considers and makes decisions relative to the following types of planning applications:

  • Minor variances to the zoning bylaw
  • Consents (dividing land parcels to create new lots)
  • Validation of title
  • Fence and sign variances
  • City council appoints all members of the committee of adjustment.

The current appointees are Scott Hannah, Marco Gambetti, Bob McColl, Douglas Pateman and Brian Santos.
Dog designation appeal committee
An appeal tribunal for citizens who have dogs that have been designated by the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society under our dog designation bylaw. For more information, please contact Marilyn Mills at 519-741-2200, ext. 7275, or check out our dog designation appeal committee guidelines and appeal application form. The current appointees are Councillors Jason Deneault, Ayo Owodunni and Margaret Johnston (Alternate) and a member of the Canadian Kennel Club.
Property standards committee

Meets: last Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m.

An appeal tribunal for citizens who have received 'Orders to Comply' from our enforcement staff regarding property standards. For more information, please contact Marilyn Mills at 519-741-2200, ext. 7275, or check out our property standards appeal committee guidelines and appeal application form. The current appointees are Mike Pulley, Sharlene Mohlman, Cyrus Medina and Sean McKelvie.