Back to SearchThe Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, was welcomed by Mayor Berry Vrbanovic at Kitchener City Hall today for a bilateral meeting to discuss shared priorities for building a better Kitchener and Canada together.
This was the third visit from the Prime Minister to the City of Kitchener in the past year. This meeting was focused on discussing the needs of Canada’s fastest-growing community including enabling housing across the continuum, maintaining a thriving economy, the importance of a new fiscal framework, and collaboration to advance the localization of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“In everything we do, Kitchener has worked hard to develop its reputation as a trusted partner – backed by a track record of implementing bold, meaningful actions that have produced results for our community and for Canada,” said City of Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “We know that it’s critical to partner with all orders of government to address needs for our rapidly growing community such as housing, infrastructure, sustainability, and more.”
The pair discussed Kitchener’s vision of building a city for everyone and its ambitious goals to create a greener, healthier city; grow an agile, diverse, and caring economy; and implement the vision of Agenda 2030, in support of a more inclusive and prosperous world for all.
“Our government is working with ambitious cities like Kitchener to make life better and fairer, especially when it comes to the housing market,” said the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. “With programs like the Housing Accelerator Fund, we’re building more homes faster, while keeping them affordable. Alongside that, we’re upgrading local infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs, and growing dynamic, innovative communities – so every generation gets a chance to succeed.”
The Government of Canada’s commitments to the Housing Accelerator Fund, the continued support through the Canada Community Building Fund and the planned Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund are important steps in the right direction.
“Kitchener remains laser-focused on Building Kitchener Together, working collaboratively with our partners, and all orders of government,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “Serving on the front lines of the housing crisis, Kitchener and Canada’s cities and communities know that solutions require dependable and targeted funding to meet our ambitious housing goals and to ensure that we take care of each other and the world around us.”
Recently, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities released a roadmap to improve the quality of life for Canadians by strengthening municipal finances. This urgent call for action by the federal government to convene a meeting amongst all orders of government, details how local governments must maintain and build the daily infrastructure that residents need, and deliver the services they depend on, but need a new 21st century municipal growth framework to support them in dealing with these challenges.
Mayor Vrbanovic and Prime Minister Trudeau also discussed the increased role of cities like Kitchener beyond its borders, alongside other Canadian and global cities with respect to shared international priorities. In his role as Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments, and with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus, Mayor Vrbanovic discussed increased opportunities for Canadian cities ranging from localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to tackling climate change priorities to opportunities to grow the role of U7 local governments in advancing Canada’s priorities during its upcoming G7 Presidency in 2024-25.
“I want to thank The Government Canada and especially Prime Minister Trudeau and our local government MP’s for their continued support and partnership with the City of Kitchener,” says Mayor Vrbanovic. “As the largest city in our region, Kitchener stands ready to continue working with all orders of government, to ensure that we are all delivering the essential services that our residents and businesses need, and to enable more housing and economic growth for a strong Kitchener and a stronger Canada.”
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Prime Minister of Canada readout.
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Weber, Chief of Staff
City of Kitchener
519-741-2200 x 7795
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