Key Decisions of Kitchener Council: February 10, 2025

Key decisions of Council is a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting. 

Kitchener’s SDG Idea Factory wins Excellence in City Building Award

The City of Kitchener's SDG Idea Factory has been awarded the Excellence in City Building Award from the Economic Developer’s Council of Ontario (EDCO). The EDCO Awards of Excellence are awarded annually to recognize the innovative, collaborative and distinctive work that economic development teams do across the province. The SDG Idea Factory is an innovative incubator designed to support equity-deserving and impact-based entrepreneurs looking to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The space supports entrepreneurs in addressing global challenges by providing a central hub where local leaders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders can collaborate and innovate. It creates a culture of community, offering essential resources and incubator programs to nurture start-ups and small businesses focused on social and environmental innovation that foster breakthrough ideas.

Phase one of new gymnasium at RBJ Schlegel Park a go

Council directed City staff to proceed with phase one of the two-phased construction of a new quad gymnasium at RBJ Schlegel Park to support a wide diversity of community activities and events, as well as fast-growing sports such as basketball, volleyball and pickleball. Staff will continue to advocate to federal and provincial governments to secure much-needed grant funding to help complete the second phase of this important community facility. Once complete, this facility will be part of Kitchener’s indoor recreation complex, which will include a world-class aquatic center featuring two indoor pools, a turf fieldhouse, and a variety of amenities that cater to all ages, abilities, and interests. Construction of the recreation complex is currently underway, with doors opening in the summer of 2026.

Staff to bring renoviction by-law report back in June

Staff will bring a renoviction by-law report back to Council for consideration at the June 2 Planning and Strategic Initiatives committee meeting. This timing will allow staff to better understand the opportunities, challenges, and legal challenges associated that other Ontario municipalities have seen with similar by-laws. In June 2024, as part of Council’s decision to approve Kitchener’s Rental Replacement Bylaw, Council directed that staff report back in June 2025 on the “renoviction” by-laws being passed in Ontario. Staff have started to review these by-laws and have reached out to staff in the other municipalities for initial conversations. One jurisdiction, Hamilton, has had their by-law come into effect, on January 1, 2025.

Mayor Vrbanovic asks City, residents to buy Canadian

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic brough forth a motion at Special Council Monday asking staff to explore a ‘buy Canadian preference’ for procurement of goods and services, where legally permissible, and encouraged residents and businesses to buy Canadian, and buy local where possible. The Mayor, CAO, and Economic Development staff will work in partnership with local businesses, area municipalities and community partners on a shared action plan to support our local economy in the event tariffs are levied against Canada by the United States. Council will call on the Province to provide clear and timely guidance to municipalities on the status of the trade agreement with the United States, including any implications for procurement practices by municipalities. Staff will report back to Council on these actions in the coming months.