Key Decisions of Kitchener Council: September 28, 2026
Key Decisions of Council is a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated following each meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
Kitchener launches plan to support local businesses and protect jobs
The City of Kitchener has launched a new action plan to support local businesses, protect jobs, and respond to ongoing tariff and trade uncertainty.
Kitchener's Action Plan to Support Local and Protect Jobs includes five key areas of action: using City spending to support Ontario and Canadian suppliers, making it easier for residents to choose local, helping businesses adapt and grow, advocating for Kitchener’s business and workforce needs, and opening new markets and attracting investment.
The City is also encouraging residents to support Kitchener businesses and choose Canadian-made products whenever possible.
Residents and businesses can learn more about the action plan, available supports and ways to choose local at Kitchener.ca/SupportLocal.
Long service awards recognize community volunteers
Kitchener City Council recognized 11 affiliated neighbourhood associations and minor sports organizations for their long-standing contributions to the community through the annual Long Service Awards. This year’s recipients represent a combined 435 years of service, including milestone anniversaries ranging from five to 65 years. The awards recognize the dedication of volunteers who help build strong neighbourhoods and support recreation and sport opportunities across the city.
Recipients included:
-
Auditorium Neighbourhood Association (35 years)
-
Doon Pioneer Park Community Association (45 years)
-
Eastwood Neighbourhood Association (5 years)
-
Mill-Courtland Neighbourhood Association (40 years)
-
Conestoga Sailing Club (65 years)
-
Kitchener Minor Girls Softball Association (60 years)
-
Kitchener-Waterloo Water Polo Club (50 years)
-
Region of Waterloo Swim Club (50 years)
-
Top Spin Table Tennis Club of KW (25 years)
-
Tsuruoka Kai Karate Do KW (30 years)
-
Waterloo Region Minor Football Association (30 years)
Compass Kitchener reports strong progress on Strategic Plan
Council received Compass Kitchener’s report card evaluating 12 completed actions from the City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. For more than 20 years, the Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee has worked with the City to evaluate progress on actions identified through the Strategic Plan.
Using its standardized evaluation framework, the committee found that all 12 actions evaluated met or exceeded expectations. Four projects were rated Exceeds Expectations, and eight were rated Meets Expectations, with no projects receiving a Does Not Meet Expectations rating.
The results reflect continued progress in delivering the actions identified in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and provide Council with an independent assessment of the City’s progress.
To learn more, read the report here.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.