Statement: We All Belong Here Campaign

A sense of belonging is a fundamental human need and an essential part of a healthy, connected community. It is also the foundation of a thriving City of Kitchener. Every person in our city deserves to feel safe, included, and respected. Yet for too many, that is not their lived experience. Some of our neighbours continue to face hate, exclusion, and identity-based harm simply because of who they are.

As part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan (CSWP), and together with the Region of Waterloo and community partners, the Combating Hate Action Table has developed the We All Belong Here anti-hate campaign. This region-wide initiative, represented by the artwork of Indigenous designer Katie Wilhelm, aims to reduce hate and shape a city where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and celebrated for who they are.

This work reflects our shared responsibility, and our shared power, to shape the culture and values of our city. This commitment aligns with the City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes fostering a caring and inclusive community. Over the past two years, more than 30 partners, including municipalities, school boards, and local organizations, have worked together to address hate and build solutions.

But this work does not rest solely with institutions or community organizations. It belongs to each and every one of us. As residents and leaders in Kitchener, each of us has a role to play in building a community where everyone belongs, and where together, we take care of the world around us and each other. You can help by:

• Taking the pledge to stand against hate
• Speaking up and reporting hate when you see or experience it
• Supporting those who are impacted and encouraging others to do the same

At the City of Kitchener, both as an employer and as home to over 300,000 residents, we remain committed to strengthening our practices, addressing hate in all its forms, and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Together, we can create a city where everyone feels safe to be their true selves, and celebrated for who they are.

Let us lead with courage, compassion, kindness, and commitment, because in Kitchener, we all belong here.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic on behalf of Kitchener Council.