Matt Rodrigues

Thankful for the crews working through the night to keep the region moving ❄️

On Tuesday, we’ll be talking about winter maintenance at the Region and I’ll be asking about how we can better tackle snow clearing on sidewalks on Regional Roads.

December Committee Meetings are underway next Tuesday. Here’s 3 highlights that will have an impact here in Kitchener and across the Region!

The Region’s proposed 2026 budget already reflects several cuts and no service expansions. Today, I voted against requests from some Councillors to pursue even more cuts.

Now is the time to continue investing in our community, not pulling back.

Announced with much fan fare, the departure times for weekend GO train service are here — just two round trips each day, leaving Kitchener GO at 7:49am and 3:49pm.

Other communities like Mississauga, Hamilton, and Ottawa have secured recent funding for billion dollar transit projects! We’ll also continue advocating to Metrolinx for better intercity transit — including rail

The Province shifted responsibility to producers in 2024, and since then we’ve been in a transition period. On Jan 1, Circular Materials takes over and they issued the new contract for recycling collection.

Here’s a web page with all the chronology: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-he...

To be very clear, these changes were not a decision of Regional Council or staff.

Yesterday, Council asked the CEO of Circular Materials to present on the changes in our community. I also had the opportunity to speak with their leadership and will continue to advocate for a high quality service.

➡️ A service reduction from weekly to biweekly recycling collection starting in March

➡️ Less accountability to the regional waste management system and no oversight by the Region, including managing diversion of waste from our landfill

While there are several good parts of this change, including expanded items that you can recycle and putting the costs on producers, there are several concerns for #WR

♻️ Starting in March, a new company called Circular Materials will be entirely responsible for curbside blue box collection across Waterloo Region.

What a great morning at the Region! Stage 2 ION was approved near unanimously today, and sets the stage for us to secure full funding from the Federal and Provincial governments. Onward to Cambridge — and beyond!

November Committee Meetings are underway next Tuesday. Here’s 3 highlights!

🚉 Stage 2 ION Recommendation Report - supporting LRT from Fairway Station to Ainslie Terminal as the preferred solution

🏘️ WR Housing Revitalization update

🌿 Sustainable Building Standards for new Regional buildings

ASE is a user fee, not a tax. Whether funded by the Province or Region, all taxpayers would be on the hook for road safety improvements — not just those who defy speed limits.

I continue to fully support ASE; however, the risks of continuing to hire new staff this fall could put jobs at risk and cause uncertainty.

We heard from our rural mayors today about how much speeding impacts in our rural areas — including 5 road fatalities in Wellesley in recent weeks.

Today, I supported a motion to pause expansion of Automated Speed Enforcement pending further details from the Province later this fall. The pause will come into effect after 6 new, already installed cameras are turned on this week.

Is that weekend GO Train service I see?

October Committee Meetings get underway next Tuesday. Here’s a few highlights that will have an impact here in Kitchener and across the Region!

Today’s announcement regarding automated speed cameras — originally allowed by this government in 2019, is disappointing. While I can’t speak for all Ontario cities, our program is fair, results oriented, and successfully saw drivers slow down. More to come as we learn more in the weeks ahead.

Check out my Summer 2025 Community Update ☀️

🧵 In this edition, you’ll find updates on a couple Regional projects, just some of what I’ve been up to, and ways to get involved.

Soon, we’ll be into the 2026 Plan & Budget process. I welcome your input and feedback on your priorities 💡

Agreed. I’ll pass this along!

Opponents to speed cameras say we should “focus on actually making streets safer”. Well, this is one of those things — with construction still active, so let’s give it time for the improvements to be actually put to use.

Construction is still active. Paving just went it on Monday / Tuesday. I haven’t been by yet, but I assume the contractor is still onsite.

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September Committee Meetings get underway tomorrow morning. Here are a few highlights that will have an impact here in Kitchener and across the Region ⬇️

Back from a couple weeks in Shanghai & Beijing — incredible cities, and otherworldly infrastructure.

Being in Beijing at the same time as the massive military parade won’t be an experience I’ll soon forget.

Important early construction is getting started for GO Expansion and Transit Hub projects, like gas main relocation starting this month. 🚉🪏

My motion to Committee next week is calling for proactive action to make sure you know what to expect, how you can participate, and receive updates.

There are at least two Regional projects in Kitchener alone that are on hold because of Bill 212 and lack of clarity in how road right sizing can happen now

The best (gardening) week of the summer!

🚧 Construction on a stretch of Victoria St. is getting underway between Lawrence Ave. & Fischer-Hallman Rd.

🔎 Learn more about what you can expect and what to get excited about!

🔔 You can text “VCTA” to 57555 to get the latest information.

Strasburg Garage

Northfield Garage

Northfield Garage

Cambridge Garage

Today I had a chance to tour all three of GRT’s bus garages — each built in different eras. It was a pleasure to chat with new driver trainees on their second day, mechanics, and operations controllers. As we plan to expand our bus network, it will be important that our garages keep pace.