Local mayors meet with federal leaders in Ottawa; transit, infrastructure and housing on the agenda

570News.com
Nov. 29, 2016
Christine Clark

Waterloo Region will be front and centre in the nation’s capital Tuesday.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky, Cambridge Acting Mayor Mike Mann, Township of Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz, and Regional Chair Ken Seiling are in Ottawa to promote economic opportunities for our area.

The day is being called the “Waterloo Region Advocacy Day on the Hill.” This is the first time a day like this has been organized in Ottawa.

On the agenda, Two Way All Day GO and High Speed Rail, funding for infrastructure improvements and social and affordable housing.

Regional Chair Seiling says, “One of the concerns we want to speak to is affordable housing. With over 3000 households on our waiting list, and our leadership as a community designated for Government Assisted Refugees, we look forward to working with our federal government partners to explore ways we can address challenges in this area.”

Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky adds that transportation issues are also extremely important to discuss. “Two Way All Day GO and High Speed Rail have to be seen as the way of the future for connectivity. Other Innovation corridors in the world are using rail to effectively move people, and so should we.”

Also on the agenda, “The environment is near and dear to the hearts of everybody in Woolwich,” says Woolwich Township Mayor Sandy Shantz, “We look forward to seeing the federal government’s plan for strengthening the environment and working with them as partners in this important area.”

With Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig in Japan joining Premier Kathleen Wynne in her business mission, Acting Mayor Mike Mann will represent the city of Cambridge. His focus for the day? “Communities need a full mix of facilities so families and individuals of all ages have places to go. Activities, exercise, arts and culture, all contribute to the well-being of our residents.”

Our local mayors will be meeting with Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministry staff throughout the day.

This includes, Infrastructure & Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi; Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Intergovernmental Relations) Adam Vaughan; Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Minister John McCallum; Finance Parliamentary Secretary Francois-Philippe Champagne; and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains.

The group of five will also be meeting with Governor-General David Johnston.