Final discussions beginning today for Region of Waterloo budget
Posted Dec 16, 2025 07:43:35 AM.
Last Updated Dec 16, 2025 10:38:11 AM.
Regional councillors are warming up their coffees and cracking their knuckles, preparing to enter into one of the more arduous and important times of the year: final budget discussions.
It’s only expected to be the beginning of those talks, with Tuesday marked as “Day One” and Wednesday marked as “Day Two” on the regional docket.
Before the numbers can be finalized, including the proposed 4.94 per cent increase, several motions are slated to be introduced and discussed by regional councillors.
In total, 32 motions have been brought forward by various councillors, hoping to make changes to the current budget proposal.
One of the key motions was brought forward by Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, wanting to “not approve the 2026 Waterloo Regional Police Service Capital Budget.”
In the motion, Vrbanovic states that he wants that portion to be sent back to Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) and directed to bring back a reduced number. His main gripe is the $173 million communications centre, something he believes the region doesn’t need right now.
Vrbanovic stated that it needs to be “both more affordable and consider overall debt load by Region of Waterloo taxpayers when considering other critical investments and needed debt for the region and area municipalities.” He did state that he supports the operational portion of the policing budget.
That motion is one of 10 motions brought forward specifically by Vrbanovic, almost a third of the total number. Natasha Salonen is not too far behind at eight total motions.
One of the other major focuses includes Grand River Transit (GRT).
Some of those related changes include Councillor Pam Wolf looking to introduce a pilot program that would allow a free ridership day each week for local seniors, as well as Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe looking for added bus routes in the region, and Councillor Matt Rodrigues hoping to cut back on the initially proposed increase of GRT fare inspectors.
Other notable motions
- One additional bus for Kiwanis Transit to local townships – Councillor Natasha Salonen
- Reinstatement of taxi coupons – Councillor Chantal Huinink
- Deferral of road improvements to Sportsworld Drive, totalling over $4.7 million – Councillor Berry Vrbanovic
- Removal of $150,000 in proposed funding for PECH – Equity Systems Access for the People’s Purse – Councillor Natasha Salonen
- Additional $176,000 in funding for Cambridge Women’s Overnight Warming Centre, plus a listed base budget of $440,000 annually as of 2027 – Councillor Pam Wolf
- A list of budget deferrals totalling a combined $4.9 million, including reductions to the airport capital reserve, museum development, etc. – Councillor Berry Vrbanovic
It all adds up to what’s expected to be lengthy proceedings for councillors throughout the day, with the potential of those discussions stretching into Wednesday.
In previous years, those talks have also been pushed even further, when councillors were met with lengthy discussions and debates around previously listed motions and changes.
Talks are set to begin on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 9:00 a.m.
