Waterloo issues community safety event, no injunction for St. Patrick’s Day
Posted Mar 12, 2026 07:07:06 AM.
Last Updated Mar 12, 2026 03:28:31 PM.
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching in Waterloo Region, but even though it’s on a Tuesday, the City of Waterloo is issuing a community safety event ahead of a potentially rowdy weekend.
It’s set to go into effect alongside a street parking ban in the University District on Saturday morning from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. and again on Tuesday.
“A Community Safety Event is declared in anticipation of an event that may cause public safety or nuisance concerns, such as an unsanctioned street gathering,” said the city in a release. “Officers from Waterloo Regional Police Service and Municipal Enforcement Services will be enforcing the City’s Nuisance Bylaw and other regulations for community safety and well-being through the weekend and beyond.”
The major difference between St. Patrick’s Day here in 2026 versus last year’s celebrations comes in the city’s use of a court injunction through the Superior Court of Justice, which it said it did not request heading into this year’s festivities.
“The City of Waterloo did not seek an injunction order for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day period, based on the experience of the past several years where people have continued to gather in the street without consideration for consequences,” the city stated. “Officers continue to have the ability to lay charges, as demonstrated in previous years, without an injunction.”
While the city’s nuisance bylaw is always in effect throughout the course of the year, they were recently updated to give officers the ability to take proactive steps to tackle issues such as those unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day gatherings.
‘Partying on a roof’
Cheri Van Niekerk is the City of Waterloo’s Director of Communications, she told 570 NewsRadio about some of the bad behaviour police and bylaw will be watching for.
“This year we are focusing on enforcing our updated Nuisance Bylaw, which gets very specific into the fact that people cannot intentionally block roadways or sidewalks to force a street closure. You cannot block road or sidewalks and create a nuisance and you also cannot remain in the road if a police or bylaw officer directs you to leave for public safety reasons.”
But it doesn’t stop there. Van Neikerk said there are other behaviours they’re concerned about, one in particular.
“No one should be sitting or partying on a roof. That’s a real safety hazard. So, we have a specific clause about that as well.”
The city said that it understands that people, particularly students, are looking to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but charges will be laid if people ignore or do not follow those bylaws or cause concern for community safety.
“Responding to unsafe, unsanctioned events puts strain on the City of Waterloo and community partner services,” said the city. “When police, fire, paramedics, bylaw and local hospitals are busy responding to a large street gathering, residents across Waterloo Region are put at risk.”
It comes after Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) said it had already been working to speak with students and their unions at various local institutions directly, discussing the potential consequences of participating in those unsanctioned gatherings.
According to the city’s website, tickets can be issued for noise violations, roofing, littering, public urination, as well as garbage and property standards before, during, and after the events.
It said those tickets could range as high as $1,200 each.
“The City encourages everyone to celebrate safely this weekend and in the coming days, in ways that don’t impact the larger community or local emergency services.”
