Economic Development Advisory Committee

Committee Minutes

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Electronic Meeting
Present:
  • Councillor D. Schnider, Member
  • Councillor A. Owodunni, Member
  • Margaret Johnston
  • Chuck Howitt, Chair
  • L. Rodriguez Reyes, Member
  • J. Malfara, Member
  • M. Lam, Member
  • J. Curto, Member
  • M. Bingeman, Member
Staff:
  • Cory Bluhm
  • Brian Bennett
  • N. Nandakumar, Committee Administrator
  • Aura Hertzog
  • Lidia Feraco
  • Jennifer Sandoval Penilla
  • Laura Philippe
  • Matthew Chandy

1.
Commencement

 

A virtual meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was held at 11:04 a.m. on February 26, 2025. Chaired by Joe Curto.

2.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

 

None

3.
Delegations

 

None

4.
Information Items

 

4.1
Vision and Expectations for the Committee

 

J.Curto provided an overview of the mission and goals of the committee. 

4.2
Tariffs

 

J. Curto opened the discussion on the agenda topic. He shared the following information -

  • On Mar 4th, the United States will impose a 25% tariff on Canadian exports. 
  • Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge (KWC) has been identified as the fourth most vulnerable Canadian city to the proposed tariffs. 

The committee identified the following as key areas of focus -

  • Impact to business and support from the City 
  • Financial support to Small Business Establishments
  • Implications on Manufacturing and Tech Industries
  • Support Canadian Initiatives
  • Federal and Provincial government advocacies

C. Bluhm referenced the use of a synergistic approach working jointly with the Region of Waterloo and City of Cambridge. 

The committee agreed to maintain 'Tariffs' as a standing agenda item. 

4.2.1
Discuss the merit of forming a sub-committee on tariff-related impact in Kitchener

 

During the discussion, the members expressed their decision not to support the creation of a subcommittee at this time as members felt it would result in duplicated efforts. 

4.3
Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy

 

The presentation was jointly delivered by B. Bennett (City of Kitchener), L. Philippe and M. Chandy (Region of Waterloo).

The following key points were highlighted during the presentation -

  • Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy (WREDS) is a collaborative document outlining the community’s collective economic development priorities.
  • It was jointly developed by the WREDS Working Group :

    • Region of Waterloo

    • Seven area municipalities​

    • Waterloo Economic Development Corporation
      (Waterloo EDC)

  • The WREDS Steering Committee comprises of the Chief Administrative Officers of the Region of Waterloo and each area municipality, as well as the Board Chair for Waterloo EDC’s Board of Directors have the final decision making and approval authority.

  • The document aims to guide economic development activities across the region to
    • increase efficiency,
    • identify opportunities for collaboration and
    • support a coordinated, regional, and strategic approach to economic development.
  • As part of the strategy development process, over 1,800 individuals were actively engaged through focus groups, workshops, surveys, and interviews.
  • The results from research and engagement influenced the formulation of the five strategic pillars of the 2025 strategy:
    • Talent - focused on attracting and strengthening the workforce by improving talent readiness and integration through training and employer support. Post Secondary institutions can provide support. 
    • Land Readiness - land development strategies and projects, including associated infrastructure strategies to expedite business development and long-term planning. Kitchener has reduced industry ready lands. 
    • Scaling Local Innovation - Supporting local business retention and expansion and increasing collaboration to support entrepreneurship and innovation. Investment into incubators spaces - Velocity, Communitech, 44 Gaukel and Commercial Kitchen for entrepreneurs at the Kitchener market. 
    • Strategic Sector Support - improving investment readiness in key sectors and coordinating advocacy efforts to grow emerging sectors. Increase support through the Arts & Cultural Industries, Business Outreach 
    • Quality of Life - ensure that wrap-around supports, amenities, and other services that support our workforce are adequate for our growing community, fostering a sense of civic pride and belonging. The Conrad Centre, BIA to aid the process. 
  • The following 8 themes span all the pillars and reflect the concerns, priorities, and values of 
    our community, and are present in & throughout the strategy
    • Immigration
    • Equity & Reconciliation
    • Housing
    • Childcare
    • Transit & Mobility
    • Family physicians
    • Climate action
    • Rural success
  • The Working Group will meet biannually to report and review progress identify opportunities for new initiatives, and assess the Pillars' relevance to current community needs.
  • Progress will be reported to the Steering Committee annually and recommended changes will be reviewed and approved as necessary.
  • Timelines -
    • Jan-Mar 2025 - Strategy Review by Area Municipal Councils and Waterloo EDC Board of Directors
    • Jan-Mar 2025 - Public Review
    • March - April 2025 - Presentation to the Council for approval.
  • More information can be read and downloaded at https://engagewr.ca/wreds

 

5.
Adjournment

 

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

 

Navitha Nandakumar
Committee Administrator

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