Regional Municipality of Waterloo
Waterloo Region is a vital, prosperous area, located in Southern Ontario in the centre of the triangle formed by three Great Lakes: Ontario, Erie and Huron. Three urban municipalities – Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo – and four rural townships – North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich – make up Waterloo Region. With a combined population of over 450,000, Waterloo Region is one of the fastest growing areas in Ontario. Its unique balance of the urban and rural, its proximity to major North American markets and transportation networks, its diverse ethnic makeup, and its excellent education, health, cultural and recreational facilities contribute to the allure this area has for families and businesses. Possibly the Region's best kept secret is the area's highly diverse and internationally oriented economic base. The Region is both a centre for advanced manufacturing and technical innovation.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo was established on January 1, 1973 by the Province of Ontario and subdivided the Region into the seven municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich, and North Dumfries. The Regional Council is the policy-forming and decision-making body of the Regional government. The Council is comprised of two elected members from the City of Cambridge, two elected members from the City of Waterloo and four elected members from the City of Kitchener. Additionally, the mayors of each of the seven municipalities sit as members. The Council is headed by the Chair who is directly elected, at large, by all seven municipalities.
Staff of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, under the direction of Chief Administrative Officer, are responsible for carrying out the policies and programs established by Regional Council. The Region is responsible for providing the services as diverse as water supply, wastewater operations, police, public health, social services, planning, social housing, roads, public transport, libraries, and court administration, among others.
The Planning, Housing and Community Services Department is responsible for a number of functions related to growth management, strategy development, transportation planning, information and research, cultural development, environmental stewardship and administering delegated responsibilities from the Province including a number of housing and development approval functions. The Community Planning Division within this department assists the seven municipalities and landowners by providing review and approval services in processing development applications and local official plans. They ensure conformity of development applications to Regional and Provincial policies, regulations and legislation. They are also responsible for amendments, review and assessment of the Regional Official Policies Plan.
More information about Regional Municipality of Waterloo is available on their website.
http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca |
