Strong, sustainable, together!

On Monday, June 26, 2023, Council approved the new City of Waterloo 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, defining the focus and priorities for Council and staff for the next four years. The plan includes a new vision, mission and updated guiding principles that encompass the values of the community and the City, as well as five strategic priorities to guide departmental planning and future decision-making for this term of Council.

Vision:

A leader in sustainability and a future-ready community for all.

Mission:

To actively engage, collaborate with and respond to Waterloo’s diverse community through bold leadership, empathy and accountability.

Guiding Principles:

• Equity and Inclusion
• Sustainability
• Integrity
• Workplace Wellbeing
• Community-centred
• Operational Excellence

Strategic Priorities:

Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion

Value that an inclusive city is one that recognizes differences and diversity in planning, decision-making and service delivery for all residents to have equal opportunities and benefits. Through a commitment to Reconciliation, justice, equity and inclusion for all, the City will disrupt and dismantle all forms of discrimination and systemic oppression.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

Become a leader in environmental sustainability practices and climate action by making transformational changes related to City operations and services while working with the community towards climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

Complete Community

Achieve a high quality of life for all residents and overall community vibrancy through strategic density, diverse housing options and equitably available parks, public spaces and other recreational and cultural amenities.

Infrastructure and Transportation Systems

Expand and support infrastructure and transportation systems in an environmentally and fiscally sustainable manner that provides residents with resilient public infrastructure and sustainable transportation solutions.

Innovation and Future-Ready

Demonstrate resiliency and readiness to do things differently, address social developments and integrate new ideas through collaboration with key partners while continuing to grow a diversified economy and innovation ecosystem.

Next steps:

The strategic planning process does not end with the approval of the strategic plan. As part of the transparent implementation of the plan, the project team now shifts their work to introducing the new strategic plan to staff and the community. The strategic plan will be implemented through actions including the three-year budget and business planning process and the new Community Conversations initiative. A yearly progress report will provide an update on implementation of the strategic plan and will include performance measurement metrics.

We thank the community and everyone who shared their thoughts and contributed to this strategic plan.

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Project background

The City of Waterloo’s strategic plan identifies the top priorities for the next term of council, and how we’ll work towards accomplishing those goals and objectives. We’re working on the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, to guide the city in major investments, infrastructure and services, and help us maintain a community-centred approach to how we operate.

Subscribe to follow our project to receive details and information. The strategic plan will guide our priorities and decisions to ensure the long-term future of our community is strong, sustainable, together!