Past rounds of public engagement

Waterloo Region Economic Development Strategy Workshops

1. Global Growth Workshop - June 26, 2023
   Location: 150 Main St. Cambridge
   This session was geared towards employers who had recently put down roots in Waterloo Region, who had considered expanding recently and from all industries across the region. The workshop aimed to bring a global and local lens to growth, attraction, retention, and expansion of Waterloo Region businesses.
2. Small and Main Street Business Workshop - June 26, 2023
   Location: 150 Main St. Cambridge
   This session was geared toward small and medium-sized businesses, main street/uptown/downtown businesses, in both rural and urban environments, from all industries across the region.
3. Commercial Development Workshop - June 26, 2023
   Location: North Dumfries Community Complex, 2958 Greenfield Road, Ayr
   This session was geared toward all development and industry partners from across the region. The workshop brought members of the residential, commercial and industrial development community together from the region.
4. Large Employers Workshop - June 27, 2023
   Location: 150 Frederick St. Kitchener
   This session was geared towards local, major employers from all industries across the region.
5. Technology and Start-Up Environment Business Workshop - June 27, 2023
   Location: 150 Frederick St. Kitchener
   This session was geared towards businesses and industry partners engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and distribution of technologically based goods and services, from all industries across the region.

Waterloo Region Talent Attraction, Retention and Reskilling Plan

1. Workforce Partners Focus Group - June 28, 2023
   Location: RIM Park, 2001 University Ave. E. Waterloo
   Your input will inform the broader workforce vision and guide the programs and recommendations that enable improvements to local workforce attraction, development, and retention capabilities.
2. Newcomers Workshop - June 28, 2023
   Location: RIM Park, 2001 University Ave. E. Waterloo, ON N2K 4K4
   How might you contribute to the growth and success of our community? What are the significant workforce gaps and barriers that you face in Waterloo Region? As a newcomer, are you thinking of leaving Waterloo Region to find employment? How can Waterloo Region support the attraction and retention of newcomers to the community?

Economic Development Strategy & Talent Plan Workshop

General Session - September 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (COMPLETED)

This session is geared towards employers and businesses, of all sizes and in all industries in Waterloo Region.

• What are your biggest challenges in the coming months and years? Both for your business and your workforce?
• What unique opportunities does our community have, that we should be leveraging?
• What work should we prioritize to help our community prepare for our long-term growth?
• How can we support businesses in both rural and urban environments?

Student Engagement Survey

Survey Availability - September 19, 2023 to October 13, 2023 (COMPLETED)

The purpose of this survey is to gain a better understanding of students' perceptions of Waterloo Region, including their quality of life and future plans.