All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes Water

Chantal Huinink

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes Water
This candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.
Housing & Homelessness 3 questions

Housing & Homelessness

How should municipalities and the Region balance providing permanent housing with the management of encampments in public spaces?select up to 3 per part
A. Pathways to permanent housing
  • Prioritize rapid acquisition or conversion of existing buildings
  • Partner with non-profit and supportive housing providers
  • Use publicly owned land for permanent or interim housing
B. Interim management of encampments
  • Expand the hours and capacity of extreme-weather shelter protections beyond current levels
  • Require that enforcement actions be linked to the availability of adequate indoor alternatives
  • Allow temporary encampments to persist while permanent housing options are actively being developed
C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government
  • Actively advocate to the province for defined funding triggers and program supports
  • Publish ongoing performance metrics (e.g. housing placements, shelter bed access)

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to address both encampments and permanent housing.candidate's own words

I support acquiring or repurposing regionally owned land for supportive or deeply affordable housing projects that include outreach and addiction support where needed. I also support expansion of the Portable Rent Subsidy program.

Getting Around 4 questions

Getting Around

How should municipalities use existing street infrastructure to better prioritize walking, cycling, and public transit?select up to 3
  • Reallocate space on selected streets (e.g. road diets, transit lanes, protected bike lanes)
  • Adjust signal timing, curb use, or intersection design
  • Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
What role should public transit play in regional growth, and how should future transit investments be prioritized?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Use transit to shape land use
  2. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
  3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
  4. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
  5. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
Do you support the municipality taking responsibility for snow removal from sidewalks adjacent to private properties?single choice

Yes, sidewalks should be cleared alongside roads as part of regular winter maintenance

Do you support expanding fare-free transit for the Region?single choice

Yes, for all residents

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on transportation?candidate's own words

I understand transit to be a means of economic development and growth, a means of social well being for all ridership and a critical link to all other social determinants of health. Communities that invest in transit also show greater climate adaptability.

Please describe one criterion or principle that should not be compromised when making transit investment decisions.candidate's own words

Equity of access to regional transit should not be compromised on the grounds of income level or ability/disability. Access to environmentally sustainable transit is a lifeline not a luxury.

Other priority not listed abovecandidate's own words

Ensure that specialized transit, Mobility Plus, is delivered with similar frequency and availability as conventional transit

Please name one specific street, corridor, or project where you would prioritize these changes.candidate's own words

I would prioritize a multi-use path from Westmount Road from University to Columbia that would allow for ease of commute to Waterloo Park for people of all abilities.

Climate & Sustainability 3 questions

Climate & Sustainability

How should municipalities and the Region incorporate climate and sustainability into policy, including development and infrastructure decisions?select up to 3 per part
A. Perspective on climate change
  • Climate change is an urgent and defining crisis of our time; reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be a primary consideration across municipal decision-making
  • Commitments passed by previous councils, like the 50x30 pledge or declarations of climate emergencies, should guide current council decision making
  • Our local and regional governments need to renew coordinated action towards implementing the Transform Waterloo Region strategy
B. Building and development standards
  • Create financial incentives for low-carbon construction (e.g. development charge reductions, expedited approvals, density bonuses)
  • Require green infrastructure as part of development approvals (e.g. stormwater management, tree canopy, permeable surfaces)
  • Use development agreements to require climate sustainability measures as a condition of approval
C. Infrastructure and capital planning
  • Require climate change mitigation and adaptation impact assessments for large growth decisions (greenfield expansions, settlement boundary changes)
  • Require an assessment of impacts on aquifer recharge
  • Align municipal operations (fleet, facilities, procurement) with regional climate commitments

Describe one concrete policy, incentive, or decision you would prioritize to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Where possible, explain how it balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.candidate's own words

As Regional Councillor, I will advocate that climate change adaptation and mitigation assessments be taken into account before development decisions are made.

Food Systems & Security 3 questions

Food Systems & Security

In the context of growing pressure for economic development and the connected loss of farmland, what role do municipalities and the Region hold in promoting local food livelihoods, production, and processing?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Develop a local food strategy, including research on how land-use change affects the food system
  2. Promote and support low-barrier spaces for local producers to distribute and sell food
  3. Partner with other levels of government to develop local food hubs that reduce costs and barriers for small businesses
  4. Encourage and support local landowners to rent to newcomer farmers
  5. Leave local food livelihoods to the private market
How should municipalities and the Region approach food insecurity and affordability?select up to 3 per part
A. Access to food
  • Partner with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to strengthen access to food and redistribution of surplus food and produce for low-income residents
  • Support the development of community buying clubs or municipal grocery stores
  • Support programs to prepare food for those who are unhoused or unable to cook
B. Access to land for growing food
  • Make public lands (Regional and municipal) available for sustenance food provisioning, including in urban and peri-urban spaces as cities expand
  • Enable access to land and resources for local people who want to grow their own food (e.g. the community-garden model)
  • Encourage and support private landowners to make lots available for food provisioning

Please describe one concrete policy, program, or decision you would support to strengthen the local food system.candidate's own words

I support the development of community buying clubs or a public grocery store providing more affordable access to food for all

Growth & Planning 4 questions

Growth & Planning

How should councils weigh the long-term cost of maintaining existing infrastructure when making decisions about outward growth and expansion?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
  2. Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
  3. Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
  4. Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
  5. Proceed with outward growth to address housing supply
How should councils balance provincial and regional mandates for increased housing density with neighbourhood opposition and local infrastructure constraints?select up to 4 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
  • Focus incremental density near transit, schools, and commercial areas
  • Allow small-scale housing forms city-wide as-of-right (e.g. up to four units per lot)
  • Eliminate parking minimum requirements
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
  • Use public engagement to inform design, not to veto density
C. Infrastructure & servicing
  • Approve density where infrastructure capacity already exists
  • Pair density approvals with targeted infrastructure upgrades
  • Use development charges or conditions to fund needed upgrades

Describe one concrete zoning, planning, or development decision you would support (or oppose) that reflects how you would balance these priorities.candidate's own words

As Regional Councillor, I will advocate for the reduction of parking requirements. This will reduce overall housing costs and encourage the use of public transit rather than personal vehicles where possible.

What can the municipality/region do, if anything, about land which sits vacant for years because it is being used as an investment (land banking)?candidate's own words

As Regional Councillor, I will advocate that the Region and all of our partner municipalities implement a sunset clause whereby depending on the scope of the project, developers have a number of months or years to complete the proposal that has been approved.

Budget & Taxes 5 questions

Budget & Taxes

Do you think the Region's or municipality's budget process should be more transparent and accessible to residents?single choice
No response
Municipal and regional costs have generally risen faster than revenues restricted by property tax rules and limited local revenue tools. How would you balance tax increases against maintaining service levels and long-term financial sustainability?select up to 3 per part
A. Revenue approaches
  • Moderate, predictable tax increases to maintain service levels
  • Actively pursue provincial and federal transfer funding and grants
  • Exploring new local revenue tools where permitted by provincial legislation
D. Growth & cost recovery
No response
B. Service levels
  • Adjust service delivery models to reduce costs without reducing access
C. Capital & infrastructure
  • Prioritize maintenance and state-of-good-repair over expansion
  • Require lifecycle cost analysis before approving any new infrastructure

Please describe one concrete example of a trade-off you would support (or oppose) when costs rise faster than revenues.candidate's own words

In an affordability crisis, it is essential to maintain regional services and help ensure that all residents have the supports they need to live their best lives in Waterloo Region

If you chose "It should be more transparent and accessible", please describe how.candidate's own words

All of the Region's committee meetings, budget meetings, and budget processes can be observed or participated in, online or in person. As Regional Councillor, it is my responsibility to ensure that residents know where to find the information they are looking for and when to advocate for policies, services, and programs that matter to them.

Water Supply (Regional) 1 questions

Water Supply (Regional)

The Region of Waterloo's long-term water supply is under growing pressure. Water capacity in the Mannheim Service Area serving Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Wilmot, and Woolwich, is limited in supporting new development approvals. While additional supplies were found for easing immediate needs, what long term approach should the Region take? (rank from highest to lowest in importance)ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Prioritize immediate investment in water conservation programs and demand management
  2. Commission an independent technical review of all options before committing to major new infrastructure
  3. Accelerate exploration of alternative water sources (wells, treated wastewater reuse, inter-municipal supply)
  4. Pursue a Lake Erie pipeline connection with provincial and federal cost-sharing
  5. Approve developments now and resolve water supply constraints in the future
About the Candidate2 questions

About the Candidate

Why are you running for this position?candidate's own words

I want to build on my first term experience as a Regional Councillor. I have expertise with regard to housing, transit and the social determinants of health which I will apply to policies, programs and services implemented at the regional level. I feel it is important for our Regional Council to be comprised of diverse membership including a wide spectrum of ages, abilities, races, cultures and sexual orientations. I identify as a middle aged woman with physical disabilities. I believe that Waterloo Region is an amazing place to live and work and I want to contribute to making it the best it can be. I always read reports thoroughly and ask thought-filled questions to inform my constituents. I will continue to listen to residents to support their needs and desires and endeavor to place the burden of responsibility on the system rather than on individuals, families or grassroots organisations.

How does the current two-tier structure of municipal and regional government affect the Region's ability to make coherent decisions on housing, planning, and infrastructure?candidate's own words

Structural reform deserves serious study before the next election cycle