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

Debbie Chapman

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 9

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

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)
  • Prioritize active transportation improvements during routine resurfacing
  • Focus improvements around schools, transit corridors, and commercial areas
What role should public transit play in regional growth, and how should future transit investments be prioritized?ranked from highest to lowest importance
  1. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
  2. Prioritize expanding coverage area
  3. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
  4. Use transit to shape land use
  5. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
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

Public transportation is a Regional responsibility. My responses reflect my own preferences, not that of a city councillor. I think there should be fare-free transit for all the groups listed above.

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

The cost

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

Stirling Ave between Courtland and Charles. This stretch of street is beside a school and a homeless shelter. It is used by school buses for drop-off and pick-up. The ION tracks cross through the Stirling Ave and Charles St intersection and there is plenty of vehicular traffic, pedestrians and cyclists along Stirling. An island was installed in 2025 and then removed for the road reconstruction. I will continue to request that it be reinstalled as soon as possible. This island provides safety to students and residents crossing Stirling to get to their vehicles parked in a lot on the other side of the street. The street should also have segregated bike lanes. There is a lot of activity in this area.