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

Matt Parker

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 3

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All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes
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
  • Creation of an arms-length housing corporation that can offer non-market rent gear to income options, supportive housing, co-ops and fixed price leases.
B. Interim management of encampments
  • Establish and maintain clear minimum standards (sanitation, safety, outreach)
  • 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
C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government
  • Establish clear regional leadership with coordinated municipal roles
  • 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

A Municipal housing Corporation that can offer novel non-market solutions to address affordability such as co-ops, rent-geared-to-income units, fixed prices leases and mixed use developments. These tools are currently underutilized under the current planning framework.

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

Affordable Housing means no more than one third of your income. We need to revert to this as a planning standard instead of the current CMHC market rate definition.

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), 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
No response
Do you support the municipality taking responsibility for snow removal from sidewalks adjacent to private properties?single choice

Yes, but roads should take priority; sidewalks cleared after

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

Improve existing subsidies and discounts, but maintain fares for most riders

If you selected "Yes, for specific groups" above, which groups?candidate's own words

Seniors (ex. extend Older Adult Day Pass pilot), People with disabilities, Low-income residents

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

Operational integrity

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

I would prioritize a maintenance first approach to all mobility infrastructure that would see an improvement in life cycle, during which high traffic zones can be re-fitted to better suit the needs of that zone based on data-driven feedback.

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 needs action and local governments can contribute in a few areas, but this is an issue better addressed at provincial and federal levels, 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
  • Where possible, require or incentivize energy efficiency standards in new development, beyond current provincial minimums, Create financial incentives for low-carbon construction (e.g. development charge reductions, expedited approvals, density bonuses)
C. Infrastructure and capital planning
  • Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
  • 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

Wastewater rebates for certain kinds of efficiency improvements, Other rebates and incentives to prioritize carbon neutral construction and renovations.

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
No response
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 local food procurement for school food programs, including processing/preparation infrastructure, food literacy, and youth learning opportunities
B. Access to land for growing food
  • Encourage and support private landowners to make lots available for food provisioning
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
No response
How should councils balance provincial and regional mandates for increased housing density with neighbourhood opposition and local infrastructure constraints?select up to 3 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)
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
  • Use public engagement to inform design, not to veto density
  • Phase or adjust density in response to neighbourhood concerns about design or servicing capacity
C. Infrastructure & servicing
  • Pair density approvals with targeted infrastructure 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

I am against phased or delayed development based on specific neighborhood preservation.

Please describe one concrete example of a growth or infrastructure decision you would support or oppose using this approach.candidate's own words

I'm in favour of a series of traditionally minor zoning variances being incorporated into SGA zoning to bypass some of the planning backlog required for re development

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

Forward looking service agreements with timelines for construction and occupancy

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

It should be more transparent and accessible

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
  • Re-evaluate development incentives or subsidies that create long-term liabilities
B. Service levels
  • Adjust service delivery models to reduce costs without reducing access
  • Reduce discretionary programs to protect core services
C. Capital & infrastructure
  • Prioritize maintenance and state-of-good-repair over expansion

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

Moderating development charge reductions in conjunction with forward looking servicing agreements that prioritize water efficiency.

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

There should be concrete efforts made to communicating financial reporting in a more unified and clear way, without closed sessions.

About the Candidate3 questions

About the Candidate

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

This is a complicated question. The short answer is a passion for my community and a desire to tackle challenges head-in.

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, With changes to the form and function of Regional and municipal governments directed by Provincial reforms to the municipal act; Strong mayor/chair powers and the appointment of the regional chair will impact coordination between area municipalities and the Region of Waterloo. Time and study will tell us what other reforms might be necessary to bridge this potential gap.

Please describe one specific area where you think the governance structure helps or hinders good decision-making.candidate's own words

Unified infrastructure such as Water & Wastewater, Waste Management and regional roadways.