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

Sarvesh Pratap Singh

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
No response
B. Interim management of encampments
No response
C. Accountability and collaboration between levels of government
No response
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
No response
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
No response
Do you support expanding fare-free transit for the Region?single choice
No response
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
No response
B. Building and development standards
No response
C. Infrastructure and capital planning
No response
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
No response
B. Access to land for growing food
No response
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 4 per part
A. Planning & zoning tools
No response
B. Managing neighbourhood opposition
No response
C. Infrastructure & servicing
No response
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
No response
D. Growth & cost recovery
No response
B. Service levels
No response
C. Capital & infrastructure
No response
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. Commission an independent technical review of all options before committing to major new infrastructure
  2. Prioritize immediate investment in water conservation programs and demand management
  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

Describe your position on how the Region should resolve this issue and what timeline is realistic.candidate's own words

I think the Region should take a long-term and practical approach to the water supply issue. We should continue investing in conservation while conducting a thorough independent engineering review of all realistic options, including expanding existing sources, water reuse, inter-municipal supply and a potential Lake Erie connection. I would like to see the engineering review completed, so the Region has a clear understanding of the most reliable and sustainable option. Once the preferred approach is identified, planning should move forward quickly.

About the Candidate3 questions

About the Candidate

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

I am running for Regional Councillor because I believe Waterloo Region deserves practical, people-centred leadership that listens to residents and turns their concerns into action. As a husband, father, HR professional, and community volunteer, I understand the everyday challenges families, seniors, youth, newcomers, and local businesses face.

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

I support an evidence-based review of responsibilities between the Region and area municipalities, particularly where housing growth, planning decisions and infrastructure capacity overlap. The goal should be clearer accountability, less duplication and better coordination—not structural change for its own sake.

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

I think housing and infrastructure planning is one area where stronger coordination between the Region and municipalities would help. Housing growth, transit, roads and water capacity are all connected, so decisions should be made with the bigger picture in mind.