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

Stephanie Stretch

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 10

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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)
  • 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. Prioritize lower-cost or incremental transit improvements
  2. Prioritize maximizing operational efficiency
  3. Prioritize expanding coverage area
  4. Invest in rapid transit to anchor growth
  5. Use transit to shape land use
Do you support the municipality taking responsibility for snow removal from sidewalks adjacent to private properties?single choice

No, maintain the current system where property owners clear adjacent sidewalks

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

Transportation should be about practical choice. Residents should be able to walk, cycle, take transit or drive safely depending on the trip they are making. I support building those choices through safer streets, connected active-transportation infrastructure, reliable transit and land-use planning that puts more homes and destinations close to transportation options. I do not currently support city-wide municipal sidewalk clearing because of the significant additional cost. I do support enforcement, assistance for residents who cannot clear sidewalks themselves, and targeted solutions for recurring problems such as windrows, curb-facing sidewalks and publicly owned properties. I requested city staff to review our winter operations for 2026 that report was received in June. I believe exploring curb-facing sidewalks and windrow clearing would be a clear next step in expanding this service.

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

Transit investments should connect transportation and land-use planning while providing reliable service and good value over the full life of the investment. A growing city needs transportation choices, but those investments also need to be operationally and financially sustainable. That being said I would love for our regional government to be able to afford to make public transit free. A mix of private and public funds would need to be used and the political will. Timing of such a vision would also be crucial.

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

I would prioritize the Victoria Street North/Ahrens Street West/Transit Hub area. In 2026, I brought forward a motion directing City staff to work with Regional staff on temporary and permanent intersection improvements and better winter maintenance around Regional and Metrolinx properties. As the Transit Hub and GO expansion move forward, this area needs to work safely and effectively for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and drivers.