Vikki Poirier

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 4

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

This candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.

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

Use development phasing tied to infrastructure capacity
Limit outward growth unless full lifecycle infrastructure
Require detailed cost and risk analysis before approving
Prioritize infill and intensification where infrastructure
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

Expand as-of-right zoning to reduce case-by-case political decisions on housing forms
Focus incremental density near transit, schools, and commercial areas
Require area-specific planning studies before permitting additional density

B. Managing neighbourhood opposition

Phase or adjust density in response to neighbourhood concerns about design or servicing capacity

C. Infrastructure & servicing

No response

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

One concrete decision I would support is requiring major new development to show that the infrastructure is ready and that important natural areas are protected before it moves forward. The proposed development at 1700 Strasburg Road, beside Huron Natural Area, is an example of the difficult choices we need to get right. While it is in Ward 5, it is close to Ward 4 and raises concerns that matter to our neighbourhoods too — protecting wetlands and wildlife while planning responsibly for growth. I support building more housing and creating growth opportunities, but not at any cost. Before approving major development, I want to know: Does it make sense here? Can our infrastructure support it? What are we losing environmentally? And have residents and Indigenous communities been meaningfully heard? Responsible growth means asking those questions before decisions are made, not after.

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

One example I would support is requiring new housing developments on the outskirts of Kitchener to have a clear infrastructure and financial plan before approval. We need more housing, including affordable family homes, but we also need to make sure our roads, water and sewer systems, and community services can support that growth. I would want Council to understand not only the cost of building new infrastructure, but also who will pay to maintain and replace it in the future. I would also support building in stages so infrastructure can keep up with new housing, while making better use of land and services already available within the city. For me, responsible growth means building the homes people need without leaving existing residents and future generations with costs we haven't properly planned for.

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

I believe we should prioritize developing vacant land with existing infrastructure before expanding farther outward. I would support reviewing stalled developments and exploring reasonable timelines to discourage land banking, while recognizing that some delays are legitimate. We need more housing, and making better use of infrastructure taxpayers have already paid for can help keep future costs under control.