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City Council Columns - February 2026
Hi Ward 1, hope you’re surviving this exceptionally snowy winter! As some of my council colleagues write about our unprecedented weather, I’ll instead cover a personal interest that’s also being discussed at council: Artificial Intelligence, and how it can help run a city.
AI has the potential to help Kitchener become even more efficient by delivering services at significantly lower cost. By automating routine work and improving decisions about where money is spent, AI lets cities stretch every tax dollar further. A major benefit is workforce productivity. Many city tasks, like processing permits, answering common resident questions, or managing paperwork are repetitive. AI assistants can take on much of this work, freeing staff to instead focus on complex cases and frontline services.
Studies suggest that more than 20% of staff tasks could be automated or augmented, with existing technology, translating into substantial savings that reduce pressure to raise property taxes or user fees.
AI can analyze contracts to find better value, and in infrastructure, predictive maintenance models can fix roads, water mains, and facilities before failures become expensive emergencies. In tax administration, AI will automate billing and payment matching, cutting down on costly errors, refunds, and disputes.
Kitchener has just begun exploring AI implementations, but my expectations are high because I’ve seen first-hand what it can do today, let alone tomorrow. AI has its controversies in the creative/artistic space, but if a City’s job is to look after its citizens with the best possible service, at the lowest possible cost... this is the path.
A medium-rise residential development is proposed on the Hope Lutheran Church property at 30 Shaftsbury Dr. The church would be replaced with a 6-storey apartment building, and 6 townhomes facing Oldfield Drive would be added. My home is very close to this proposed project, and Municipal Conflict of Interest Act rules say I must declare a conflict of interest as it could positively or negatively affect my home’s value. I can’t vote on this project, make comments, or influence fellow councillors. I can share comments you send me with our planning staff to add to the public comments and provide information without comment. Details are on my website daveschnider.com and Ward 1 Councillor, Scott Davey, will assist with anything that goes beyond what I am able to legally do.
At the time of writing, we’ve already had 200 cm of snow compared to the 167 we had all last winter. This has caused salt shortages with all suppliers and higher demands on our snow crews. It’s also shown the kindness of Kitchener residents who pitch in to help neighbours.
Enjoy our neighbourhood outdoor rinks, including the beautiful rink in Carl Zehr Square.
Family Day is February 16. The Centreville Chicopee Community Centre has a fun event from noon to 3pm with indoor inflatables, popcorn, games, face painting and more. Thanks to Grandview Church for supporting this event.
If I can assist you, contact me directly or use our 24-hour contact centre, 519-741-2345 or info@kitchener.ca. Follow me on Instagram and X @DaveSchniderKW or friend me on Facebook. Visit daveschnider.com for lots of Ward 2 and city info.
This has been an unprecedented winter, with seemingly endless snowfall. For comparison, by the end of January 2025, 17,424 cubic meters of snow had been cleared from roads and taken to the city’s snow dump on Battler Road. By the end of January 2026, that number soared to 43,708 cubic meters. City staff are working around the clock to keep up with the snow, and we thank you for your patience as they work through this challenging winter.
All this snow makes it hard to imagine that spring is just around the corner—but it’s coming! Mark your calendars for Neighbours Day on June 20, 2026, and Earth Day on April 22, along with activities on the weekend. Watch for details about upcoming community clean-ups at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre.
The Doon Pioneer Park Community Association held its annual general meeting last month. Members and staff work hard to provide recreation programs for all ages, from sports to annual events. Thank you to Board President Yvonne Fernandez and all members for your dedication.
Do you know an exceptional person aged 65 or older who makes a difference in our community? Consider nominating them for the Senior of the Year Award. This is an opportunity for every city in Ontario to honour one outstanding citizen over 65 who has enriched our community’s social, cultural, or civic life. Visit kitchener.ca/senioroftheyear to nominate by March 31.
Coffee & Chat: In 2026, I’ll be at Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre every third Saturday from 10–11:30 am. I look forward to connecting. Reach me at 226-752-9541 or christine.michaud@kitchener.ca.
Hello Ward 5, I hope you are staying safe and warm.
This winter has brought the largest amount of snowfall Kitchener has experienced in over a decade. It has been a learning experience for all of us, from residents to City staff and community partners. I want to thank everyone for their patience, cooperation, and understanding as we continue to respond to these challenging conditions.
As temperatures remain cold, I encourage everyone to take a moment to think about neighbours who may not have reliable access to heat or shelter. These conditions can be especially difficult for seniors, families, and those experiencing housing insecurity. When we can, let us check in on one another and offer support in ways that feel right and possible for each of us.
Strong communities are built through care and compassion, particularly during times like these. By looking out for one another, we help ensure that no one is left behind during the winter season.
Please continue to stay safe, take care, and look out for your neighbours.
Dear Ward 6 Neighbours,
This winter has certainly been one for the record books. With extreme cold snaps and significant snowfall, our community and infrastructure have truly been tested. I want to take a moment to connect with you about how we are navigating these challenges.
I want to acknowledge the incredible dedication of our City of Kitchener operations staff. This season has been relentless, but our crews have been out—often in freezing temperatures—to keep our city moving. From plowing roads to salting intersections, their hard work is critical for our safety.
While residents do an excellent job clearing sidewalks, the City is working hard to keep our pedestrian and cycling networks open. Ward 6 has one of the highest concentrations of asphalt trails in Kitchener. The winter maintenance of these trails is now fully adopted into the city’s Cycling and Trails Master Plan. We are committed to maintaining these key connectors year-round because we know they are essential for residents to get to work, school, or just get fresh air.
Spring Gathering: Looking ahead to the thaw, I am currently exploring the idea of hosting a Ward 6 Community Event this spring.
I am working on a plan to bring us together to celebrate our community’s resilience and am hoping to coordinate with our winter operations team to join us. My goal is to create a space where we can thank the staff and provide feedback on the season. I will share more details as this concept progresses.
Stay safe.
Hi Ward 7! As we move through what feels like an unending winter, I want to share an update on how our city is managing the season’s demands and what residents can expect in the weeks ahead. This winter has already surpassed last year’s totals by a wide margin: November brought 40 cm of snow compared to none the year before, and both December and January have seen nearly double the accumulation. We’ve also experienced several intense multi-day storms, contributing to eight declared snow events so far, five of which occurred since late December.
These conditions have required us to haul more than 43,000 cubic metres of snow off our streets, which is over twice what was needed by this time last year. With this early and heavy winter weather, province-wide salt demand is high and availability is challenged. With only about 62% of our contracted allocation delivered and cold temperatures reducing salt’s effectiveness, we continue to rely more heavily on sand mixtures and conservation strategies.
Residents may notice more snow-packed surfaces and fewer bare-pavement conditions, but we remain fully compliant with provincial maintenance standards. Our crews are working around the clock, prioritizing key routes, loading snow from narrow streets, and preparing for ongoing accumulations.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate this exceptionally challenging winter together.
Hello Ward 8. It’s been a tough winter and I want to thank you for keeping up with your shoveling. It has not been an easy task with what seems like never ending snowfalls. Your diligence is very much appreciated.
The City of Kitchener is working on its’ Official Plan called Kitchener 2051. Here is the link to the Plan: engagewr.ca/Kitchener2051. You can also sign up there for information updates.
There are currently 3 planned ‘Pop-Ups’ that residents can attend to learn more about the Plan:
February 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre pop-up
February 25, 2026 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Victoria Hills Community Centre pop-up
February 26, 2026 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Bridgeport Community Centre pop-up
Residents are encouraged to drop in and learn more about how the city is planning for growth, sustainability, and quality of life over the next 25 years.
Feedback gathered at these sessions can help guide decisions on housing, transportation, land use and community services.
These events will have Staff and Councillors available there to answer your questions. I encourage you to come out, learn more and be involved in the process.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.
I’ve received many resident emails questioning Kitchener’s bylaw requiring property owners to shovel the snow down to bare pavement.
Here is the City’s response: During a review of the ice/snow removal bylaw in 2019, the City consulted with GRAAC (Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee) and MACK (Mayors Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors) on sidewalk clearing standards. Feedback from both groups indicated that for sidewalks to be safe for residents using mobility devices, surfaces must be cleared to bare pavement. This advice was adopted by Council, with the direction that bylaw officers should use discretion when assessing a sidewalk. As a result, City bylaw officers can use discretion if a sidewalk has a smooth, thin layer of snow left behind after shoveling or snow blowing. The snow surface must be thin, flat and with no ice.
If a sidewalk does not meet this standard, a violation notice is left at the property giving the property owner an additional 24 hours to bring the property into compliance. Only after a reinspection is completed and a property is found to be in continued violation of the bylaw, is a contractor dispatched to clear the sidewalk. In addition to routine sidewalk inspections conducted within 24 hours of snow accumulation, the City responds to requests for service.
While the City understands maintaining property standards can be challenging, these bylaws are in place to ensure all residents, regardless of mobility needs, can navigate safely and with minimal barriers during the winter months. I welcome your feedback at Debbie.Chapman@kitchener.ca
This winter has presented significant challenges for snow removal and day-to-day services across Kitchener. Frequent and heavy snowfall has required extensive clearing, hauling, and storage operations, placing added pressure on roads, sidewalks, and public spaces throughout the city.
Snow removal volumes this season have far exceeded last year’s totals. As of February 5, 84,066 cubic metres of snow had been removed from city streets. At the same point last winter, only 17,424 cubic metres had been hauled away. These conditions have made travel and mobility more difficult for many residents, particularly seniors and those with physical limitations. Please continue to look out for one another, help neighbours when possible, and take extra care during and after heavy snowfall. We are all in this together.
The Region of Waterloo is rolling out new, larger garbage and organics carts. While these carts are designed to improve waste collection, they may present additional challenges during winter months when snowbanks and icy conditions make moving carts more difficult.
To support residents who need assistance, the Region of Waterloo offers an Assisted Waste Collection Service for people living with a disability or physical limitation who are unable to place Region-issued black garbage and green organics carts at the curb and do not have someone available to help. Residents can apply online or by calling 519-575-4400 and asking about Curbside Waste Support Programs.
You can reach me at 519-741-2786, by email at stephanie.stretch@kitchener.ca, or follow @stretch_ward10 for updates.
February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month – a time to honour the legacy, brilliance, and resilience of Black communities in Kitchener and across the country.
This year’s theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” recognizes three decades of celebrating Black history in Canada.
It reminds us of the countless ways Black Canadians have shaped this country, through leadership, creativity, innovation, and an enduring strength that has carried communities through generations. Their contributions continue to influence our city today and will guide and inspire the generations that follow.
Black History Month is also a time to reflect and be honest about the work that still needs to be done. It calls on all of us to recommit to building a city where equity, belonging, and human rights are not just ideals, but everyday practices. That includes acknowledging and confronting anti‑Black racism, both its historical roots and the ways it continues to show up in our systems, institutions, and daily lives. A true sense of belonging means that people feel seen, valued, and safe, not only during moments of recognition, but in ordinary, everyday spaces of life. It means creating a community where Black residents can thrive, contribute, and be their whole, authentic selves without barriers.
I encourage everyone to use this month as an opportunity to learn more about Black Canadian history and reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of Black Canadians. I invite you to learn, participate, and celebrate. Whether through local community events, storytelling, food, music, or reflection, there are so many different ways to engage.
Let us all commit to building a Kitchener - and a world - where everyone feels they belong, and where every person has the freedom to live with dignity, pride, and possibility.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, on behalf of Kitchener Council
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, on behalf of Kitchener Council
Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring, and it can’t come soon enough. It’s been a challenging winter, and I want to thank our Operations team for keeping our roads clear and safe, and Ward 3 for your patience during the heavier snowfalls. I’ve heard your concerns, and I’ll be reviewing our sidewalk clearing policies with staff this spring.
In these uncertain economic times, one meaningful action we can take is to support local and Canadian‑made products and businesses. Ward 3 is home to a fantastic range of Canadian‑owned and operated companies. If you’re able, please consider supporting them. It’s more important than ever to help ensure our Canadian businesses continue to thrive.
Family Day is February 16, and the city and our partners have plenty of activities for everyone. Visit kitchener.ca/recreation-and-sports/free-or-nearly-free for ideas for some ideas. From local museums to roller skating to skiing, there’s lots of indoor and outdoor fun to be had. For something uniquely Canadian, consider 5-pin bowling—an early-1900s Toronto invention that’s fun, social, and great exercise.
Mark your calendars for April 18 to join me for a free pancake breakfast at Kingsdale Community Centre. Registration will be required, with two time slots available. More information is coming soon, and volunteers are still needed—reach out to me at jason.deneault@kitchener.ca, if you would like to help.
I hope to see you Wednesday, March 25 from 6:30-8:30pm at my next Meet and Greet at the Kingsdale Community Centre. I look forward to chatting with you. Wishing you a Happy Family Day.