Collaboration is a key word in how municipal government works in Waterloo Region with eight separate municipalities. There needs to be a continual line of communications between all municipalities to determine that we are headed in the same direction when decisions are made that impact all municipalities.

Over the course of our 49 years as a Region, there have been numerous initiatives taken by the Province or the eight municipalities to make the services we provide to the residents more efficient. These initiatives include the creation of Grand River Transit, a regional housing department, Regional collection of garbage and recycling, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The not-for-profit sector has also responded to the changing realities of how they provide services to residents of the Region in a more efficient way. Organizations such as Community Support Connections (formerly Meals on Wheels), United Way, the Community Foundations in the Region, some counselling agencies, and the YMCA, have merged or are looking at merging their organizations to better serve the public and maximize their resources. The initiative of these community organizations is something that municipalities could take note of.

Given that the provincial government has not shown any interest in a governance review of our current municipal structure, I feel it is important for the community, councillors, and staff to work at finding continuous improvements and the opportunity for the scaling of resources among our eight municipalities which will result in more efficient and responsive local government.

If I have the honour of being re-elected to Waterloo Regional Council, I commit myself to working at finding continuous improvements and the opportunity for the scaling of resources among our eight municipalities which will result in more efficient and responsive local government.

Re-elect JIM ERB …. a responsive, reliable, and respectful voice.