How Should Kitchener Involve Residents in City Decisions?

The City of Kitchener wants to know how you'd like to be involved in local decisions. Right now, they're reviewing their community engagement practices and creating their first engagement strategy. Your feedback will shape how the city listens to residents on everything from development projects to budget priorities.

Why This Matters

Ever feel like the city makes decisions without asking you? This is your chance to change that. Whether it's a new development in your neighbourhood or how your tax dollars get spent, this review will shape how Kitchener involves residents for years to come.

What Could Change

Kitchener could adopt new rules for when and how it must consult residents. The city might use different engagement methods like online tools, town halls, or neighbourhood meetings. A new strategy will set priorities for reaching people who don't usually participate.

Key Issues

How can the city make engagement easier to understand and more convenient?
How should the city reach people who don't usually participate?
How can the city show that resident input actually influences decisions?
What values and principles should guide how the city engages residents?

How to Participate

Read the What We Heard Report to see what residents have shared so far about improving city engagement.
Contact the Community Engagement Consultant at atthetable@kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2479 with questions or to share your thoughts.

What Happened

The engagement phase is complete. A What We Heard Report summarizing key themes from the community engagement process is now available. A staff report with recommendations was presented to Council on October 16, 2025.