Strengthening the Local Economy
Waterloo Region has enjoyed one of the lower unemployment rates in Ontario, but continuing struggles at Blackberry and past and impending manufacturing plant closures mean that the availability and the quality of our jobs have suffered. Construction associated with the coming LRT will provide a boost, but one that’s likely to benefit some municipalities more than others. In fact, our lack of a regional approach to economic development is a further impediment to stability and progress and one which Regional Council must address.
To promote economic prosperity for all Waterloo Region’s citizens, Council must work in collaboration with all municipalities and orders of government, with educational institutions, with citizens and community groups, and with businesses and not-for-profits, to ensure that our people are supported to work and that well-paying work is plentiful.
Supporting people to work means helping them to develop the skills they need. Regional Council should do this by enhancing and improving access to training programs for unemployed and underemployed citizens, responding to the unique needs of priority populations such as newcomers and youth. And supporting people to work also means creating social conditions that make employment possible. Council should invest further in infrastructure such as public transit and affordable childcare.
Creating plentiful, well-paying work means starting at home. As one of the region’s largest employers, Regional Council has a duty to ensure that its own employees continue to experience good jobs with living wages and adequate benefits. Council should also insist on doing business with companies that hire locally and compensate their employees fairly.
Creating well-paying work also means helping local business and not-for-profits to grow and supporting and attracting new businesses. Waterloo Region is well-positioned to do this, with a relatively strong economy, thriving business clusters, exceptional educational institutions, and future growth pressures from the GTA. Regional Council’s role is to build the amenities – things like transit, affordable housing, and a viable local airport – that will make our community a place where people want to live and where companies want to do business.
To promote economic prosperity for all Waterloo Region’s citizens, Council must work in collaboration with all municipalities and orders of government, with educational institutions, with citizens and community groups, and with businesses and not-for-profits, to ensure that our people are supported to work and that well-paying work is plentiful.
Supporting people to work means helping them to develop the skills they need. Regional Council should do this by enhancing and improving access to training programs for unemployed and underemployed citizens, responding to the unique needs of priority populations such as newcomers and youth. And supporting people to work also means creating social conditions that make employment possible. Council should invest further in infrastructure such as public transit and affordable childcare.
Creating plentiful, well-paying work means starting at home. As one of the region’s largest employers, Regional Council has a duty to ensure that its own employees continue to experience good jobs with living wages and adequate benefits. Council should also insist on doing business with companies that hire locally and compensate their employees fairly.
Creating well-paying work also means helping local business and not-for-profits to grow and supporting and attracting new businesses. Waterloo Region is well-positioned to do this, with a relatively strong economy, thriving business clusters, exceptional educational institutions, and future growth pressures from the GTA. Regional Council’s role is to build the amenities – things like transit, affordable housing, and a viable local airport – that will make our community a place where people want to live and where companies want to do business.