New Data Reveals a Growing Gap Between Infrastructure Progress and Support for People
The Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BESTWR) today released the second update to the Vision 1 Million Scorecard, a tool tracking Waterloo Region’s readiness to grow to one million residents. One year since its launch, the update offers reason for both confidence and concern.
On physical infrastructure, the region is making some progress. Housing starts have reached 32 percent of the 10-year target of 70,000 homes. The King-Victoria Transit Hub is 60 percent through detailed design. The LRT expansion to Cambridge has submitted funding applications. Highway 7 is advancing through engineering approvals. A side-stream filtration system to temporarily relieve the Mannheim water supply constraint is now being installed, with capacity expected by mid-2027 – though the region’s housing targets remain at risk until a long-term water solution is confirmed, given a development freeze that lasted over six months.
“The systems that move people, shelter them, and connect them to opportunity are being built,” said Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and Chair of BESTWR. “But the Scorecard also makes clear that building infrastructure is not enough. The metrics that measure how people are actually faring tell a more urgent and concerning story.”
The Scorecard also flags four investments to watch closely over the next six months: the new regional hospital, which remains without a funding commitment; housing, where the long-term water solution remains unresolved; the Waterloo Region Megasite; and Two-Way-All-Day GO, which requires additional weekday and weekend service to reach the promise of All-Day service.
On people-centred metrics, the picture is more troubling. Chronic homelessness stands at over 1,000 individuals. Mental health eligibility assessments average over 130 days. Physician retirements are outpacing new entrants to family medicine, putting an estimated 100,000 residents at risk of losing their family doctor. Ontario continues to provide the lowest per-student post-secondary funding in Canada. And the regional unemployment rate has trended upward to 9.1 percent as of April 2026.
“The findings from this second update reinforce that growing communities must invest in people and services alongside physical infrastructure,” said Dr. Leia Minaker, Director of the Future Cities Institute and Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo. “Investment decisions are challenging and require thoughtful tradeoffs to be made. The scorecard compiles useful data to support community decision-making and action in these complex areas.”
The Scorecard is a living document designed not to assign blame, but to align effort, inform advocacy, and focus attention where action is most needed for those living here now and for those who will join our region in the coming years. Community members are encouraged to explore the full findings at bestwr.org.
The Scorecard represents a collaborative effort among BESTWR’s five member organizations: the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Communitech, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Explore Waterloo Region, and the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.
About BestWR
The Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BestWR) is comprised of five leading business organizations working as partners for economic prosperity and community needs. Currently chaired by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, BestWR includes: Communitech, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Explore Waterloo Region, and the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.
About Future Cities Institute
The Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN at the University of Waterloo conducts research, builds tools, and trains future city builders with a focus on data-driven decision making. The institute brings together global thinkers, industry leaders, and researchers to tackle urban challenges across housing, transportation, infrastructure, and beyond, supporting healthy, prosperous cities built for the future.
MEDIA & GENERAL INQUIRIES CONTACT
Ian McLean, Chair of BestWR
IMcLean@greaterkwchamber.com | 519.897.1029
