The 2026 municipal election has concluded, and the unofficial results show a blend of new candidates alongside some familiar faces stepping into leadership roles across Waterloo Region.
Region of Waterloo
Changes are coming to the regional council with several newly elected mayors, but the demographic makeup of regional councillors remains consistent.
Jim Erb and Chantal Huinick both retained their positions representing the City of Waterloo. Erb has been serving since 2018, while Huinick was first elected in 2022.
Colleen James and Michael Harris were also re-elected as regional councillors for Kitchener; James made history as the first Black woman on the Waterloo Regional Council after her win in 2022, while Harris has held his seat since 2018.
Joe Gowing and Matt Rodrigues were voted in by residents after having been appointed as regional councillors for Kitchener in 2025.
Rodrigues stepped in for former councillor Rob Deutschmann, who resigned to run in the provincial election. Gowing was appointed following the unfortunate passing of regional councillor Kari Williams.
In Cambridge, Doug Craig and Pam Wolf successfully kept their seats as they both embark on another term as regional councillors after winning their elections in 2022 and now again in 2026.
The election did not include a vote for regional chair since this position is now appointed by the province due to recent legislation changes from the Ford government.
Kitchener
Kitchener’s mayoral race maintained its status quo with Berry Vrbanovic securing his fourth term convincingly.
Vrbanovic garnered an impressive 55.43 percent of votes, totaling 24,153 ballots based on unofficial city results.
Cindy Ward was his nearest challenger, receiving just 15.32 percent of votes.
A few shifts occurred within Kitchener’s city council.
Tracey Weiler won election as Ward 5 councillor, succeeding Ayo Owodunni who chose not to run again. It was a tight competition with Weiler earning 24.30 percent of votes compared to Rich Peers’ close second at 24.13 percent.
Ward 10 voters selected Sam Nabi as their new city councillor; he received 45.03 percent of votes, narrowly defeating Stephanie Stretch at 44.83 percent. Stretch had been appointed city councillor in 2024 when Aislinn Clancy became MPP for Kitchener Centre.
The remainder of Kitchener’s council remains unchanged with Scott Davey re-elected for Ward 1, Dave Schnider re-elected for Ward 2, Jason Denault re-elected for Ward 3, Christine Michaud re-elected for Ward 4, Paul Singh re-elected for Ward 6, Bil Ioannidis re-elected for Ward 7, Margaret Johnston re-elected for Ward 8, and Debbie Chapman re-elected for Ward 9.
Cambridge
A new face takes charge as Scott Hamilton is elected Mayor of Cambridge.
Hamilton secured a solid victory with 56.8 percent of votes amounting to a total of 17,444 ballots cast.
Previously serving as city councillor for Ward 7 since 2020, he opted out of running again so he could pursue the mayoralty.
MAYOR OF CAMBRIDGE PAM WOLF and DUG CRAIG
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