Catherine Fife Calls for Provincial Support on Water Issues

Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife believes the province should step in to offer funding and halt water taking permits while the Region of Waterloo addresses its water capacity constraints.

Fife, who also serves as the NDP’s economic development and trade critic, emphasized that the region’s water issues must be prioritized at all government levels, expressing concern about their impact on residents and future growth.

“The fact that we right now in a housing crisis are pausing new development is a perfect storm,” Fife told .

“Right now my focus is trying to get the provincial government to address some of the infrastructure issues so that we can grow and have sufficient water for our current population.”

The Region of Waterloo flagged a water capacity constraint in the Mannheim Service Area back in December, which affects all of Kitchener, Waterloo, and parts of Cambridge, Woolwich, and Wilmot.

On Jan. 13, regional staff updated regional councillors, stating significant funding and various solutions will be necessary to resolve the issue.

Due to this constraint, the region has stated it cannot approve new development applications or enter into new servicing agreements that would put more strain on the water system.

“I want the province to come to the table; I know the Region of Waterloo is banking on some new leadership from the Ford government,” Fife said.

“I really feel this is a tipping point for the region and we have to get things right.”

Fife pointed out that while the province invested $31 million through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program since 2018 in the area, it hasn’t been enough to support critical water infrastructure needs.

In response to inquiries from , the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing stated that funds have been used “to strengthen water systems and improve services” throughout the region.

The ministry added that these funds facilitated over 14,000 new homes’ construction and noted municipalities “are responsible for planning, operation, and delivery of regional infrastructure,” which includes water and wastewater services.

Mike Harris, Conservative MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, informed he has discussed this issue with regional Chair Karen Redman as well as with both Ministers for Environment Conservation & Parks and Municipal Affairs & Housing regarding local water capacity challenges.

Brian Ridell, Conservative MPP for Cambridge, echoed similar sentiments in his statement to about keeping communication open during efforts to find solutions.

Concerns over Water Taking Permits

Fife expressed her worries regarding how water taking permits issued by the Ministry of Environment Conservation & Parks affect local water systems and their capacities.

“There’s a break down of communication when the Ministry of Environment is issuing massive water taking permits without fulsome knowledge that we are constrained by the aquifer and 80 percent of our water comes from ground sources,” she said.

This is why she’s urging officials at the ministry either stop or at least pause issuing permits until they solve these constraints on local capacity.
The Region of Waterloo emphasized it’s up to provincial authorities regarding these permits.

“This isn’t something we track or oversee,” explained officials in a statement given to .

“We can provide comments on specific permit-to-take-water applications near our groundwater supply wells.”

The Ministry of Environment Conservation & Parks told they are actively meeting with regional representatives “to determine permitting needs” aimed at enhancing local supply systems.<p However, the ministry acknowledged no changes were needed regarding existing permitting protocols according to the region’s findings.

‘This Is an Untenable Situation’

Fife shared she’s reached out directly to provincial environment and housing ministers stressing how urgent addressing conditions within Waterloo Region has become.

The most pressing matter involves securing funds “immediately” targeted towards fixing infrastructure issues prevalent across Mannheim Service Area.

A broader evaluation into overall planning processes across provinces is also necessary moving forward according to her viewpoint.

If such issues manifest here then surely other communities face similar developmental pressures,” she stressed further.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic spoke during Tuesday’s Home Builders event mentioning just how vital managing limited resources remains : “Water Capacity Constraint represents perhaps THE biggest challenge faced within my thirty years serving locally.”

“Currently Kitchener Staff utilize incident management approaches resembling those employed during crises like natural disasters,” he revealed adding additional steps being taken signify protocol adopted amidst large-scale emergencies.

Vrbanovic assured attendees development approvals remain unaffected ensuring appropriate resource allocation against relevant concerns persists; delaying home construction risks compounding future challenges surrounding growth dynamics.

“Without swift intervention irreversible damages could tarnish regional reputation” he concluded resolutely.

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