News roundup: September 21, 2026

By Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Here's the latest in walking, biking, and transit news from the last week or so for Waterloo Region.

What's happening

• MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: Elections for city, township, region, and school boards will be on October 26. You can support candidates you'd like to see in office by volunteering, taking a sign, or donating.
  • A CivicTechWR project called Waterloo Region Votes aggregates information for voters about local municipal elections.
  • Town Halls continue for Cambridge city council, mayor, and regional councillor races, with town halls for Ward 5 (Monday), Regional Councillor (Tuesday), Ward 6 (Wednesday), and Mayor (Thursday) this week. (Cambridge Elects)
  • CBC: These local volunteer groups want to get people engaged in this fall's municipal election.
• REGIONAL BUDGET: The Region of Waterloo has a survey out to inform 2027 budget planning. They will also be in person this week at the UW Campus Life Fair on Wednesday 11am-2pm, and at the Cambridge Old Post Office Library on Friday 10:30am-2pm.
• KITCHENER PARKS: The City of Kitchener is seeking resident input.
  • Lancaster West Parks community pop-up event - Saturday, September 26, 1-4pm, Guelph Street Park. A survey is available until October 6. (EngageWR)
  • Cherry Park open house on updated park designs - Wednesday, September 23 - 5-8pm, King Edward PS. A virtual open house is available until October 22. (EngageWR)

Walking, biking, and streets

• The Record: Waterloo region school boards ban e-bikes and e-scooters from school property.
• CTVNews: Frederick Street bridge construction to stretch into Summer 2027
• CBC: Ontario announces new curriculum for truck drivers after audit found training schools cut corners. Transportation minister says focus will be on fatigue management, rural driving, human trafficking awareness

Transit

• VIA Rail will adjust selected services in the Québec City-Windsor corridor, effective October 25, 2026. VIA will no longer serve Malton GO and Guildwood GO in the GTA. (VIA Rail)
• Ontario Newsroom: Major construction underway at Woodbine GO station. New station will connect thousands more people to two-way, all-day GO service along the Kitchener Line

The shape of our cities

• Woolwich Council will be receiving a report on a Preferred Staging and Development Plan for Breslau on September 29, and voting on the recommendation on October 6. The plan orients around a substantially increased and consistent growth rate for the area, with 20% as infill/intensification and considerations around the future Breslau GO station. (EngageWR)
• CBC: Rental rules in Ontario change today. Here’s what tenants and landlords need to know. The Residential Tenancies Act is updated with tighter deadlines for late rent repayment
• CKWR: ‘We may reconsider’: Developer warns of cancelling $800M investments as city rejects housing incentive.
• CKWR: Cowan Recreation Centre set to open its doors on November 14th

Elsewhere

• Infrastory: The Real Transit Map. Just because a route is on the map doesn’t mean that it’s useful.
• CBC: Canada's 'Railway City' wants passenger trains back. Like in much of the country, it's not so simple.
• CBC: Alto acquires its first plot of land for high-speed rail project
• Stratford Beacon Herald: No injuries after Via Rail train collides with farm tractor in St. Marys