Local leaders lobby federal partners in Ottawa

To meet with Queen’s Park next Wednesday

Local political leaders were in Ottawa Wednesday discussing regional issues with their federal counterparts.

Mayors Berry Vrbanovic, Dave Jaworsky, Sue Foxton, Kathryn McGarry, Sandy Shantz and Regional Chair Karen Redman all made the trip that touched on topics ranging from high-speed rail and improving the Waterloo Region International Airport, to affordable housing, light rail transit and the opioid crisis.

“This is really about the long game,” Vrbanovic said in a phone interview between meetings Wednesday afternoon.

“We hope to see some immediate changes, but we realize others are longer term.”

The mayors met Minister of Transportation Marc Garneau Wednesday morning as well as Marco Mendicino, parliamentary secretary to the minister of infrastructure and communities.

Local MPs Bryan May, Marwan Tabbara and Raj Saini were also part of those discussions.

Many tweeted photos of their meetings throughout the day.

Vrbanovic said they also planned to meet with the official opposition, including local Conservative MP Harold Albrecht and members of the shadow cabinet.

This is the second Waterloo Region advocacy trip by local politicians and the first since 2016.

The mayors and regional chair expect to be at Queen’s Park in Toronto for a similar meeting with provincial representatives next Wednesday.

Kitchener’s mayor said it was important for local leaders to make the trek to the nation’s capital and conduct these meetings face-to-face instead of over email or phone.

“Developing these relationships with our partners in the federal government is important,” Vrbanovic said.

“This is something that other municipalities are doing on a regular basis to ensure they are top of mind as the government is making decisions, and we want to be sure Waterloo Region is in the mix while they’re making those decisions.”

jjackson@therecord.com