June 8, 2010

Last night was one of those nights that remind all of us what local democracy looks like. For nearly four hours, delegations of individuals and organizations spoke to Waterloo City Council about what their hopes and visions were for the area between our universities, which is commonly called the Northdale neighbourhood.

While Council ultimately declared that they were voting for change, they declined to set a vision. The decision last night failed to focus the options on the table and makes developing an effective terms of reference much more difficult. After the terms of reference, Council will hire a consultant to do an unfocused land use study. This means it could be 2012 before a vision is finally set by Council and everyone can begin to plan for making change happen.

After listening to a number of residents and groups, both before last night and at the council meeting itself, I came to the conclusion that it was crucial that Council vote to reject the existing plan. It needed to agree to intensify the community in a way that makes sense, block by block, in partnership with the community, and after a focused land-use study.

Last night, we heard a lot about the need for collaboration, and we had both the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University at the table offering to start working with private developers now. We heard a lot about what good housing means for students, and we had students there to talk about their experiences, their needs and their desire to be partners in the solution.

We also heard from many people that have long lived in the area asking Council to finally act, to finally decide on a vision that will build a safe and vibrant community.

That is what will work in Northdale. Not a vision that presumes everything can change overnight nor a vision that believes the city alone can dictate who lives where and who builds what. But a vision that sees our people, our institutions, our city, and our business community work together to build a neighbourhood we can be proud of.

And while Council acknowledged that change needs to come to Northdale, it did not show the leadership we need. It did not vote for a new vision.

I believe that the residents of Northdale need a councillor who will listen, will find the right approach and the right partners, and then will act decisively. With the decision last night, this election will also be about setting a clear vision for Northdale and the ability to act on it.