Prime Minister meets with Waterloo region politicians to talk local issues

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in talks with Waterloo region politicians Wednesday morning.

He went to Kitchener City Hall to meet with local mayors and Regional Chair Karen Redman at 9:45 a.m.

The meetings were closed to the media after the opening remarks.

After the meeting, Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman said the meeting was "very candid."  

"It's investment and infrastructure, it's the train system, all-day, two-way go, high speed rail, the economic interest in investment in Communitech and Waterloo Economic Development Corporation — those are the large issues that we partner with the federal government on, so we just talked about our priorities," she said. 

Redman says the region is still waiting to hear back from the provincial government on rural and infrastructure funding that was a part of the bilaterial agreement between Ontario and Canada. 

"We're very anxious to see that go forward, too," Redman said. 

"I'd like to see faster, more comprehensive funding going forward with phase two of the LRT. I think that's a really important next step for us municipally," she said. 

On Tuesday, Trudeau said the federal government is ready to give money to Ontario municipalities, but the provincial government is holding up the process. 

In an emailed statement, Ontario Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton responded by saying this is the first year of a 10-year infrastructure plan, while a spokesperson for the premier said Doug Ford is willing to work with all levels of government.

The meetings with the prime minister come on the heels of a tech funding announcement in Kitchener on Tuesday morning and a town hall meeting in Cambridge on Tuesday night.