State of the region address focuses on hope, resilience and uncharted waters ahead

People in Waterloo region are resilient and there is hope ahead, not just in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, but in other aspects of the community, regional Chair Karen Redman said during her state of the region address Friday.

Redman recalled in last year's address, she described the region as being like the Grand River.

"Like the river that flows enduringly, I said Waterloo region is always, always resilient," Redman said. "I didn't know it then, but what a timely reminder as we headed into — and remain in — a period of uncharted waters. We've faced challenges that we never could have imagined but we continue to show the resiliency for which we are known."

Redman said it's not a short journey ahead with "many decisions to be made, much input to consider and many, many voices to be heard."

Now, looking ahead, Redman says there is hope in the region.

"Hope because we have a vaccine, several vaccines in fact. Hope because we're committing to leaving no one behind in Waterloo region," Redman said. "Hope because of the great work of our regional staff. Hope that we're working to build the best possible community where everyone is welcomed, where everyone has a roof over their heads, where everyone has a voice. Where those voices are heard."

A video was shown after Redman's brief address that started off with the region's medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang talking about the first COVID-19 cases believed to have been from community spread.

"These are difficult times, strange times, uncomfortable times," a voiceover said. "These times have demanded we look at where we're going."

You can watch the video here:

Redman then took part in a fireside chat with CTV reporter Nicole Lampa where she addressed the vaccine rollout, housing concerns and the LRT expansion into Cambridge.

"Nobody at the region has stopped working," Redman said.

She was also asked about what the Region of Waterloo is doing to address racism and encourage more Black, Indigenous and people of colour to run for council. She noted there is a working group made up of community members to advise council and that council approved $5 million in 2021 and $10 million for 2022 to address systemic racism and look at gaps in the system in the regional corporation and how the region connects with the community.

"We are absolutely determined that we are going to move the marker and that there will be results coming," she said of addressing issues of systemic racism in the region.