Happy Tuesday, Waterloo Region!
Fall officially began last Tuesday, but the weekend clearly didn't get the memo. Summer isn't ready to let go yet, and I'm not complaining.
A quick note before we get into it: Wednesday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal holiday and a moment to pause, reflect and learn.
Here's what's happening in the Region.
🌤️ This week's weather outlook:
Tue Sept 29 | Wed Sept 30 | Thu Oct 1 | Fri Oct 2 | Sat Oct 3 | Sun Oct 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High | 24°C | 23°C | 22°C | 18°C | 17°C | 18°C |
Low | 10°C | 12°C | 13°C | 7°C | 7°C | 8°C |
Chance of rain | 30% | 30% | 80% | 30% | 40% | 40% |
In This Issue
A tentative deal, reached just in time
$4.5M for local food banks
Garbage cart swap starts Monday, October 5
2,515 new UW seats
What's happening in Waterloo Region this week and beyond: the Fall Pancake Breakfast, INDEFEST, Lederhosers Comedy Night, Kinderfest, the KW Wedding Expo and more.
Local News & City Updates
⚖️ Region and CUPE 1883 Reach a Tentative Deal
Last week we told you Region office workers were about to be in a legal strike position. Early Saturday morning, a couple of hours after that clock started, the two sides announced a deal.
The Region of Waterloo and CUPE Local 1883, which represents about 850 office, clerical and technical employees, reached a tentative agreement on Saturday, September 26.
GRT buses, ION trains and MobilityPLUS are expected to continue operating while union members vote on the deal in the coming days.
The terms haven't been released, and the deal still needs ratification by union members. A provincial mediator helped the two sides get there.
Before the tentative deal, the union had identified staffing levels and job security as key issues.
Nothing changes for your bus, your ION or your Region services while members vote. We'll post the ratification result on Facebook and Instagram Stories as soon as it's confirmed. Region of Waterloo | CTV News Kitchener
💛 A Quiet Donor Goes Public: $4.5 Million for Four Food Banks
For years, the Balsillie family gave to local food banks without saying a word about it. Last Tuesday they went public, and the number was big.
The Balsillie Family Foundation announced $4.5 million for four food banks: $1.5 million to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, and $1 million each to the Cambridge Food Bank, Guelph Food Bank and Centre Wellington Food Bank.
For Cambridge, Guelph and Centre Wellington, each organization says it is the biggest single donation in its history.
Balsillie said his family has been a longtime anonymous supporter of local food banks.
The plans differ by city. Cambridge's share goes toward its new building and a planned community hub. Centre Wellington is growing its Well Fed Wellington program across the county. Guelph is looking at new ways to get food to more people. Locally, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region plans to put the money into its supply chain, from purchasing to how food moves through its network.
Demand has outgrown what these buildings and budgets were built for, and this gift buys them room to catch up. CBC News | CambridgeToday
🎓 The Province Is Sending $80 Million to UW for More Seats
Ontario is investing $80 million to fund 2,515 additional seats at the University of Waterloo.
The new funded seats include 705 in STEM programs, 103 in health programs and 1,707 in other labour-market-driven programs.
The province says seats will be available for student enrollment as early as the fall 2026 academic year.
UW president Bill Rosehart said the goal is to help "more students turn their ideas and education into meaningful careers while developing the talented graduates Ontario needs for the future."
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris called the university "a cornerstone of our region's economy" and said the investment means more students can build careers close to home.
The funding is part of Ontario's $1.7 billion plan to add 70,000 postsecondary seats provincewide. Government of Ontario | CKWR
🗑️ Swap Your Black Garbage Cart Size, Starting Monday, October 5
From Monday, Oct. 5 to Saturday, Oct. 31, eligible single-family households can request a one-time free swap between the small 120-litre and large 240-litre black garbage cart.
Request online or call 519-575-4400. Leave your current cart in an accessible spot on your property; the Region will deliver the new cart and collect the old one in November.
Property owners of two-to-six-unit homes should email [email protected].
Additional black carts aren't available for purchase. If you regularly have overflow, bag tags remain the option. Additional green organics carts can be purchased for $150 plus HST starting Oct. 5.
Later exchanges may carry a fee.
Worth a look before the end of the month if your cart is always overflowing or barely gets used. Black cart exchange | Buy an extra green cart
🏙️ Kitchener Rolls Out a Plan to Shield Local Jobs From the Tariff Fight
Kitchener has launched a five-part plan to support businesses and protect jobs amid U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty.
A Canadian Chamber of Commerce study ranks Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo as the fourth-most vulnerable Canadian region to proposed U.S. tariffs. The City says $17.8 billion, or 46.5 per cent of the region's GDP, comes from exports to the U.S.
The plan will prioritize eligible Ontario and Canadian suppliers in City spending, turn Support Local into a year-round campaign, and connect trade-exposed businesses with funding, practical support and opportunities in new markets.
The City will also meet directly with businesses facing the greatest trade-related risks and advocate for local needs.
Canada Buys and Defence Shift sessions on Oct. 13-14 will connect local companies with procurement decision-makers, contractors and defence-sector suppliers.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the City "can't resolve an international trade dispute from Kitchener City Hall," but added, "we're not powerless."
City Hall cannot fix a trade war, but it can put its own spending where it counts for the businesses down the street. City of Kitchener | Kitchener Support Local
Community Note
🕊️ Remembering Ron Schlegel
Ron Schlegel, the founder of Schlegel Villages, passed away on Saturday, September 19. He was 83.
He opened the first Schlegel Village in Kitchener in the early 1990s. The organization now has 20 locations across southwestern Ontario.
He was one of the founding partners of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, founded in 2005, and he was a University of Waterloo professor who helped build its Department of Health Studies and Gerontology.
He was an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In his last years he chose to live at The Village of Winston Park in Kitchener, the village where it all began.
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe called him "a true barnraiser in Waterloo Region," saying his legacy is "one of innovation, compassion and a commitment to community."
A life spent making growing older a little better for a lot of people. Schlegel Villages | CTV News Kitchener | City of Waterloo
🚧 Road Report
NEW - Victoria St S, Kitchener. Closed since 7 a.m. Monday, September 28. No access, from Fischer-Hallman Rd to Hazelglen Dr, for road reconstruction. Expected to reopen Sunday, November 15.
NEW - Can-Amera Pky, Cambridge. Closed to through traffic from Franklin Blvd to Conestoga Blvd, Saturday, October 3 to Sunday, October 4, for road reconstruction. Businesses, residences and pedestrians keep access around the work zone.
NEW - Roseville Rd, North Dumfries. Westbound lane closed at Edworthy Side Rd, Wednesday, September 30 through Friday, October 23, for road reconstruction. Eastbound traffic and pedestrian access maintained around the work zone.
NEW - Wilmot-Easthope Rd, Wilmot. Lane reduced at Concession Rd, Monday, October 5 to Friday, October 9, for utility work. Two-way traffic maintained with flagging, and pedestrian access maintained around the work zone.
NEW - Ottawa St S, Kitchener. Lane reductions from Fischer-Hallman Rd to Williamsburg Rd from Monday, October 5 to Friday, October 16.
Good to Know
🚨 Monday Was Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Cambridge Fire reminds everyone to test alarms monthly, replace batteries yearly, and swap the whole unit at 10 years old. Ontario made it an annual day after 133 fire deaths in 2022, the worst year in two decades, and many of those homes had no working alarm. Cambridge Fire Safety
💉 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines Begin for Priority Groups
Starting this week, high-risk and priority groups can receive flu and COVID-19 vaccines as supply becomes available. Free vaccines for everyone aged six months and older begin Oct. 26. Check the Region's flu page for local availability and clinic details. Region of Waterloo | Government of Ontario
Sports
Kitchener Rangers: A week of highs and lows. Kitchener lost 4-3 to Erie at The Aud on Friday, bounced back with a 4-3 overtime win in Erie on Saturday, and closed the weekend with a 6-3 win over Kingston on Sunday. That puts the Rangers at 3-2-0. Upcoming schedule below.
Date | Opponent | Where | Puck drop |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri, Oct 2 | Saginaw Spirit | The Aud, Kitchener | 7:00 p.m. |
Sun, Oct 4 | at Guelph Storm | Sleeman Centre, Guelph | 2:07 p.m. |
Wed, Oct 7 | at Flint Firebirds | Dort Financial Center, Flint, MI | 7:00 p.m. |
What's Happening
Looking for events not on the big calendars? Your local Optimist Club runs community programs, fundraisers, and events year-round. Find your nearest chapter at optimist.org.
Please Note: Events are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Check the event's own page before heading out.
Standing Farmers' Markets
🧺 St. Jacobs Farmers' Market - 878 Weber St N, St. Jacobs. Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, and a flea market from around 300 vendors. Recurring Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., year-round. Free to browse. Details
🧺 Kitchener Market Breezeway outdoor market - 300 King St E, Kitchener. Local farmers, makers, and vendors outdoors while the main building and Food Hall stay closed following the July 12 fire. Recurring Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Free to browse. Details
🧺 Cambridge Farmers' Market - 40 Dickson St, Cambridge. Meats, baked goods, produce, and crafts from local vendors. Recurring Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Year-round. Free to browse. Details
This Week (Sept 29 - Oct 5)
🎪 Cambridge 50+ Active Living Fair - Hespeler Arena Beehive Hall, 640 Ellis Rd W, Cambridge. Thursday, October 1, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free. More than 60 exhibitors on programs and services for adults 50 and up, plus blood pressure screenings, lawn bowling demos and a free skating session. Details
🎪 Bloody Berlin Walking Tour - Schneider Haus National Historic Site, 466 Queen St S, Kitchener. Thursday, October 1 and Saturday, October 3, 7:00 p.m. Also runs Thursday, October 8 and Saturday, October 10. $26.95 plus HST. A lantern-lit nighttime walk through downtown Kitchener's back alleys, covering the city's murders, executions and other dark history. Ages 16+, advance tickets only, no door sales, rain or shine. Tickets
🎭 Misdirection: Magic and Mentalism Show - Farm League Brewing, 295 Ainslie St S, Cambridge. Thursday, October 1, doors 8:00 p.m., show 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. 19+. $27.96. Mentalist Ryan Edwards and comedy magician Graemazing team up for a night of mind reading, magic and comedy, closing with a routine the two have developed over a decade. Tickets
🎪 The Dark Side of Galt Evening Walking Tours - McDougall Cottage Historic Site, 89 Grand Ave S, Cambridge. Friday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. tours (the 7:00 p.m. tour is dog-friendly). Also runs Fridays, October 9, 16 and 23. $24.95 plus HST. A 90-minute guided walk through Galt's darker history, from disasters and murders to lingering ghost stories. Ages 14+, pre-registration required, limited spots. Tickets
🍴 Fall Pancake Breakfast - Sand Hills Maple Products, 1270 Manser Rd, Wellesley. Saturday, October 3, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Also runs Saturday, October 10. Free admission; breakfast is $10, $15 or $20 including a drink. Pancakes with apple topping, ice cream and maple syrup, plus guided maple tours, pumpkin bowling, leaf piles and campfires. Leashed dogs welcome. Details
🎊 INDEFEST @10: A Decade of Culture & Community - RIM Park, 2001 University Ave E, Waterloo. Saturday, October 3, red carpet 3:00 p.m., main event 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Free. INDEFEST's tenth anniversary, celebrating African culture with live music and dance, authentic food, a vendor marketplace, fashion showcases and kids' activities. Details
🎵 Honky Tonk-toberfest at the Prostgarten - The District Square, 64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge. Thursday, October 1, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Free, no tickets or reservations. Live country music and line dancing under the stars at the Prostgarten, with an instructor on hand for anyone who's never two-stepped before. Moves indoors to Tapestry Hall if it rains. Details
🎭 Lederhosers Comedy Night - Kingpin Bowlounge, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Friday, October 2, doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. 19+. $15.00. An Oktoberfest-season comedy night at the bowling lounge, presented by Yuk Yuks. Details/Tickets
🎨 K-W Central Art Walk - Midtown Kitchener-Waterloo. Saturday, October 3, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 4, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free. A self-guided, roughly 2-kilometre walk through local artist studios, with a printed or digital brochure as your map. No registration needed. Details
👨👩👧 Kinderfest - Bingemans, Event Square, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Saturday, October 3, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. All ages. $12.95 per child (ages 2-11), adults free with a paid child's admission. Live entertainment and bouncy rides. Details
🎵 Uberhaus: Oktoberfest at Maxwell's - Maxwell's, 35 University Ave E, Unit 2, Waterloo. Saturday, October 3, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:00 p.m. 19+. $20.00 plus fees. Uberhaus returns to Maxwell's after a decade away, with The Golden Keys playing traditional Bavarian polkas and oompah music alongside a keg tapping ceremony and German food from Siggi's Food Truck. Details/Tickets
🧺 Spirit Market - Homer Watson House & Gallery, 1754 Old Mill Rd, Kitchener. Saturday, October 3, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free. An outdoor fall market of local vendors selling crystals, tarot, art, candles and more, plus readings and other spirit-themed offerings. Details
🃏 KW Toys and Collectibles Show - Bingemans, Marshall Hall, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Sunday, October 4, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Cash only: $10 early entry (9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.), $5 general (to 1:00 p.m.), $3 late. Under 12 free. More than 200 vendor tables of toys and collectibles. Details
🛍️ KW Wedding Expo Fall 2026 - Bingemans, Ballroom, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Sunday, October 4, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free when you register online before midnight on October 1. $10.00 at the door. VIP $37.61. Vendors and ideas for planning a wedding. Details
🍺 K-W Oktoberfest - Venues across the region. September 25 - October 17. Events aren't held every day, so check the event calendar for specific dates and times. The Gaslight District's Prostgarten at 64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge, runs through Sunday, October 4. Oktoberfest | Prostgarten
🎨 Culture Days - Region-wide, through Sunday, October 4. Free events across the region. Details
🎪 Bingemans Screampark - Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener. Friday and Saturday nights through October 31, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. All ages (not recommended for children under 12 or anyone easily frightened). Check the link for ticket prices. Details
Coming Up This Month (Oct 6 - Oct 12)
🎪 Oktoberfest Willkommen Platz - Carl Zehr Square and King St (Queen St to City Hall), Kitchener. Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11. Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Free. Downtown Kitchener's biergarten, main stage lineup, vendor markets and keg tapping. Details
👨👩👧 KIDtoberfest - Kitchener City Hall Rotunda, 200 King St W, Kitchener. Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. Free. Oktoberfest fun for kids ages 3 to 10. Details
🐕 DOGtoberfest - Gaukel Block, 44 Gaukel St, Kitchener. Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Free. Leashed dogs welcome. Details
🎊 58th Annual Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade - Weber St E and Frederick St, Kitchener, heading toward Waterloo. Monday, October 12, 9:30 a.m. Details
👨👩👧 Kidchella (Oktoberfest Edition) - THEMUSEUM, 10 King St W, Kitchener. Monday, October 12, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. An indoor music festival at THEMUSEUM. Ticket prices vary. Details
Thanks for reading Community Loop – Waterloo Region. Have something happening in your neighbourhood that should be in next week's issue? We'd love to hear about it. See you next Tuesday!