Catherine Fife
@waterloompp.bsky.social
Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Waterloo, Ontario (2012/14/18/22/25); Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; https://linktr.ee/cfifekw
'As the calendar flips to a new year, and a municipal election looms this fall, the Region of Waterloo has a number of issues it will need to face head-on in the coming months."
- Kitchener’s homeless encampment
- Transit: Getting people moving
- Does the region have enough water?
- Kitchener’s homeless encampment
- Transit: Getting people moving
- Does the region have enough water?
January 5, 2026 at 6:36 PM
'As the calendar flips to a new year, and a municipal election looms this fall, the Region of Waterloo has a number of issues it will need to face head-on in the coming months."
- Kitchener’s homeless encampment
- Transit: Getting people moving
- Does the region have enough water?
- Kitchener’s homeless encampment
- Transit: Getting people moving
- Does the region have enough water?
Reposted by Catherine Fife
Our neighbours, our co-workers, our seniors are being forced to make difficult choices every day. Can you help make a difference this 🎄 season?
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Our neighbours, our co-workers, our seniors are being forced to make difficult choices every day. Can you help make a difference this 🎄 season?
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
Our Life Science sector is Ontario’s strength. Thanks to Elliot Fung (ED, Medical Innovatiob Exchange) for sharing some milestones from 2025:
Job Creation: 336 new high-skilled jobs created; 968 total positions sustained.
Capital Attraction: $40M+ in new private investment secured.
Job Creation: 336 new high-skilled jobs created; 968 total positions sustained.
Capital Attraction: $40M+ in new private investment secured.
December 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Our Life Science sector is Ontario’s strength. Thanks to Elliot Fung (ED, Medical Innovatiob Exchange) for sharing some milestones from 2025:
Job Creation: 336 new high-skilled jobs created; 968 total positions sustained.
Capital Attraction: $40M+ in new private investment secured.
Job Creation: 336 new high-skilled jobs created; 968 total positions sustained.
Capital Attraction: $40M+ in new private investment secured.
“Environmental laws are only as strong as oversight and accountability,” Fife said. “This government has weakened both.” #onpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/18/news/ontario-ford-special-economic-zones-criteria
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/18/news/ontario-ford-special-economic-zones-criteria
Ford sets criteria for ‘special economic zones’ that fast-track projects
Months after being introduced under Bill 5, the Ford government has finally released the rules for the “special economic zones” that designate where projects deemed “strategically important to Ontario...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
“Environmental laws are only as strong as oversight and accountability,” Fife said. “This government has weakened both.” #onpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/18/news/ontario-ford-special-economic-zones-criteria
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/18/news/ontario-ford-special-economic-zones-criteria
Our neighbours, our co-workers, our seniors are being forced to make difficult choices every day. Can you help make a difference this 🎄 season?
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
December 17, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Our neighbours, our co-workers, our seniors are being forced to make difficult choices every day. Can you help make a difference this 🎄 season?
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
"Every $1 donated provides two healthy, nutritious meals in the community." - Kim Wilhelm, CEO and Executive Director, Food Bank of Waterloo Region
Did you know...? Incidents of hate against *anyone* in Waterloo Region can be reported to the Coalition for Muslim Women through their Anti-Hate program, an initiative that empowers individuals. Data in this report shows a 38% rise in hate-related incidents in 2024: cmw-kw.org/wp-content/u...
December 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Did you know...? Incidents of hate against *anyone* in Waterloo Region can be reported to the Coalition for Muslim Women through their Anti-Hate program, an initiative that empowers individuals. Data in this report shows a 38% rise in hate-related incidents in 2024: cmw-kw.org/wp-content/u...
“It’s a real mess,” said Fife. “There are really no accountability measures when corporate landlords choose to get the units in such a state that people have to move out. It’s just the wild west out there in rental housing. That’s why we need a renoviction ban in Waterloo.” #onpoli
Fighting a Waterloo rent hike: stories of cockroaches, leaks, mould and rats
Waterloo townhouses plagued by cockroaches, leaks, mould and rats. Angry tenants oppose landlord’s bid for big rent increase.
www.therecord.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM
“It’s a real mess,” said Fife. “There are really no accountability measures when corporate landlords choose to get the units in such a state that people have to move out. It’s just the wild west out there in rental housing. That’s why we need a renoviction ban in Waterloo.” #onpoli
A good news story to end last week. After a doctor submitted an OINP application in August 2024, he contacted my office this May for help getting an update. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development finally approved him. A rare OINP case resolution. #onpoli
December 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A good news story to end last week. After a doctor submitted an OINP application in August 2024, he contacted my office this May for help getting an update. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development finally approved him. A rare OINP case resolution. #onpoli
We've seen a steady erosion of democracy in ON. Ford is shutting down the legislature until March 23 while we see record unemployment, a housing & healthcare crisis. The Leg is the only place where we can create laws to help tackle these issues. To the Ford govt: do better. Respect our democracy.
December 12, 2025 at 8:34 PM
We've seen a steady erosion of democracy in ON. Ford is shutting down the legislature until March 23 while we see record unemployment, a housing & healthcare crisis. The Leg is the only place where we can create laws to help tackle these issues. To the Ford govt: do better. Respect our democracy.
Remember the “Golden Girls” sitcom? Welcome to Ontario. These amazing women, Marion and Pat, are getting creative on the housing front for senior women (55+). Thanks for your time and efforts! Check out their website to learn more Senior Women Living Together. swlt.ca/about-swlt
December 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Remember the “Golden Girls” sitcom? Welcome to Ontario. These amazing women, Marion and Pat, are getting creative on the housing front for senior women (55+). Thanks for your time and efforts! Check out their website to learn more Senior Women Living Together. swlt.ca/about-swlt
Aging water infrastructure has paused housing development in Waterloo Region...amidst a housing crisis. We shouldn’t have 7 municipalities making their own growth plans, without coordination around water. #onpoli
December 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Aging water infrastructure has paused housing development in Waterloo Region...amidst a housing crisis. We shouldn’t have 7 municipalities making their own growth plans, without coordination around water. #onpoli
That's rich. The Ontario legislature has sat for just 51 days this year. Today is our last day at Queen's Park for 2025, and we won't be returning until March 23, 2026. It's Doug Ford who needs to come back to work - for Ontarians. #onpoli
December 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
That's rich. The Ontario legislature has sat for just 51 days this year. Today is our last day at Queen's Park for 2025, and we won't be returning until March 23, 2026. It's Doug Ford who needs to come back to work - for Ontarians. #onpoli
"Waterloo Region lost its planning department in 2024, by decree of Premier Doug Ford. The cities and townships now have responsibility for that. But if cities and townships want to grow faster than the water supply can handle, we have a problem." #onpoli
News of a water shortage in Waterloo Region is a warning
We need to seriously consider whether we have enough water for a million people, which is the expected size of Waterloo Region by 2051, Luisa D’Amato writes
www.therecord.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"Waterloo Region lost its planning department in 2024, by decree of Premier Doug Ford. The cities and townships now have responsibility for that. But if cities and townships want to grow faster than the water supply can handle, we have a problem." #onpoli
All housing development has paused in WR. You can’t address the housing crisis without adequate water infrastructure, which can't be funded off the local tax base. Municipalities drive jobs and need the province’s support – not denial & deflection. Ford has created chaos from a planning perspective.
December 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
All housing development has paused in WR. You can’t address the housing crisis without adequate water infrastructure, which can't be funded off the local tax base. Municipalities drive jobs and need the province’s support – not denial & deflection. Ford has created chaos from a planning perspective.
Thanks to the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care for your advocacy – pleased to work together MPP Teresa Armstrong to ensure that community-based childcare operators will be able to access barriers that will be supplied free of charge. 👏👏👏 #onpoli
How Ontario’s $20 million investment to install barriers at daycares impacts centres that made change before funding announcement
The Ontario government is investing $20 million to install concrete barriers at childcare centres after a 17-month-old toddler was killed at a Richmond Hill daycare when a driver crashed through the f...
www.ctvnews.ca
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Thanks to the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care for your advocacy – pleased to work together MPP Teresa Armstrong to ensure that community-based childcare operators will be able to access barriers that will be supplied free of charge. 👏👏👏 #onpoli
“This has been referred to as the Hunger Games,” said Jill Croteau, chair of the Ontario Physicians Recruitment Alliance. “If a municipality doesn’t have the resources for financial incentives, then they’re being held at a disadvantage.” #onpoli www.therecord.com/thestar/news...
It’s the ‘Hunger Games.’ Ontario cities battle for family doctors amid shortage with $100K signing bonuses and other perks
Auditor general flags the messy and unfair system of incentives in physician recruitment that lacks provincial co-ordination.
www.therecord.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
“This has been referred to as the Hunger Games,” said Jill Croteau, chair of the Ontario Physicians Recruitment Alliance. “If a municipality doesn’t have the resources for financial incentives, then they’re being held at a disadvantage.” #onpoli www.therecord.com/thestar/news...
The feds opened the door for 5,000 new doctors while the ON gov is blocking them with OINP delays and zero urgency. US physicians have told me about barriers their facing before they can practice in ON. The healthcare crisis is a leadership test, and Ford is failing. #ONpoli
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The feds opened the door for 5,000 new doctors while the ON gov is blocking them with OINP delays and zero urgency. US physicians have told me about barriers their facing before they can practice in ON. The healthcare crisis is a leadership test, and Ford is failing. #ONpoli
"In Ontario, 1 in 4 food bank visitors are employed, up 83 per cent since 2019-20. In Waterloo Region, that number is 1 in 20, and Wilhelm said a number of those people are working more than one job."
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
‘Is today the day it’s going to end?’: Waterloo Region food bank fighting to keep up with demand
After release of Feed Ontario report, executive director Kim Wilhelm says regional food bank faces rising demand for food assistance, with record-high visits amid pandemic impacts; urgent calls for sy...
www.therecord.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"In Ontario, 1 in 4 food bank visitors are employed, up 83 per cent since 2019-20. In Waterloo Region, that number is 1 in 20, and Wilhelm said a number of those people are working more than one job."
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
Thanks to CFUW KW for leading the community in remembering the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre and all victims of femicide.
"Tonight, may we honour those that we've lost by creating the future they deserve." - Sara Casselman, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
"Tonight, may we honour those that we've lost by creating the future they deserve." - Sara Casselman, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
December 7, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Thanks to CFUW KW for leading the community in remembering the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre and all victims of femicide.
"Tonight, may we honour those that we've lost by creating the future they deserve." - Sara Casselman, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
"Tonight, may we honour those that we've lost by creating the future they deserve." - Sara Casselman, Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.
December 6, 1989: An armed man killed 14 women and injured 13 other people at École Polytechnique. Fuelled by misogyny, he claimed he was "fighting feminism". We must never forget the horror of that day. I'm honoured to be joined by community leaders to name the victims. #CallItFemicide
December 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
December 6, 1989: An armed man killed 14 women and injured 13 other people at École Polytechnique. Fuelled by misogyny, he claimed he was "fighting feminism". We must never forget the horror of that day. I'm honoured to be joined by community leaders to name the victims. #CallItFemicide
Doug Ford is a jobs disaster and these new numbers make that clearer than ever. Ontario lost thousands of manufacturing jobs last month, and the province led the entire country in losses in wholesale and retail trade. Families are feeling the hit in every community. #onpoli
December 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Doug Ford is a jobs disaster and these new numbers make that clearer than ever. Ontario lost thousands of manufacturing jobs last month, and the province led the entire country in losses in wholesale and retail trade. Families are feeling the hit in every community. #onpoli
New Ontario Arts Council-funded workshop series! For 2SLGBTQ+ community members navigating grief or loss in their family-building journey, "Here, Hold My Grief" offers supportive, artist-guided workshops in Toronto, ON (Jan–Apr 2026). Learn more: info@familybuildingcanada.com.
December 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
New Ontario Arts Council-funded workshop series! For 2SLGBTQ+ community members navigating grief or loss in their family-building journey, "Here, Hold My Grief" offers supportive, artist-guided workshops in Toronto, ON (Jan–Apr 2026). Learn more: info@familybuildingcanada.com.
In the latest issue of The Parliamentarian, in my role as the newly elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), I wrote about the challenges of finding a home in 🇨🇦 politics.
issuu.com/theparliamen...
issuu.com/theparliamen...
December 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
In the latest issue of The Parliamentarian, in my role as the newly elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), I wrote about the challenges of finding a home in 🇨🇦 politics.
issuu.com/theparliamen...
issuu.com/theparliamen...
Catch up with my fall newsletter, including:
- Observing Remembrance Day
- Chairing the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
- Make your voice heard at Pre-Budget Consultations
- The KW Community Spirit Lions Free Family Skate
- Get your free 2026 calendar
mailchi.mp/ndp.on.ca/pb...
- Observing Remembrance Day
- Chairing the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
- Make your voice heard at Pre-Budget Consultations
- The KW Community Spirit Lions Free Family Skate
- Get your free 2026 calendar
mailchi.mp/ndp.on.ca/pb...
December 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Catch up with my fall newsletter, including:
- Observing Remembrance Day
- Chairing the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
- Make your voice heard at Pre-Budget Consultations
- The KW Community Spirit Lions Free Family Skate
- Get your free 2026 calendar
mailchi.mp/ndp.on.ca/pb...
- Observing Remembrance Day
- Chairing the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
- Make your voice heard at Pre-Budget Consultations
- The KW Community Spirit Lions Free Family Skate
- Get your free 2026 calendar
mailchi.mp/ndp.on.ca/pb...
I was honoured to pay tribute to former MPP Mike Farnan in the presence of his family at Queen's Park today. Mike passed away earlier this year after a lifetime in the service of others. He served with integrity, charm, warmth, and a strong sense of humour. He will be missed by many.
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I was honoured to pay tribute to former MPP Mike Farnan in the presence of his family at Queen's Park today. Mike passed away earlier this year after a lifetime in the service of others. He served with integrity, charm, warmth, and a strong sense of humour. He will be missed by many.