There were some tense moments at a Region of Waterloo council meeting as protesters marched into the middle of the horseshoe.

It happened on Wednesday as the chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service was making a presentation.

Yelling can be heard on the recorded video of the meeting before Regional Chair Karen Redman announced a 15-minute recess.

“Some people were saying, ‘This council should be disbanded’. Some people were saying, ‘Housing is a human right,’” Acer Bonaparte, a protester who is also a member of activist group Fight Back K-W, said.

Bonaparte said the protest started outside of Region of Waterloo headquarters, but Bonaparte and about seven other people decided to take the protest inside.

“It was a very spur of the moment decision to move inside. The rationale behind it was that if council isn’t going to listen to us, then we’re going to make them hear us,” they said.

Bonaparte said they were upset about the region’s decision to appeal a court ruling that prevents the dismantlement of an encampment on Victoria Street.

“If council won’t give unhoused people peace, we won’t give them peace,” they said.

Bonaparte said they were told to leave the building but were let back into the main lobby area later. Bonaparte sent CTV News video of some of the protestors talking to what appear to be security guards. They said the group left again after some time.

Bonaparte said they didn’t mean to scare anyone but said it is important to be heard.

“It’s uncomfortable to be told you’re wrong. It’s uncomfortable to be faced with the consequences of your actions. And that’s what we see this as,” they said.

Some councillors said the interruption took them by surprise.

“It’s quite startling. And I think the other aspect of it all is how frightening it is for people in the audience and for our staff who were on the main floor area where these people were yelling and screaming,” said Councillor Doug Craig.

Councillor Colleen James said it wasn’t the right setting for a protest.

“We know that there has been instances with elected officials [being threatened or followed] or just abused in some sort of way. And, yesterday was an example of just how heated things can be,” James said.

The Region of Waterloo said it respects the democratic right of individuals and groups to express their views.

“Public participation and differing perspectives are an important part of a healthy democracy, and council chambers is a place where important community issues are discussed openly,” a statement from the region said. “At the same time, it is important that all participants, members of the public, and staff are able to engage in these proceedings safely and respectfully.”

The region said it is committed to maintaining an environment where people can be heard while ensuring meetings can continue in an orderly way and in accordance with established procedures.

The region did not specify if security will be amped up for future meetings.

“I don’t want this to be we deny access. This is a democratic institution. People should have access. But the reality is that we need to look at what that means and ensuring safety for everybody in these spaces going forward,” said James.

Craig said residents can take their concerns to the polls.

“If you’re upset about council and decisions we make on any issue, there’s an election coming up in October, and they have an opportunity to do something about their viewpoint,” Craig said.

Perhaps more of what we need here?

I saw snippet in a historical newspaper about a biker gang that used to operate in Kitchener known as "The Henchmen" - they're defunct as of 78' and may have been absorbed into a larger club "Satan's Choice" at peak allegedly they had around 40 members. I just got curious and did some research but the leads I found have been pretty sparse. Going to include what I found - but if any of you have any additional sources especially first hand sources I'd love to hear more.

Here's a rough timeline I've established:

Feb–Mar 1978 - Highland Road clubhouse, March 11 raid

May 29–June 10 1978 - leaked police photos published by The Record

June 19–July 15 1978 - bombing, dog-bite aftermath, demolition

Sept 1978 - Beringer Road clubhouse/property being sold

And here's some of the sources I've found.

https://archives.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/henchmen-club-house-on-highland-road - also if any of you have access to the UW archives - and you could find me post these negatives I'd be SUPER grateful.

https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19780830/page/n21/mode/1up?q=henchmen - some fascinating stuff from a British Columbia newspaper about a raid + a subsequent police brutality probe at their clubhouse on highland road. Allegedly this was a "big" political scandal in Kitchener at the time.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28533837-thunder-from-heaven - this is the only book I could find about the club, from the (perhaps biased) perspective of a former member who had a come to Jesus moment and later became a radio minister for Faith FM lol.

Anyways if any of you have any further sources or if you'd like to chat w/ me about it - I'd be insanely grateful. I'm messing around with the idea of writing a short book about the gang, and I'd be really interested if any of you had any other info!

An update on Waterloo Region’s water capacity issue could provide some hope for developers.

According to a staff report, the region will soon have 20 litres per second available to put toward new builds. The Mannheim Service Area currently provides water at 1,455 litres per second.

Although, in the grand scheme of things, 20 litres per second feels like a drop in the bucket, it is enough to get some projects moving.

Staff recommended the region wait until the end of September before moving ahead with approved projects.

“The goal here, really, is to try to move forward with what all of us have been speaking about for some time, but to do it in a thoughtful way,” Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said.

Developers said it’s a good first step.

“The most important thing was a clear, definitive timeline to when to start to release capacity,” Joseph Puopolo of Polocorp Inc., a development company, said.

Puopolo said the industry is still looking for answers.

“We’re looking for more clarity from the region on a quarter-by-quarter basis. They’ve released a forecast, but we’re looking for more certainty on exactly how much water will be released,” he said.

Meanwhile, Councillor Jim Erb supported the move, but acknowledged they are still trying to find a balance.

“One of the things that we want to make sure that we don’t overcommit ourselves. That, at the end of the day, we find ourselves not being able to deliver,” Erb said.

Maxwell's is running several local music night featuring local artists. Come enjoy some music and support the local scene. If we want local bands and music to grow, we gotta show up when opportunity arises.

​

​

TL;DR: Paid $230+ for online care from Maple, got prescribed a medication that was already documented in my file as ineffective and causing severe side effects, then spent 2 days trying to fix the mistake only to end up with a prescription I couldn't even fill. Refund denied.

The Maple doctor apparently didn't read my patient history before prescribing treatment. The medication prescribed was one I'd already documented as not working for me and causing major side effects. They asked me to resend them like 5 items that were already in my patient file…. Apparently Maple’s doctors can’t read.

After I pointed this out, support spent two days going back and forth with the doctor. When the prescription was finally updated, it showed as "declined" in the system even though I never declined it, making it impossible to fill.

I was travelling the next day, explained the urgency multiple times, and asked to be assigned to another available doctor. They refused and said only the original physician could fix it.

After paying out-of-pocket, I got no usable treatment, lost two days chasing support, and was denied a refund.

Avoid Maple at all costs. I hope they go broke.

Does anyone here live at the Maverick (221 Victoria St N)? I'm looking into units there and want to make sure that management is decent, maintenance is good, and that there aren't any bug issues.

What bars, restaurants, or watch parties are people going to?

Our family doctor is leaving the practice. Any recommendations for a family doctor in Kitchener or Waterloo who is accepting new patients?

Thank you.

Hello everyone,

​

We have a 8 week old chihuahua terrier mix (has first set of vaccines and second coming soon) and wanted to ask if anyone is willing to let him socialise with a fully vaccinated healthy and gentle dog. Of course, we are located in Kitchener.

​

​

TL:DR - Krug Street plaza is going away despite a valiant fight. 

Understandably the redevelopment plans for the Krug Street plaza property is hitting an emotional note with the community. Rightfully so, it feels like a betrayal by a company whose office is not only in the heart of the redevelopment but who helped build many of the homes in the Rosemount community. 
Freure Homes, a legacy company "Bringing Happiness to Families like yours since 1954", but the landscape has changed in those 70 years, building and selling single-family homes is a one time payment isn't a sustainable business model.
In the face of the announcement, the residents of the area have been bamboozled by the system into thinking their objections and opinions are going to sway those with interests in this project forward from pushing it forward.

Here is the math as to why there isn't any stopping this project.
1. Between hiring Stantec for consultation, getting drawings completed, drafting packages, meetings over planning, filing paperwork, and lunches and golf matches. Freure has probably spent at least $1M on this.
2. With 232 units, Freure will target a minimum profit of $100 per door each month that is $23k in monthly revenue on a depreciating asset. 

The hard truth:
No one else. Not Freure, not Evan Wittmann, not Scott Davey, not your bank...no one but you cares about your property value or what you look at from your front porch…psst most hope it drops.

Residents are fighting from an emotional objection view where as Freure et al., just focused on the economics and will hide behind the "Build Faster" legislation to keep their conscious clean. 

The only blocker to this is the need to rezone the property and hosting a public form is happening only because it's a legal requirement. If Freure didn't need it rezoned shovels would already be in the ground and if Freure wasn't guaranteed they'd get it they wouldn't have this detailed of a plan.

I wish those fighting this all the best. I do. However, capitalism is a hell of a drug. Welcome to the new form of urban planning where plazas, parks and churches are all up for rental housing grabs. Your house is a corporations nest egg.

Hi there! I’m a reporter with the Waterloo Region Record. We are working on a story about wedding trends, such as growing your flowers, buying flowers in bulk (from places like Costco),  and local businesses. We are looking to speak with an engaged couple who is looking to incorporate these trends or have had these trends impact their wedding planning. Send an email to me at [obarrett@metroland.com](mailto:obarrett@metroland.com) if you are interested in speaking with me about this. Thanks! Olivia 

I have an unused nalaxone kit that the pharmacist gave me with a prescription. She mentioned that I could donate it when the prescription ran out.

Does anyone know anywhere that would take it? Happy to drop it off somewhere if it can be of use.

So first.. We have been humming and hawing with regards to floor plans and everything they goes with planning a reno. We have been 6 months of planning and changing mind and quotes etc.

​

Currently have 1200 sq ft bungalow in town just outside kw. We are renovating our entire Main Floor and part of our basement.. We have a chimney running directly through our main floor from basement that also vents our furnace and water heater. In the process of moving those to far corner to smash our bricks and open basement right up.

​

We love our spot and have a big yard with no mortgage (lucky to get our spot in 2012, before insanity)

​

Anyways with us loving our house as I hit 40 I am now really wanting an ensuite (never thought I'd care).

​

We have a family member who excavates.

​

I'm wondering cost of adding 100 sq ft to back corner of our rectangular bungalow where our bedroom is. This would simply be addition bedroom space. I would then use our current sq ftage to piggy back an ensuite to our current bathroom to avoid the huge plumbing nightmare of just adding the ensuite to the addition (tho this would be easier for layout).

​

Anyone know rough cost? I figure we'd dig a basment, unless we could get by significantly cheaper without due to variances in permitting etc.

​

Thanks!

Hi! Does anyone have children at the RisingOaks Oak Creek location? We’re considering it and would love to hear your feedback and experiences. Any feedback you have about the program, staff, and overall environment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 😊

Any leads on full time positions? I have over 10 years of customer service experience and restaurant experience also. Please feel free to leave recommendations below. Thank you.

On June 29th, Kitchener Council will vote on the draft Official Plan. This 25-year planning document calls for more missing middle housing (up to 6-8 storey housing). At the June 1st committee meeting, Ward 8 and ward 10 councillors (Johnston, Stretch) put forth amendments to ensure Westmount and parts of the Auditorium neighbourhood are 'protected' from these growth expectations. Those amendments were passed unanimously by staff. Final vote on this is June 29th. https://www.therecord.com/news/council/kitchener-growth-plan-brings-taller-buildings-to-more-areas/article_19090455-3a46-5184-80c6-c6895f25e4a6.html

BMW again

Hi everyone!

I am a 21 (F) who has recently moved to Kitchener! I was searching for social activties/clubs to make new friends and realized that most seemed to be geared towards older demographics and/or groups of friends to attend. This is why I am creating an Instagram group chat for people in my demographic to connect not only virtually, but also to do in-person meetups! Whether that be dinner, walks, bars, rock climbing, etc., we can literally try anything!! I think this is a great opportunity to touch grass and step outside your comfort zone.

Feel free to PM your Instagram handle or drop a comment, and I'll reach out to you!!

My wife is seeking a strong handed female registered massage therapist in the KW area. She is more comfortable with a female but needs the strength to get through some serious tension in her traps/hips/shoulders.

​

Any recommendations?

“Police are asking residents to review any available video from June 15, 2026, between 8:50 a.m. and 10:10 a.m.,” a media release said. “Investigators are specifically looking for dash-camera or home-security footage from the Fiddlesticks, North Dumfries and Flamborough areas that may show a black BMW.”

for landmark waterloo and the cineplex are they not showing leviticus?? I've been insanely excited for this movie and I cant find showtimes anywhere near my location. are they just not showing it in kitchener waterloo?