Active Elders
@fwp-kitchener.bsky.social
Committed to the health, fitness, and wellbeing of older adults in Kitchener/Waterloo
This year seems to be particularly problematic. For a couple of years Kitchener was conducting proactive enforcement but now seems to rely solely on resident complaints. Time to get back to proactive enforcement. And, melting snow with salt is not a substitute for a shovel!
"Expecting pedestrians to report unshoveled sidewalks is inefficient and inequitable. Small teams conducting rotating, time-limited spot checks after snowfalls would improve compliance far more effectively." #Snowbility www.startribune.com/municipal-si...
Opinion | Shoveling sidewalks should be a priority for Minneapolis
If the city wants people to use public transit and age in place, they have to be able to safely get around after it snows, William Hendricks writes.
www.startribune.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
This year seems to be particularly problematic. For a couple of years Kitchener was conducting proactive enforcement but now seems to rely solely on resident complaints. Time to get back to proactive enforcement. And, melting snow with salt is not a substitute for a shovel!
Reposted by Active Elders
So, the police chief says he's not surprised that a survey of Kitchener residents showed they believed crime has increased, even though that's not the case. Yeah, maybe those residents have been watching police budget presentations that seem to lean into the fear-mongering. #JustSaying
Kitchener residents think crime is rising, but police say otherwise
Results of a new survey show there is a disconnect between people's perception of safety and actual crime rates in their community.
kitchener.citynews.ca
January 8, 2026 at 12:10 AM
So, the police chief says he's not surprised that a survey of Kitchener residents showed they believed crime has increased, even though that's not the case. Yeah, maybe those residents have been watching police budget presentations that seem to lean into the fear-mongering. #JustSaying
Reposted by Active Elders
Perhaps 2026 will be the year that Waterloo Region realizes that you can't get people out of cars and onto public transit under the current funding model. GRT needs to be viewed as an essential public service. Affordable, convenient, and regular. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Transit fares are going up. Why do Canadian cities struggle to keep it affordable? | CBC News
With transit fares on the rise in a number of Canadian cities, some experts say it’s time to rethink how we fund public transportation so that lower-income riders — who rely on it the most — aren't pr...
www.cbc.ca
January 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Perhaps 2026 will be the year that Waterloo Region realizes that you can't get people out of cars and onto public transit under the current funding model. GRT needs to be viewed as an essential public service. Affordable, convenient, and regular. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Active Elders
J.M. Barrie made one of the most extraordinary charitable gestures in literary history when he donated all rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
December 29, 2025 at 12:42 AM
J.M. Barrie made one of the most extraordinary charitable gestures in literary history when he donated all rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Reposted by Active Elders
Great news! Starting January 5, two ION trips have been added at the end of the day to meet the arrival of the last GO Trains to Kitchener GO.
December 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Great news! Starting January 5, two ION trips have been added at the end of the day to meet the arrival of the last GO Trains to Kitchener GO.
Reposted by Active Elders
The solution is right above us. Solar panels on existing buildings, car parks, and along highways generate clean power without sacrificing farmland or wild spaces. Let's use our built world first. #Renewables #Innovation
December 22, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The solution is right above us. Solar panels on existing buildings, car parks, and along highways generate clean power without sacrificing farmland or wild spaces. Let's use our built world first. #Renewables #Innovation
Reposted by Active Elders
Reposted by Active Elders
"When household structures change, the expectation is that the family adjusts, often by moving out—the neighborhood stays the same. Any policy limited to single-family use ultimately reinforces one preferred family structure—and the aesthetic expectations built around it."
The Aesthetics of Exclusion
What New Research Reveals About the Architecture of Housing Opposition
www.ryanpuzycki.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:38 PM
"When household structures change, the expectation is that the family adjusts, often by moving out—the neighborhood stays the same. Any policy limited to single-family use ultimately reinforces one preferred family structure—and the aesthetic expectations built around it."
Reposted by Active Elders
"The police capital budget didnt pass by a margin of 8 – 7. (But) Before council voted on a bylaw that would enact the results of the budget deliberations, Chair Redman called for a five-minute break.
When council reconvened, Councillor Foxton” changed her vote. Sorry, what is even happening here?
When council reconvened, Councillor Foxton” changed her vote. Sorry, what is even happening here?
December 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"The police capital budget didnt pass by a margin of 8 – 7. (But) Before council voted on a bylaw that would enact the results of the budget deliberations, Chair Redman called for a five-minute break.
When council reconvened, Councillor Foxton” changed her vote. Sorry, what is even happening here?
When council reconvened, Councillor Foxton” changed her vote. Sorry, what is even happening here?
Reposted by Active Elders
Raya Power makes a solar-battery system you can put in… | Canary Media
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
Raya Power makes a solar-battery system you can put in your backyard
The startup built a compact solar-battery combo that connects directly to key household appliances, is easy to plug in, and requires no special permits.
www.canarymedia.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Raya Power makes a solar-battery system you can put in… | Canary Media
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
Reposted by Active Elders
I'm slightly heartened to see #WRcouncil question the value of a $173 million communications centre, including a motion to reject the capital budget in its current form.
However, I'm also concerned that we'll lose focus on the $20 million increase to the operating budget for WRPS.
However, I'm also concerned that we'll lose focus on the $20 million increase to the operating budget for WRPS.
Well, look at this. We have a #WRcouncil motion to reject the current version of the WRPS capital budget and it comes from (somewhat surprisingly) Mayor Vrbanovic! pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
December 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I'm slightly heartened to see #WRcouncil question the value of a $173 million communications centre, including a motion to reject the capital budget in its current form.
However, I'm also concerned that we'll lose focus on the $20 million increase to the operating budget for WRPS.
However, I'm also concerned that we'll lose focus on the $20 million increase to the operating budget for WRPS.
Reposted by Active Elders
Yes, this! "Approving a budget that prioritizes police expansion while potentially displacing funding for affordable housing is a reactive, rather than preventative, approach to public safety." Correspondence to #WRcouncil. pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Yes, this! "Approving a budget that prioritizes police expansion while potentially displacing funding for affordable housing is a reactive, rather than preventative, approach to public safety." Correspondence to #WRcouncil. pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
Reposted by Active Elders
Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. calls it quits is my editorial cartoon in the Thursday Hamilton Spectator: www.thespec.com/opinion/edit...
December 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. calls it quits is my editorial cartoon in the Thursday Hamilton Spectator: www.thespec.com/opinion/edit...
Reposted by Active Elders
GRT needs a complete overhaul from the top down. It needs to stop acting like a for-profit corporation. It is a publicly funded service that has a mandate to meet the present and future needs of Waterloo Region residents.
“Council has set a hard limit on property tax increases in the name of affordability, but transit service increases affordability and ease of life for those who need it most,” said Allie Beldan, with The TriCities Transport Action Group.
Proposed GRT cuts are short-sighted, residents say
Grand River Transit a hot topic at Region of Waterloo public input session on 2026 budget
buff.ly
December 9, 2025 at 12:53 PM
GRT needs a complete overhaul from the top down. It needs to stop acting like a for-profit corporation. It is a publicly funded service that has a mandate to meet the present and future needs of Waterloo Region residents.
The is something terribly wrong with this scenario. It's beyond me how the Ford Govt. could even think that this is acceptable.
So Ford has decided they will now fund concrete barriers for daycare centres BUT only those centres which have done nothing since the province first called for immediate action to install barriers. The centres who acted quickly get nothing reimbursed, it seems.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Ontario providing $20M for concrete barriers at daycares in wake of toddler’s death at Richmond Hill child-care centre
In a memorial fund named after toddler Liam Riazati, operators can order and receive barriers free of charge.
www.thestar.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:27 PM
The is something terribly wrong with this scenario. It's beyond me how the Ford Govt. could even think that this is acceptable.
2/2 - Now I'm convinced, and studies in some European cities back this up, that convenience and frequency will provide the impetus to encourage a switch from cars. Personally I feel that public transit in KW was more convenient in the 70s than it is today. Take note GRT.
November 16, 2025 at 2:26 PM
2/2 - Now I'm convinced, and studies in some European cities back this up, that convenience and frequency will provide the impetus to encourage a switch from cars. Personally I feel that public transit in KW was more convenient in the 70s than it is today. Take note GRT.
I used to lobby for free public trasit for older adults as a way to encourage boomers to use the bus more often. But, some studies have shown that ridership increased, but car use didn't decrease. People that walked or cycled were now taking the bus. 1/2
November 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I used to lobby for free public trasit for older adults as a way to encourage boomers to use the bus more often. But, some studies have shown that ridership increased, but car use didn't decrease. People that walked or cycled were now taking the bus. 1/2
After 15 months of community input, working group meetings, and committed guidance from C of K planners, the first draft of the 2051 Official Plan is now available for review and input.
www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
Kitchener 2051
Help write Kitchener's new Official Plan. Share your voice. Shape our city.
www.engagewr.ca
November 14, 2025 at 1:42 PM
After 15 months of community input, working group meetings, and committed guidance from C of K planners, the first draft of the 2051 Official Plan is now available for review and input.
www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
Reposted by Active Elders
What a great morning at the Region! Stage 2 ION was approved near unanimously today, and sets the stage for us to secure full funding from the Federal and Provincial governments. Onward to Cambridge — and beyond!
November 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
What a great morning at the Region! Stage 2 ION was approved near unanimously today, and sets the stage for us to secure full funding from the Federal and Provincial governments. Onward to Cambridge — and beyond!
Reposted by Active Elders
What to know about melatonin use and heart failure - Long-term use of melatonin supplements may be linked with a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research — but does that mean people taking it as a sleep aid should stop using it now?
What to know about melatonin use and heart failure
Long-term use of melatonin supplements may be linked with a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research — but does that mean people taking it as a sleep aid should stop using it now?
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
What to know about melatonin use and heart failure - Long-term use of melatonin supplements may be linked with a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research — but does that mean people taking it as a sleep aid should stop using it now?
Reposted by Active Elders
Hello UCP in Alberta
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Hello UCP in Alberta
Engineering and planning staff often have innovative and cost effective strategies to solve both problems. The bigger problem is that they are often overridden by elected officials who lack the expertise to make intelligent, technical, decisions.
"The problem isn’t a lack of concern. It’s that we’ve set engineers up with an impossible job: Make traffic fast and make access convenient, then make it all safe at the same time. Those objectives are fundamentally in conflict." -Charles Marohn clmarohn.substack.com/p/the-button...
The Buttonhook and the Cost of Safety We Refuse To Pay
We could save lives for far less than $58 million, but only if safety were the true priority.
clmarohn.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Engineering and planning staff often have innovative and cost effective strategies to solve both problems. The bigger problem is that they are often overridden by elected officials who lack the expertise to make intelligent, technical, decisions.