Rescinding emergency declarations in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – In response to positive health indicators and provincial guidance, local cities and townships are preparing to rescind their emergency declarations.

Most cities and townships will terminate their emergency declarations on March 25, 2022. The Township of North Dumfries terminated their emergency on March 14.

The Region of Waterloo has not met the criteria for terminating the COVID-19 emergency declaration as the services the Region provides continue to be supported by the declaration. These services include volunteer programs for community supports, vaccine clinics and potential redeployment of staff to support healthcare, long-term care and the shelter system.

The Region will continue to monitor the state of emergency and will provide an update when the criteria to terminate has been met.

Emergency declarations provided flexibility for municipalities to deploy resources and undertake necessary measures to respond quickly to the pandemic.   

COVID-19 is still circulating in the community and residents are asked to continue to follow all current public health measures to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.

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QUOTES

“While the pandemic has been an incredible challenge for so many of us, it’s also highlighted our creative community spirit. In Cambridge and in Waterloo Region we saw people helping people with such care and compassion. Strides in innovation allowed for us to answer the call to provide PPE and our business community rallied to help with rapid testing and vaccinations. Thank you to everyone for your resilience and I know we will be even stronger on the other side of this.”
Kathryn McGarry, Mayor, City of Cambridge

“In the two years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story of Kitchener and our region has seen its share of sorrow and fear, but more importantly it has seen many moments of hope, humour and creativity. While our shared journey has highlighted some of the social injustices we must tackle together as a community, it has also shone a light on our shared humanity and the power of our own resilience. We have been through a lot, both collectively and individually, but we must now move forward together, with a renewed sense of optimism.”
Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor, City of Kitchener  

“The removal of the Emergency Declaration is a key milestone for the Township, our residents and businesses as we continue forward in our journey to recovery from the pandemic. I am very grateful to the resilience and patience of our residents and businesses as we emerge from the pandemic. I continue to ask for your kindness, compassion and support of your neighbours as we move forward in a cautious manner. COVID-19 continues to circulate within our community. I urge everyone to remain vigilant so that we can maintain the progress we have made to date.” 
Sue Foxton, Mayor, Township of North Dumfries 

“The Region of Waterloo is a community known for resilience, partnerships and collaboration. These strengths came to the fore as we faced the pandemic together. It has been a difficult two years and as we look back, we remember the 401 people whose lives were lost to COVID-19. We remember their families and the suffering we endured as a community. We also remember those who kept the lights on – the grocery store workers, the bus operators, the health care workers. Thanks to your own resilience, this community can look forward to brighter days ahead.”
Karen Redman, Regional Chair

“A special shout-out to all the volunteers in the community and the staff in the local non-profit sector. The pandemic was an incredible challenge from a community health perspective and at a personal level. Volunteers were instrumental in helping us get our vaccinations and great community organizations were innovative in helping our most vulnerable citizens access food, shelter and care. Today is a great day to say thanks to those wonderful volunteers by making a donation to your favourite charity.”
Dave Jaworsky, Mayor, City of Waterloo

“It has been an incredibly challenging two years for residents of Wellesley Township. As we start to see the light at the end of this tunnel, it is important to reflect on the positive initiatives and activities that brought us together. We were “Stronger Together” in the support of local businesses; we supported our frontline workers with pot-banging every night; birthdays continued to be celebrated with vehicles parading through neighbourhoods and saluting the celebrator. A highlight was a parade of firetrucks with residents coming outside to wave at friends and neighbours. All these activities lifted people’s spirits. Many volunteered at the Wellesley Vaccination Clinic. Our service clubs, Fall Fair and Apple Butter and Cheese Festival found innovative ways to continue their support for community initiatives. We managed the pandemic. It did not manage us. As a Township and individually, our future is bright and full of hope.”
Joe Nowak, Mayor, Township of Wellesley

“The last two years have been challenging for all of us. As Ontario moves toward the recovery phase of the pandemic, I want to thank Wilmot residents for doing their part to help protect our community. I also recognize the hard work and dedication of Township staff who continued to deliver essential services throughout the pandemic.”
Les Armstrong, Mayor, Township of Wilmot

“As our communities continue to return to a pre-pandemic way of life, I am proud of how far we have come, not only as a community, but as individuals; we have seen numerous instances of the strength of humankind. Time and time again you have shown what our Woolwich spirit is all about.” 

Sandy Shantz, Mayor Woolwich Township

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Attachments

Joint Media Release - 2022 - March 18 - Rescinding emergency declarations in Waterloo Region