Strategic plan

We create a new strategic plan every four years to match with council's term. It identifies our top priorities and how we work towards accomplishing our goals and objectives.


On this page

  1. 2023 to 2026 strategic plan
  2. Past strategic plans

2023 to 2026 strategic plan

Council has approved the 2023-2026 strategic plan, which will define Waterloo's focus over the next four years.

To help develop the strategic plan, we collected feedback from the community through one-on-one interviews, online surveys, workshops and in-person discussions. We connected with:

  • community
  • equity-deserving groups
  • business and organization leaders
  • city council
  • city staff

We also reviewed important city plans and strategies, social and economic data, and current challenges such as COVID recovery, housing and homelessness, sustainability and climate change.

As a result of the process, 6 guiding principles, 5 strategic priorities, 17 objectives and updated mission and vision statements emerged, all of which provide a common focus for council and staff to guide decision-making over the next four years.


Community vision

Our vision statement is a description of what the community hopes to achieve in the mid to long-term future:

A leader in sustainability and a future-ready community for all.

Corporate mission

Our mission statement answers the following questions: What is the organization? Why does it exist? Who are its customers? What are its services?

To actively engage, collaborate with and respond to Waterloo's diverse community through bold leadership, empathy and accountability.

Guiding principles


Strategic priorities and objectives


Full strategic plan report

You can read the full strategic plan that was approved by council on June 26, 2023.


Past strategic plans

Past strategic plans are available upon request.

If you require a document in an alternate format, contact 519-747-6064 or michelle.lee@waterloo.ca

Last updated on May 13, 2025

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