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A Note from Debbie Chapman

It was a pleasure to join residents of the Victoria Park NA area at the AGM in November. It was a reminder of all the amazing work being done by the VPNA board and the many volunteers in the neighbourhood. Thank you all for all you do. Winter is upon us and for those who prefer indoor activities during the winter months there are plenty of indoor activities to consider. For example, how about a trip to the library, the museum, a Ranger hockey game, a Titan basketball game or a stop at a local art gallery. Skating at City Hall goes right through the winter. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, and local outdoor rinks will be bustling.



In 2025 I commit to continue doing my best to represent the residents of Ward 9. My biggest ask is that Kitchener adopt a renoviction bylaw. People are being evicted from their rental properties so that the property owners can make more money. This is happening in buildings where people have been living for many years and pay rents that they can afford. The moment the unit is renovated the rent can increase by 50 or even 100%. This is diminishing the affordable rental stock around the city and putting people in very precarious housing situations. This has been happening at the same time as the number of homeless people has increased to over 2,300 and the number of households on the


affordable housing waiting list has risen to over 9,000. The numbers keep increasing and the demographic keeps changing. More and more seniors on fixed incomes are struggling to make ends meet and are ending up in the streets. There are many local grassroots organizations doing their best to assist those living precariously, but even their resources are running thin. All levels of government have a responsibility to fix this. I am very concerned that we will never catch-up at the rate we are going. Housing is a human right and everyone deserves to live a dignified life. We need to get this right, now!



Lastly, there is talk of provincial and federal elections this year. I plan to exercise my democratic right and I hope you will too. Contact me with your ideas or concerns at debbie.chapman@kitchener.ca or call me at 226-752-7104. I am always happy for the opportunity to assist the


residents of my ward.



Councillor Debbie Chapman―Ward 9

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