Waterloo Candidate Responses (set 2)
The following City of Waterloo Candidates for City Council have provided their responses to the 2nd set of our questions for our Voice4 program. Please take the time to read them and be informed prior to the October 26 election day.
Scott Piatkowski – City of Waterloo – Ward 5
Response to question set 2
Question 1 - How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style is to listen, seek more information, then to decide on what I believe the best course of action to be. While I will fight hard for what I believe in, I am prepared to compromise with others based on what they believe in. I will always seek to give credit to others for their ideas and efforts. The great thing about municipal government is that there is no government side and no opposition side; everyone is elected to work together. A good idea is a good idea.
Question 2 - What are the most important issues facing the City of Waterloo and how would you plan to deal with them?
The biggest issue facing the City of Waterloo (and other municipalities) is the inadequate supply of affordable housing. This crisis stems directly from provincial decisions dating back to the 1990s and subsequently. While housing and homelessness prevention were never meant to be funded by property taxes, the responsibility has unfortunately been downloaded to municipalities who don't have the fiscal capacity to deal with the scope of the problem that has resulted. In the face of that imposed reality, the City of Waterloo is doing some tremendous work of the affordable housing file, including the development of the 25 acres of city land at 2025 University Avenue East. That said, there is still more to be done. I have spent most of my adult life working in the affordable housing movement (currently for a national non-governmental organization, and previously managing local housing co-ops). I truly believe that having a subject matter expert at the table would help to move this file forward more quickly and more successfully.
Another key issue is traffic safety. As a Trustee, I tackled that by successfully advocating for a pedestrian crossing at Weber and Bristol and introducing a motion to oppose the province's ban on automated speed enforcement. As Ward 5 Councillor, I will work to make it safer for residents and visitors to get across the Conestoga Parkway. I want the city to work with the Region of Waterloo to explore the feasibility and cost of a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the highway between Bluevale Street North (at Mayfield Avenue) and the southern edge of Bechtel Park. I’m not an engineer, but I see no reason why such a bridge would not be technically feasible. Kitchener already has two pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Parkway, but Waterloo has none. For those who live west of the highway, a bridge would make it easier and safer to access both Bechtel Park (with its trails, soccer fields and dog park) and Parkview Cemetery. For those living on the other side of the highway, Bluevale Collegiate is all but inaccessible to students and staff who want to get there without using a car.
While water capacity is primarily a Region of Waterloo issue, there are things that the City of Waterloo and the other six lower-tier municipalities can do. First, Waterloo should look at every development and site plan approval application through the lens of the impact it will have on the demand for water. In practice, that will mean limiting growth until our water issues are resolved (something that I actually advocated in my Waterloo Chronicle column way back in the late 1990s). That includes carefully reviewing major industrial uses; a moratorium should be placed on approving any such uses that would consume an inordinate amount of water, which means no new data centres in the City of Waterloo or the Region of Waterloo. These are hard choices, but they should have been made twenty-five years ago instead of after we discovered what every farmer in Wilmot Township already knew -- that the underground water supply is not infinite and has to be managed more responsibly. I believe that politicians of that era knew that as well, but they didn't want to admit it publicly and face criticism for stymieing economic growth. I also think that we could and should do more to conserve water, so I would advocate that the Region of Waterloo take measures to do that.
Scott
Scott Piatkowski
Candidate for Waterloo City Council, Ward 5
https://www.scottpiatkowski.ca
scott@scottpiatkowski.ca
519-577-2554
Asma Al-Wahsh - Candidate for Waterloo City Council – Ward 2
Response to question set 2
Thank you again for reaching out and for the opportunity to share my perspective.
Question 1 – How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe myself as a servant leader with a collaborative and participative approach. For me, leadership starts with listening. I believe in bringing people together, hearing different perspectives, looking at the facts, and making informed decisions.
My experience in nonprofit and community leadership has taught me that good leaders work with people. At the same time, leaders must be prepared to make difficult decisions and be accountable for the results.
Question 2 – What are the most important issues facing the City of Waterloo and how would you plan to deal with them?
One issue I see is the disconnect between the City and residents. Even as a candidate, I sometimes find it difficult to navigate the City's website and find clear information. The City can do much better with its
website, social media, communication, and public engagement. I am also hearing concerns at the doors about winter maintenance, neighbourhood safety, traffic, parks, and property taxes. We need to improve services while being responsible with taxpayers' dollars and making decisions based on residents' priorities and measurable results.
Waterloo has tremendous potential. I believe that with the right people around the Council table—people who listen, collaborate, communicate clearly, and focus on results—we can make Waterloo an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Best Regards,
Asma Al-Wahsh
Candidate for Waterloo City Council – Ward 2
Ying Susan Jiang – Waterloo Councillor, Ward 2
Thank you again for reaching out and for allowing me to share my thoughts with your group and the wider community. I appreciate the questions and the opportunity to explain what I would bring to City Council.
Question 1 – How would you describe your leadership style?
I would describe my leadership style as
listening first, practical, evidence-based, collaborative, and accountable.
I believe good local leadership starts with listening to residents and understanding the issue from different perspectives. As an engineer, I am accustomed to looking at facts, data, risks, and practical solutions before making decisions. As a real estate professional and community volunteer, I have also learned that many community issues cannot be solved from behind a desk — they require communication, understanding, negotiation, and follow-through.
I would not approach Council with the attitude that I already have all the answers. I would ask questions, seek reliable information, listen to residents, consult with staff and stakeholders, and work with other members of Council to find practical solutions.
I also believe a councillor should be willing to be accountable for decisions. Residents deserve to understand not only what decision was made, but also why it was made, what it will cost, and what results are expected.
My experience as a marathon runner has reinforced another important part of my leadership style:
consistency and perseverance. Meaningful community improvements often take time. I believe in setting clear goals, staying engaged, and continuing to work even when the solution is not immediate.
Question 2 – What are the most important issues facing the City of Waterloo and how would you plan to deal with them?
I see several interconnected priorities for Waterloo. Through door-to-door conversations, community events, and discussions with local organizations, I have heard that residents want a city that is safe, financially responsible, well planned, and able to grow without losing the quality of life that makes Waterloo a great place to live.
1. Responsible spending, property taxes and infrastructure
Property taxes and the cost of living are concerns I hear regularly from residents. At the same time, roads, sidewalks, parks, trees, stormwater systems and other infrastructure require ongoing investment.
I would support transparent budgeting, clear explanations of spending priorities, and decisions based on long-term value and measurable community benefit. Before approving major projects, Council should ask whether they are necessary, whether there are more efficient ways to deliver them, and how the long-term operating and maintenance costs will be managed.
As a councillor, I would also want residents to have a clearer understanding of what portion of their property taxes supports City services, what is provided by the Region, and what is outside municipal responsibility.
2. Traffic safety and neighbourhood quality
Speeding, road conditions, pedestrian safety, cycling safety, parking, and traffic around schools and busy intersections are issues I hear regularly while door-knocking.
I would support a practical, data-driven approach: identifying high-risk locations, reviewing traffic and collision data, listening to residents and focusing resources where they can make the greatest safety improvement.
Our streets should be designed with particular attention to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, children, seniors and other vulnerable road users. Safety measures should be based on evidence and local conditions, while also considering the needs of residents, drivers and the broader community.
3. Responsible growth, housing and infrastructure capacity
Waterloo needs more housing, including rental and student housing, but growth has to be matched with infrastructure and community capacity.
The recent regional water-supply constraint is a good example of why housing, planning and infrastructure cannot be considered separately. The Region supplies municipal water, while the City distributes water within Waterloo and manages development approvals. The City has now established a water-supply allocation process because available capacity needs to be managed carefully.
I support responsible development and housing growth, but we need to ask whether water, transportation, roads, parks, recreation facilities, stormwater systems, and other services can keep pace.
At the same time, housing affordability and rental quality matter. I have been in contact with the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) to better understand students' concerns about safe, affordable, and quality rental housing. WUSA identifies affordability, housing availability, tenant-rights awareness and rental safety as significant concerns for students.
My approach would be to support housing that responds to real community needs while making sure growth is properly serviced, financially responsible, and integrated into complete neighbourhoods.
4. A connected, healthy and livable community
A successful city is more than buildings and roads. Residents need parks, trails, recreation facilities, green spaces, community programs and opportunities to connect.
I would support maintaining and improving these community assets while making sure public spending remains responsible. I also believe community engagement needs to happen early enough to meaningfully influence decisions—not simply after plans are already developed.
Through my conversations with residents, community organizations, cultural groups, seniors, and students, I have seen how different parts of Waterloo can experience the same city in very different ways. I would continue building those relationships and bringing those perspectives to Council.