About Us

Community Collaboration for energy transition

WR Community Energy is a collaborative initiative between the Region of Waterloo, its urban municipalities and local utilities created to lead the implementation of Waterloo Region’s Community Energy Investment Strategy and to steward energy transition in our community.

Our Governance Committee, Working Groups and staff initiate and support projects to improve and sustain Waterloo Region’s economic competitiveness and quality of life through the coordination of targeted energy investments in our Priority Areas – Buildings, Energy Generation and Energy Literacy

WR Community Energy is a collaboration that takes us beyond the limits of the services that individual partners can provide.

OUR services

Energy TRend Exploration

We engage and fund qualified consultants to conduct relevant research into the viability of energy investments in Waterloo Region and to communicate their findings.

municipal
support

We support municipalities with strategic advice to integrate energy considerations into all aspects of municipal processes including planning review, policy development, corporate assets and infrastructure.

development planning support

We provide strategic advice at the early stages of industrial, multi-unit residential and commercial development planning to increase energy efficiency, optimize on-site energy generation and more.

Utility
Support

We promote a broader understanding of what constitutes energy infrastructure (ex. wastewater systems) and provides strategic advice on energy opportunities for utilities and municipalities.

cOMMUNITY sUPPORT

We connect with community and professional groups to develop partnerships, deliver presentations and provide strategic advice on energy topics.

Meet OUR PARTNERS

(Hover over the icons below for more information)

Rod Regier
Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services
Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Joel Cotter
Director of Planning & City Planner
City of Waterloo

Justin Readman
General Manager, Development Services
City of Kitchener

Greg St. Louis
Director - Utilities gas and water division
Kitchener Utilities

Grieg Cameron
President and CEO
Enova Power Corp.

Sarah Hughes
President & CEO
GrandBridge Energy

Hardy Bromberg
Deputy City Manager Community Development
City of Cambridge

Team & STructure

Leaders from each of our partner organizations make up the Advisory Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis to direct the work of WRCE staff, provide strategic advice, and enable projects and initiatives.

  • Hardy Bromberg, Deputy City Manager Community Development, City of Cambridge
  • Grieg Cameron, President & CEO,
    Enova Power Corp.
  • Joel Cotter, Director Planning & City Planner,
    City of Waterloo
  • Sara Hughes, President & CEO, GrandBridge Energy
  • Justin Readman, General Manager Development Services, City of Kitchener
  • Rod Regier, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services, Region of Waterloo
  • Greg St. Louis, Director of Utilities, Kitchener Utilities 

The Board of Directors serve as fiduciaries to the corporation and approve the budget and policies that align with existing by-laws.

  • Matthew Day, Executive Director, WR Community Energy
  • Justin Readman, General Manager Development Services, City of Kitchener
  • Greg St. Louis, Director of Utilities, Kitchener Utilities 

WRCE staff takes directive from the Advisory Committee and Board of Directors, works on day-to-day operations, and facilitates and advances Working Group directives.

  • Matthew Day, Executive Director,
    WR Community Energy
  • Natasha Ing, Community Energy Planner,
    WR Community Energy

The Land Use & Development Working Group meets monthly to leverage partnerships to increase energy considerations in land-use and development practices. 

  • Meaghan Eastwood, Manager, Planning and Sustainability, Region of Waterloo
  • Michele Kamphuis, Conservation Strategist, Kitchener Utilities
  • Max Kerrigan, Senior Development Planner, City of Waterloo
  • Janine Oosterveld, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management, City of Kitchener
  • Kathy Padgett, Senior Planner – Environment, City of Cambridge
  • Umar Waqas, Director of Engineering Services,
    GrandBridge Energy

The Communications & Literacy Working group meets quarterly to leverage partnerships for targeted outreach and to amplify energy literacy messaging.

  • General Communications, City of Cambridge
  • Shawn Falcao, Manager, Corporate Communications, 
    City of Kitchener
  • Michele Kamphuis, Conservation Strategist, Kitchener Utilities
  • Sheri Ojero, Manager, Corporate Communications, GrandBridge Energy
  • Angela Olano, Communications & Community Engagement, 
    Region of Waterloo
  • Cari Van Niekerk, Manager, Corporate Communications, City of Waterloo

WR Community Energy plays a facilitation role with this Working Group as needed to move priority projects forward.

The current Priority Projects Working Group is developing a Community Energy Financing program. The work is being led by Reep Green Solutions and the Region of Waterloo.

Collaboration is at the core of WR Community Energy’s work. We engage with a variety of partners on energy projects.

Organizational Chart: This chart illustrates the connection between
WR Community Energy’s Advisory Committee, Board of Directors, Staff, Working Groups and External Partners & Collaborators.