View source for Waterloo, Ontario

{{Short description|City in Ontario, Canada}}
{{About|the city|the county, region, or electoral districts|Waterloo (disambiguation)#Canada{{!}}Waterloo#Canada}}
{{Lead too short|date=June 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Waterloo
| official_name      = City of Waterloo
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Ontario|City]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Lower-tier municipalities|lower-tier]])
| nickname           = 
| motto              = Stability
| image_blank_emblem = Waterloo,_Ontario_(typing).svg
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 100x90px
| postal_code_type   = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
| postal_code        = [[List of N postal codes of Canada|N2J to N2L, N2T to N2V]]
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = 
| image_flag         = [[File:Flag of Waterloo.png|150px|Flag of Waterloo]]
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = CAN ON Waterloo#Canada Southern Ontario#Canada Ontario#Canada#Earth
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Canada
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ontario]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Census divisions of Ontario|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo|Waterloo]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Dorothy McCabe]]
| leader_title1      = Governing Body
| leader_name1       = [[Waterloo City Council]]
| leader_title2      = [[Town manager|City CAO]]
| leader_name2       = Tim Anderson
| leader_title3      = [[House of Commons of Canada|MP]]
| leader_name3       = [[Bardish Chagger]] ([[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]])
| leader_title4      = [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]]
| leader_name4       = [[Catherine Fife]] ([[Ontario New Democratic Party|ONDP]])
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = {{start date and age|May 27, 1857}}{{sfn|Bloomfield|1995|p=[https://archive.org/details/waterlootownship0000bloo/page/146/mode/1up 146]}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
|total_width=250px
|perrow=1/2/2
|border=infobox
| caption_align            = center
| image1                   = Uptown Waterloo Ontario.JPG
|caption1 = Uptown Waterloo
| alt1                     = 
| image2                   = Waterloo Ontario City Hall Pano.jpg
|caption2= Waterloo City Hall
| alt2                     = 
| image3                   = ION - Waterloo, Ontario 2019-10-11.jpg
|caption3= [[Ion rapid transit]]
| alt3                     = 
| image4                   = Huether NE corner.jpg
|caption4= The [[Huether Hotel]]
| alt4                     = 
| image5                   = Perimeter Institute.jpg
|caption5 = [[Perimeter Institute]]
| alt5                     = 
| image6                   = University of Waterloo William G. Davis Computer Research Center.jpg
|caption6 = Davis Center ([[University of Waterloo|UW]])
| alt6                     = 
| image7                   = 2011-07-06 07-08 Kanada, Ontario 041 Waterloo, Seagrams Lofts (6066605057).jpg
|caption7 = Seagram Lofts
}}
| imagesize          = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=CensusProfile2021CompareCMA>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2022 |title=Waterloo, City (CY) [Census subdivision], Ontario;Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo [Census metropolitan area], Ontario (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00053530016,2021S0503541&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2022-05-20 |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520045541/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&DGUIDlist=2021A00053530016,2021S0503541&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 64.06
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_note    = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name=CensusProfile2021CompareCMA/>
| population_total   = 121436 ([[List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population|47th]])
| population_density_km2 = 1895.8
| population_metro   = 575847 ([[List of census metropolitan areas and agglomerations in Canada|10th]])
| population_density_metro_km2 = 527.2
| population_urban   = 
| population_demonym = Waterluvian<ref>{{cite tweet|user=townwaterloo|author=Town of Waterloo|number=395633428395081728|date=30 October 2013|title=Waterluvians! Don't forget about our trail renaming contest (prize = new bike). Entries accepted until Jan 31}}</ref>
| timezone           = 
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| coordinates        = {{coord|43|28|N|80|31|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| area_codes         = [[Area codes 519, 226, and 548|519, 226, and 548]]
| elevation_m        = 329
| website            = [https://www.waterloo.ca/ www.waterloo.ca]
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Waterloo''' is a city in the [[Canadian province]] of [[Ontario]]. It is one of three cities in the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo]] (formerly [[Waterloo County, Ontario|Waterloo County]]). Waterloo is situated about {{convert|94|km|abbr=on}} west-southwest of [[Toronto]], but it is not considered to be part of the [[Greater Toronto Area]] (GTA). Due to the close proximity of the city of [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]] to Waterloo, the two together are often referred to as "Kitchener–Waterloo", "K-W", or "The Twin Cities". Nearby [[Cambridge, Ontario]] is also sometimes grouped in, creating KWC or "Tri-cities".

While several unsuccessful attempts to combine the municipalities of Kitchener and Waterloo have been made, following the 1973 establishment of the Region of Waterloo, less motivation to do so existed, and as a result, Waterloo remains an independent city. At the time of the [[Canada 2021 Census|2021 census]], the population of Waterloo was 121,436.<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" />

==History==
=== Indigenous peoples and settlement ===
[[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous peoples]] such as the [[Haudenosaunee|Iroquois]], [[Anishinaabe]] and [[Neutral Nation|Chonnonton]] lived in the area.<ref name=WaterlooHistory>{{cite web|url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/waterloo_s-history.aspx|title=Waterloo's history|date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=29 March 2021|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429090948/https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/waterloo_s-history.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the end of the [[American Revolution]], [[Joseph Brant]], a [[Mohawk people|Mohawk]] war chief, wanted [[Frederick Haldimand]] to give the Mohawk of the [[Six Nations of the Grand River|Six Nations]] a tract of land surrounding the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]], in return for their loyalty to the British in the war.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=18–19}}<ref name=":11">{{cite web |title=Haldimand Proclamation, The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/haldimand-proclamation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805214208/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/haldimand-proclamation |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 27, 2019}}</ref> Haldimand was the governor of Upper Canada at the time. Haldimand's 1784 ''[[Haldimand Proclamation]]'' granted the land "six miles deep from either side of the [Grand River] beginning at Lake Erie and extending in that proportion to the very head of the said river."{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=18–19}}<ref name=":11" /> Haldimand, who had previously ordered for potential mill sites to be identified in the region, decreed in 1788 that mill sites would be included in the grant (which would not have been included otherwise).{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=15}} In 1796, [[Richard Beasley (politician)|Richard Beasley]] purchased Block Number 2 of the grant from [[Joseph Brant]] (on behalf of the [[Six Nations of the Grand River|Six Nations]]) with a mortgage held by the Six Nations.<ref name=":12" /> Block 2, sized at 94,012 acres, was situated in the District of Gore. To meet his mortgage obligations, Beasley had to sell portions of the land to settlers.<ref name=":12">{{cite web | url=https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/collections-and-research/waterloo-township.aspx | access-date=August 27, 2019 | title=History of Waterloo Township | archive-date=July 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727143149/https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/collections-and-research/waterloo-township.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> This was counter to the original mortgage agreement, but subsequent changes to the agreement were made to permit land sales.

[[Mennonites]] from [[Pennsylvania]] counties [[Lancaster County, Pennsylvania|Lancaster]] and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]] were the first wave of immigrants to the area.<ref name="cow history">{{cite web | url = http://www.waterloo.ca/150Anniversary/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1780 | title = Our Proud History | access-date = August 30, 2007 | publisher = City of Waterloo | archive-date = September 28, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928201452/http://www.waterloo.ca/150Anniversary/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1780 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In the year 1800 alone, Beasley sold over 14,000 acres to Mennonite settlers.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} A group of 26 Mennonites from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, pooled their resources into the German Company of Pennsylvania, which was then represented by Daniel Erb and Samuel Bricker.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}} The company purchased all the unsold land from Beasley in 1803, resulting in a discharge of the mortgage held by the Six Nations. This discharge allowed Beasley to clear his obligation with the Six Nations, and allowed the settlers to have deeds to their purchased land.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://waterloocountygenweb.weebly.com/waterloo-township.html | access-date=August 27, 2019 | title=Waterloo County GenWeb | archive-date=August 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827085345/https://waterloocountygenweb.weebly.com/waterloo-township.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The payment to Beasley, in cash, arrived from Pennsylvania in kegs, carried in a wagon surrounded by armed guards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waterlooregionmuseum.com/collections-and-research/place-names-in-waterloo-region/waterloo-township/ |title=Waterloo Township |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2013 |website=Waterloo Region Museum Research |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=13 March 2017 |quote=To correct the situation, a formal agreement was arranged between Brant and Beasley. This arrangement allowed Beasley to sell the bulk of Block 2 in order to cover his mortgage obligations completely while giving the Mennonite buyers legal title to the land they had purchased. Beasley sold a 60,000-acre tract of land to the "German Company of Pennsylvania" represented by Daniel Erb and Samuel Bricker in November 1803. Beasley's sale to the German Company not only cleared him of mortgage debt but left him with 10,000 acres of Block 2 land which he continued to sell into the 1830s. |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227143026/http://www.waterlooregionmuseum.com/collections-and-research/place-names-in-waterloo-region/waterloo-township/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many of the pioneers who arrived from Pennsylvania after November 1803 bought land in a 60,000-acre tract of Block 2 from the German Company of Pennsylvania. The tract included almost two-thirds of Block 2. Many of the first farms were least 400 acres in size.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.whs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1930.pdf |title=History |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=1930 |website=Waterloo Historical Society 1930 Annual Meeting |publisher=Waterloo Historical Society |access-date=13 March 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227233215/http://www.whs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1930.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Development (19th century) ===
The Mennonites divided the land into smaller lots; two lots owned by [[Abraham Erb]]—who is often called the founder of the Village of Waterloo{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=16}}—became the central core of Waterloo. Erb had come to the area in 1806 from Pennsylvania.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=15}} He had bought {{Convert|4000|acre}} from the German Company Tract and settled where there was enough water power to operate mills.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=15}} He founded a [[sawmill]] in 1808 and [[Gristmill|grist mill]] in 1816; they saw business flourish.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=16}} Other early settlers of what would become Waterloo included Samuel and Elia Schneider, who arrived in 1816. Until about 1820, settlements such as this were quite small.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="erb">{{cite web
| url = http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=898
| title = Erb-Kumpf House, 172 King Street South, Designated: February 19, 1979
| access-date = August 30, 2007
| publisher = City of Waterloo
| archive-date = September 30, 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930153950/http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=898
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> Erb also built what is now known as the [[Erb-Kumpf House]] in c. 1812, making it likely one of the oldest homes in Waterloo.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 13, 2009|title=Erb-Kumpf House|url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11185|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305115127/https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11185|archive-date=March 5, 2016|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=Canada's Historic Places}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Erb-Kumpf House|url=https://www.wrxpropertygroup.com/the-erb-kumpf-house/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201229053510/https://www.wrxpropertygroup.com/the-erb-kumpf-house/|archive-date=December 29, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=WRX Property Group}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Erb-Kumpf House, 172 King Street South|url=https://www.historicwaterloo.ca/buildings/172kingstreetsouth|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201229054409/https://www.historicwaterloo.ca/buildings/172kingstreetsouth|archive-date=December 29, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=Historic Waterloo}}</ref>

[[File:First School in Waterloo, Ontario (1820).jpg|thumb|The first schoolhouse in Waterloo, built in 1820]]

The first school in what is now the City of Waterloo was built on land donated by Erb; the log building was constructed in 1820. A larger school house of stone was built in 1842 and was replaced with a brick school building in 1852. Over the decades, the log building was moved, eventually to [[Waterloo Park]], where it still stands.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://waterlooheritage.com/2014/06/01/the-legacy-of-the-1820-log-schoolhouse-part-ii/ |title=The Legacy of the 1820 Log Schoolhouse: Part II |date=1 June 2014 |work=Waterloo Heritage News |access-date=19 May 2021 |quote= |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519144811/https://waterlooheritage.com/2014/06/01/the-legacy-of-the-1820-log-schoolhouse-part-ii/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The German spoken in Waterloo County is based upon the 18th century Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.{{sfn|Kraemer|2003|p=36}} In turn, the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect is based upon the dialect of German spoken in southwestern Germany.{{sfn|Kraemer|2003|p=36}}

In 1816, the new Waterloo Township was officially incorporated while being named after [[Waterloo, Belgium]], the site of the [[Battle of Waterloo]] (1815), which had ended the [[Napoleonic Wars]] in Europe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/collections-and-research/waterloo-township.aspx | title=History of Waterloo Township | access-date=August 27, 2019 | archive-date=July 27, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727143149/https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/collections-and-research/waterloo-township.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref> After that war, the new township became a popular destination for German immigrants. By the 1840s, German settlers had overtaken the Mennonites as the dominant segment of the population. Many Germans settled in the small hamlet to the southeast of Waterloo. In their honour, the village was named Berlin in 1833 ([[Berlin to Kitchener name change|renamed]] to [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]] in 1916). The first Catholic family to arrive were the Spetz family from Alsace who came in 1828.{{sfn|Kraemer|2003|p=76}}

By 1831, Waterloo had a small post office in the King and Erb Street area, operated by Daniel Snyder, some 11 years before one would open in neighbouring Berlin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.therecord.com/living-story/7165738-flash-from-the-past-tracking-waterloo-s-mail/|title=Flash from the Past: Tracking Waterloo's mail|first=Rych|last=Mills|date=March 6, 2017|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=March 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308160603/http://www.therecord.com/living-story/7165738-flash-from-the-past-tracking-waterloo-s-mail/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Bloomfield|1995|p=76}} The ''Smith's Canadian Gazetteer'' of 1846 states that the Township of Waterloo (smaller than Waterloo County) consisted primarily of Pennsylvanian Mennonites and immigrants directly from Germany who had brought money with them. At the time, many did not speak English. There were eight grist and twenty sawmills in the township. In 1841, the population count was 4,424. In 1846 the village of Waterloo had a population of 200, "mostly Germans". There was a grist mill and a sawmill and some tradesmen.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer - Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West|url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. Rowsell |pages=[https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit/page/205 205]–206}}</ref> By comparison, Berlin (Kitchener) had a population of about 400, also "mostly German", and more tradesmen than the village of Waterloo.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer - Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West |url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. Rowsell |page=[https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit/page/15 15]}}</ref>

Berlin was chosen as the site of the seat for the County of Waterloo in 1853. By 1869, the population was 2,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/provinceontario00mcevgoog|title=The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory: Containing Concise ...|last=Henry McEvoy|date=March 5, 1869|publisher=Robertson & Cook|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> Waterloo was incorporated as a village in 1857 and became the Town of Waterloo in 1876.<ref name="WaterlooHistory" /> The [[Kitchener Public Utilities Commission]] began providing streetcar service in the region in 1888. In the 19th century, Waterloo was dominated by people of German origin with 76% of Waterloo residents in the 1911 census listing their family origins as being in Germany.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=57}}

=== 20th and 21st centuries ===
The [[Galt, Preston and Hespeler electric railway]] (later called the [[Grand River Railway]]) connected to Waterloo in 1911 and ended service in 1931.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=19 January 2017 |title=Cambridge and its Influence on Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit |url=http://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/2017/01/railway-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312053020/http://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/2017/01/railway-history/ |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=10 March 2017 |website=Waterloo Region }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mills |first=Rych |date=10 January 2017 |title=Flash From the Past: Preston Car and Coach goes up in smoke |work=Record |location=Kitchener |url=http://www.therecord.com/living-story/7058983-flash-from-the-past-preston-car-and-coach-goes-up-in-smoke/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190736/https://www.therecord.com/life/2017/01/10/flash-from-the-past-preston-car-and-coach-goes-up-in-smoke.html |archive-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref> The Kitchener Public Utilities Commission stopped providing streetcar service in 1947, and were replaced by electric [[Trolleybus|trolley coaches]]. Waterloo was incorporated as the City of Waterloo in 1948.<ref name="WaterlooHistory" /> The trolley coaches ended service in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 January 2021 |title=Flash From the Past: Faster, smoother, quieter trolleys take over King Street |url=https://www.therecord.com/life/local-history/2021/01/22/flash-from-the-past-faster-smoother-quieter-trolleys-take-over-king-street.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125120200/https://www.therecord.com/life/local-history/2021/01/22/flash-from-the-past-faster-smoother-quieter-trolleys-take-over-king-street.html |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |access-date=24 January 2021 |work=Waterloo Region Record |quote=From 1888 to 1947, Berlin/Kitchener and Waterloo had been connected by streetcars plying King Street. Initially powered by horses — but after 1895 by electricity via a single pole connecting with an overhead wire}}</ref> In 1911, a plan was mooted to pave King street.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=85}} William Snider who owned the town square, did not want to pay the higher taxes, which would refused from paving King Street.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=85}} Snider offered to deed the town square to town, which instead demanded he pay the higher taxes.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=85}} Snider sold the town square to the Molson Bank, which up a Beaux Arts style bank on the site of the town square in 1914.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=85}} In 1929, the H.V. McKay company of Australia proposed to open a factory for "one, man, self-propelled combine harvesters".{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=84}} The town provided the land for the factory from the Canada Barrels and Kegs and fixed the tax assessment at $25, 000 per year for the next 10 years in exchange for the factory being built.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=84}}> In 1911, Waterloo Lutheran seminary, which later became Wilfrid Laurier University, was opened.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=61}} On 5 May 1916, a group of soldiers sacked the German Acadian Club in Waterloo.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=63}} In October 1918, Spanish flu reached Waterloo.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=69}} Over 2,000 people were "down with the malady".{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=69}} By November 1918, the Waterloo Chronicle reported that "twice as many had died from the influenza as had been killed in action in four years of war".{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=69}}

The presence of the [[University of Waterloo]] in the city caused technological and innovative companies to base in Waterloo,{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=171}} especially companies specializing in computing and [[software]]. For example, [[BlackBerry Limited|Research in Motion]] (now BlackBerry Limited), which developed [[BlackBerry]], was started by [[Mike Lazaridis]] and [[Douglas Fregin|Doug Fregin]] in 1984.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=174}} In 1965, the University of Waterloo was the second-largest private sector employer.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=139}} The construction of the buildings for the University of Waterloo made the unemployment rate very low in the 1960s.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=140}} By 1971, the population of Waterloo had grown 424% since 1945.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=140}} Kitchener was a working class city while Waterloo was a middle class city.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=141}} In 1981, the average annual household income in Kitchener was $26, 279 and in Waterloo was $31,224.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=141}} In 1950, Waterloo had 55 factories that employed 2, 572 people, in 1970 had 79 factories that employed 5,483 workers, and in 1980 there were 132 factories that employed 7,314 workers.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=141}} The founding of the universities led to the north-eastern area becoming developed as the new housing subdivisions were built while the area around Weber declined.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|pp=141–143}} The architecture of Waterloo changed from a more traditional [[Victorian architecture]] style to favouring a more streamlined look, incorporating elements from architectural styles such as [[Postmodern architecture]], which ultimately led to a movement to preserve Waterloo's historical core.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=143}} A 1994 issue of the ''[[Financial Post]]'' mentioned Waterloo-based companies [[MKS Inc.|MKS]], [[Watcom|WATCOM]], and [[OpenText|Open Text]] in a list of the top 100 independent software companies in Canada.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=174}} In 1960, a study revealed 50% of the buying by Waterloo consumers was done in Kitchener, leading to the city to develop a retail district.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|pp=109–111}}

In the 1980s, Waterloo came to have the character of a "post-industrial city".{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=144}} Mennonite farmers continued to come to Waterloo in their horse-powered buggies for shopping while the middle class people drove out to eat and drink at the numerous pubs and hotels out in the countryside.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|1990|p=144}}

In June 2011, the Waterloo Region council approved the [[Ion rapid transit|Ion]]: a [[light rail]] transit line connecting Conestoga Mall in north Waterloo and Fairview Park Mall in south Kitchener.<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-06-15 |title=Rail plan passes |url=http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/548497--rail-plan-passes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312025134/http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/548497--rail-plan-passes |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |access-date=2012-02-20 |publisher=TheRecord}}</ref> Construction on the Ion began in August 2014. In 2016, two sections of a [[corduroy road]] were unearthed. One was in the [[King Street (Waterloo Region)|King Street]] area of the business district and the second was discovered near the [[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga Mall]]. The road was probably built by Mennonites using technology acquired in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, between the late 1790s and 1816.{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} The log road was buried in about 1840 and a new road built on top of it.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8926047-university-of-waterloo-researchers-hoping-to-borrow-corduroy-road-samples/ |title=University of Waterloo researchers hoping to borrow corduroy road samples |first=James |last=Jackson |newspaper=Waterloo Region Record |date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190728/https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/09/25/university-of-waterloo-researchers-hoping-to-borrow-corduroy-road-samples.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8599125-corduroy-road-gives-a-glimpse-into-waterloo-s-past/ |title=Corduroy road gives a glimpse into Waterloo's past |first=James |last=Jackson |newspaper=Waterloo Region Record |date=May 10, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190729/https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/05/10/corduroy-road-gives-a-glimpse-into-waterloo-s-past.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A historian{{Who|date=June 2022}} explained that the road had been built for access to the mill but was also "one of the first roads cut through (the woods) so people could start settling the area".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/it-looked-like-a-giant-rib-cage-in-the-ground-the-centuries-old-origins-of-silicon-valley-north-laid-bare-by-lrt-build |title='It looked like a giant rib cage in the ground': The centuries-old origins of Silicon Valley north laid bare by LRT build |work=Canada's Historic Places|access-date=29 March 2021 |quote=}}</ref> Ion service began in 2019 and experienced a daily ridership of 25,000 in November 2020.<ref name="Ion Ridership">{{cite web |date=November 18, 2020 |title=Public transit numbers on the rise since Ion launch in June |url=https://www.keolis.ca/en/node/234 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |publisher=[[Keolis]]}}</ref>

{{wide image|Waterloo_Ontario_Pano.jpg|1000px|Uptown looking Northwest from the Uptown Parkade. Landmarks visible include the Marsland Centre on the extreme left and Waterloo City Hall on the extreme right.}}

==Geography==
[[Image:Waterloo uptown.jpg|thumb|right|King Street South in Uptown Waterloo]]Waterloo's city centre is near the intersection of [[King Street (Waterloo Region)|King]] and Erb streets. The city centre was once along Albert Street, near the Marsland Centre and the [[Waterloo Public Library]]. The town hall, fire hall, and farmers' market were located there. Amidst some controversy, all were demolished between 1965 and 1969.

Historically, Waterloo's swamp land near where the village was first developed caused problems for development.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=15}} To mitigate these issues, sand was taken from nearby areas to raise the land; buildings were built on foundations of oak planks; and [[King Street (Waterloo Region)|King Street]] was originally built as a [[corduroy road]].{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=16}}

===Waterways===
[[File:Grand River north of Waterloo.png|thumb|The [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]], as seen to the north-east of Waterloo]]
The [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]] flows southward along the city's east side. Its most significant tributary within the city is Laurel Creek, whose [[Sunfish Lake (Ontario)|source]] lies just to the west of the city limits and its mouth just to the east, and crosses much of the city's central areas, including the University of Waterloo lands and Waterloo Park; it flows under the uptown area in a culvert. In the city's west end, the [[Waterloo Moraine]] provides over 300,000 people in the region with drinking water. Much of the gently hilly Waterloo Moraine underlies existing developed areas. Ongoing urban growth, mostly low-density residential suburbs (in accordance with requests by land developers), will cover increasing amounts of the remaining undeveloped portions of the Waterloo Moraine.

===Climate===
Waterloo has a [[humid continental climate]] of the warm summer subtype (''Dfb'' under the [[Köppen climate classification]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Canada Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-canada.php |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=www.plantmaps.com}}</ref> with warm, humid summers and cold winters. Compared to other parts of Canada, Waterloo has fairly moderate weather. Winter temperatures usually occur between mid-December and mid-March, while summer temperatures generally occur between mid-May and late September. It is not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 30&nbsp;°C (86&nbsp;°F) several times each summer. Waterloo has approximately 140 frost-free days per year.
{{Weather box
|location = [[Region of Waterloo International Airport]], 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–present{{efn|Daily maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation were recorded at Kitchener from October 1914 to December 1977 and at [[Region of Waterloo International Airport]] from March 1970 to present.<ref name="Kitchener"/><ref name="climate"/>}}
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 14.9
|Feb record high C = 16.8
|Mar record high C = 26.5
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 33.3
|Jun record high C = 36.7
|Jul record high C = 38.3
|Aug record high C = 38.3
|Sep record high C = 36.7
|Oct record high C = 31.1
|Nov record high C = 25.0
|Dec record high C = 18.7
|year record high C = 38.3
|Jan high C = −2.3
|Feb high C = −1.4
|Mar high C = 4.1
|Apr high C = 11.6
|May high C = 19.0
|Jun high C = 24.1
|Jul high C = 26.6
|Aug high C = 25.5
|Sep high C = 21.6
|Oct high C = 14.1
|Nov high C = 6.8
|Dec high C = 0.7
|year high C = 12.5
|Jan mean C = −6.3
|Feb mean C = −5.9
|Mar mean C = −0.8
|Apr mean C = 5.9
|May mean C = 12.6
|Jun mean C = 17.8
|Jul mean C = 20.2
|Aug mean C = 19.1
|Sep mean C = 15.2
|Oct mean C = 8.8
|Nov mean C = 2.6
|Dec mean C = −2.8
|year mean C = 7.2
|Jan low C = −10.3
|Feb low C = −10.3
|Mar low C = −5.6
|Apr low C = 0.1
|May low C = 6.2
|Jun low C = 11.5
|Jul low C = 13.7
|Aug low C = 12.7
|Sep low C = 8.7
|Oct low C = 3.4
|Nov low C = −1.6
|Dec low C = −6.3
|year low C = 1.9
|Jan record low C = −31.9
|Feb record low C = −34.1
|Mar record low C = −29.4
|Apr record low C = −17.8
|May record low C = −6.1
|Jun record low C = −1.1
|Jul record low C = 4.2
|Aug record low C = 1.1
|Sep record low C = −3.7
|Oct record low C = −10.6
|Nov record low C = −18.9
|Dec record low C = −28.3
|year record low C = −34.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 66.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 46.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 57.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 81.2
|May precipitation mm = 80.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 80.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 96.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 67.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 75.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 71.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 74.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 54.9
|year precipitation mm = 850.6
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 28.7
|Feb rain mm = 29.7
|Mar rain mm = 36.8
|Apr rain mm = 68.0
|May rain mm = 81.8
|Jun rain mm = 82.4
|Jul rain mm = 98.6
|Aug rain mm = 83.9
|Sep rain mm = 87.8
|Oct rain mm = 66.1
|Nov rain mm = 75.0
|Dec rain mm = 38.0
|year rain mm = 776.8
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 43.7
|Feb snow cm = 30.3
|Mar snow cm = 26.5
|Apr snow cm = 7.3
|May snow cm = 0.4
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 1.4
|Nov snow cm = 13.0
|Dec snow cm = 37.2
|year snow cm = 159.7
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 17.7
|Feb precipitation days = 12.9
|Mar precipitation days = 13.2
|Apr precipitation days = 13.5
|May precipitation days = 13.4
|Jun precipitation days = 12.7
|Jul precipitation days = 13.2
|Aug precipitation days = 11.2
|Sep precipitation days = 12.0
|Oct precipitation days = 14.7
|Nov precipitation days = 14.8
|Dec precipitation days = 15.0
|year precipitation days = 164.0
|unit rain days = 0.2 mm
|Jan rain days = 5.6
|Feb rain days = 5.0
|Mar rain days = 6.9
|Apr rain days = 11.5
|May rain days = 12.4
|Jun rain days = 12.0
|Jul rain days = 10.6
|Aug rain days = 10.7
|Sep rain days = 12.2
|Oct rain days = 13.7
|Nov rain days = 11.6
|Dec rain days = 6.9
|year rain days = 118.7
|unit snow days = 0.2 cm
|Jan snow days = 16.1
|Feb snow days = 11.9
|Mar snow days = 9.0
|Apr snow days = 3.3
|May snow days = 0.18
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.91
|Nov snow days = 6.5
|Dec snow days = 14.4
|year snow days = 62.2
|humidity colour = green
|time day = 0600 LST
|Jan humidity = 86.4
|Feb humidity = 83.4
|Mar humidity = 84.8
|Apr humidity = 84.4
|May humidity = 84.7
|Jun humidity = 87.0
|Jul humidity = 90.1
|Aug humidity = 93.6
|Sep humidity = 94.3
|Oct humidity = 90.6
|Nov humidity = 87.6
|Dec humidity = 87.1
|year humidity = 87.8
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]] (rainfall/snowfall/humidity 1981–2010)<ref name="climate">{{cite web
| url = https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=213000000&dispBack=0
| title = Kitchener/Waterloo
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = Environment and Climate Change Canada
| access-date = Jun 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name="climate1981">
{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4832&lang=e&dCode=0&province=ONT&provBut=Go&month1=0&month2=12
| title = Waterloo Wellington A
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 12 April 2014
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095631/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4832&lang=e&dCode=0&province=ONT&provBut=Go&month1=0&month2=12
| archive-date = 16 February 2015
|df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/
| title = Waterloo Wellington A
| work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200714071822/ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/
| archive-date = 2020-07-14
| url-status = dead
| access-date = September 15, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Kitchener">
{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kitchener&searchMethod=contains&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&optLimit=specDate&Year=1914&Month=10&Day=31&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Kitchener
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 5 August 2016
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160819052139/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kitchener&searchMethod=contains&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&optLimit=specDate&Year=1914&Month=10&Day=31&selRowPerPage=25
| archive-date = 19 August 2016
| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="August 1918">
{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1914-10-01%7C1977-12-31&mlyRange=1914-01-01%7C1977-12-01&StationID=4781&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&txtRadius=25&optProxType=city&selCity=43%7C27%7C80%7C29%7CKitchener&selPark=&txtCentralLatDeg=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongDeg=&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&timeframe=2&Year=1918&Month=8
| title = Daily Data Report for August 1918
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 5 August 2016
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160819033337/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1914-10-01%7C1977-12-31&mlyRange=1914-01-01%7C1977-12-01&StationID=4781&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&txtRadius=25&optProxType=city&selCity=43%7C27%7C80%7C29%7CKitchener&selPark=&txtCentralLatDeg=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongDeg=&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&timeframe=2&Year=1918&Month=8
| archive-date = 19 August 2016
| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="July 1941">
{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1914-10-01%7C1977-12-31&mlyRange=1914-01-01%7C1977-12-01&StationID=4781&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&txtRadius=25&optProxType=city&selCity=43%7C27%7C80%7C29%7CKitchener&selPark=&txtCentralLatDeg=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongDeg=&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&timeframe=2&Year=1941&Month=7
| title = Daily Data Report for July 1941
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 5 August 2016
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160819045722/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1914-10-01%7C1977-12-31&mlyRange=1914-01-01%7C1977-12-01&StationID=4781&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnProx&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&txtRadius=25&optProxType=city&selCity=43%7C27%7C80%7C29%7CKitchener&selPark=&txtCentralLatDeg=&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongDeg=&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&timeframe=2&Year=1941&Month=7
| archive-date = 19 August 2016
| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Kitchener/Waterloo">
{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kitchener%2Fwaterloo&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Kitchener/Waterloo
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 5 August 2016
| url-status  = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160819031146/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kitchener%2Fwaterloo&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25
| archive-date = 19 August 2016
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name="Region of Waterloo Int'l A">{{cite web
| publisher = [[Environment Canada]]
| url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=region+of+waterloo+int%27l+a&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25
| title = Region of Waterloo Int'l A
| date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 5 August 2016
| url-status  = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160819050107/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=region+of+waterloo+int%27l+a&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=4&selRowPerPage=25
| archive-date = 19 August 2016
| df = dmy-all}}</ref>
|date=March 2011}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|percentages = off
|1841|200
|1871|1594
|1881|2066
|1891|2941
|1901|3537
|1911|4359
|1921|5883
|1931|8095
|1941|8968
|1951|11991
|1961|21366
|1971|36677
|1981|49428
|1991|71181
|2001|86543<ref name=CensusProfile2001CompareOntario>{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2003 |title=Waterloo, Ontario (Code3530016) (table). 2001 Community Profiles. 2001 Census. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016 |access-date=2020-07-12 |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716211837/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2006|97475<ref name=CensusProfile2006CompareOntario>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2007 |title=Waterloo, Ontario (Code3530016) (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016 |access-date=2020-07-12 |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |archive-date=July 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720070051/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2011|98780<ref name=CensusProfile2011CompareCanada>{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Waterloo, Ontario (Code 3530016) and Canada (Code 01) (table). Census Profile. 2011 Census. Census Profile. 2011 Census. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=01 |access-date=2020-07-12 |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716211746/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=01 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2016|104986<ref name=CensusProfile2016CompareCMA>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Waterloo, CY [Census subdivision], Ontario and Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo [Census metropolitan area], Ontario (table). Census Profile. 2016 Census. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=CD&Code2=3530 |access-date=2020-07-12 |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |archive-date=July 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717015203/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=CD&Code2=3530 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|2021|121436<ref name=CensusProfile2021CompareCMA/>
|source = [[Census in Canada|Census of Population]]
}}

As of the [[2021 Canadian census]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Waterloo has a population of {{val|121436|fmt=commas}}, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:121436-104986}}|104986|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|104986|fmt=commas}}.<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" /> With a land area of {{convert|64.06|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, the city has a [[population density]] of {{Pop density|121436|64.06|km2|sqmi|prec=1}}.<ref name=CensusProfile2021CompareCMA/> As of 2021, the median age is 36.0 years old, as compared to 37.7 in 2016.<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census: Waterloo, City |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016&TABID=1&type=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325234124/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=3530016&TABID=1&type=0 |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca | date=February 8, 2017 |publisher=Statistics Canada}}</ref> Waterloo's median age is 13% lower than Ontario's median age, which is 41.6 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-02-09 |title=Profile table, Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Ontario [Province] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>

At the [[census metropolitan area]] (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo CMA had a population of {{val|575847|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|219060|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|229809|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:575847-523894}}|523894|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|523894|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|1092.33|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|575847|1092.33|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=CensusProfile2021CompareCMA/>

=== Ethnicity ===
The most common ethnic or cultural origins reported in Waterloo in 2021 were German (17.9%), English (17.0%), Scottish (14.6%), Irish (14.3%), Canadian (10.2%), Chinese (8.9%), Indian (6.4%), French (6.0%), British Isles (4.1%), Polish (4.1%), Dutch (3.9%), Italian (3.3%), and Ukrainian (2.4%).<ref>Multiple ethnic/cultural origins can be reported</ref> [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]] people made up 1.3% of the population, mostly [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] (0.7%) and [[Métis]] (0.5%). Ethnocultural backgrounds in the city included [[European Canadians|European]] (63.7%), [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]] (10.7%), [[Chinese Canadians|Chinese]] (9.2%), [[Black Canadians|Black]] (3.1%), [[Arab Canadian|Arab]] (2.7%), [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]] (1.9%), [[West Asian Canadians|West Asian]] (1.7%), [[Southeast Asia]]n (1.4%), [[Korean Canadians|Korean]] (1.4), and [[Filipino Canadians|Filipino]] (1.0%).<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" />
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the City of Waterloo (2001−2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Waterloo&DGUIDlist=2021A00053530016&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=CD&Code2=3530&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Waterloo&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name="euro"}}
| 75,340
| {{Percentage | 75340 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 74,905
| {{Percentage | 74905 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 76,445
| {{Percentage | 76445 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 79,625
| {{Percentage | 79625 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 73,950
| {{Percentage | 73950 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name="EastAsian"}}
| 13,035
| {{Percentage | 13035 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 10,960
| {{Percentage | 10960 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 7,615
| {{Percentage | 7615 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 6,295
| {{Percentage | 6295 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 3,670
| {{Percentage | 3670 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 12,680
| {{Percentage | 12680 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 6,650
| {{Percentage | 6650 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 5,145
| {{Percentage | 5145 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 4,495
| {{Percentage | 4495 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 3,695
| {{Percentage | 3695 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name="MiddleEastern"}}
| 5,160
| {{Percentage | 5160 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 3,020
| {{Percentage | 3020 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 2,580
| {{Percentage | 2580 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 1,490
| {{Percentage | 1490 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 980
| {{Percentage | 980 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[African-Canadian|African]]
| 3,660
| {{Percentage | 3660 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 1,990
| {{Percentage | 1990 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 1,425
| {{Percentage | 1425 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 1,145
| {{Percentage | 1145 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 1,395
| {{Percentage | 1395 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asia]]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name="SoutheastAsian"}}
| 2,810
| {{Percentage | 2810 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 1,730
| {{Percentage | 1730 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 1,355
| {{Percentage | 1355 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 1,305
| {{Percentage | 1305 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 680
| {{Percentage | 680 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 2,250
| {{Percentage | 2250 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 1,405
| {{Percentage | 1405 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 1,050
| {{Percentage | 1050 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 860
| {{Percentage | 860 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 630
| {{Percentage | 630 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 1,585
| {{Percentage | 1585 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 1,220
| {{Percentage | 1220 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 825
| {{Percentage | 825 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 755
| {{Percentage | 755 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 510
| {{Percentage | 510 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
| Other{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name="Other"}}
| 1,865
| {{Percentage | 1865 | 118390 | 2 }}
| 1,515
| {{Percentage | 1515 | 103390 | 2 }}
| 655
| {{Percentage | 655 | 97100 | 2 }}
| 800
| {{Percentage | 800 | 96775 | 2 }}
| 575
| {{Percentage | 575 | 86080 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 118,390
! {{Percentage | 118390 | 121436 | 2 }}
! 103,390
! {{Percentage | 103390 | 104986 | 2 }}
! 97,100
! {{Percentage | 97100 | 98780 | 2 }}
! 96,775
! {{Percentage | 96775 | 97475 | 2 }}
! 86,080
! {{Percentage | 86080 | 86543 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 121,436
! {{Percentage | 121436 | 121436 | 2 }}
! 104,986
! {{Percentage | 104986 | 104986 | 2 }}
! 98,780
! {{Percentage | 98780 | 98780 | 2 }}
! 97,475
! {{Percentage | 97475 | 97475 | 2 }}
! 86,543
! {{Percentage | 86543 | 86543 | 2 }}
|}
*Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.

=== Religion ===
In 2021, 45.8% of the population identified as [[Christian]], with [[Catholics]] (17.9%) making up the largest denomination, followed by [[United Church of Canada|United Church]] (3.3%), [[Lutheran]] (3.2%), [[Anglican]] (2.8%), [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] (2.4%), and other denominations. 37.7% of the population reported no religious affiliation. Others identified as [[Muslim]] (8.1%), [[Hindu]] (4.7%), [[Sikh]] (1.2%), [[Buddhist]] (1.1%), and with other religions.<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" />

=== Language ===
[[English language|English]] was the [[mother tongue]] of 64.6% of the population in 2021. This was followed by [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (6.2%), [[Arabic]] (2.2%), [[German language|German]] (1.5%), [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (1.5%), [[Hindi]] (1.3%), [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] (1.2%), [[Korean language|Korean]] (1.1%), [[Persian language|Iranian Persian]] (1.0%), [[Urdu]] (1.0%), [[Serbo-Croatian]] (1.0%), [[Cantonese]] (0.9%), and [[French language|French]] (0.9%). Of the official languages, 98.2% of the population reported knowing English and 8.8% French.<ref name="CensusProfile2021CompareCMA" />

==Economy==
[[Image:Sun-life-financial-building-waterloo-ontario.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The Sun Life Financial building is currently the tallest building in Waterloo.]]
[[Image:BMO Building uptown waterloo.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The Marsland Centre in Uptown Waterloo]]
[[File: Uptown Waterloo, Ontario.jpg|thumb|right|View from the parkade in Uptown Waterloo]]

According to the [[2016 Canadian Census]], Waterloo has a median household income (after tax) of $72,239.<ref name="CensusProfile2016CompareCanada" /> This is significantly higher than the national median of $61,348. The unemployment rate in Waterloo (6.9%) is lower than the national rate of 7.7%. The median value of a dwelling in Waterloo ($399,997) is higher than the national median of $341,556.<ref name="CensusProfile2016CompareCanada">{{Cite web |author=Statistics Canada |author-link=Statistics Canada |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Waterloo, CY [Census subdivision], Ontario and Canada [Country] (table). Census Profile. 2016 Census. |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=01 |access-date=2020-07-12 |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724123147/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3530016&Geo2=PR&Code2=01 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Intelligent Community Forum named Waterloo the Top Intelligent Community of 2007.<ref name="ICF">{{cite web |title=Intelligent Community Awards 2007 |url=http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613112113/http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=220 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=June 13, 2007 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |publisher=Intelligent Community Forum}}</ref>

Waterloo has a strong knowledge and service-based economy with significant insurance and high-tech sectors as well as two universities.<ref name="riding">{{cite news
| url = http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/146/
| title = Riding profile
| access-date = August 30, 2007
| publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070612191530/http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/146/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = June 12, 2007}}</ref> The city's largest employers are [[Sun Life Financial]], the [[University of Waterloo]], [[Manulife Financial]], [[BlackBerry (company)|BlackBerry]],<ref name="financialstatement">{{cite web |title=FY 2015 SEC Form 40 |url=http://us.blackberry.com/content/dam/bbCompany/Desktop/Global/PDF/Investors/Documents/2016/Q416_Financial_Statements.pdf |access-date=May 11, 2016 |publisher=Research In Motion Investor Relations |archive-date=April 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418104517/http://us.blackberry.com/content/dam/bbCompany/Desktop/Global/PDF/Investors/Documents/2016/Q416_Financial_Statements.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sandvine]] and [[Wilfrid Laurier University]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Investment prospectus |url=http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/CS_EDM_documents/Invest_Per09.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827200040/http://city.waterloo.on.ca/Portals/57ad7180-c5e7-49f5-b282-c6475cdb7ee7/CS_EDM_documents/Invest_Per09.pdf |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |quote=Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Count}}</ref><ref name="financialstatement" />

=== Insurance ===
Before it became known for technology, Waterloo was sometimes referred to as "the [[Hartford]] of Canada" because of the many insurance companies based in the area.<ref name="cow history" /> Insurance companies founded in Waterloo include:<ref>Elizabeth Bloomfield, ''Waterloo Township through Two Centuries'', (Waterloo Historical Society, 1995), 442.</ref>

* Waterloo Mutual Insurance (1863) – acquired by [[Economical Insurance]] in 1980
* North Waterloo Farmers Mutual Insurance (1874) – merged with Oxford Mutual in 2016 to form Heartland Farm Mutual
* [[Mutual Life|Mutual Life Assurance]] (1868) – acquired by [[Sun Life Financial|Sun Life]] in 2002
* Mercantile Fire Insurance (1875) – acquired by [[London and Lancashire Insurance|London and Lancashire]] in 1896 and moved to Toronto<ref>"An insurance deal," ''The Globe'', (11 February 1896), 5.</ref>
* [[Dominion Life|Dominion Life Assurance]] (1889) – acquired by [[Manulife]] in 1985
* [[Equitable Life of Canada|Equitable Life Insurance]] (1920)
* Merchants Casualty Insurance Company (1924) – acquired by [[Economical Insurance]] in 1936<ref>"Economical will buy Waterloo firm," ''Kitchener Daily Record'', (15 December 1936), 1.</ref>
* Pilot Automobile and Accident Insurance (1927) – now a subsidiary of [[Aviva Canada]]<ref>George W. Stark, ''The Best Policy: The Story of Standard Accident Insurance Company'', (Powers, 1959), 162-3.</ref>
* Canada Health and Accident Assurance Corporation (1945) – merged into [[CNA Financial|CNA Assurance]] in 1972<ref>Henry Koch, "Talking business," ''Kitchener–Waterloo Record'', (6 April 1972), 22.</ref>

=== Technology ===
The city is part of [[Canada's Technology Triangle]] (CTT), a joint economic development initiative of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario|Region of Waterloo]] that markets the region internationally. Despite its name, CTT does not focus exclusively on promoting technology industries, but on all aspects of economic development.

Waterloo has a strong technology sector with hundreds of high-tech firms.<ref name="riding" /> The dominant technology company in the city is BlackBerry, makers of the [[BlackBerry]], which has its headquarters in the city and owns several office buildings near the University of Waterloo's main campus.

Notable Waterloo-based high-tech companies include:<!-- New links in alphabetical order please -->
* [[Aeryon Labs]]
* [[BlackBerry (company)|BlackBerry]]
* [[Dalsa]]
* [[Descartes Systems Group]]
* [[Google]] (in neighbouring [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]])
* [[Kik Messenger]] (in neighbouring [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]])
* [[Waterloo Maple|Maplesoft]]
* [[MKS Inc.]]
* [[ON Semiconductor]]
* [[OpenText|OpenText Corporation]]
* [[Sandvine]]

Many other high-tech companies, with headquarters elsewhere, take advantage of the concentration of high-tech employees in the Waterloo area, and have research and development centres there. [[Shopify]], [[SAP SE|SAP]], [[Google]], [[Oracle Corporation|Oracle]], [[Intel]], [[McAfee]], [[NCR Corporation]], [[Electronic Arts]] and [[Agfa]] are among the large, international technology companies with development offices in Waterloo.

=== Education and research ===
Waterloo is home to two major universities, the [[University of Waterloo]] and [[Wilfrid Laurier University]].

The city is also home to three well-known think tanks – the [[Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics]], an advanced centre for the study of foundational, theoretical physics and award-winning educational outreach in science; the [[Institute for Quantum Computing]], based at the University of Waterloo, which carries out innovative research in the computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences; and the [[Centre for International Governance Innovation]], an independent, nonpartisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges.

=== Distilling and brewing ===
Breweries and distilleries had been a significant industry in the Waterloo area until 1993 when a [[Labatt]]-owned brewery was shut down. The [[Brick Brewing Company]] operated in Waterloo but is now based in Kitchener. Waterloo was the original home of distiller [[Seagram]] (also the home town of many descendants of J.P. Seagram), which closed its Waterloo plant in 1992. Of the remaining Seagram buildings, [[Seagram Museum|one]] became home of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), while others were converted into condominiums.

=== Other ===
The city encourages location filming of movies and TV series and many have taken advantage of Waterloo locations. Examples include ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]'' (released in 2017), ''The Demolisher'' (2015) and ''[[Degrassi: The Next Generation]]'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/search/title?locations=Waterloo,%20Ontario,%20Canada |title=Waterloo Locations |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2017 |website=IMDB |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313051058/http://www.imdb.com/search/title?locations=Waterloo,%20Ontario,%20Canada |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
{{See also|Kitchener, Ontario#Culture}}
[[File:Elizabeth Witmer taps keg.jpg|thumb|[[Elizabeth Witmer]] taps a keg to begin 1996's [[Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest|KW Oktoberfest]].]]
[[Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest]] is a nine-day [[Oktoberfest celebrations|Oktoberfest]] celebration held in both Kitchener and Waterloo.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Colin |date=October 11, 2013 |title=26 facts about Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/26-facts-about-kitchener-waterloo-oktoberfest-1.1991001 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119130345/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/26-facts-about-kitchener-waterloo-oktoberfest-1.1991001 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=What to expect at the 2021 Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/what-to-expect-at-the-2021-kitchener-waterloo-oktoberfest/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=CTV Kitchener |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818110419/https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/what-to-expect-at-the-2021-kitchener-waterloo-oktoberfest-1.5550239 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the second largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2016 |title=PM Justin Trudeau taps the keg at K-W Oktoberfest |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/trudeau-keg-tap-kw-oktoberfest-1.3795834 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008073017/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/trudeau-keg-tap-kw-oktoberfest-1.3795834 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the largest outside of Germany. In 2013, [[CBC News|CBC]] reported that the festival receives over 700,000 annual visitors, has 1,780 volunteers, was broadcast to 1.8 million national television viewers, and generated an estimated $21 million of economic activity.<ref name=":3" /> [[Tri-Pride]] is a non-profit [[Pride parade|LGBT pride festival]] held annually during [[Pride Month]] in the "tri-cities" of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2019 |title=Pride march celebrates LGBT community in Waterloo region |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/pride-march-celebrates-lgbt-community-waterloo-region-1.5159306 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903083508/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/pride-march-celebrates-lgbt-community-waterloo-region-1.5159306 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=Tri-Pride Summer Festival returns to Kitchener's Victoria Park |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/tri-pride-summer-festival-returns-to-kitcheners-victoria-park/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=CTV Kitchener |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612025756/https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/tri-pride-summer-festival-returns-to-kitchener-s-victoria-park-1.5933279 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Kitchener–Waterloo Symphony]] is located in Kitchener. According to their website, they perform over 222 concerts annually to an audience of over 90,000, both in the concert hall and across the [[Waterloo Region]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony |url=https://kwsymphony.ca/about/ |website=About - KW Symphony |publisher=Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120010441/https://kwsymphony.ca/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Waterloo Busker Carnival]] is a [[Buskers festival|busking festival]] held annually in August in Waterloo public square.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Buskers ready for a party |url=https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/whatson-story/5892350-buskers-ready-for-a-party/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=WaterlooChronicle.ca |date=August 20, 2013 |language=en-CA |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190731/https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/whatson-story/5892350-buskers-ready-for-a-party/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterloo Busker Carnival making a comeback in 2022 |url=https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/waterloo-busker-carnival-making-a-comeback-in-2022-5180650 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=CityNews Kitchener |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325111940/https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/waterloo-busker-carnival-making-a-comeback-in-2022-5180650 |url-status=live }}</ref> Admission is free, and the festival has been operating since 1989.<ref name=":4" /> The [[Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film Festival]] is an annual [[LGBT|LBGT]] [[film festival]] which screens at Princess Twin Cinemas in Uptown Waterloo.<ref>"Queer Film Festival coming to Waterloo: Rainbow Reels screening 12 films at Princess Twin". ''[[Waterloo Region Record]]'', February 24, 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2017 |title=17th Rainbow Reels film fest hopes to connect communities |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/rainbow-reels-film-fest-lgbtq-stories-1.4362020 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226093049/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/rainbow-reels-film-fest-lgbtq-stories-1.4362020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Inactive or past ===
The [[Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema]] was an annual [[film festival]] dedicated to feature-length animation films.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-12 |title=Some of filmmaking's true geniuses found in film animation |url=https://www.therecord.com/entertainment/2013/11/12/some-of-filmmaking-s-true-geniuses-found-in-film-animation.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=therecord.com |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190732/https://www.therecord.com/entertainment/2013/11/12/some-of-filmmaking-s-true-geniuses-found-in-film-animation.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Jerry |date=2013-11-05 |title=Waterloo Festival Announces Its Showcase of Animated Features |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/11/waterloo-festival-announces-its-showcase-of-animated-features-124665/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=IndieWire |language=en |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417184749/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/11/waterloo-festival-announces-its-showcase-of-animated-features-124665/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was held from 2001 to 2013. The [[International Olympiad in Informatics]], a [[competitive programming]] competition for secondary school students, was held in Waterloo in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mirror |first=Scarborough |title=Double win for student at international competition |url=https://www.toronto.com/news/double-win-for-student-at-international-competition/article_66625334-e969-5e0c-98f4-4113556c13c4.html |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=Toronto |date=August 27, 2010 |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190735/https://www.toronto.com/news/double-win-for-student-at-international-competition/article_66625334-e969-5e0c-98f4-4113556c13c4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Attractions ===
[[Image:Perimeter Institute Pano edit2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Perimeter Institute]] in Uptown]]
Waterloo's local tourist attractions and areas of interest include: the [[Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery]], the [[Waterloo Central Railway]], the City of Waterloo Museum,<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2021 |title=City of Waterloo Museum |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/city-of-waterloo-museum.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130035353/https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/city-of-waterloo-museum.aspx |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=December 22, 2020}}</ref> a statue of monkeys entitled "Banana",<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2020 |title=Eye-catching primate sculpture unveiled outside new condo at former Brick Brewery |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/eye-catching-primate-sculpture-unveiled-outside-new-condo-at-former-brick-brewery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206164616/https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/eye-catching-primate-sculpture-unveiled-outside-new-condo-at-former-brick-brewery-1.5023642 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref> the [[Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics]], the [[St. Jacobs Farmers' Market]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=A new kind of strawberry social at the farmers' market |url=https://observerxtra.com/2022/06/02/a-new-kind-of-strawberry-social-at-the-farmers-market/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=THE OBSERVER |language=en-US}}</ref> (although the market is just outside city limits), [[University of Waterloo]]'s Earth Sciences Museum, and [[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga Mall]].

== Recreation ==
{{External media|width=|float=right|title=External interactive map|model1=[http://maps.waterloo.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=waterlooviewer&LayerTheme=Active%20Transportation&_ga=2.204107472.1185111327.1535376049-218743408.1525960335 An interactive map created by the city, depicting the city's recreation facilities.] Index: parks are outlined in thin green, outdoor skating rinks are cyan markers, cycling infrastructure are thick lines and trails are thick blue lines}}
Waterloo's parks and recreation facilities mainly comprise [[Waterloo Park]], Bechtel Park, [[Laurel Creek Conservation Area]], the [[Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex]], [[RIM Park]], and over {{convert|150|km}} of [[Shared-use path|mixed-use trails]].

=== Parks ===

Created in 1890,{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=214}} {{convert|45|hectare |acre|adj=on}} [[Waterloo Park]] is an [[urban park]] in Uptown Waterloo which includes an animal farm, sports fields, and a [[splash pad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterloo Park |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/waterloo-park.aspx |website=waterloo.ca|date=June 2023 }}</ref> It is the oldest park in the city; the mixed-use [[Laurel Trail]] and the rapid transit [[Ion rapid transit|Ion]] line both run through the park.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-07-26 |title=$2.5-million trail project in Waterloo Park now complete |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/07/26/2-5-million-trail-project-in-waterloo-park-now-complete.html |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=therecord.com |language=en}}</ref> {{convert|44|ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} Bechtel Park is located in eastern Waterloo, and houses a dog park, three soccer fields, a [[field house]], and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bechtel Park |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/bechtel-park.aspx |website=www.waterloo.ca|date=February 9, 2023 }}</ref> [[Laurel Creek Conservation Area]] is in western Waterloo—north-west of [[University of Waterloo]]'s Environmental Reserve—and houses 122 campsites, {{convert|4.5|km}} of trails, and facilities for [[canoeing]], swimming, [[windsurfing]], cycling, and [[sailing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camping at Laurel Creek Conservation Area |url=https://explorewaterloo.ca/listing/camping-at-laurel-creek-conservation-area/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Explore Waterloo Region |language=en-US |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121020429/https://explorewaterloo.ca/listing/camping-at-laurel-creek-conservation-area/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-31 |title=Laurel Creek |url=https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Laurel-Creek.aspx |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=www.grandriver.ca |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Interior - Waterloo, ON.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex]]]]

The [[Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex]], then described as the "largest and most expensive project in the city's history", opened in 1993.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193–194}} It includes an arena seating 3,500, swimming and banquet facilities, and an indoor track.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193–194}} {{convert|123|hectare |acre|adj=on}} [[RIM Park]], originally called Millennium Park, opened in September 2001.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=195}} Its features include outdoor soccer fields, ice rinks, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, meeting rooms and more.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=195}} RIM Park is in proximity to the [[Walter Bean Grand River Trail]], [[Grey Silo Golf Course]], and [[Waterloo Public Library]]'s Eastside Branch.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=195}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Versolatto |first=Tegan |date=2019-12-17 |title=Design revealed for Waterloo's $10M east side library branch |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/design-revealed-for-waterloos-10m-east-side-library-branch/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Kitchener |language=en}}</ref> There are a number of small playgrounds, woodlots, and recreation facilities around Waterloo which are not mentioned above due to their size.

=== Mixed-use trails ===
[[File:Walter Bean Grand River Trail June 2021.jpg|thumb|The [[Walter Bean Grand River Trail]], with the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]] seen in the background]]
[[Shared-use path|Trails for walking, hiking, and biking]] play an important part in Waterloo's recreational infrastructure. Waterloo had {{convert|150|km}} of trails by 2007, as compared to {{convert|10|km}} of trails in 1987.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193}} The {{convert|5|km|adj=on}} [[Iron Horse Trail, Ontario|Iron Horse Trail]], connecting Waterloo and Kitchener, opened in 1997.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=191}} Then-mayor [[Joan McKinnon]] brought upon the connection of the [[Trans Canada Trail]] into the Waterloo Region, which ran from the Iron Horse Trail to Waterloo's northern boundary.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193}}

The {{convert|76|km|adj=on}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arial |first=Tracey |title=Hiking in Ontario |date=2005 |publisher=Éditions Ulysse |isbn=2-89464-683-6 |edition=2 |location=Montréal |pages=113 |oclc=57339561}}</ref> [[Walter Bean Grand River Trail]], announced in 1999, served to create an accessible trail along the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]].{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193}} ''Waterloo: An Illustrated History, 1857–2007'' states, "[the trail] was particularly needed in Waterloo as the river's geographic location on the edge of the city meant that, unlike so many other Canadian cities, the river had not historically played a central role in the community."{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=193}}

=== Sports ===
In July 2002, Waterloo, along with Kitchener, hosted the Ontario Summer Games.{{Sfn|McLaughlin|Jaeger|2007|pp=194}} The following sports teams are based in Waterloo: [[Waterloo Wildfire]] ([[National Ringette League]]), [[Waterloo Siskins]] ([[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]]), [[Waterloo United]] ([[League One Ontario]]), [[Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks]], and [[Waterloo Warriors]]. 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Sports teams of Waterloo
|-
! Team
! Sport
! League
! Venue
!Established
!Disestablished
!Championships
|-
| [[Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League]]
| [[Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex]]
| 1934
|
| 12
|-
| [[K–W United FC]]
| [[Association football]]
| [[USL League Two|Premier Development League]] 
| [[University Stadium (Waterloo, Ontario)|University Stadium]] 
| 2011{{efn|the sports franchise was formed in 2011 and was relocated to Waterloo in 2013}} 
| 2017
| 1
|-
| [[K-W United FC (women)|K-W United FC]] 
| [[Women's association football|Women's soccer]]
| [[USL W-League (1995–2015)|USL W-League]] 
| [[University Stadium (Waterloo, Ontario)|University Stadium]]
| 2006{{efn|the sports franchise was formed in 2006 and was relocated to Waterloo in 2013}} 
| 2014
| 0
|-
| [[SC Waterloo Region]]
| [[Association football]]
| [[Canadian Soccer League]] 
| [[Warrior Field]]<br>[[RIM Park]]
| 2011
| 2020
| 1
|-
| [[Waterloo Hurricanes]]
| [[Ice hockey]]
| [[Ontario Hockey League|Ontario Hockey Association Junior A League]]
| [[Waterloo Memorial Arena]]
| 1950
| 1952
| 0
|-
| [[Waterloo United]]
| [[Association football]]
| [[League1 Ontario]]
| [[RIM Park]]
| 2021
|
| 0
|-
| Waterloo Wildfire
| [[Ringette|Women's ringette]]
| [[National Ringette League]]
|
| 2004
|
|0
|-
|}

==Government==
[[Image: Waterloo Ontario City Hall Pano.jpg|right|thumb|Waterloo City Hall]]
Waterloo was part of [[Waterloo County, Ontario|Waterloo County]] until 1973 when a restructuring created the [[Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario|Regional Municipality of Waterloo]], which consists of the cities of Waterloo, [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]], and [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]], and the townships of [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich]], [[Wilmot, Ontario|Wilmot]], [[Wellesley, Ontario (community)|Wellesley]], and [[North Dumfries, Ontario|North Dumfries]]. The Region handles many services, including paramedic services, policing, waste management, recreation, planning, roads and social services.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=10 October 2012 |title=Get to Know Us During Local Government Week |url=http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/newslist/index.aspx?corpId=58cynQlfgqiAYQyTLmpurQeQuAleQuAl&newsId=QXgUIE1G6huJ6eu741OyPlUsgeQuAleQuAl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322030411/http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/newslist/index.aspx?corpId=58cynQlfgqiAYQyTLmpurQeQuAleQuAl&newsId=QXgUIE1G6huJ6eu741OyPlUsgeQuAleQuAl |archive-date=March 22, 2013 |access-date=23 March 2013 |website=Waterloo Region }}</ref> The Waterloo Award, established in 1997, is the highest civic honour a person can receive from the City of Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waterloo Award |url=http://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/waterlooaward.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033948/http://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/waterlooaward.asp |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 18, 2017 |publisher=The City of Waterloo}}</ref>

[[Waterloo City Council]] consists of a mayor and seven councillors, each representing a [[Ward (politics)|ward]]. The number of wards was increased from five to seven in the November 2006 elections. As of 2022, the [[List of mayors of Waterloo, Ontario|mayor of Waterloo]] is Dorothy McCabe, elected in October 2022. The current Waterloo councillors are as follows, as of 2022, listed by ascending ward number: Sandra Hanmer (Southwest Ward), Royce Bodaly (Northwest Ward), Hans Roach (Lakeshore Ward), Diane Freeman (Northeast Ward), Jen Vasic (Southeast Ward), Mary Lou Roe (Central-Columbia Ward), and Julie Wright (Uptown Ward).<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2022 |title=City council |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/city-council.aspx |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=www.waterloo.ca}}</ref>

In politics, Waterloo is within the federal [[Electoral district (Canada)|electoral district]] of [[Waterloo (federal electoral district)|Waterloo]], and within the provincial electoral district also named [[Waterloo (provincial electoral district)|Waterloo]].
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+'''Waterloo federal election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Waterloo)|date=May 10, 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Canada|Green]]
|-
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal}}|
! [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''46%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''25,816''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 27%
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''15,521''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 19%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''10,846''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 3%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''1,934''
|-
! [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''49%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''29,922''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 24%
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''14,681''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 15%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''9,303''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 10%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''5,928''
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+'''Waterloo provincial election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.on.ca/en/resource-centre/elections-results.html |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Waterloo)|publisher=Election Ontario |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PC]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Ontario|Green]]
|-
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP}}|
! [[2022 Ontario general election|2022]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 29%
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''12,414''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | '''46%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''19,616''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 14%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''5,963''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 7%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''2,954''
|-
! [[2018 Ontario general election|2018]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 31%
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''15,974''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | '''51%'''
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''26,243''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 12%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''6,328''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 5%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''2,473''
|-
|}
{{clear}}

== Transportation ==
=== Roads ===
{{maplink|type=line|id=Q639408|frame=yes|text=The road system and city limits of Waterloo}}{{See also|List of numbered roads in Waterloo Region}}
The [[controlled-access highway|controlled-access]] [[Ontario Highway 85|Highway 85]], part of the larger [[Conestoga Parkway]], is the only [[Ontario Provincial Highway Network|provincial highway]] that runs through Waterloo. To the north, the divided freeway ends at the city limit, and the road becomes Waterloo Regional Road 85, which accesses [[St. Jacobs, Ontario|St. Jacobs]] and [[Elmira, Ontario|Elmira]], before ending in Elmira. To the south, Highway 85 becomes [[Ontario Highway 7|Highway 7]] within Kitchener, before diverging into eastbound [[Ontario Highway 8|Highway 8]] (to [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]], [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] interchange, and [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]]) and westbound Highway 7/8 (to [[New Hamburg, Ontario|New Hamburg]], [[Stratford, Ontario|Stratford]], and [[Goderich, Ontario|Goderich]]). Highway 85 has 5 interchanges within Waterloo, from north to south, with the [[List of numbered roads in Waterloo Region|regional road number]] in brackets: [[King Street (Waterloo Region)|King Street]] (15), Northfield Drive (50), King Street (15), University Avenue (57), and Bridgeport Road (9).

=== Public transport ===
{{Main|Grand River Transit|Ion rapid transit}}
[[File:Ion Flexity Freedom 507 Queen Station.jpg|thumb|Ion unit 507 at [[Queen station (Kitchener)|Queen Station]] in 2018]]
[[Public transport]] throughout the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo|Waterloo Region]] is provided by [[Grand River Transit]] (GRT), which provides service for various bus routes and the [[Ion rapid transit]] line. The Ion is a [[light rail]] line providing service to 19 stations, from [[Conestoga station]] ([[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga Mall]] in Waterloo) to [[Fairway station]] ([[Fairview Park Mall]] in Kitchener). The line connects downtown Kitchener and uptown Waterloo. GRT operates local and express bus routes within Waterloo, with connections to Kitchener. Waterloo is served by [[GO Transit bus services|GO buses]] which stop at the [[University of Waterloo]] and [[Wilfrid Laurier University]], with destinations of [[Mississauga City Centre Transit Terminal|Square One City Centre Terminal]], [[Milton GO Station]], and [[York University]].

=== Intercity rail ===
[[File:Region of Waterloo International Airport.JPG|thumb|Aerial photograph of the [[Region of Waterloo International Airport]]]]
Waterloo is not currently served by any regularly scheduled passenger rail service. The nearby [[Kitchener station]] is accessible from Waterloo through buses or a transfer from [[Ion rapid transit|Ion]]'s [[Kitchener Central Station]]. Kitchener station is serviced by the [[Kitchener line]] and the [[Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)|Corridor]], operated by [[GO Transit]] and [[Via Rail]] respectively.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2012-06-29 |title=Via Rail blames low ridership for cuts to Kitchener service |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2012/06/29/via-rail-blames-low-ridership-for-cuts-to-kitchener-service.html |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=therecord.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Train routes in Ontario and Quebec - Quebec-Windsor Corridor {{!}} VIA Rail |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/trains/ontario-and-quebec |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.viarail.ca |language=en-ca}}</ref> Both services are infrequent. On weekdays, the [[commuter rail]] GO trains run eastbound (to Toronto) nine times per day, and westbound eight times per day.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=GO Transit |title=Kitchener: GO Train and Bus Schedule |url=https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS25062022/TABLE31.pdf |access-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629030822/https://www.gotransit.com/static_files/gotransit/assets/pdf/TripPlanning/FullSchedules/FS25062022/TABLE31.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> No Kitchener line trains are run on the weekends.<ref name=":10" /> Including weekends, Via Rail operates one train per day, both westbound and eastbound.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Train Schedule: Toronto - London - Sarnia {{!}} VIA Rail |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan-your-trip/train-schedules/toronto-london-sarnia |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.viarail.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Train Schedule: Sarnia - London - Toronto {{!}} VIA Rail |url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/plan-your-trip/train-schedules/sarnia-london-toronto |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.viarail.ca}}</ref>

The non-profit tourist railway [[Waterloo Central Railway]] is a revival of the [[Waterloo-St. Jacobs Railway]]. It departs from the [[St. Jacobs Farmers' Market|St. Jacobs Farmers Market]] and runs trains at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm from April to November. The Waterloo Station continues to operate as a Visitor & Heritage Information Centre.<ref name="waterloo.ca">{{cite web |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Visitor and Heritage Information Centre |url=http://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/visitorandheritageinformationcentre.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906224321/http://www.waterloo.ca/en/government/visitorandheritageinformationcentre.asp |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |access-date=June 23, 2015 |website=www.waterloo.ca}}</ref>

=== Air ===
The [[Region of Waterloo International Airport]] in nearby [[Breslau, Ontario|Breslau]] serves Waterloo and the surrounding region, although it is not heavily served by scheduled airlines. Most air travellers use Toronto's [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Lester B. Pearson International Airport]] or [[John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} As of 2022, the Region of Waterloo International Airport has year round flights to [[Calgary]], [[Cancún]], [[Charlottetown]], [[Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador|Deer Lake]], [[Edmonton]], [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], [[Kelowna]], [[Vancouver]], and [[Winnipeg]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title=Destinations |url=https://www.waterlooairport.ca/en/passengers/destinations.aspx |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.waterlooairport.ca |language=en}}</ref> The airport has seasonal flights to [[Montreal]] and [[Ottawa]].<ref name=":8" /> As of 2022, the airport's airlines are [[Flair Airlines]], [[Pivot Airlines]], and [[WestJet]].<ref name=":8" />

== Services ==

===Health care===
[[File: St. Mary's General Hospital Kitchener Ontario 2015.jpg|thumb|St. Mary's General Hospital]]

There are no hospitals in Waterloo, but neighbouring Kitchener has [[Grand River Hospital]] (which has a secondary site, the Freeport Campus)<ref>{{cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Freeport Campus: 3570 King Street East, Kitchener |url=http://www.grhosp.on.ca/care/locations/freeportcampus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233907/http://www.grhosp.on.ca/care/locations/freeportcampus |archive-date=December 30, 2018 |access-date=2018-12-30 |publisher=GRH}}</ref> and [[St. Mary's General Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/hospitals.aspx|title=Hospitals|publisher=Region of Waterloo|date=2011-02-15|access-date=2018-12-30|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230234123/https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/hospitals.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Both were ranked highly for safety in a national comparison study in 2017–2018, but would benefit from reduced wait times.<ref>{{cite news|title=Waterloo Region hospitals rank well on readmissions, but wait times need work|date=29 November 2018|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9058746-waterloo-region-hospitals-rank-well-on-readmissions-but-wait-times-need-work/|work=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=30 December 2018|quote=Area hospitals ranked well in patient readmissions, but wait times need improving.|archive-date=June 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190737/https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/11/29/waterloo-region-hospitals-rank-well-on-readmissions-but-wait-times-need-work.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Long-term care beds are provided at numerous facilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wwhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10665&region=KitchenerWaterlooWellesleyWilmotWoolwich |title=Long-Term Care Homes - Kitchener–Waterloo–Wellesley–Wilmot–Woolwich |publisher=Health Line |date=2018-01-03 |access-date=2018-12-30 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231042931/https://www.wwhealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10665&region=KitchenerWaterlooWellesleyWilmotWoolwich |url-status=live }}</ref> Grand River Hospital has a capacity of 574 beds; the Freeport location was merged into it in April 1995.<ref>{{cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=About GRH |url=http://www.grhosp.on.ca/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227074957/http://www.grhosp.on.ca/about |archive-date=December 27, 2018 |access-date=2018-12-30 |publisher=GRH}}</ref> St. Mary's General Hospital is a 150-bed adult acute-care facility and includes the Regional Cardiac Care Centre with two cardiovascular operating rooms, an eight-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit and 45 inpatient beds.<ref>{{cite web |date=2018-09-15 |title=Regional Cardiac Care Centre |url=http://www.smgh.ca/patient-care-programs/regional-cardiac-care-centre/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231043008/http://www.smgh.ca/patient-care-programs/regional-cardiac-care-centre/ |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=2018-12-30 |publisher=SMGH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2018-09-15 |title=About Us |url=http://www.smgh.ca/about-us/who-we-are/st-marys-statistics-facts-faqs/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233624/http://www.smgh.ca/about-us/who-we-are/st-marys-statistics-facts-faqs/ |archive-date=December 30, 2018 |access-date=2018-12-30 |publisher=SMGH}}</ref>

[[Region of Waterloo Paramedic Service]]s and Waterloo Fire Rescue respond to medical emergencies within the city of Waterloo. Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services may transport patients to either Grand River Hospital or St. Mary's General Hospital [[emergency department]]s, depending on proximity, anticipated wait times and the type of emergency.

Family doctors are often in short supply and a source of great concern among residents. Recruiting efforts over the previous 15 years achieved some success as of September 2018, but needed to be continued.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doctor recruitment an ongoing issue in Waterloo Region|date=18 September 2018|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8910318-doctor-recruitment-an-ongoing-issue-in-waterloo-region/|work=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=30 December 2018|quote=Although recruitment efforts over the past 15 years or so have brought many new physicians to the area, many residents are without a family doctor.|archive-date=June 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619190738/https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2018/09/18/doctor-recruitment-an-ongoing-issue-in-waterloo-region.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Libraries===
{{Main|Waterloo Public Library}}
[[File:Albert St entrance, Waterloo Public Library (23112152935).jpg|thumb|The entrance to Waterloo Public Library's Main Branch in 2002]]
The [[Waterloo Public Library]] was founded in 1888. As of 2022, the library has 4 branches (in order of opening): the Main Branch, the Albert McCormick Branch, the John M. Harper Branch and the Eastside Branch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Locations and Hours |url=https://www.wpl.ca/your-library/locations-and-hours |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=Waterloo Public Library |language=en}}</ref> The Eastside Branch, opened May 7, 2022, is the newest branch built.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=Waterloo's new Eastside library opens May 7 |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/04/05/waterloos-new-eastside-library-opens-may-7.html |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=therecord.com |language=en}}</ref> The $10-million library is built into the existing [[RIM Park|RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex]] and has around 35,000 books.<ref name=":6" />

===Fire protection===
Fire protection and rescue services are provided by Waterloo Fire Rescue, a service of the City of Waterloo. As of 2020, there are four active fire stations in Waterloo. Waterloo Fire Rescue responds to fires, medical emergencies, car accidents and chemical incidents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fire and emergency services |date=June 24, 2019 |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/fire-and-emergency-services.aspx |publisher=City of Waterloo |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326223938/https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/fire-and-emergency-services.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> (Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services also responds to medical emergencies.) When the two-tier regional government system was implemented in the early 1970s, police service was moved to the regional government, but fire service remained at the local municipality (city or township) level. From time to time, the media and interested parties raise the question of whether this service should remain at the city level, or whether there might be cost savings or service improvements if the various fire services were merged into regional fire service. A 2019 newspaper article stated that "there would likely be no cost savings, but service would improve under [a] regionalized system," in the view of some former fire chiefs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Adam |last2=Jackson |first2=Bill |title=Region of Waterloo Fire Department? It's a possibility |url=https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/9227753-region-of-waterloo-fire-department-it-s-a-possibility/ |access-date=7 March 2020 |work=Waterloo Chronicle |date=March 18, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321145814/https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/9227753-region-of-waterloo-fire-department-it-s-a-possibility/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Policing===
[[Waterloo Regional Police Service]], the seventh-largest police service in the province of Ontario, provides general police service in the city of Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.wrps.on.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx |publisher=Waterloo Regional Police |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314212741/https://www.wrps.on.ca/en/about-us/about-us.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The Waterloo Regional Police North Division is located at 45 Columbia Street East, Waterloo. Waterloo Regional Police also serve the municipalities of Kitchener and Cambridge and the Townships of Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich and North Dumfries. City of Waterloo bylaws controlling matters such as parking, weeds and noise are enforced by city bylaw enforcement officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bylaws and enforcement |url=https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/bylaws-and-enforcement.aspx |website=www.waterloo.ca |publisher=City of Waterloo |access-date=7 March 2020 |language=en |date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326224755/https://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/bylaws-and-enforcement.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> The two universities each have special constables who are first responders to all emergencies at their respective university campuses. Special Constables may lay charges and/or make arrests under the same legal authority as police officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Special Constable Service {{!}} Students - Wilfrid Laurier University |url=https://students.wlu.ca/wellness-and-recreation/safety/special-constable-service/index.html |website=students.wlu.ca |publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401171312/https://students.wlu.ca/wellness-and-recreation/safety/special-constable-service/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2019, University of Waterloo Police Service had twenty-four Special Constables.<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Waterloo Police Service 2019 Annual Report |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/police/sites/ca.police/files/uploads/files/2019_annual_report_final.pdf |publisher=University of Waterloo |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131175027/https://uwaterloo.ca/police/sites/ca.police/files/uploads/files/2019_annual_report_final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rushowy |first1=Kristin |title=No 'cops' on campus: New law says special constables can't be called 'police' |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/no-cops-on-campus-new-law-says-special-constables-can-t-be-called-police/article_a98b6bcb-9797-556f-98e2-be4bcca50480.html |access-date=7 March 2020 |work=Toronto Star |date=2 August 2019 |language=en-CA }}</ref> Wilfrid Laurier University also has a Special Constable Service.
The Ontario Provincial Police patrols provincial highways.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario Provincial Police - What we do |url=https://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=121 |website=Ontario Provincial Police |access-date=7 March 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325100019/http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=121 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two homicides were reported in the Waterloo Region in 2021, neither of which was in the city of Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rate of homicides in Waterloo Region 'well below' national average |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/crime/2022/01/18/rate-of-homicides-in-waterloo-region-well-below-national-average.html |website=therecord.com |access-date=13 February 2022 |language=en |date=18 January 2022 |quote=Last year's homicides were reported on Paulander Drive [Kitchener] and Powell Road in Wellesley Township. |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213225617/https://www.therecord.com/news/crime/2022/01/18/rate-of-homicides-in-waterloo-region-well-below-national-average.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
{{See also|List of secondary schools in Ontario#Regional Municipality of Waterloo|List of Waterloo Region, Ontario schools#Waterloo 2}}

The [[Waterloo Region District School Board]] is the region's public school board. As of 2022, in Waterloo, they run 21 elementary schools (see [[List of Waterloo Region, Ontario schools#Waterloo 2|List of Waterloo Region, Ontario schools]]) and three secondary schools, which are [[Bluevale Collegiate Institute]], [[Laurel Heights Secondary School]], and [[Waterloo Collegiate Institute]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=School List |url=https://www.wrdsb.ca/our-schools/schools/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Waterloo Region District School Board |language=en}}</ref> The [[Waterloo Catholic District School Board]] is the region's catholic school board. As of 2022, in Waterloo, they run 8 elementary schools<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elementary Schools – Waterloo Catholic District School Board |url=https://www.wcdsb.ca/our-schools/elementary-schools/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |language=en-CA}}</ref> and one secondary school, which is [[St. David Catholic Secondary School]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secondary Schools – Waterloo Catholic District School Board |url=https://www.wcdsb.ca/our-schools/secondary-schools/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |language=en-CA}}</ref> There are a number of private and other schools not associated with the above boards, but there are no secondary schools in Waterloo unassociated with the boards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fraser Institute - School Ranking |url=https://www.compareschoolrankings.org/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.compareschoolrankings.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterloo Schools |url=https://www.newtowaterloo.com/waterloo-schools/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=New To Waterloo |language=en-US}}</ref>

Waterloo is home to the following universities and colleges: the [[University of Waterloo]], [[Wilfrid Laurier University]], [[St. Jerome's University]], [[St. Paul's University College]], [[Conrad Grebel University College]], [[Renison University College]], and [[Conestoga College]] (based in Kitchener but has a Waterloo campus). The University of Waterloo is a [[Public university|public research university]] that saw 37,884 students in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-02 |title=Student Headcounts |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/institutional-analysis-planning/university-data-and-statistics/student-data/student-headcounts |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Institutional Analysis & Planning |language=en}}</ref> The university has the largest post-secondary co-op program in the world<ref>{{Cite web |title=The world's largest co-op program |url=https://ontariosuniversities.ca/stories/the-worlds-largest-co-op-program |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Ontario's Universities |date=November 10, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> and ranked 151–200 in the world and 7–8 in Canada in the 2021 [[Academic Ranking of World Universities]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=http://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2021 |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.shanghairanking.com}}</ref> Wilfrid Laurier University saw about 20,000 students in 2022, including its campuses in [[Brantford]] and [[Milton, Ontario|Milton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Laurier {{!}} Wilfrid Laurier University |url=https://www.wlu.ca/about/index.html |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.wlu.ca}}</ref>

==Media==
{{Main|Media in Waterloo Region}}The ''[[Waterloo Region Record]]'' is a daily newspaper that covers the [[Region of Waterloo]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-19 |title=About Us |url=https://www.therecord.com/about/aboutus.html |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=therecord.com |language=en}}</ref> while the ''Waterloo Chronicle'' covers the city;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterloo Chronicle About Us |url=https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/community-static/5920527-waterloo-chronicle-about-us/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=www.waterloochronicle.ca}}</ref> both are published by [[Metroland Media Group]]. There are a number of FM radio stations that reach Waterloo, (see [[Media in Waterloo Region#Radio]]) although [[CKMS-FM]] is the only to broadcast out of the city.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Radio stations in Kitchener, ON |url=http://worldradiomap.com/ca/kitchener |publisher=World Radio Map}}</ref> [[CKGL]] (570 News) is the only AM radio station broadcasting from the Region.<ref name=":7" /> [[CKCO-DT]] ([[CTV Television Network|CTV]] Kitchener) is the only television station that broadcasts from the Region.

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
* [[Walter Bowman (soccer)|Walter Bowman]] (born 1870), First non-British player to play in the English Football League.
* [[Lorna Geddes]] (born 1943), ballerina with National Ballet of Canada
* [[Nate Haller]], country musician/singer
* [[Julie Karn]] (born 1996), soccer player
* [[Geoff Ward (ice hockey)|Geoff Ward]] (born 1962), ice hockey coach

==See also==
{{Portal|Ontario}}
* [[List of cities in Ontario]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Bloomfield |first=Elizabeth |title=Waterloo Township Through Two Centuries |date=1995 |location=Kitchener |publisher=Waterloo Historical Society |isbn=0-9699719-0-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/waterlootownship0000bloo/ |url-access=limited}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kraemer |first=George Leo |title=Faith and foundations : the Germanic pioneers of Waterloo County and Bruce County Ontario, 1828-1867 |date=2003 |publisher=Gogol Press |isbn=0-9733832-0-8 |location=Moncton, N.B. |oclc=60833126}}
* {{cite book |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Kenneth |title=Waterloo: An Illustrated History|last2=Jaeger |first2=Sharon |date=1990 |publisher=City of Waterloo |isbn=978-0897811125 |location=Waterloo}}
* {{cite book |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Kenneth |title=Waterloo: An Illustrated History, 1857–2007 |last2=Jaeger |first2=Sharon |date=2007 |publisher=City of Waterloo |isbn=978-0-9691175-1-3 |location=Waterloo}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{wikivoyage inline|Waterloo (Ontario)|Waterloo, Ontario}}
*{{official website|http://www.waterloo.ca}}

{{Waterloo, Ontario}}
{{Geographic location  <!-- This geo box is for DIRECTLY ADJACENT municipalities as standardized for all other municipalities -->
 | Centre    = Waterloo
 | North     = [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich]]
 | Northeast =
 | East      = [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich]]
 | Southeast = [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]]
 | South     =
 | Southwest = [[Wilmot, Ontario|Wilmot]]
 | West      =
 | Northwest = [[Wellesley, Ontario|Wellesley]]
}}
{{Geographic location
|title = Districts within Waterloo
|Northwest = Beechwood, Laurelwood, Laurel Creek Village, Columbia Forest, Upper Beechwood, Erbsville
|North     = Northdale, Lakeshore North, Lakeshore, Conservation Meadows
|Northeast = Eastbridge, Colonial Acres, Lincoln Village, Lexington, Carriage Crossing, Country Squire
|West      = Vista Hills, Clair Hills, Beechwood West, Maple Hills, Westvale
|Centre    = Uptown Waterloo
|East      = Lincoln Heights, University Downs, Kiwanis Park Estates
|Southwest = Westmount
|South     = Mary-Allen
|Southeast = 
}}

{{WaterlooRegion}}
{{Great Lakes Megalopolis}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Waterloo, Ontario| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ontario]]
[[Category:German diaspora in Canada]]
[[Category:High-technology business districts in Canada]]
[[Category:Lower-tier municipalities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Mennonitism in Ontario]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1857]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in Canada West]]