Kitchener, Ontario

The City of Kitchener, in southwestern Ontario, Canada, has a population of 190,399 (2001 census). The metropolitan area, which includes the two neighbouring cities of Waterloo and Cambridge, has 414,284 people, making it the eleventh largest in Canada by population. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CMA-C.cfm?CMA=541&T=2&SR=1&S=1&O=A It is the seat of the Waterloo Regional Municipality, and is adjacent to the smaller cities of Cambridge to the south, and Waterloo to the north. Kitchener and Waterloo are often referred to jointly as "the twin cities" or "K-W" (Kitchener-Waterloo), although they have separate municipal governments.

Government

Kitchener is governed by a council of six councillors, representing wards or

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districts, and a mayor. Kitchener residents also elect four councillors at large to sit with the mayor on the council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The current mayor of Kitchener is Carl Zehr, who was re-elected handily to his third term in November 2003, after first being elected in 1997 and reelected in 2000. Before that, he sat as a municipal councillor from 1985-1994.

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In 1976, residents of Kitchener voted almost 2-1 in favour of a Ward system. The first municipal election held under the ward system occurred in 1978.

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The City Councillors, plus the Mayor, make up the entire City of Kitchener Council. Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities. The residents of each ward vote for one person to be their City Councillor; their voice and representative on City Council.

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