BestWR
Vision 1 Million Scorecard
As Waterloo Region prepares for rapid population growth, the Vision One Million Scorecard tracks how well our housing, transportation, healthcare, employment, and social infrastructure are keeping pace. Developed by BestWR in collaboration with the Future Cities Institute, this living document provides evidence-based insights to guide advocacy, inform decision-making, and prioritize action across the region.
In the housing category, version 1 updates the scores of all metrics. The metrics “building the hopes we need” and “supporting unhoused populations” increased, while the rest decreased.
In the transportation category, “expanding rail and transit infrastructure” increased, and “new highway 7” decreased. The remaining categories retained their scores.
In healthcare, support for older adults improved. Acute care split into ED waits (in progress), ambulance response (on track), and mental health/addiction support (needs attention).
In employment, scores rose for adding employment lands and tech talent. Job-related metrics were merged to track participation and unemployment, and electrical capacity was removed.
In placemaking and livability, childcare and greenhouse gas reduction scores declined. The social infrastructure score was removed, with readers directed to the Vital Signs report.
About the scorecard
Waterloo Region stands at the threshold of transformative growth, with projections indicating our population will reach 1 million residents within the next 25 years—an increase of over 300,000 people. Currently, our housing supply, transportation infrastructure, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and social infrastructure is not advancing at the pace needed overall to support this expansion.
To address this challenge proactively, BestWR has developed a scorecard that will track our collective progress and guide our advocacy efforts with government and private sector partners. This living document will be updated regularly to help prioritize our community’s agenda, focusing resources where they’re most needed.
While the scorecard doesn’t encompass every aspect of growth management, it concentrates on key initiatives that community members and business leaders have consistently identified as critical areas requiring immediate action. Though we’ve incorporated extensive feedback during its development, we welcome your additional insights and, most importantly, your active support in this vital regional initiative.
This is ‘version 1’ of the Vision One Million Scorecard. ‘Version 0’ outlined the categories the document explores, and identified some initial metrics that continue to be investigated. Version 1 was produced in collaboration with the Future Cities Institute at the University of Waterloo, following extensive research and interviews with experts and regional leadership. This version finalizes metrics for each category, provides background information, progress updates, and gives a summary of why a score was assigned.
Reading the scorecard
The scorecard uses a status system to show how Waterloo Region is performing across key areas needed to support growth.
ACHIEVED
Completed.
ON TRACK
Work is happening and it appears that the milestones to completion will be met
IN PROGRESS
Work is being done but there is uncertainty that goals will not be met without focused attention.
NEEDS ATTENTION
Very concerned that the goals will not be met and clear progress not being seen.
NO ASSESSMENT
Insufficient data is currently available to assign a status.
Who we are
BestWR
The Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BestWR) is comprised of five leading business organizations working as partners for economic prosperity and community needs. Currently chaired by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, BestWR includes: Communitech, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Explore Waterloo Region, and the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.
Future Cities Institute
The Future Cities Institute was founded by CAIVAN at the University of Waterloo to help local governments build better cities. The institute brings together global thinkers, industry leaders, and researchers to tackle urban challenges across housing, climate, infrastructure, and beyond, supporting healthy, prosperous cities that are resilient, inclusive, and built for the future.
We rely on your feedback.
To improve the BestWR Community Scorecard, we consulted with experts and community members alike. Now we'd like to hear your thoughts.
We are always open to feedback or ideas on how to improve.