Guest Speakers included: |
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Melissa BowmanMelissa Bowman is a community advocate interested in city-building, local politics, and social justice. She writes a weekly blog, Citified, that explores many of those issues. In 2018, she ran for local council in Kitchener. Melissa is also co-founder of Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard, a grassroots group that urges the cities of Waterloo Region to allow for more housing, especially affordable housing.In addition to the above, you can find Melissa on Mastodon, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Jörg BroshekJörg Broschek holds the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance and is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research examines how regions, provinces and the federal level respond to economic and political challenges through reform and adaptation. He is a Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and serves on the Board of the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) as Secretary-Treasurer. Jörg is a passionate resident of Waterloo Region. He has been a member of Kitchener’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) and the Board of the Mount Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association (MHBPNA) since 2021.
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Sam NabiSam Nabi (he/him) is a co-owner of Full Circle Foods and member of Hold The Line Waterloo Region an organization that educates people about preserving our countryside while encouraging growth in livable downtown neighbourhoods. Hold The Line has organized festivals bringing together musicians, cyclists, foodies, and environmentalists on local farms. Sam also championed the pedestrianization of Gaukel Street in downtown Kitchener, by bringing together artists, businesses, and neighbours to advocate to city council. You can find Sam on Twitter (for now), Mastodon, or at your local DIY music show.
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Andrea PerrellaAndrea Perrella is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo. He researches public opinion, political participation, and the media. His research has been published in a variety of scientific journals and edited volumes, including the Canadian Journal of Political Science, Canadian Public Policy, International Journal of Press/Politics, Journal of Urban Affairs, among others. He also regularly serves as a source for media interviews on topics that pertain to elections and contemporary political issues.
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Matt RodriguesMatt Rodrigues ran as a Kitchener Candidate for Regional Council in the 2022 municipal election. His platform focused on building a community that left no one behind, as a forward-thinking, responsive, and connected Region. He is an urban planner by trade and served as the former Chair of Kitchener's Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee. As a renter who does not own a car and relies on public transit and cycling, Matt understands how we can and need to improve these services across Kitchener, and continues to advocate in those spaces.
The 2022 municipal election had significant issues on the ballot and many open seats. Despite this and with voter turnout at a low of 20% in Kitchener, Matt is no stranger to low voter participation and its impact on the candidates running for office. |