Dorothy McCabe Incumbent
Running for Mayor of Waterloo · in office since 2022
Raising water conservation as an ongoing need in a region pumping more groundwater than it can replace.
Background
Dorothy McCabe is the incumbent mayoral candidate for the City of Waterloo, first elected as mayor in 2022. An experienced community leader for nearly 20 years, she has worked with municipal, provincial and federal governments; non-profits, and the private sector across Waterloo Region. She first lived in Waterloo as a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, earning a bachelor's degree in communications studies. In 2015, she also earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Where they stand
Each position pairs what they say with what they did.
AI data centres
Study and regulate
What they did:
Supports studying/regulating impacts; pro-tech investment.
Environment
Climate action as infrastructure
“I continue to raise at the region and in the city the need to think about water consumption and put conservation projects and programs in place.”
What they did:
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe views environmental protection and climate action as foundational to long-term economic prosperity and community resilience. Since taking office in 2022, she has consistently integrated sustainability goals directly into city planning, infrastructure investment, and regional advocacy. The water quote is from her 2026 State of the City remarks; the region is pumping more groundwater than it can replace.
AMO biographyThe Record, Great Lakes freshwater initiativeThe Record, re-election
Housing
Densification on public land
What they did:
She supports densification but strongly advocates that municipalities should be evaluated on the housing factors they actually control, rather than developer-driven metrics. She views housing as the city's most pressing challenge, focusing her administration heavily on streamlining approvals, utilizing public land, and protecting local democracy. In June 2026, she celebrated the groundbreaking of Canada's largest affordable housing project at 2025 University Ave E., a collaboration with Build Now and Habitat for Humanity to build over 1,000 affordable and attainable units. She maintains that Waterloo can achieve its provincially mandated housing targets (16,000 new homes by 2031) within existing urban boundaries.
CBC, provincial housing fund changesCity of Waterloo, groundbreakingCBC, Habitat affordable housing on city-owned landMayoral decisions
Land use
Smart growth, no sprawl
What they did:
Dorothy McCabe strongly advocates for a "smart growth" land use strategy, emphasizing urban intensification, transit-oriented infill development, and strict protection of natural heritage and agricultural lands. She firmly resists urban sprawl and opposes provincial mandates that force expansion into protected rural areas.
The Record, put 70 hectares back into the countryside lineThe Record, planning authority shifted to localCityNews, countryside line motionMunicipal World, finding balance
Policing
Balanced public safety
What they did:
Dorothy McCabe emphasizes balanced public safety, prioritizing clear communication and multi-agency cooperation while remaining critical of overly aggressive policing tactics.
CBC, response to police sniper at St. Patrick's Day partyCityNews, state of the city
Public funds
Invest now, 27% tax rise
What they did:
She focuses on striking a careful balance between aggressive infrastructure investment and long-term community affordability. She stands firmly behind using public funds to address immediate municipal pressures, leading council choices that increased Waterloo's share of property taxes by 27 per cent between 2023 and 2026 to target the community's core priorities. McCabe advocates for heavy intergovernmental fiscal support while rejecting centralized mayoral budget controls to protect local democracy.
Mayoral decisionsThe Record, Waterloo tax increaseCityNews, Ontario Big City Mayors
Transit
Transit as equity
What they did:
Dorothy McCabe views public transit as a critical driver of equity, economic development, and climate action. Rather than just a mechanism for moving people, she describes transit as central to community belonging and talent attraction. Her stance emphasizes structural affordability, service retention, and multi-modal safety.
Region of Waterloo councillor profileCityNews, free transit for children and seniorsCBC, proposed transit fare hikeCTV, LRT safety measures
Transparency
Local democracy, against Bill 100
What they did:
Dorothy McCabe advocates for public transparency, democratic processes, and open consultation. Her stance on transparency is deeply linked to her belief in robust local democracy and community collaboration. On the province's plan to appoint regional chairs, McCabe said she worries the person holding the position of regional chair will "come with a mandate letter from the province telling them what to do in our community."
Mayoral decisionsCBC, local mayors react to appointed regional chair
What they are promising
Their own platform, in their own words. Not checked against their record.
Making Waterloo More Affordable. Build more housing, keep taxes responsible, improve city services, and invest wisely to make everyday life more affordable for Waterloo residents.
Creating More Local Opportunity. Support local businesses, attract investment, streamline approvals, and strengthen partnerships that create jobs and grow Waterloo's economy.
Building a More Vibrant Waterloo. Invest in neighbourhoods, parks, arts, festivals, and public spaces while delivering modern city services that bring people together year-round.
Sources
- https://dorothymccabe.ca/
- https://fortherecord.policyshift.ca/c/waterloo-on-dorothy-mccabe
- https://www.amo.on.ca/dorothy-mccabe-biography
- https://www.waterloo.ca/council-and-committees/mayor-and-city-council/mayoral-decisions/
- https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/waterloo-mccabe-re-election/article_5d3d5879-02f3-55a7-9bc0-73ff5ae6b11e.html
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/region-of-waterloo-chair-position-local-mayors-reaction-9.7302827
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/preview-of-the-2026-mayoral-races-in-cambridge-kitchener-and-waterloo/
