As summer comes to an end and a new school year begins, I know many of you are also turning your attention to the 2026 Kitchener municipal election.
Four years ago, you once again placed your trust in me to serve as Mayor of the community I love. I am humbled by the progress we have made together during increasingly challenging times. Every time I see you in our community, work for you at City Hall, or represent you at Queen’s Park or in Ottawa, I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of serving as your Mayor.
Thank you.I know that trust must be earned every day, and I have never taken it, or you, for granted.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to meet thousands of you at your doors, in our parks and community centres, at festivals, places of worship, local businesses and neighbourhood gatherings. You’ve shared your hopes for your families, your worries about our community, and your ideas for making Kitchener better. Sometimes you’ve offered a kind word; other times, some well-deserved constructive advice.
Every one of those conversations has reminded me who I work for and why this work matters.
Together, we have accomplished a great deal over the past four years.
I’ve worked tirelessly with Council to ensure Kitchener has had thelowest cumulative tax rate increase of any area municipality, helping keep your costs down while investing in the services you depend on. We’ve accelerated housing, invested in roads, parks, trails and recreation, supported local businesses and jobs, strengthened our downtown, and worked to build safe and welcoming neighbourhoods where everyone can belong.
I’m proud of our progress. But these are challenging times, and we need to keep doing everything we can to make life more manageable.
Families are stretching every dollar. Young people are questioning what their futures will look like. Seniors want to remain in the community they helped build. Businesses and workers need greater certainty. And homelessness, mental health and addiction are affecting people we know; and neighbours who need our compassion and help.
I know I have the skills, experience and proven collaborative approach needed to lead Kitchener through the challenges ahead. There is more work to do, and I have the energy, determination and heart to do it.
My focus for the next four years is straightforward: keep Kitchener affordable, build more housing, improve the roads and infrastructure you rely on, protect local jobs, strengthen neighbourhoods, and ensure our transforming city continues to deliver the services and quality of life you expect.
Kitchener has changed enormously since I was first elected. We are bigger, more diverse and increasingly recognized across Canada and around the world. But what I love most about our city hasn’t changed.
Kitchener is still a community where neighbours help neighbours. Where people step forward when someone needs a hand. Where we don’t simply talk about belonging; we work to make room for everyone.
After more than three decades of public service, I still feel incredibly fortunate to call Kitchener home, and profoundly humbled that you have entrusted me with the privilege of serving you. I continue to get excited about what we can accomplish together, and I believe deeply that our city’s best days are ahead.
That’s why I’m asking for your trust and support once again; not because our work is finished, but because there is still so much more we can accomplish together.
Let’s keep building a Kitchener that is affordable and prosperous, compassionate and safe, ambitious about its future and always caring at its heart.
And most importantly, let’s keep building it the way Kitchener always has - together.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the extraordinary privilege of serving you, and the city I love and am so proud to call home.
On October 26, I humbly ask for your vote, and the opportunity to keep serving you and our community.
With gratitude,
Berry Vrbanovic
HOW YOU CAN HELP TO RE-ELECT BERRY VRBANOVIC FOR MAYOR
