Municipalities launch new-and-improved online public engagement site (EngageWR) to empower residents 

On February 20, 2025, the municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich, and the Region of Waterloo launched a new and improved version of the EngageWR platform. This interactive website provides community members a more accessible way for engaging with local government projects and initiatives.

Since its inception in 2018, the EngageWR site has helped municipalities communicate and engage with the people they serve. The EngageWR collaborative is pleased to welcome Wellesley Township to this partnership. The new platform will provide more opportunities for feedback and inclusive participation, giving residents more ways to connect with their local governments.   

The new platform is user-friendly, featuring interactive tools to improve the overall experience and offer more meaningful participation. Users will also benefit from upgraded accessibility features and more personalized content.  

What’s new and what’s staying the same?  

The new EngageWR platform will feature a fresh design, with a look and feel familiar to users. The platform URL, https://www.engagewr.ca/, remains the same, and current users can access the new site without needing to create a new account. Additionally, all saved project links will remain intact.  

Key updates to the platform include:

• Enhanced interactivity: more ways to engage with projects and provide feedback.  
• Personalized notifications: users can now select their preferences for notifications based on project categories and municipalities of interest.  
• Improved accessibility: the platform is now designed to ensure that all users, regardless of ability or tech savvy, can easily navigate and participate.  

This initiative is a step forward in enhancing communication and participation between local governments and residents. All seven municipalities hope to increase public participation in projects that impact their community, while demonstrating their commitment to inclusion and transparency.    

Residents are encouraged to visit https://www.engagewr.ca/ to explore new features, select notifications for categories of interest, follow specific projects and learn more about opportunities for input in their community.  

Media Contacts:

• Lynsey Slupeiks, Region of Waterloo lslupeiks@regionofwaterloo.ca    
• Teresa Chiavaroli, City of Cambridge chiavarolit@cambridge.ca    
• Tracy Jasmins, City of Kitchener tracy.jasmins@kitchener.ca  
• Stacey Abbott, City of Waterloo Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca  
• Samantha Sernoski, Township of Wellesley SSernoski@wellesley.ca  
• Brett O’Reilly, Township of Wilmot brett.oreilly@wilmot.ca  
• Rae Ann Bauman, Township of Woolwich communications@woolwich.ca 

About EngageWR  

EngageWR is a collaboration between the municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich, and the Region of Waterloo. It offers a single online platform to engage residents and partners on local government projects. With the goal of improving transparency and participation, EngageWR allows users to stay informed and contribute to initiatives that affect their communities.  

-30-