I'm Ready to Serve on Regional Council
- Simon Guthrie
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
There is a vacancy on Waterloo Regional Council, and I have applied to fill it. There's a whole process, and there's a nice capture of by The Record "44 applications for vacant Waterloo Region council seat". Part of the process was an invitation to write up to 5 pages to express our interest and qualifications. Here is what I provided to council...
My name is Simon Guthrie, and I’m applying to serve on Waterloo Regional Council. I have lived in Kitchener since 2006 and in Waterloo Region since 1993. My family and I have grown through careers, community, and the education system. Within a short walk of my front door are three elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, a swimming pool, a library, an arena, ball diamonds, two grocery stores, the Grand River, and regional arterials like Victoria and Lackner with their multipurpose trails. Downtown Kitchener and the ION transit corridor are within easy reach. I live in a complete community!
I have experienced Waterloo Region through neighbourhoods, sports clubs, the University of Waterloo, Conrad Grebel University College, the tech community, the nonprofit sector, and faith groups… as a driver, a cyclist, on transit, and as a pedestrian… in University residence, as a renter, and as a homeowner… employed, underemployed, unemployed, volunteer, and in organizational governance.
The arc of my life has stretched from the technical to the human, from systems to relationships, from evidence to action; this is why I’m drawn to public service. The problems we face now, in housing, transit, community safety, and climate, require this same blend of rigour and compassion. These problems demand leaders who can think critically, build trust, and navigate difficult decisions in ways that bring people together.
This application reflects my conviction that we need leaders who value evidence, who invest in relationships, and who strive for consensus. These are not just tactics, but are a way of being. I hope to bring that approach to the Council and serve in a way that strengthens the social fabric of our region.
Over the past few years, I’ve put my name forward for different levels of government. It’s not because I believe one level is more important than another, but because I believe they all need to be more local. The real work of democracy doesn’t just happen on Parliament Hill or at Queen’s Park. It happens in neighbourhoods, in community halls, and around kitchen tables. And it’s at the local level where decisions have the most immediate impact on our daily lives; where we live, how we move, whether we feel safe, and whether we feel included.
Local governance matters because it’s closest to the people. In a time of deepening polarisation and social fragmentation, we need leaders who don’t just manage systems, but rebuild trust. That means listening deeply, strengthening the social fabric, and ensuring residents see themselves reflected in decisions that affect them.
Regional Council is where policies meet lived experience… Where transit routes intersect with affordability… Where housing intersects with health… Where relationships across sectors make or break the effectiveness of our responses. This is not abstract work. It’s profoundly human work, and it demands leadership that understands both systems and people.
I believe local government is the level best positioned to restore what our politics so often lacks: connection, responsiveness, and a sense of shared purpose. That’s why I’m applying… not to climb to the mountaintop, but to help repair the foundation.
I approach leadership as a scientific thinker, the same way I approach the world around us. This means staying curious, staying open to new evidence, and being unafraid to change my mind. It means challenging assumptions, not just defending them. It means asking questions to build understanding, not to win arguments. I bring that same mindset to civic life. I believe strong leadership is not about certainty, but about clarity, humility, and continuous learning.
The leadership I offer is grounded in three core commitments.
First, I value evidence. I bring both academic and practical experience to the table, knowing the difference between data and wisdom, and the importance of both. Whether it’s in housing policy, transit planning, or public health & safety, decisions must be guided by the best available information, gathered rigorously and used transparently. And further, those decisions must be taken with responsibility and accountability.
Second, I foster relationships. Strong communities don’t just happen but are built over time. They’re built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. I’ve spent years investing in social capital across the region, working alongside neighbours, frontline workers, service providers, and volunteers. Relationships aren’t an optional part of leadership. They must be recognized as the infrastructure that holds it all together.
Third, I strive for consensus. That doesn’t mean everyone always agrees. Instead, it means we create the conditions where people feel heard, respected, and included in the process. I’ve led diverse groups through hard conversations, and I’ve seen the power of what’s possible when people move from entrenched positions to shared goals.
In a region as dynamic and diverse as ours, we need leaders who can hold complexity, navigate disagreement, and build bridges across difference. That’s the kind of leadership I offer… grounded in evidence, built on relationships, and oriented toward the common good.
I’ve built a career that bridges the technical and the human — and I bring both to the table.
I hold graduate degrees in Physics and in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Waterloo. As a student in Physics & Astronomy, I explored how to identify cancer earlier and non-invasively. In Optometry & Vision Science, I pointed lasers into eyes… safely! Curiosity and precision shaped my career as I designed and built advanced optical systems, developed patented technologies in digital cinema and hyperspectral imaging, and led multi-partner research projects across industry and academia. That work gave me a deep appreciation for systems thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and long-range planning.
Over time, I came to believe that the most urgent problems we face aren’t technical, but are human. And so I shifted to bring the same rigour to a different kind of work: community building, public policy, and restorative justice. In Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel University College, I investigated how faith communities were navigating the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Mennonite Central Committee, I led Circles of Support & Accountability - a program grounded in both compassion and evidence as we supported people reintegrating into the community after incarceration. I also led workshops in Active Bystandership, working with participants across Southern Ontario to reflect on how they can be part of building a safer and more peaceful community. These experiences have given me firsthand insight into how policy intersects with real lives and how crucial relationships and trust are in that work.
In 2025, I ran for federal office in the riding of Waterloo. It was a humbling and energizing experience, and one that required deep listening, real-time policy engagement, and countless conversations with residents about the issues that matter most. It sharpened my understanding of regional priorities and deepened my commitment to democratic renewal. I have also sought, through elections, to lead and represent municipally and provincially. I’ve supported campaigns locally, knocked on thousands of doors in Kitchener and Waterloo, had conversations with hundreds of my neighbours, and built a reputation for being collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded. For me, this isn’t about political ambition but rather about public service, and the belief that every level of government needs voices who know how to build social capital.
Beyond my professional roles, I’ve served in both frontline and governance capacities across Waterloo Region. I’ve volunteered with programs supporting people transitioning from homelessness, those navigating addiction and recovery, and newcomers building new lives. I’ve also chaired meetings, built budgets, mediated conflict, and worked to ensure organizations reflect the communities they serve.
My experience with budgeting goes back over two decades to my time leading the Graduate Student Association at the University of Waterloo while at the same time sitting on the Senate and Board of Governors. At the time, hot topics included student healthcare, housing policy, and the risk of relying on unregulated international student tuition. We’re still talking about these today! Since then, I’ve participated in budget processes at organizations small and not-so-small. I’ve always done it with an eye toward transparency, fairness, and impact.
In every role I’ve taken on, I’ve worked hard to strengthen the relationships that hold our communities together and to ensure the systems we build reflect the values we share.
I’m applying to Regional Council because I believe in the power of local government to make real and lasting change. This is the level where policy meets people. It’s where evidence, empathy, and relationships come together to shape the future of our communities.
If appointed, I will give this work my full attention. This is a time when Council must engage deeply with difficult questions and I intend to bring the time, care, and presence that this moment requires. I will commit to not seeking other elected office for the remainder of the 2022-2026 council term.
I bring a unique blend of experience: a background in both science and social justice, in innovation and inclusion. I think critically, lead collaboratively, and stay grounded in the relationships that build trust and momentum over time. Whether in technical design labs, justice-focused nonprofits, or budget committees, I’ve worked across sectors and silos to solve problems that matter. As technology continues to reshape how we live, work, and govern, my experiences uniquely equip me to lead. I understand the complexities of emerging technologies and how they intersect with ethics, equity, and community life. Regional Council increasingly faces decisions that involve digital infrastructure, surveillance, automation, and access to information. These decisions must be made with both technical literacy and social insight, and I bring both.
Above all, I believe that leadership is not about asserting authority — it’s about strengthening social capital. It’s about showing up, listening well, and helping people move forward together. That’s the kind of leadership I offer. And it’s why I would be honoured to serve the people of Kitchener and this region as a member of Council.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I welcome questions and look forward to any opportunity to expand on anything included here. You can reach me by email or on the web for more information.
Simon Guthrie MSc MPACS