We are presenting a report and update to Kitchener City Council, which includes the findings from the recent citywide surve. The Special Council meeting takes place on Monday, May 4, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kitchener City Hall, Council Chambers.

More information, including how to register as an in-person or virtual delegation, can be found at kitchener.ca/meetings.

Where we are in the process

Over the past few months, we partnered with Abacus Data, a Canadian public‑opinion research firm, to better understand how residents feel about life in Kitchener today and what matters most moving forward.

Between March 23 and April 2, 2026, 861 residents shared their perspectives through a mix of phone and online surveys. This approach allowed us to reach a diverse cross‑section of the community and gather both detailed feedback and long‑term trend data. The results are statistically reliable and representative of Kitchener as a whole.

The 2026 survey builds on our 2022 Community Survey, keeping key tracking questions while adding new topics such as sustainability, public trust, everyday life in Kitchener, and views on the future. For the first time, results were also benchmarked against other large cities and a national dataset, helping us understand how Kitchener compares to broader trends across Canada..

What we heard at a high level

• Strong day‑to‑day satisfaction, weaker outlook: Most residents report good access to daily activities (83%), programs (80%), and a supportive environment for raising a family (78%), but fewer feel the city is planning effectively for the future (53%).
• Overall satisfaction with City services is strong relative to national benchmarks: Seven in ten Kitchener residents (70%) report being satisfied with City services overall, based on the 2026 Abacus survey conducted in Kitchener. This is significantly higher than the results from a parallel 2026 Abacus Omni survey of Canadians nationally (54%) and residents of comparable large cities (52%), indicating that Kitchener performs well on core municipal service delivery.
• Affordability shapes overall perception: Cost of living (32%) and housing affordability (29%) dominate resident concerns, far outweighing other issues.
• Uneven trust and satisfaction: Satisfaction with municipal government is moderate (51%) but drops among ages 35–49 (32%) compared to those 60+ (63%). Trust is limited, with fewer than half believing the City listens (44%), is transparent (39%), or accountable (40%).
• Economic priorities emphasize stability: Residents prioritize attracting employers (44%) and supporting small businesses (40%) for economic development.
• High service satisfaction, gaps in growth and core services: While overall satisfaction with City services is strong (69%), driven by parks (80%), recreation (74%), and culture (72%), satisfaction is lower for affordable housing and road maintenance (24% each).
• Community connection driven by access: 59% report feeling connected. Residents prioritize reducing financial barriers (54%) and improving access to public spaces (53%) to increase connection.
• Safety is a strength: 79% feel somewhat or very safe in their neighbourhood signalling deep confidence in safety.
• Tax value perceptions are mixed but comparatively strong: In the 2026 Abacus survey conducted in Kitchener, residents were split on whether they receive good value for their tax dollars (47% very good/good value; 50% fair/poor value). Even so, these results are higher than those from the parallel 2026 Abacus Omni survey of Canadians nationally (42% very good/good) and residents of comparable large cities (42% very good/good), indicating that Kitchener performs relatively well on perceived tax value.
• Preferences are evenly split across tax approaches: Four in ten residents (40%) favour holding taxes steady even if it means service reductions, while equal shares support tax increases - either at inflation to maintain services (21%) or above inflation to expand services (21%).
• Perceptions of municipal government are more positive locally: In the 2026 Abacus survey conducted in Kitchener, just over half of residents (51%) report satisfaction with their municipal government. This is higher than findings from the parallel 2026 Abacus Omni survey of Canadians nationally (45%) and residents of comparable large cities (39%), suggesting that Kitchener is viewed more favourably than peer jurisdictions.
• Divided confidence in direction: Just over half (52%) believe the city is on the right track while a growing share (22%) are unsure, pointing to an opportunity for clearer communication and public education.
• Strong attachment despite concerns: Most residents plan to stay in Kitchener over the next five years (70%), reflecting strong attachment to place.

Why this matters

Community surveys are one of the tools the City uses to understand resident priorities, track change over time, and ground decision‑making in real lived experience. The 2026 results help highlight where we are doing well, where expectations are changing, and where further engagement is needed.

Review the results and stay involved

We encourage you to review the full survey findings to learn more about what your neighbours shared and how your own experience fits into the bigger picture. To get updates about this project by email, click the + Follow button on the main page.