Waterloo Mayor 2026 Independent candidate guide Can I vote? ↗
Portrait of Dorothy McCabe

Candidate for Mayor of Waterloo · Candidate profile

Dorothy McCabe

Stated goals and qualifications drawn from the candidate’s campaign website.

Status
Campaign sources reviewed
Candidate record
May 1, 2026
Campaign website Email campaign

The goals and qualifications below summarize statements published by the candidate’s campaign. Each item links to its campaign source.

Goals for the term

Basic Needs

  • Build more housing and continue pursuing affordable and attainable housing. CLEAR Source ↗

Economic

  • Keep taxes responsible and invest wisely to support affordability. VAGUE Source ↗
  • Support local businesses, investment, jobs, partnerships and retention of local talent. VAGUE Source ↗

Environment

  • Develop a vision that includes climate-ready infrastructure. CLEAR Source ↗

Government

Public Services

  • Invest in neighbourhoods, parks, arts, festivals and public spaces. CLEAR Source ↗
  • Find ways to engage busy residents and newcomers in community volunteering. CLEAR Source ↗

Qualifications and experience

  • Was first elected Mayor of Waterloo in 2022. Source ↗
  • Represents Waterloo on Region of Waterloo Council and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario board. Source ↗
  • Passed Waterloo’s first Affordable Housing Strategy during her first term as mayor. Source ↗
  • Launched Build Now on city-donated land during her first term, including Union1’s planned 85 sustainable cooperative homes. Source ↗
  • Supported the selection of the University of Waterloo Research and Technology Park for Waterloo’s new hospital. Source ↗
  • During her first term, the City invested $540,000 in a medtech program intended to support the growth of 45 local startups. Source ↗
  • During her first term, the City began planting 10,000 trees across 82 locations. Source ↗
  • During her first term, construction began on a Vista Hills neighbourhood park. Source ↗
  • During her first term, an Eastbridge splashpad opened. Source ↗
  • During her first term, a cricket pitch was added. Source ↗
  • During her first term, improvements to Waterloo Park continued. Source ↗
  • Helped launch the Support Local campaign during her first term. Source ↗
  • During her first term, the City partnered in the Waterloo Region AI Coalition to help small businesses. Source ↗
  • Has nearly 20 years of community leadership experience spanning municipal, provincial and federal governments, nonprofits and the private sector in Waterloo Region. Source ↗
  • Earned a bachelor’s degree in communications studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Source ↗
  • Played on the Wilfrid Laurier University basketball team. Source ↗
  • Earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Western Ontario in 2015. Source ↗
  • Chaired a local Syrian refugee sponsorship committee. Source ↗
  • Chaired a local school council. Source ↗
  • Volunteered with Climate Action Waterloo Region. Source ↗
  • Volunteered with Parents for Community Living. Source ↗
  • Volunteered with a neighbourhood association social committee. Source ↗
  • Coached youth basketball teams. Source ↗
  • Served on the board of a local community health centre. Source ↗
  • Volunteered in Zimbabwe with Canadian Crossroads International. Source ↗