Waterloo Region launches new-and-improved EngageWR website

Galen Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Region of Waterloo and its six member municipalities are hoping to better engage area residents with municipal projects and initiatives following the recent launch of the region’s new-and-improved EngageWR online public-engagement platform.

Since its inception in 2018, EngageWR has helped the municipalities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Wilmot, Woolwich and the Region of Waterloo communicate and engage with the people they serve. The EngageWR collaborative has now welcomed Wellesley township to this partnership and the new platform is intended to provide more opportunities for feedback and inclusive participation, giving residents more ways to connect with their local governments.

“The Township of Wellesley is pleased to be joining the new EngageWR platform,” said Wellesley executive administrator Samantha Sernoski. “We’re excited to engage with residents in this new way and hope the platform becomes a valuable resource for staying informed about current and ongoing projects and initiatives within our township.

“We encourage the public to use our EngageWR page to learn about new projects and to follow updates and participate when appropriate. At the Township of Wellesley, we believe that by sharing ideas and discussing key issues, we can work together to create positive change.”

The new EngageWR platform features a fresh design with a look and feel familiar to users. The platform URL, 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 remain intact. 

New features of 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. 

“The Township of Wilmot is thrilled to offer this upgraded platform, which is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency,” Wilmot communications specialist Brett O’Reilly said. “EngageWR opens the door to enhanced, two-way communication and we look forward to connecting with more residents, more often.

“We encourage you to explore current and past projects, and to subscribe to the site to be notified when new initiatives are added. By registering and sharing your feedback, you can help to shape the future of Wilmot.”