On March 6, 2026, leaders from across the region gathered at the University of Waterloo for the Healthy Waterloo Summit to create new ways to improve the health and well-being of local residents. The event brought together municipal leaders, health partners, business owners, and researchers to discuss how things like housing and transit affect the lives of people in Waterloo, Ontario.
During the meeting, experts focused on a broad view of health that looks beyond just seeing a doctor. They discussed how factors like local recreation, public transit, and how people connect with their neighbours are just as important for a healthy life as medical care.
According to University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel, improving daily habits could have a significant impact on how long people live. He noted that if people in Ontario had similar lifestyle habits to those in British Columbia, such as better diets and more physical activity, they could add seven years to their life expectancy.
The summit also highlighted future projects for the region, including a planned hospital on the university campus. Former university president David Johnston described the hospital as a major development that will bring together top professionals from across the area to serve the community.
Mayor Dorothy McCabe and other local officials are using the ideas from the summit to help reach the university’s “Waterloo at 100” goal. This long-term plan aims to turn the city and campus into a place where new health research is put into practice to help everyone in the community.
