Facebook · November 2, 2026
Applications are open for employers looking to hire young Canadians through the Canada Summer Jobs program. If your business or organization could use extra help this summer, apply by December 3!
Your MP at Work
Kelly DeRidder on Jobs, innovation and local business
Kitchener Centre is known as Canada's Innovation Capital, and Kelly DeRidder is working to keep that talent and technology growing right here at home. She has toured local companies such as Ivis Inc., SmartTrace Software Development and SkyWatch Space Applications. She also visited Communitech, joined the Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor Summit, and took part in the Nigerians in the Region of Waterloo Tech Showcase. Kelly also hosted a Tech Townhall to talk about keeping innovation Canadian and protecting intellectual property.
Kelly has also spoken up for local jobs and trade. She held a CUSMA roundtable with local businesses and was joined by MPs Randy Hoback and Shuv Majumdar to hear how Canada-U.S. trade affects the community. She has said that Canadian companies should be part of the supply chain and that procurement should focus on Canadian innovation.
Her weekly business features shine a light on local favourites like 271 West Restaurant, Charcoal Steak House, The Guitar Corner, Metro Restaurant, Markatoo Fresh Produce, Mom's Bread & Pie Co. and Mac Repair Man. She also congratulated Rapid Precision Machining and Gearing on 50 years in business. She has supported career and skills programs such as NIROW's Uncover Your Spark workshop and the YouthForce 2026 graduation. Browse the posts, videos and speeches below.
193 posts, videos and speeches.
Facebook · October 31, 2026
Our downtown communities deserve to feel safe. We need real solutions to the drug crisis that connect people with treatment, support recovery, and make our streets safer for everyone.
Facebook · October 30, 2026
AI will shape our economy, security and future. But if we don’t control our data, we risk giving away a critical national asset. Canada needs data sovereignty so Canadian data remains under Canadian control.
Facebook · October 25, 2026
Kitchener is Canada’s innovation capital, built on resilience, creativity, and determination. I’m proud to support initiatives that strengthen our local economy. If you need, assistance, please reach out to my office!
Facebook · October 25, 2026
Great to welcome Senator Jim Quinn to the Conservative Caucus and discuss how data and innovation can drive economic growth in Kitchener and across Atlantic Canada.
Facebook · October 23, 2026
Oktoberfest may be over for another year, but the community spirit lives on! Thank you to all the local businesses, organizations, volunteers and everyone who helped make this year’s celebrations so special. From TechToberfest and Chamberfest to Damenfest and events supporting … Read more
great local causes, it’s traditions like these that bring our community together. Prost!
YouTube · October 22, 2026
Kitchener Needs Answers
Today, I presented a petition on behalf of Kitchener Centre residents demanding answers about the Rogers radio closures. During the Shaw acquisition, assurances were made that local radio would not be impacted. Kitchener residents deserve answers and accountability. Local jobs,… Read more
local news, and our community’s voice matter.
Facebook · October 22, 2026
Today, I presented a petition on behalf of Kitchener Centre residents demanding answers about the Rogers radio closures. During the Shaw acquisition, assurances were made that local radio would not be impacted. Kitchener residents deserve answers and accountability. Local jobs,… Read more
local news, and our community’s voice matter.
House of Commons · October 22, 2026
House of Commons: Routine Proceedings — Petitions — Local Radio
Mr. Speaker, today I am presenting a petition on behalf of Kitchener Centre residents concerned about the Rogers radio closures and their impact on our community. During the Shaw acquisition campaign, assurances were made that local radio would not be impacted. Petitioners want… Read more
to know what the response is to these closures, and whether Rogers will be held accountable for breaking those assurances. These closures threaten local jobs, access to local news and voices of our community. Kitchener residents deserve answers, and this petition is an important step towards holding Rogers accountable.
Facebook · October 19, 2026
Attention Kitchener Centre Innovators! 🚀 Applications are now open for funding to help businesses adopt AI, bring Canadian AI solutions to market, and scale their innovations. If you're looking to grow your business and embrace new technology, this could be an opportunity for… Read more
you!
Facebook · October 13, 2026
Oktoberfest is about more than the celebrations. It’s about the people, businesses and traditions that make Kitchener unique. We were pleased to host Germany In Canada German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg along side Dr. Matt Strauss for tours of WEICON, Bergman North America, … Read more
Finest Sausage and Meat, and Sproll’s Fine German Bakery. From clean technology to family-run businesses carrying on generations of German baking and sausage-making traditions, it was a great opportunity to showcase the local businesses that make our community special. Thank you to everyone who welcomed us!
Facebook · October 6, 2026
WOW!! Jim Balsillie’s $4.5 million donation to support local food banks is an incredible investment in our community. We need more people like Jim stepping up, while also creating the conditions that allow people to build a good life, find opportunity and stay here in Canada. … Read more
This is the amazing thing that happens in community when we have globally competitive companies, headquartered right here in Kitchener!
Facebook · October 5, 2026
If your business, job, or workplace has been affected by tariffs, check the link bio to learn more and reach out to our office. We want to hear how these measures are affecting businesses, workers and employers here in Kitchener Centre, and find ways we can help.
Facebook · October 3, 2026
If Canada doesn’t build, we risk becoming dependent on others for the technology shaping our future. As Canada's Innovation Capital, Kitchener Centre, we need to create a Canada where companies can build, monetize and scale here at home. I will continue to push for policies that… Read more
make it happen.
Facebook · October 2, 2026
Congratulations to Marvelous Minds Early Learning Centre on your grand opening! It’s exciting to see new spaces opening in our community where children can learn, grow and thrive. Wishing the team many years of success!
Facebook · October 1, 2026
Canada should be a place where entrepreneurs want to build, grow and stay. We need to remove the barriers that are pushing Canadian talent and investment south and make Canada the freest, lowest-taxed and simplest place to build a business. We are Canada’s Innovation Capital he… Read more
re in Kitchener and our entrepreneur's need an environment that they can thrive.
Facebook · September 29, 2026
Stronger international relationships mean new opportunities for Canada’s Innovation Capital, Kitchener Centre. Proud to see our work with Angola continue to grow.
Facebook · September 27, 2026
Canada has the talent and ideas to lead. What’s missing is a system that helps Canadian innovation grow here, protects our IP, and keeps the value of our research in Canada. Kitchener Centre shows what’s possible when talent, research and commercialization come together.
Facebook · September 24, 2026
Congrats to Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region SASC Waterloo Region YWCA Cambridge Jess Dixon and so many others on their advocacy for SHE Builds. It’s great to see $2 million in provincial funding announced for this new program supporting women and gender-diverse surviv… Read more
ors of gender-based violence in Waterloo Region. Designed with survivors in mind, SHE Builds will help women explore new futures and find work in the skilled trades.
Facebook · September 17, 2026
Congratulations to the YouthForce 2026 graduates! It was inspiring to celebrate the hard work, growth and accomplishments of this year’s graduates. Wishing each of you the very best as you take your next steps and continue building your future.
Facebook · September 15, 2026
Kitchener Centre is Canada’s innovation capital. Right here in Kitchener, companies are building dual-use technologies for civilian and defence applications, while others are already providing innovative products and services to the federal government. The talent and technology… Read more
are here. Now we need to make sure procurement is focused on Canadian innovation.
Facebook · September 14, 2026
A great afternoon with NIROW at their Uncover Your Spark Career Workshop. It was inspiring to see people building confidence, exploring their strengths and thinking about what comes next. Creating opportunities for people to find their path and reach their goals matters.
Facebook · September 10, 2026
Our arts and culture community here in Kitchener continues to bring people together and make our communities stronger. Conservatives want to support Canada’s arts and culture sector, helping it grow and ensuring Canadian talent has the opportunity to thrive.
Facebook · August 30, 2026
Great to tour a local STEM camp and see young people getting hands-on experience with science, technology, engineering and math. Kitchener Centre is home to incredible talent, and investing in the next generation of innovators starts right here in our community.
Help Kelly keep working for Kitchener Centre
Kelly's work in Ottawa is backed by volunteers and supporters here at home. A monthly donation of any size keeps the local team going, and political contributions earn a generous federal tax credit.