February 2026 at a glance
57
posts & videos
29
House of Commons speeches
2
EDA events
70
photos
Focused on:Community events and local organizations Jobs, innovation and local business Advocacy for Kitchener Centre in the House of Commons Affordability and cost of living Canada's Innovation Capital
In February, Kelly DeRidder, MP for Kitchener Centre was focused on Helping families, and backing local innovation. Across 57 posts and videos and 29 House of Commons speeches, she focused on helping neighbours, standing up for local jobs and ideas, and celebrating the people who make the riding strong. Here are the highlights.
Around Kitchener Centre
Kelly joined the Coldest Night of the Year walk at Cameron Heights Collegiate in support of Ray of Hope Inc. Afterward she shared that the Kitchener walk raised just under $250,000, with more than 600 people showing up in person. She thanked every fundraiser, volunteer and the Ray of Hope team.
She also attended the 28th Annual Pancake Lunch for the Child Witness Centre. More than 360 community members came together and over $52,000 was raised to support child victims and their families. Kelly also thanked The WHIP Boxing and Fitness for 23 years of giving back through events like its annual Charity Boxing Match.
On Family Day, Kelly hosted a Canadian Winter Family Day celebration at Weber Park with hot chocolate, s’mores, campfires and skating. She visited Kitchener Collegiate Institute, Eastwood Collegiate Integrated Arts, Grand River Collegiate, Margaret Avenue Public School and Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School to listen to students and talk about public service.
Kelly also took part in celebrations of Kosovo Independence Day, Lunar New Year with the Waterloo Region Chinese Canadian Association, Saraswati Puja and Vasant Panchami, and several Black History Month events across Waterloo Region.
Help close to home
Kelly’s constituency office worked directly with the CRA on behalf of a local family. The team helped secure a reassessment that led to over $15,000 in backdated benefits, corrected ongoing payments and additional rebates. Residents who need help with federal services, including CRA or immigration, are invited to contact the office.
Kelly also shared information for residents with family in Mexico and offered her office’s help in finding federal supports. She urged people to register with the Registry of Canadians Abroad.
She is also creating new ways to connect. Kelly announced her first Seniors Clinic at the Rockway Centre on March 13th, a free event bringing resources and services together in one place. She also invited young people to sign up for her first Youth Council Roundtable. Kelly hosted a town hall where Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu neighbours shared their views on freedom of expression with respect and honesty.
Kelly met with The Registry Theatre at her constituency office to work on securing funding for the local arts community. She also thanked residents for their letters and feedback forms, saying she reads every one.
“When federal programs fall short or files get stuck, we step in.”
From Kelly’s Facebook post
“Reach out, let’s have a conversation on the issues that matter most to you, my door is always open.”
From Kelly’s Facebook video
Affordability, housing and safe communities
Kelly shared highlights from her maiden speech in the House of Commons. She spoke about parents stretching every dollar, young people wondering if they can afford a home, and local businesses working to stay afloat. She pointed to the Waterloo Regional Food Bank, where she said 29,786 hampers were distributed to families in need between 2023 and 2024.
She said she will keep working for lower taxes, affordable housing and practical solutions that bring stability to families. She also spoke about her roots in Kitchener, her engineering diploma from Conestoga and her goal of safer communities.
Kelly met with Reception House Waterloo Region about helping refugees move into stable, affordable housing. She also put forward a motion at the Standing Committee on Science and Research to study tent encampments and the drug crisis. The study would look at research gaps and hear from experts, frontline providers, Indigenous organizations and municipal representatives.
“I did not enter public service to offer empty words, I am here to work.”
From Kelly’s Facebook video
Jobs and innovation in Canada’s Innovation Capital
Kelly toured XL TOOL INC. and talked with its team about the opportunities and challenges facing medium-sized companies. She called it an impressive advanced manufacturing operation with room to grow.
In Ottawa, she pressed for stronger protection of Canadian-made ideas. In the House of Commons she noted that Canada holds only 12% of its own patents, while 87% have become foreign-owned. She said weak commercialization costs the country $75 billion a year. At committee, she asked questions about digital sovereignty and patents.
Kelly also spoke up for local auto workers and for investment in Canadian technology. As chair of the Conservative AI Caucus Group, she says she is focused on policy that helps AI grow responsibly, protects privacy and keeps local talent in Kitchener Centre.
Follow along with Kelly’s work for Kitchener Centre and share what matters most to you. To volunteer or donate, get in touch with the Kitchener Centre Conservative EDA team.
