January 2026 at a glance
27
posts & videos
0
House of Commons speeches
0
EDA events
35
photos
Focused on:Community events and local organizations Safe communities Drug crisis Canada's Innovation Capital Jobs, innovation and local business
January was a busy month for Kelly DeRidder, MP for Kitchener Centre. This edition looks back at 27 posts and videos from the month, showing Kelly at work in the riding on affordability, innovation, safe communities and local support. It begins with the constituency work that helps residents one file at a time.
Helping residents one file at a time
Kelly joined Craig Norris on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo to talk about the work her office does at home in the riding. Her team has delivered more than $55,000 in CRA adjustments for people, some on files that had been stalled for years. Kelly also shared one story of a $40,000 CRA rebate for a person who had been trying for four years.
The constituency office also has a helpful reminder. The CRA is moving to digital services, so printed tax forms will not be distributed for the 2025 tax year. The office has general tax forms on hand and can print more on request.
More homes, built faster
Kelly walked through the BuildNow project with the Shadow Minister of Housing. The project brings together the City of Kitchener, the City of Waterloo, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, local developers and non-profit housing partners. It aims to build deeply affordable, affordable and for-sale units side by side. They also met with Kitchener's mayor to hear how the city is speeding up homebuilding, from streamlining approvals to reducing development charges.
Kelly also toured Cabinovo, a Kitchener company that applies the principles of car manufacturing to housing, with homes from one bedroom to three bedrooms. She is looking forward to seeing the company break ground on its first property here.
Innovation, jobs and local business
Kelly visited Intellijoint, which now shares a space in Kitchener Centre with Medical Innovation Xchange and other companies developing medical technology. She also met with XL Tool Inc., a local leader in tool and die making and precision parts. Kelly says the goal is to remove barriers so small and medium-sized businesses can grow here at home.
As a member of the Science and Research Committee, Kelly says she advocates for federal programs and a sovereign strategy to help local talent stay local. She also met with party leader Pierre Poilievre to talk tech and innovation and make sure Kitchener Centre has a seat at the table.
“Kitchener Centre is full of talented people ready to innovate and lead.”
From Kelly’s Facebook video
Safer communities and paths to recovery
Kelly rode along with Sergeant Bill Hand of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. They talked about the pressures officers face, especially around mental health and addictions. She thanked the service for its work, including a recent seizure of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl and a firearm. Kelly is calling for effective, abstinence-based rehabilitation programs and has proposed investing in 50,000 treatment beds, medical detox and recovery housing.
Kelly recognized Frontline Recovery, a KW non-profit that offers outreach and recovery support. She also attended the See Me Hear Me Conference hosted by Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett, and she plans to carry those conversations into her work in Parliament.
She also highlighted Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Its Engaging Men program, launched in 2023, has helped over 80 men begin a path of healing and accountability. Kelly's fall session recap noted her work championing Bailey's Law for victims of intimate partner violence.
“Their work is critical, and we need to do everything we can to support them.”
From Kelly’s Facebook post
“Together, we'll keep building a stronger, safer Kitchener Centre.”
From Kelly’s YouTube video
Celebrating community and the people who give
Kelly helped Tiny Home Takeout mark its 5th anniversary. Since opening in 2021, it has prepared more than 695,000 meals, reaching approximately 350,000 people, with a network of over 200 volunteers. She also spent time with the Raw Carrot, the Mennonite Central Committee and MCC Thrift On Kent to talk about making volunteering more accessible.
Kelly also joined the Armenian community for an Orthodox Christmas event and cheered on a martial arts team from Shamuon Generation of Martial Arts as they left to compete for Canada in Costa Rica. On January 28, Ray of Hope Inc. kicked off its "Battle of the Bowls" soup event, and Kelly encouraged residents to drop by.
Follow along with Kelly's work and the Kitchener Centre Conservative EDA team throughout the year. If you want to help build a stronger, safer Kitchener Centre, get in touch to volunteer or donate.
