Q4 2025 (October–December) at a glance
112
posts & videos
70
House of Commons speeches
1
EDA events
187
photos
Focused on:Community events and local organizations Advocacy for Kitchener Centre in the House of Commons Jobs, innovation and local business Safe communities Canada's Innovation Capital
This fall, Kelly DeRidder, MP for Kitchener Centre, split her time between Ottawa and the riding. She gave 70 House of Commons speeches and shared 112 posts and videos about her work. Here are some highlights from October to December.
Backing Kitchener Centre's innovators
Kelly celebrated the launch of Alchemy Nano in Kitchener Centre and met in Ottawa with Innovative Carbon Technologies Inc., a local company working on ways to cut emissions from cement. She also toured the SDG Idea Factory, which brings small businesses and incubator programs together, and met the Lithuanian Ambassador to highlight innovation in Kitchener.
Kelly also heard from the CFIB about the challenges facing small businesses. She helped welcome the Conservative Economic Growth Council to Kitchener to talk with local leaders about technology, small business, tourism and agriculture. She also took part in openings and anniversaries at The Old Town Butchers, Puddles Swim School and Morris Car Wash, which has served Kitchener for 25 years.
In the House of Commons
Kelly kept asking how Canada can keep its research, ideas and talent at home. She raised the topic in the House and in committee, speaking up for Kitchener Centre's start-ups, researchers and biomedical engineers. She also asked how more of that work can be commercialized in Canada so the jobs stay here.
She supported Bailey's Law, which passed unanimously and strengthens protections for victims of intimate partner violence. Kelly also spoke about her private member's bill, Bill C-240, the Offender Rehabilitation Act. It would allow court-ordered rehabilitation measures, permit stricter penalties for fentanyl traffickers, and include rehabilitation progress in parole decisions. She expects it to come up for second reading next year.
“Kitchener Centre is Canada's innovation capital, but we do not monetize and commercialize here in Canada.”
From Kelly’s House of Commons speech
“Together, we’ll keep building a stronger, safer Kitchener Centre.”
From Kelly’s Facebook video
Working with local leaders on housing and safety
Kelly met with Habitat for Humanity about home ownership and renting. She also hosted Mayor Berry Vrbanovic in her Ottawa office to talk about affordable housing and bail reform. On Parliament Hill, she joined the Intentional Community Consortium event on housing for people with disabilities, where she saw Ann from KW Habilitation.
On safety, Kelly met with Waterloo Region Police Chief Mark Crowell and took part in a roundtable on gender-based violence hosted by the African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region. She also said that housing at 97 Victoria Street is a step in the right direction, and that people also need quick access to mental health and addiction treatment.
Kelly also shared news about GO Train service. Weekend service launches this November, and the twinning of the rail lines is underway. She credited Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Mike Harris and Jess Dixon for delivering it.
“One of the very first things I did as your MP was write to the Minister about the urgent need for expanded GO Train service in Kitchener.”
From Kelly’s Facebook post
Around Kitchener Centre
Kelly was out in the community all season. She tapped the keg at KW Oktoberfest and attended the Serbian Food Festival, the Hmong New Year celebration and the Filipino community's Christmas party. She also joined the Albanian Community Association's Independence Day event and presented certificates to Little Mushroom Catering and local legend Erick Traplin. She marked Remembrance with the Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony and the poppy campaign opening at Waterloo Branch 530. She also hosted a Friendsmas celebration for families, with help from the Kitchener Rangers, Mission Thrift Store Kitchener, Kelly's Klowns, Bandology and others.
She also used her platform this holiday season to shine a light on House of Friendship, Ray of Hope, 519 Community Collective, Community Support Connections and the May Court Club KW. She thanked the volunteers who make that work possible. In October, she invited residents to a Kitchener Centre Town Hall on Nov. 13 at The Museum to recap the session, talk about the budget and answer questions.
Want to see more of Kelly's work for Kitchener Centre? Follow along with the local team, and get involved by volunteering or donating.
