Vision 1 Million Scorecard

One million people.Are we ready?

Waterloo Region is projected to reach roughly one million residents within 25 years, an increase of over 300,000 people. Twice a year, BestWR and the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN measure whether housing, transportation, healthcare, employment and placemaking are keeping pace.

6 on track 15 in progress 5 needs attention 2 no assessment

Vision 1 Million Scorecard · version 2 · published July 2026 · 60 pages · first assessment of its kind in Canada

Growth is certain.
Readiness isn't.

The Vision 1 Million Scorecard is a living tool designed to build shared clarity and align regional effort. It tracks the core systems a region of one million depends on, including homes, transit lines, hospital beds, jobs, and childcare spaces, grading each one against a public target so advocacy and investment go where the evidence points.

Every score is assessed independently by FCI researchers using published data, and re-assessed every six months. With 28 distinct metrics and no broad averages to hide problem areas, it delivers clear, objective evidence for regional planning.

28 metrics across five domains
Graded twice a year, January and July
Independent, evidence-based assessment by FCI

Five domains.
Five grades. Six months.

We tracked housing, transportation, healthcare, employment and placemaking from January to July 2026, and graded every metric with one of five labels. This is the direction the region is heading.

Achieved On track In progress Needs attention No assessment

4 improved 1 declined 1 unscored 22 held their grade Most metrics holding steady is the system working — stability is the baseline, and movement, up or down, is the signal.

Infrastructure moves ahead, social gaps widen

Regional transit designs, water filtration upgrades, and road infrastructure are making tangible progress. At the same time, primary healthcare shortages, mental health wait times, and housing supply constraints present immediate challenges to long-term regional growth. Access the full July 2026 Scorecard report to explore metric-by-metric insights across all five growth domains.

Source: Vision 1 Million Scorecard, January and July 2026 releases, per-domain metric comparisons. Status definitions: BestWR. Domain colours and marks: BestWR.

Read the scorecard

Opens directly on your screen: 28 metrics across five domains, each with its data, target, background and the reasons behind its score. Read it here or take it with you.

Vision 1 Million Scorecard

60 pages · July 2026 update 28 metrics, graded and explained Free · no login

Published by BestWR with the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN · letters from Ian McLean, Chair, BESTWR, and Leia Minaker, PhD, Director, FCI · prior releases at bestwr.org

A business coalition
and a research institute

BestWR

The Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region is five leading business organizations working as partners for economic prosperity and community needs. Currently chaired by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, BestWR includes Communitech, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Explore Waterloo Region and the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.

The Future Cities Institute was founded by CAIVAN at the University of Waterloo to help local governments build better cities. The institute brings together global thinkers, industry leaders and researchers to tackle urban challenges across housing, climate, infrastructure and beyond. For the Scorecard, FCI provides the independent, evidence-based assessment behind every score.

Growth is certain.Readiness isn't.

Five domains.Five grades. Six months.

Infrastructure moves ahead, social gaps widen

Read the scorecard

Vision 1 Million Scorecard

A business coalitionand a research institute

New tools land here first.

Growth is certain.
Readiness isn't.

Five domains.
Five grades. Six months.

A business coalition
and a research institute