Dorothy McCabe

Mayor at City of Waterloo

Speaker

Elected on October 24, 2022, Mayor Dorothy McCabe champions a future‑ready Waterloo—building homes people can afford, improving transit, and energizing local prosperity.

She serves as a Region of Waterloo Councillor, is a member of the Ontario Big City Mayors’ Caucus and the National Climate Caucus, sits on the Executive Committee and Board of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, serves on the ENOVA Power Corporation Board, and the City of Waterloo’s Economic Development Committee.

With 20+ years of leadership experience supporting mayors, councils, senior executives, a provincial MPP/Cabinet Minister, KidsAbility, Conestoga College, and two Chambers of Commerce, Dorothy brings deep public and community sector expertise.

From 2011–2015, she led the business case for Two‑Way, All‑Day GO rail—now the Toronto–Waterloo Corridor—and continues to push for better transit and transportation.

As Mayor, working with staff and private and non‑profit partners, she initiated Canada’s largest affordable, deeply affordable, and attainable housing project at 2025 University Avenue East.

An active community volunteer, she has served with Parents for Community Living, ClimateActionWR, the Glasgow Heights 2 Neighbourhood Association, Women in Communications & Technology, as a youth basketball coach, and as a Syrian refugee family sponsor.

Dorothy holds a BA in Communications & History from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MPA in Local Government from Western University.

She believes Waterloo thrives when we unleash its potential—harnessing our city’s talent, knowledge, and compassion to tackle challenges and seize opportunities—and she remains committed to public service, citizen engagement, and a resilient future for Waterloo.