Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs® is an annual check-up that measures the vitality of our region, identifies significant trends, and assigns grades in 11 key areas critical to the quality of life: Art and Culture – Belonging and Leadership – Environment – Gap Between the Rich and Poor – Getting Around – Getting Started in Our Community – Health and Wellness – Housing – Learning – Safety – Work.

This is a project led by the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation and the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. It is part of a national program coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada based on an initiative of the Toronto Community Foundation that began in 2001. Other cities that have produced Vital Signs reports include Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Ottawa, Toronto, Sudbury, Montreal and Saint John.

Since its launch in Waterloo Region last year, the report is being used as a planning tool by many in our community. The full Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs 2007 report is available online at www.wrvitalsigns.ca.

Work is currently underway on the Waterloo Region’s Vital Signs 2008 report, which is expected to be made public in the fall.