2019 Novel Coronavirus

City Hall is open to the public as of June 14, 2021. 

All other municipal buildings, including community centres, The Cambridge Centre for the Arts, arenas, and indoor pools are closed to the public.

Public services offered at City Hall are also available online or by phone. Visit www.servicecambridge.ca to use the online portal or download the app. 

We encourage residents to continue to do as much city business online and over the phone as possible.  For a list of online services, please visit www.cambridge.ca/covid19.

Regional Council recently passed bylaws that require mask wearing on transit and in enclosed public places as of July 13. These bylaws make it mandatory for residents to wear face coverings in enclosed public places such as trains and buses, shopping malls and retail shops and more.

Visit the Region of Waterloo's website for the most up-to-date information on these bylaws. 

To discourage large groupings of people as per the direction of Public Health, in-person, City-run special events have been suspended. If you’ve paid a fee for any of the suspended events, you will receive a full refund.

Please contact Service Cambridge at (519) 623-1340 to discuss the credit on your account. For more details please contact Wanda Schaefer our Supervisor Recreation – Arts, Culture and Events at schaeferw@cambridge.ca at (519) 623-1340, x4491.

Adult Day Programs offered through the Adult Day Services Network (and funded by the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network) have been suspended in Cambridge until further notice. This includes the following City-managed programs: Golden Opportunities, Living Well and Boost which are located at the William E. Pautler Centre, Allan Reuter Centre and the Fairview Health and Wellness Centre.

The Friendly Visiting Program will also be suspending its home visits until further notice. The WOW telephone service will continue. This program offers groups of 5 to 10 people the opportunity to get together over the phone for conversation, trivia games, bingo, and even musical sessions.

Please note that participants will not be charged any cancellation fees and will maintain their spaces in their specific programs.

We will also be conducting reassurance calls to ensure clients are doing well, and do not require further supports.

For more information, please contact Nicole Cichello at Supervisor Recreation – Older Adult Services at cichellon@cambridge.ca at (519) 623-1340, x4398.

Enforcement of parking on streets and neighborhoods has been temporarily relaxed due to more people staying home. Please only contact Bylaw for emergency situations as Officers are focusing on offences that impact resident safety during this time.

Yes. Much like grocery stores, shoppers will be able to shop in-store at the market, however new regulations and protocols will be in effect to ensure a safe shopping environment.

In order to adhere to provincial directives and Public Health measures, the Cambridge Farmers’ Market will be implementing the following changes while pandemic restrictions remain in place.

• One entrance for both indoor and outdoor markets
• Limited capacity for shoppers both indoors and outdoor
• Electronic payments encouraged where possible
• Use of reusable bags/containers not permitted
• Food sampling suspended
• Buskers and community groups suspended
• Pets temporarily not allowed both indoor and outdoor
• Signage will be posted to encourage social distancing
• Plexi barriers installed at indoor vendor booths

For market-related inquiries, please call (519) 740-4681, ext. 4252.

On Tuesday January 12th 2021, the Premier of Ontario issued a 2nd State of Emergency that places restrictions on Essential Workplaces. Pursuant to the Reopening Act, 2020, effective Thursday January 14th, 2021 at 12:01 am, all non-essential construction projects are to close or not commence per O. Reg. 82/20.

This includes all Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) construction, unless it is identified as essential construction in Section 43 of Ontario Regulation 82/20, as amended.

In relation to Residential Buildings, we will continue to provide inspections on residential projects that meet the following criteria:

43. Construction activities or projects and related services, including land surveying and demolition services, that are related to residential construction projects where,

• a building permit has been granted for a single family, semi-detached and  townhomes,
  • A building permit for a single, semi or town that is issued before Jan. 13, 2021 can commence because the Order is dated Jan. 13, 2021. i.e. a new single home permit issued Jan. 18 cannot commence until the Order is amended or lifted),
•  the project is a condominium, mixed-use or other residential building, or
  • This description does not include the word permit unlike i) and these types of projects may commence after permit issuance.
• The project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work that was started before January 12, 2021;
  • The renovation to residential properties project description includes deck, shed, addition, duplex conversions, etc. by DIY or contractors. The Inspector will use judgement and may accept a written letter from owner/contractor or dated photos to demonstrate work started before Jan. 12, 2021. Permits issued after Jan. 11 will not be inspected.  

Our INVEST Cambridge office is currently closed to the public. If you require assistance, the INVEST Cambridge team will be available to help with all of your business questions, by phone at 519-740-4685 or email at invest@cambridge.ca.

Visit our website to learn about Re-opening and Recovery Information for Businesses in Cambridge during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Small Business Centres

One-on-One Consultations can be scheduled by phone or e-mail.  

Call 519-740-4683 ext. 4352 to speak to someone in the Cambridge office during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or e-mail invest@cambridge.ca. 

The Region of Waterloo operates Grand River Transit. Please visit the Region's website for updates on service changes. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we continue to adjust plans based on the guidance provided by our local Public Health authority. At this time we have suspended our face-to-face recruitment activities. Assessment of applications received, and scheduling of video/remote interviews where applicable, may also be delayed. We appreciate your patience, and your interest in the City of Cambridge.

Municipal building inspections will ONLY be completed on essential construction projects per the amended O.Reg. 82/20. For site safety, it is the contractor’s responsibility for workers to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, implement the Public Health Advice and any other Ontario regulatory requirement for their workplace in relation to COVID. Municipal building inspectors require min. 6’ distancing when onsite and inspecting. If physical distancing cannot be maintained in a workplace the MOL is looking for a medical mask (also called surgical or procedure) and eye protection (goggles or face shield).

The film industry in Ontario is resuming as part of the Province’s reopening plan, and Cambridge residents and business owners can expect to see filming crews within the community starting this summer and into the fall.

Safety protocols and additional measures are in place to protect crews and the broader community as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Full health and safety guidelines are available online at the Film Safety website, where you can find links to all current industry guidelines.

For submitting a planning application during this time, please bring the completed hard copy of the application, required supporting studies and a cheque to the City and drop off at the Planning Kiosk on the 1st floor of City Hall building at 50 Dickson Street. Please do not submit cash. Cheques only will be accepted at this time. Packages must be clearly labelled with type of application, address of the subject property and note that it is for the Planning Services Division.

If you have a planning enquiry, please send it via email to planning@cambridge.ca.

The Region of Waterloo has implemented some changes to garbage and recycling due to COVID-19. See the links below for more information.

• News Release, April 6: Yard waste collection to begin April 13 
• News Release, March 23: Reducing the burden on waste collection crews
• Region of Waterloo's website

• Region of Waterloo Public Health - General information
• Ontario Ministry of Health - Up-to-date status information
• Public Health Canada - Frequently asked questions

Any donation or offer of support can go a long way. Here are a few organizations currently looking for financial and in-kind support: 

• United Way Waterloo Region Communities is looking for donations for the COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This Fund will support the work of frontline organizations that are collectively striving to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy. Grants are distributed in collaboration with Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, the Astley Family Foundation, Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region, The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, The Fairmount Foundation, and Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation.

• Donate to local hospitals through the Region Ready website, which supports St. Mary's General Hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Grand River Hospital.
  • Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation has information on ways to support, as well as details on the sewing mask challenge. 

• The Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation has established the COVID-19 Charitable Recovery Fund to provide assistance to organizations as they work to recover and rebuild from the pandemic.

• Donate or volunteer for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Your support helps provide food and connection to other vital supports needed by children, seniors, families and individuals living in Waterloo Region.
• The Government of Ontario website, Ontario Together welcomes help from businesses, researchers and organizations who can supply emergency products and innovative solutions to support our response to COVID-19.

• Donations of pet food (cat, dog and small animal) and cat litter are also needed for the Waterloo Region Emergency Pet Food Bank that has been established through the partnership of the Humane Society Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth, KW Pet Food Bank and the Cambridge & District Humane Society.  

• Khalsa Aid International provides support for vulnerable communities, including individuals within the Region of Waterloo. If anyone needs help getting their groceries or other day-to-day assistance, call 514-887-4747.

• Volunteer organizations can visit www.sparkontario.ca to post volunteer opportunities available in their communities. If you are interested in volunteering, please check the website for opportunities near you.
• Seniors Without Walls assists French-speaking seniors in Waterloo Region. Volunteers are currently needed, and all you need is a phone. For more details, visit l’Entité website. 
• The Region-wide Volunteer Action Centre has a number of available volunteer opportunities. For more information: 

Cambridge location

150 Main Street, Cambridge
519-575-4400, ext. 7827

• The Region, the area municipalities and many community partners have taken action to support the health and safety of vulnerable people affected by COVID-19. These actions include: 
  • Food hampers and meals can be delivered to people with low income who can’t leave their home. This program can also serve people who are homeless if emergency shelters and other agencies become unable to. Contact: Community Support Connections at 519-772-8787.
  • For information on emergency shelters, visit the Region of Waterloo's website. 
  • Looking for assistance with food and supplies for pets? Call the Waterloo Region Emergency Pet Food Bank at 226-220-7885 to place an order.
  • Learn more about the Community Support Control Group and service locations. 
• The COVID-19 Seniors Response Fund is an initiative between United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) in partnership with local United Ways to increase the capacity to meet the urgent needs arising across the country. The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) will provide funds through United Ways that will help improve the well-being of seniors and foster their social inclusion. Applications and eligibility information are available beginning May 4.
• The Friendly Voice program is a general well-being check-in that provides social connection to reduce loneliness and isolation in the community. To register, please call 519- 743-6333 and ask reception how to get started. Reception hours are 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., but Friendly Voice hours may vary. To print or download the poster for distribution purposes click here. (If you are in crisis, please call Here 24/7: 1-844-437-3247, or 9-1-1.)
• A new resource, Grief, Dying and Death during a Pandemic is now available on the Wellbeing Waterloo Region website. The resource offers emotional support and practical ideas for everyone in Waterloo Region experiencing grief, accompanying someone who is dying, or finding their way during the days following someone’s death.