Report an Issue

Report a by-law infraction or concern by calling the By-law Enforcement Office at 519-621-0740 ext. 7907 or report online.

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protections of Privacy Act protects any personal information submitted with a by-law complaint.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service dispatch by-law officers during evening and weekend hours. If you wish to report a by-law concern that requires immediate attention outside of our regular business hours, please contact the Waterloo Regional Police Dispatch at (519) 653-7700. They will send a by-law officer to investigate, if an officer is available.

Have you incurred costs which you believe the City may be responsible for? Follow our claim reporting process to have your claim considered.

Reporting process

According to the Ontario Municipal Act, we must receive notification of incidents in writing. In some situations, you must place the city on notice within 10 days of the incident. Send your claim to the following address within the 10-day period:

Attention: Office of the City Clerk
Corporation of the City of Cambridge
Cambridge City Hall, Second Floor
50 Dickson Street
Cambridge, ON N1R 5W8

You can also send your claim by email or report it online.

Your claim must include the following information:

• Name, mailing address, email address, phone number and any other relevant contact information of the person making the claim
• Date and approximate time of accident or incident
• Location of accident or incident
• A brief description of what happened
• Name of any contractor involved (if known)

Response to claim

The City's risk management provider, the Waterloo Region Municipalities Insurance Pool (WRMIP), reviews the information provided in your written claim. Once the WRMIP receives the claim, it will contact you and begin an investigation.

If you have any questions about the claims notification process, please contact the WRMIP office at (519) 741-2961.

Compensation

Please note that any compensation payments related to property damage or bodily injury depend upon the City being found legally liable. In order to prove your claim, you must provide evidence that the City committed a negligent act or omission, which resulted in injury or damage. This approach helps to reduce costs for the taxpaying public who ultimately bear the cost of these claims.

In all cases of damage, you may wish to contact your insurance company or broker. If the insurer believes the City is responsible for your damage, it may seek compensation on your behalf.

Legal advice

The information on this page should not be construed as legal advice, The City, its Risk Manager, and its Legal Division cannot provide you with legal advice as it relates to your claim. If you would like information about your options, you may wish to seek the services of a lawyer or paralegal.

What should I do if my vehicle was damaged by a pothole?

We recommend that you have a licensed automobile mechanic inspect the damage. Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is not operating properly. Notify the City of the exact location of the pothole so any needed repair work can be done.

If you are seeking compensation related to any vehicle damage, you may make a claim under your own insurance policy or through the City's claims process.

Email the Public Works department, or call (519) 621-0740, to report a downed sign in the Cambridge community. You can also report it online.

Please note, online or email submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Energy + Inc. maintains street lights in the city of Cambridge. Report burnt our street lights, damaged streetlight poles or low hanging wires to Energy + Inc. by calling (519) 621-3484.

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on statutory holidays)

To report an issue outside of regular business hours, call (519) 621-3530.

Traffic lights

The Region of Waterloo maintains traffic lights in the city of Cambridge. Report a traffic light issue to the Region of Waterloo by calling their call centre at (519) 575-4400. The call centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Traffic signs

The Region of Waterloo maintains traffic signs on regional roads. To report a downed traffic sign on a regional road, call the Region of Waterloo at (519) 575-4400.

The City of Cambridge maintains traffic signs on municipal roads. Report a downed traffic sign on a municipal road by calling (519) 621- 0740 or report it online.

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Is there a tree on City property causing potential safety issues, such as branches touching electrical wires or fallen trees or branches after a storm?

Call (519) 519-740-4681 ext. 4017 to report a downed tree on City property or report the issue online using our Report a Problem Form.

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

The City of Cambridge deals with all complaints respectfully and transparently, as quickly as possible. The public can submit a general complaint if they are dissatisfied with a City program, service, facility or staff member.

Should you need to file a complaint, we require the following information with your complaint:

• Details of what occurred
• Location of the incident (is it within the City's area of responsibility?)
• When the incident occurred
• Who was involved
• What was said or done
• What kind of resolution is being sought
• Your contact details

This information helps us to resolve the issue.

Submit your complaint online.

Please note that the City handles complaints in a confidential manner, according to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The City appoints a Municipal Ombudsman to oversee all complaints for the municipalities within Waterloo Region, including Cambridge. Known as Waterloo Area Municipal Ombuds Office, is the Municipal Ombudsman who are is an independent body appointed to assist with the resolution process.

The Ontario Ombudsman also collects and investigates complaints regarding government and agency services.

Learn more about Freedom of Information.

The cleanup of used and discarded needles on public property is a shared responsibility between municipalities and the Region.

Where you find the needle determines the next step. View our page on safe needle disposal for more information and specific contact details.

Email the Public Works department to report boulevard maintenance issues and any road safety issues or report it online.

Please note, online or email submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

To report a sewer system issue such as backups, catch basins/manhole cover issues, street flooding, storm pond and drainage issues, call our Public Works department at (519) 621-0740 or report it online.

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Concrete issues

Report any trip hazards, cracks, or ponding water on sidewalks, driveway approaches, curbs and gutters by calling a City of Cambridge Construction Inspector at (519) 621-0740 ext. 4643 or report it online.

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Driveway approach widening

If you would like to make alterations to your existing driveway approach, please call at (519) 621-0740 ext. 4643 or email the Construction Inspector.

Roads

City crews make every effort to clear the roads efficiently with minimal disruption. Roads are plowed on a schedule by priority and it can take up to 24 hours for all residential streets to be plowed. Report any snow clearing problems to Public Works by calling (519) 621-0740 or report it online. 

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Sidewalks

The City of Cambridge is responsible for clearing some sidewalks the in city. For details on which sidewalks the city maintains and to report any issues, visit our winter maintenance page. 

Bus stops

To report an issue with snow at a bus stop, please contact Grand River Transit.

Is there a trail in need of maintenance? Email the Community Services department.

Please note, email submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

Do you have a problem with your utility services? Email our Public Works division or call (519) 621-0740.

Please note, online or email submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.

To report water system issues such as low pressure, leaks, repairs, service box issues, water quality and water meters, call our Public Works department at (519) 621-0740 or report it online.

Please note, online submissions may take up to 72 hours for response. For urgent matters or emergencies, please call (519) 621-0740.