Here to Help

June 20, 2025

Dear Residents of Kitchener Centre,

It is with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility that I write to you today as your newly elected Member of Parliament. Representing our vibrant, resilient, and diverse community in the 45th Parliament is the honour of a lifetime.

Kitchener Centre is not just where I was raised—it is where my heart belongs. From my days at J.F. Carmichael and Forest Heights to my education in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Automation at Conestoga, and through nearly two decades in project management, this community has shaped me. It has given me the values of hard work, perseverance, and compassion—values I promise to carry with me every day into Parliament as your representative.

I want to begin by thanking each of you who placed your trust in me. Your stories, concerns, and aspirations are my guiding light in Ottawa. Whether you are a small business owner in Kitchener’s downtown, a parent stretching every dollar to keep their family fed and clothed, a senior struggling to make ends meet, a newcomer that has chosen to build their future in this City, or a young graduate seeking stability, I am here to serve you.

My platform is grounded in five core commitments—pillars that reflect our community’s priorities. They form the path forward that we must take together:

1. Affordability for Families and Seniors

The cost of living is spiralling. It is affecting us all—families, young professionals, and seniors alike. We must implement real solutions, such as lowering taxes, increasing support for essential services, and creating policies that make home ownership and basic needs attainable again.

2. Safe and Compassionate Communities

We face a drug and mental health crisis in our city. This is not just a public safety issue—it is a human one, and the desire to become a part of the solution is what drew me into politics. I am committed to increasing access to mental health services, expanding treatment and rehabilitation programs, and ensuring there are significant consequences for repeat and violent offenders. We must repeal harmful policies that allow criminal activity to go unchecked while uplifting those who seek a better path.

3. Jobs, Innovation, and Economic Growth

Kitchener Centre is a hub of innovation—from green tech and advanced manufacturing to the arts and artificial intelligence. We must fuel this potential by investing in key industries, supporting our small businesses, and ensuring local talent has every opportunity to succeed and stay here in our Region.

4. Support for Families and Children

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. As your MP, I will fight for the dignity and safety of every family, particularly those living in underserved areas in our communities, where children are forced to witness criminal activity on their doorsteps. We MUST do better—for them, and for all of us.

5. Listening First, Acting Always

You elected me to work and to deliver on your behalf. I will always listen. I will always act. I am here for the single parent, the struggling senior, the hardworking student, and the entrepreneur with a dream. My office is your office.

Affecting real lasting change is not the work of one person; it is the work of a community united in vision and purpose. I invite you to be a part of the conversation, to hold me accountable, and to bring your ideas forward. Together, we can build a stronger, safer, and more affordable future for Kitchener Centre.

With humility, dedication, and hope,

Kelly DeRidder, MP