The Region of Waterloo leads the Combatting Hate Action Table (CHAT) — a collaborative network of more than 30 community and system leaders dedicated to addressing hate across the region. CHAT operates under the Waterloo Region Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) is honored to represent the University of Waterloo at this table.
Members include representatives from the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge, Waterloo Regional Police Service, local libraries, Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, and numerous grassroots community organizations and nonprofits committed to building a safer, more inclusive Waterloo Region.
The Office of EDI-R’s participation reflects the University’s “One Waterloo” value — fostering collaboration, shared learning, and collective action within and beyond campus. While the Office’s work centers on addressing identity-based harms and advancing inclusion at the university, we recognize that acts of hate and discrimination transcend institutional boundaries. Collaborative spaces like CHAT strengthen our collective capacity to respond and promote belonging across the wider community.
CHAT is currently leading a region-wide anti-hate awareness initiative titled “We All Belong Here.” The campaign aims to reduce hate and promote belonging through education, awareness, and improved access to victim-support and reporting resources. Key components of the campaign include:
- A Grand River Transit bus wrapped with the campaign message.
- Posters displayed across the region in English, with upcoming translations in Arabic, Tigrinya/Tigrigna, Spanish, Farsi, Turkish, and Indigenous languages including Anishnaabe, Inuit, Mi'kmaq, Mohawk, and Métis.
- Printed materials such as T-shirts and pins to extend visibility and engagement.
- Public outreach through CHAT member organizations, community launch events, bus stop advertisements, and a coordinated social-media campaign.
The campaign officially launches October 23, 2025. There will be a mini-launch at Conrad Grebel College organized by the The Ripple Tree Effect (TREE) – a member partner. Community members are encouraged to attend the mini launch:
When: October 24, 2025
Time: 1 pm to 5 pm
Venue: Conrad Grebel Parking Lot
What to expect: This will include a GRT bus, wrapped in the campaign messaging, with activities aboard the bus, as well as promoting the messaging and the campaign itself.
Together, these efforts seek to nurture a community culture where hate is challenged, and every resident is affirmed in the message: We All Belong Here.