A year of change ahead for Waterloo region in 2018

The region will be seeing a lot of changes in the coming year. Here are somethings to expect and keep your eyes out for in 2018.

Changes to the minimum wage

Ontario's minimum wage will increase from $11.60 anhour to $14 an hour, starting in January. The province also plans to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2019.

• Minimum wage hike a 'balancing act' for region

Mortgage changes

Canada's top banking regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), released new mortgage rules in October. The rules requireall borrowers, including those who are uninsured, to do a "stress test" showingthey canwithstand higher interest rates. These rules come into effect on Jan 1.Previously, only insured borrowers had to undergo such a test.

• OSFI sets new mortgage rules, including stress test for uninsured borrowers

LRTstarts running

According Waterloo's regional council, the LRT vehicles will be running by early spring. Regional councillorTom Gallowaysaid the vehicles were suppose to beoperating by December 2017,but because Bombardier delayeddelivery,the region had to postpone the launch date.

• LRT delayed until early 2018 due to Bombardier train delays
• How Metrolinx's cuts with Bombardier deal will affect K-W

Pot stores open

Cambridge, Guelph, Waterloo and Kitchener will get provincially run marijuana storefrontsnext summer. The LCBOwill oversee a total of 40 marijuana shops in the province in 2018, with the number rising to 80 by July 2019. The exact physical locations are yet to be determined.

• Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph to get pot shops

Provincial elections

The official date for the upcoming provincial election is June 7, 2018. A few ridings have been redrawn and a new one, calledKitchenerSouth-Hespeler,has been created. In addition, 15 new seats are addedand parties can now be funded by tax-payer money.

• Waterloo region gets new provincial riding: Kitchener South-Hespeler
• How Ontario's 2018 election campaign will be different from 2014

Municipal elections

Voters in Waterloo region will also be electing their city and regional representatives, as well as school board trustees, on Oct.22, 2018. Because of changes to the Municipal Elections Modernization Act, individuals who wish to run as candidates can now file their nomination papers starting on May 1.

Nomination forms will be released in April, with a new requirement to have25 supporting signatures to accompany an application.The nomination period closes onJuly 27 at 2 p.m.

• Countdown to municipal election enters final year
• No ranked ballots for 2018 Waterloo Region municipal elections

Smoking on hospital property

A new provincialbylaw has banned smoking from any hospital property, coming into effect on Jan. 1. Smokers who violate this rule will face a $305.00fine.