C2026-48 - Region of Waterloo Horizon Scanning Consultant Selection

The Region of Waterloo wishes to engage the services of a consulting firm (the “Consultant”) to complete a strategic horizon scanning exercise to inform the development of the next corporate strategic plan. The work will require a structured data gathering approach incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies to provide foundational data and analysis that identify both mature and emergent trends to consider as part of the Strategic Planning process, scheduled for 2027. The work should analyze how the Region’s social, economic, environmental, political, legislative, and technological context is changing and identify how these changes (both local and beyond), may impact service delivery and longer-term planning. The consultant must also consider how trends have evolved, shifted, intensified, or diminished since the previous strategic plan development process. Additionally, the analysis should offer insight into the different ways key trends are impacting the Region’s varied geographies (e.g., Area Municipalities) and populations. This work will provide an updated evidence base to support the corporate strategic planning process and other future planning, priority-setting, and decision-making.