Building the Future of Kitchener: A Conversation with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic

Born in Croatia and raised right here in Kitchener, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic has dedicated over three decades to public service. First, as a city councillor, and now serving his third term as Mayor. His leadership has helped shape Kitchener into the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive city it is today.

In this episode, we’ll go behind the business of city building, exploring what drives his vision for Kitchener’s growth, how we’re preparing for a population of one million, and what’s ahead in his upcoming State of the City Address.

From lessons in leadership to reflections on community, this conversation is all about the heart, hustle, and humanity behind local government.

Let’s go “Behind the Business” with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.  

Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:35 Guest Introduction: Mayor Berry Vrbanovic
• 1:16 Part 1 of Interview
• 31:09 Podcast Sponsorship: Gore Mutual
• 31:38 Part 2 of Interview
• 49:33 Closing Remarks

Transcript

Ian McLean: 0:00

Welcome to another episode of Behind the Business, presented by Gore Mutual. I'm your host, Ian McLean, President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterdoo Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is recorded on the traditional territory of the neutral Anishinabe and Hoden Ashone peoples. Each week I sit down for candid conversations where we go beyond the boardroom and behind the business to uncover the real stories of Waterdoo Region's business community. Today we're sitting down with someone who truly needs no introduction, City of Kitchener Mayor Barry Vervanovic. Born in Croatia and raised right here in Kitchener, Barry has dedicated over three decades to public service. First as a city councilor, now serving as his third term as mayor. His leadership has helped shape Kitchener into the dynamic, innovative, and inclusive city it is today. In this episode, we talk about what drives his vision for Kitchener's growth, how we're preparing for a population of a million, and what's ahead in the upcoming State of the City address. From lessons in leadership to reflections on community, this conversation is all about the heart, hustle, and humanity behind local government. Join me in this episode as we go behind the business with Mayor Barry Vervanovek. Well, we're excited to have you here today, uh, Mayor Barry. Thank you so much for making time out of your busy schedule. Thanks, Ian. It's uh it's always a pleasure and look forward to today's conversation. Now, we've known each other for 127 years. No, we've known each other a long time, but there was a time before politics where you worked inside of uh as a as a political staffer, and then you were uh uh in Toronto and doing some other roles. Um, but you started in admin and IT. Talk a little bit about your early career and and was how did that kind of shape um and help you realize that public service was something you wanted to get into?

Berry Vrbanovic: 1:55

Yeah, you know, it's interesting. I mean, when we think back to uh to high school and then into university and ultimately starting out a career, did a range of things, right? Worked for the city, uh Cameron Heights Pool as a totroom clerk, Kitchener Public Library as uh as a page, uh, but also as private sector, did some custodial stuff for a while, uh, worked at Sears in Men's Rose, was a Labatz rep in university. That was the thing that we had in common this year. We almost forgot about that one. Um, and then um, you know, and worked actually during the summers in university in the clerk's department, worked on the very first municipal code in the province of Ontario. Um, and that was through municipal world, um, and worked with the city clerk and the city solicitor and so on. Fascinating uh work, and it continued on. I was of that generation when uh computers first showed up and uh was the guy who kind of understood them. Really, all I did was have the skill set of saying, Have you turned the PDF yet? Um But all that ultimately led to uh an opportunity to uh to join the city team. I uh I ended up working for planning for a short period of time on the first fire station location study, which was computer modeling to determine where Kitchener's fire stations should go, and then ended up in IT for five years. Um, client services, tech support, helping coordinate the move from the old city hall into the new one. And then somewhere along the line, uh got the political bug after having volunteered on some campaigns and said, you know what, uh I've always kind of been interested, and there was an opportunity there. Um, Mayor Cordello was retiring. The ward counselor and the ward I lived in and the ward I was gonna move into were running for mayor, so there was like no incumbent competition, which could be a little awkward as a staff person. Um and I said, you know what? What the heck? Let's let's give it a shot. And 31 late years later, uh, between council and mayor, here we are.

Ian McLean: 3:49

Now, uh first of all, uh break that 31 years down, because it because you've you've this is your for fourth term?

Berry Vrbanovic: 3:56

It's my third term as mayor, so 20 years as a counselor and 11 years as mayor so far. You don't look that old. You're you're you're very kind. I mean, I'm I'm not sure that I have any less hair, maybe a little bit than when I started. But but grayer hair for sure.

Ian McLean: 4:10

But you still look the same after all those years. Um what has kept you, I mean, you know, this this podcast is about about business and but also leadership, right? So what has kept you motivated? Like uh and I did say, you know, I did seven years in uh as a city counselor and and you know grew up in a political family. Um there's got to be a motivation that keeps you going after all those years because because it's it is a grind. I mean, you know, you won't say it, I will. It it being in political life is not easy, it it takes a lot of time and energy. Um, what's kept you motivated all through that time? Because there must have been some you know down times or or you know times when you get frustrated or or just plain old tired. What has kept you motivated after all those years?

Berry Vrbanovic: 4:54

You know, I I would probably say it's been three things, Ian. Um as you know, I wasn't born in in uh in Canada. I was born in what was then Yugoslavia, today is is Croatia, came here as a as a two and a half year old. Um, and I've always had this sense of gratitude uh towards the country that welcomed my family back in uh in 1969. And um public service, whether on the staff side and certainly on the elected side, has been uh a way to to give back to the country that welcomed us and gave us an opportunity. Um secondly, I would say it's it's the people in general. I mean, as you know, from your time in politics or even in the the role that you you're in now or the role that your father helped, um it's such an amazing opportunity to connect with people in the community, to be that connector that helps um unlock pathways towards solutions for problems. Uh and you can't always solve every problem, but you want to at least make people feel like they've been heard, um, that you've tried. And most people, 99% of them, uh accept that, even if they, you know, ultimately don't get what uh sometimes uh they're they're hoping for. And I would say the last one is, you know, and we both grew up in in this community and and we're youth at one time. Some would are some would argue that we still try to think that we're youth. Um and and it's really about, you know, I get energized by the young people I come into contact with in this role and their dreams and hopes and aspirations, uh whether it's in this community, whether it's for our world overall, and the ability to help shape a community, and by some of the things I've been involved in, you know, communities both nationally and and internationally, um, in order to create a better place for all of them, um, in particular when it comes to Kitchener youth, uh, so that you know they can grow up here, they have a great quality of life, they can get educated here, and ideally stay here after school. Um, you know, even if they leave for a little period of time, they come back and um and build a life here. Like that's that's really what uh what motivates me.

Ian McLean: 7:16

Now, I and I I there's lots of different political styles, right? And so I mean your style has I mean some of us are probably less uh less um um approachable or or uh or warm-hearted. You're a giant teddy bear. What are you talking about? But but I mean you look around, and then some sometimes politicians use the they're the the tough talking, straight, straight guy, or you know, or whatever. Like there's lots of different personas that people have. One of the ones is that that I've always been fascinated by is uh, and you've been able to have particularly in Kitchener councils, you've been able to have a more collegial, kind of approachable, community-first approach, not only yourself, but that's filtered through by and large to to your council. Uh, I was not necessarily part of that in Waterloo. We didn't necessarily have that, and certainly my first term, it was much more combative, and we were in a very difficult time in those. But your style has been that approachable community first style. Uh what how did you like why that style? I mean, it it was that uh is that part of the upbringing? Is it who you modeled when you because you would have, if you worked for the city and you were watching and active in the community, you would have seen all kinds of different styles of leader.

Berry Vrbanovic: 8:37

Absolutely. And uh, you know, it it's a question that I've certainly been asked before, and and I and I think back to my life and and the people who have been uh role models for for me. And you know, for all of us, we think back to those teachers, for example, that influenced us, um, whether it's in grade school, high school, post-secondary. Um, certainly there were some of them, you know, and it was really cool recently as an example. Yeah, I saw that on your screen. Yeah, you know, I agree. My grade seven teacher had his 80th birthday and I got to uh go there. It was actually on World Teachers Day uh that his birthday took place, and and so it was really cool to be able to uh in my role go and thank him, but also recognize him. Um, I think of people, for example, in my time at the city, um, who I got to know partially because their kids went to grade school with me. So Mayor Cardello, um, whose style I think, you know, I'll say two mayors who actually influence me. Mayor Cardello is one in terms of his connection with the people. Um, and then Mayor Zare, who obviously influenced me in my time uh as a counselor, um, and you know, his approach, strategic, fiscally responsible. And I would say I've tried to take a bit of of both of them. I think of people like like John Sweeney, quite frankly, whose campaigns I worked on when I was in high school. Um, and we've often talked about this. You know, your your father actually is someone who um, you know, I often looked up to. Uh, you know, we didn't have a lot of interaction because I was I was younger and not in politics yet at that time. But when I think back to the things that he did, the values that he he held, and how he presented himself, um, you know, those are some of the people who I would say I've I've looked to to help inspire my own leadership. And then, you know, along life's journey, there's other people that come in the role, people like uh David Johnson, obviously, when he was here as president and subsequently as as governor general. And since, you know, periodically you you talk and you connect and and and they inspire you. Folks like uh former uh police chief Brian Larkin, uh, you know, a great leader, and and all of those folks are folks who have a little bit of from a little bit of everything.

Ian McLean: 10:59

Yeah. Now listen, you know, and and what our our viewers would and listeners would would may not know, the mayor of of Kitchener or a municipality is also the is not only the lead head of council, but is actually the the head of the organization. Now, you hire a CAO and they ultimately do most of the day-to-day and it all filters down from there. But you effectively are the CEO of one of the largest organizations in the region of Waterloo. City of, you know, City of Kitchener is a is a big outfit. Uh lots of employees, uh lots of tentacles into the community, obviously. What are the business fundamentals of of running a city well? Because I mean, yes, you're you're to a large extent, your your your revenue is coming from the from the taxes and property taxes and variety of other taxes, but you still it's still a business that needs to run. You still got budgets, you still got HR issues, you still got um, you know, economic development, you've got all a variety of things. What are the what are the things that you take as the as that the what are the important parts of business fundamentals of running a city?

Berry Vrbanovic: 12:08

Yeah, listen, I mean, uh as you point out, the municipal act in Ontario says, you know, mayors are actually the chief executive officer of of the municipal corporation, although, you know, none of us use that title. Other I think there's one or two in Ontario that that actually put it on their their business card, and and uh we all hire CAOs or city managers to uh to lead um the organization from an operational point of view. Um I would say to you as we as you know you you think about that, it's really about three things. Because we, as you point out, we are a large organization. We have about 2,300 full-time equivalents, almost 3,000 staff, uh, but serving 304,000-ish residents in the city of Kitchener. And then, of course, as you know, I I'm also a member of regional council in a region of about 700,000. And and so, but in in my mayoral role, it's it's really thinking about the people, the systems, and the the long-term vision um that goes with running the city and how we as a council work collaboratively together along with our staff team in order to uh to address those things. You know, obviously looking after your people is important because um, you know, this is certainly not a one-person show. It's not a 10-person show or a hundred-person show. It really is a team, and we often talk about Team Kitchener and how we we work together um to accomplish that. Very fortunate to have uh a solid uh corporate leadership team from a staff perspective and a council that I publicly, and and I'll do it again in my state of the city next Tuesday, that I publicly acknowledge for the sense of collaboration um and partnership in terms of you know trying to move the priorities of the city forward. That doesn't mean we always agree um on everything, but we find a way of common language and and often, you know, uh uh something that approaches consensus. Consensus doesn't mean unanimity in terms of moving things, uh moving things forward. And uh I think that's really important, you know, from the employment point of view, it's it's about attracting, retaining talent, it's about looking after them. So, you know, one of the things that uh was a challenge was obviously during COVID and you know how how we made sure we looked after our staff team. Well, we were also looking after uh uh each other. And so it's really about um you know working hand in hand with council and in particular our CAO and corporate leadership team to uh to drive that.

Ian McLean: 14:43

Now Kitchener is seeing there's two parts to this. The region is growing fast. The Kitchener has has has you know has been um seeing pretty substantial growth. Um I think there's been a transition. At one point, you know, Waterloo was, you know, insurance and sort of the financial services. Kitchener was more the manufacturing hub. Um that's the way it was when I was growing up. It's it certainly has changed. The entire region has changed. We still have advanced manufacturing, but now we've got uh and still have insurance and financial services, but we got a whole bunch of other stuff too: agriculture, food processing, uh, you know, technology, and and there's multiple strands in technology. One of the things that and so I want to ask you about the evolution of the of Kitchener in your time as mayor. One of the things that that strikes me is um as we go into small business weeks, one of the reasons we want to talk to you about about the importance of chamber members, but broadly uh small business being the engine of every community, not just Kitchener, but every community across the province and the country, is small business is the engine of employment. Um even when we think of manufacturing and technology, many of those businesses in those uh in that are in those spaces now are what I would say are small, maybe medium size, but ultimately if you're not a large business, you're a small business. And and in small business week, we say, look, 95% plus of all businesses would fall into that small, uh, small and medium size, and and even our chamber membership, 75% of our businesses have 50, 50 percent, 50 employees or less. And that would be the same in every community across the country. So the vast majority of businesses are that small business, and I think that's changed over time. There were larger employers that employed more people years ago. So I I want to what's your the uh over the arc of your not only your time here but as is as an elected official, um uh we've moved how the the talk about the transition in in the economy and the types of jobs, because I think it lends itself to the the demographic we have here of young people and and technology and sort of the future of the economy, but it's also changed the shape of Kitchener as a city.

Berry Vrbanovic: 17:08

100%, 100%. And and I, you know, I I I go back to your initial reflection of you know how each of our cities, the one that you were uh you know part of as a as a council member, and the one that I've been part of have have changed. And I think one of the strengths of our region has been that we've you know always diversified. We've had um strong growth in in all sectors, you know, at different points in time, because as the economy goes through fluctuations, typically not all sectors uh are affected in the same way at the same time. And so the fact that, you know, we're about 20% manufacturing still, 20% tech and innovation, you know, a large percentage, around that same number, maybe a little less in in terms of financial services and insurance and so on, and then a smattering of of the other things has actually always has always helped us. I think we've always proved ourselves, in particular in Kitchener's case of of being resilient, because as that manufacturing sector moved elsewhere, whether it was to Mexico, whether it was to uh overseas, whether it was to the United States, we needed to to reinvent ourselves. And as you know, we've uh had a history of of in investing in that and and being part of that equation. So I think you know, under Mayor Zare, the initial $110 million Economic Development Investment Fund, it led to the attraction of University of Waterloo and School of Pharmacy. Um, it led to investments in Communitech, it led to the new library, um, supports for small businesses and so on. Back in 2020, as we were going into the pandemic, uh Council and I created a new $110 million fund, partially funded from the debt room of that initial one, partially funded from land holdings that we have, recognizing that we can never take our foot off the accelerator pedal from an economic development point of view. Um there's cities across the country and around the world that certainly want to tap into what you know former Governor General David Johnson often referred to as what's in the water in Waterloo Region. And so we need to make sure that we stay at the forefront of our game. And that has become even more important uh, quite frankly, since January of this year. Um I think it's critical that we as communities uh work together with our provincial and federal government counterparts and diversify even more so. This isn't going to happen overnight, and there will be some pain in this. Um I think actually, as challenging as some of the things that we're dealing with are right now, it's also providing an opportunity for Canada to rethink our approach on some of these things and take advantage of, for example, trade agreements that we've had, like the Canada Europe Trade Agreement and others. Totally unusual. And haven't really utilized them because we went the lane of least resistance, which is our neighborhood of the South. And now we've got to do it a little differently because they're playing a different game, and guess what? So will we. And what we're finding in doing that is um, you know what, we have lots of great partners in Europe, partially because of the history of immigration, that are saying, you know what, we like Canada, and actually we'd rather do business with you guys. And and so there's it well, it'll it'll be a journey, but we will get there. I'm very confident.

Ian McLean: 20:33

You know what's interesting? I I you know I I was in Australia at the World Chamber of Congress in Melbourne, and the entire four-day conference, the word Donald Trump never got said once by anyone on the podium, nor did tariffs, those words, but the whole conference was about that.

Berry Vrbanovic: 20:49

Yep.

Ian McLean: 20:50

The relationships of saying, How can you do business? And so when I was talking to Europeans or Australians or New Zealanders or South Koreans that were there, they're all looking for you know, for for for those new markets. So I I do I do think it is one of one of our strengths. And and you're right, it's gonna take some say take some time, but I think we're uniquely positioned here in Waterdo region for the reasons that that you're articulating. Listen, uh and and this is something that I don't think people get. Is is Waterloo, yes, German heritage and and uh all that, but even dating back to when I was in, I guess, elementary school, there was a history of this community having uh you know, lots of immigration, lots of newcomers coming here. You think about and there's Portuguese community, big Portuguese community and Ukrainian and lots of cultural groups were here, but I don't think people really knew. But there immigration has fueled this region, the growth of this region. It is one of the things that that sets us apart is that we are welcoming and we we do all those things. And so there's been some challenges with immigration, and certainly with with the idea of growth, but but Canada needs, we don't we're not having enough babies that we can't do it all on our own. We need to have immigration. And I I wonder, you know, and it still needs to be done responsibly, and we've got some challenges now, but but you know, if you how would you characterize Kitchener's growth and and the influence of our immigrant and our newcomers or or when I say first generation um uh citizens here in Waterloo Region and in Kitchener, how has that um you know developed the not only the culture but the economy?

Berry Vrbanovic: 22:41

You know, I mean, I obviously bring, I guess, uh a bit of a unique perspective to it um in that I'm as I pointed out, I'm a first-generation immigrant. We came in in 1969 when Brian Adams was living, I guess, the summer of 69. We arrived in the winter of 69 in February to Winnipeg and said, you know what, one winter here is a great city, one winter here is enough. We moved to Ontario, um, lived in Hamilton for seven years, and I moved here in 77. I was in grade six and uh and have been here uh ever since. Um listen, we we all know that it this country, we're all settlers except for our our First Nations peoples. Um, and whether you're here as a first generation person like myself or a family that's been in here for multiple generations, um immigration diversity has shaped this community, it's shaped this country. Um and and one of the strengths, I think, of of us as a country, and that's different, for example, than South of the Border is whereas you know they've always historically been more of a melting pot, we've been more of a mosaic where we've taken the best of everybody and you know tried to create this mosaic, this beautiful piece of art, taking the best foods, the best cultural things, the best practices, and and build something that we can all be proud of. But this community, I I believe, and and if you think back to the successes that we've had, has largely been because of these different waves and how they've shaped the growth that's happened in the community. Whether we talk about, you know, the initial Germans and Mennonites and so on who arrived here in the 1800s to other waves of immigrants, um, you know, during big construction phases where you had a lot of Europeans with skilled trades and so on that moved here. Um, you know, if you went into Schneider's back in the old days, there were lots of Croatian, Portuguese and and others that sort of immigrated in the 50s, 60s, 70s that were working in there. Um, and and you've seen that play out in in in different sectors. And I think it um it's done a couple of things. It's it's shaped how we've uh moved forward as a community. I think they've brought forward, particularly when it comes to small business, um, a culture that often in Europe, South America, Africa, and so on is more small business independent based, whether it's you know a family-run business or 20, 50 people like you talk about in terms of many of your your residents. And I think that's helped drive some of the startup culture, for example, that that exists here as well. And certainly, you know, I mean I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the role that University of Waterloo, for Laurier, absolutely and other and Constituer College have played in creating that uh culture. But I think it is in the DNA of the people who have been here and and absolutely and that's that's really helped shape, I think, the the kinds of things we've we've seen come out of this community and really helped us develop into the kind of place where people want to live, work, and play going forward.

Ian McLean: 25:56

Well, now that I know that you lived in Winnipeg in the winter 1969, guess where I lived in the winter of 1969?

Berry Vrbanovic: 26:04

Not Winnipeg.

Ian McLean: 26:05

Winnipeg.

Berry Vrbanovic: 26:06

Come on!

Ian McLean: 26:06

My dad was executive director of the Manitoba Bicentennial. We lived there from 1969 to 1970 before we moved here in 1971. I can't believe that. And we worked at Labasse together. This is getting crazy. Yeah, yeah. We've known each other for how long? Well, 35 years we've known each other. Listen, uh fat the economy is fast changing, and we've been through a lot as a region. We've both been around when the the downturn in some of the some of the auto um parts manufacturers, uh rubber, you know, um BF Garbridge and other things shut down. But it was always replaced, and we still have manufacturing, and and I think it's I'll say it again: 20% of our local economy is advanced manufacturing. 20% of our employment is advanced manufacturing in the supply chain. So making stuff is pretty important to Water to Region, and then we layer in the technology that's coming and the innovation that's coming and all of those other things. It very much I always say to my council or chamber colleagues: Water to Region is much more like a Toronto or a Vancouver because we've got multiple business sectors that most communities don't have, but it's fast changing. There's lots of lots of change coming. Um, and so staying competitive is key. Um and I think about this more from an economic development. Tony Lamanti and his gang have done a great job of bringing foreign direct investment in so people to invest in Waterloo region, but also helping the businesses that are here grow and get bigger and expand. Um what do you think that Kitchener needs to do specifically to focus on um uh you know uh ensuring that we're continuing to attract people here, that we're getting the investment, uh, and and you know, keeping that investment culture here in in Kitchener? Because you're doing a lot of those things, whether it's through through the connections with Communitech and the and the college and the universities, um, but what are the things how do we keep that going and what are the things we need to do?

Berry Vrbanovic: 28:10

So listen, I I I think one of the strengths that we've had historically, um, you know, and and this is an another debate for another day, but has been the fact that, you know, we're a region that's made up of different sized communities that give people life, quality of life choices and options. Um, and each of those sized communities also tend to attract different kinds of businesses um in into the area. For Kitchener specifically, um, you know, we've always had to kind of reinvent ourselves from the beginning. I I you know I go back and a little lesson in Latin, right? I mean, what's the the the Latin slogan that's on Kitchener's crest? Ex industria prosperitus through industry prosperity. And I think that very much uh to this day, you know, we we started as a village in 1854. To this day, um, I think that that Latin saying still applies in terms of um, you know, who we are, what we do, what we create, how the community continues to involve. And and so our strength really has come from our ability to adapt, to lead, to stay competitive, um, to focus on inclusive growth, um, always making investments for the future in things like infrastructure and in facilities, you know, whether it was when the auditorium was built after the Second World War, whether it was Ascend in the Square when it was built in the 80s, or whether it's, you know, the new cow and recreation center that we're uh in the midst of building in uh in Southwest Kitchener right now. All of those things have helped create the kind of community that companies want to be in because they know that that will help them attract the kind of talent that they need to be successful in terms of living, working, and playing. Um, you know. Of the one of the I remember when Google um opened their first building and former Prime Minister Trudeau was there and you talked to people. And part of the strength there was you had people working at Google, some who, you know what, wanted to get on the LRT and go home to their condo, you know, in either farther down in Kitchener up in Waterloo. You had others who wanted to live in the suburbs because they wanted a little more land. They had a young family, they want a backyard to be able to play with. And others who, you know what, wanted a hobby farm and uh and be able to do that. And yes, there were some that, you know, wanted to commute back and forth to Toronto, and that's a project we continue to work on to this day in terms of improving those links uh on the Toronto Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor.

Ian McLean: 30:44

Listen, uh first of all, I want to give you kudos for your Latin. I failed, I failed Latin in grade 10, so I'm giving you full kudos that you can still speak it. And I think you're right. One of the strengths that uh underlines all of this is as much as investments in infrastructure, talent fuels the economy, and we are we are positioned as a as a place that people want to come to. The Behind the Business Podcast is made possible through the support of our title sponsor, Gore Mutual. Proudly Canadian, Gore Mutual has stayed true to one purpose for more than 185 years: insurance that does good. It's the reason they exist. They believe that when we focus on being good, doing good, and spreading good, we all thrive together. We're grateful for their continued commitment to our local communities and the positive impact they make every day. For more information, visit goremutual.ca. Listen, yeah, and I I know you're not gonna break news on the Behind the Business podcast, but your city of our state of the city address is coming up on the 21st. Um and so without giving away the full story, what are some of the themes or ideas that are gonna be most on top of your mind or that you're excited to share um from the uh w with respect to Kitchener this year?

Berry Vrbanovic: 32:04

Yeah, you know, I mean, listen, uh as I said earlier, um the change in our relationship and I won't even say with the country, I'll say in our change in our relationship with the government south of the border this year has certainly um created challenges for us as a country, for us as a community, for for many individuals. And so it's a year that's really really reminded us of of one fundamental thing, and that's that the strength of uh us as a community lies in our people, our ability to come together, and our ability, quite frankly, to support local, uh, which has been, you know, a big part of the theme. It's been part of our our our uh response to um you know the the tariff situation and the and and the relationship with the US. Um and I think you know it it speaks to the notion that whether it's through good times or or through bad, we've always risen to the to the occasion. It's in our DNA. And so the speech will really focus on on this support local piece, um, on you know, how we've already built a strong foundation, um, how we have a diverse economy, a robust infrastructure. But there are things that we also need to double down on in terms of investment um at this time. And um, you know, we're even hearing that from other orders of government as they grapple with what are those strategic investments they need to make. Not unlike the recession of 2008 when the federal government worked with local governments on large-scale infrastructure projects, because that was going to have the biggest impact for the federal government in terms of turning the economy around and and you know, from the G7 countries, we were one of the best ones to do that. I think, you know, we're seeing that same kind of dialogue and that same kind of focus happening um, you know, both federally and and provincially. Um, you know, we need to continue to to look for ways of of providing collaboration across sectors, continue to work with each other. We've been very fortunate here with Waterloo Region EDC and you know, leaders like Tony Lamantilla, uh, who's been uh a huge um I mean he's just been awesome, quite frankly, and grateful that he stayed an extra year to help us as a community. But people like you and Greg in the chambers who have worked closely together with him in terms of helping us tackle some of these challenges that that came up during COVID and and you know continue to work on them going forward. And so the theme of the state of the city is really going to focus on how we have and how we continue to support each other. Um, and there will also be some focus, I'll say, on on um the role that arts and culture plays in all this as well, because it is something that council has prioritized. Uh, and you've seen it this past summer, and I have to give a shout out here to Steve Roth and our special events team who knocked it out of the park this year from what everybody uh the feedback we've been getting, and obviously a lot of it with community partners, whether it's Oktoberfest, which we're in the midst of or just finished actually this past weekend, uh, in terms of when people will be listening to your podcast, um, or uh blues that had their 25th anniversary. Yeah, lots happening.

Ian McLean: 35:22

Yeah, lots going on. Okay. Um and and just as last question, then I will go to our to the rapid fire section of this. But uh so you know, you you've got multiple audiences, right? You got your ratepayers and neighborhood associations. Business is a big, big part. And um, you know, you know, business needs to do its part moving forward in this period of uncertainty economically by and by doing our best to when we find more certainty to invest in our business and create the job. So business has its own job to do. But what role do you see the business for the business community playing in shaping the city's future? Like because there always has been a role. I mean, every everything that we look at, whether it's the University of Waterdo, was started by you know Titans of Industry and the arts and culture, you talk about the center in the square, you think about and you just mentioned the Cowan uh uh sports center. I mean, there are businesses big and small that have invested. The Kitchener Rangers are owned by the community, they're they're supported by the community and small business. I mean, that's been part of it. But how where do you see the business community fitting into this? What I think is a is a it's a it's a a change point in our in our history. And I I think this, you know, the the new administration in the U.S. has seen to that, that it's not just a change between Canada and the U.S., uh, which I think will be long st or like more permanent in nature, but it it it's globally it's changed as what's the role the business community can change in shaping the city's future and that broader landscape.

Berry Vrbanovic: 36:57

You know, it's it's interesting because in your your initial comment there, you sort of referenced different constituencies and businesses versus residents and so on. And I would actually tell you that I see all of that as actually being one group, because at the end of the day, what are businesses? Businesses are people. Some are, yes, they happen to be owners, some happen to be the leaders of the organization, some are the workers in the but at the end of the day, they're all people trying to make a living, trying to help build community and lives and uh and and move forward. And so, you know, I I think of the people, the kinds of people that have helped shape our community. And yes, I referenced um, you know, the Cowan Recreation Center and their generous donation. You know, I'd be remiss if I didn't think of other ones like the Schlegel family uh in RBJ Schlegel Park that the center is in. If I think of um folks like uh the Conrad family who donated the theater in Downtown Kitchener to us, which will be part of um the state of the city speech. And this really goes on and on. And so I say all that because business, quite frankly, is one of the foundations, in my view, of the community, because business is people, and people are that foundation. And so um it's it's really about looking at finding, you know, what are the right spots for different individuals and based on their skills, their needs, their desires, their hopes and dreams. Our role as leaders, whether it's at in the you know, in the business world through the chamber, like yourself, or whether it's at the municipal, provincial, or or or federal level of of government, it's to provide an environment that allows people to see their hopes, dreams, and aspirations come to fruition. And often part of that is is through business. And so that that's uh the the mechanism that provides for people going forward.

Ian McLean: 38:48

All right. Well, we could keep going on and on and on, but I know for a fact that no one's listening to a two-hour podcast. So we're gonna kind of start to wrap it up. Listen, uh last couple of quick questions, and then we're gonna go to a rapid fire, um, which I ask everybody the same set of questions at the at the end. But what's but maybe just quickly, what's something about your role as mayor that people might not expect? Like, I mean, I think everyone may have in their own mind what being mayor means and what what you do. What's what's something that would be um the unusual or or that people might not expect? And it and you know, maybe more from the human perspective than than than political.

Berry Vrbanovic: 39:30

Yeah, listen, I I think um I think people would be surprised as to um and this is not a complainter in in any way because I love what I do. I literally love almost everything of what I do. But it it it is a significant commitment, right? And and uh, you know, I probably do 500 events a year and all the meetings and like all that kind of stuff, right? And um, you know, one one of the things we often joked about is you know, what what what's the thing they don't know about in the mayor's office, right? And it's like for those who don't know, I'm like a huge Disney fan, right? So you come to my office and there's all sorts of Disney stuff.

Ian McLean: 40:09

I can I can verify your office is filled with that. Yeah, yeah. So but um Yeah, yeah. Well, and you know what? You're ever present, and and there's there's others, you know, Chair Redman and others are and Dorothy McC, you know, Merrick McCabe. It's a job where you're you're always on because people want to see their leaders at the events, and and the number of events you go to, it just uh it does kind of leave me shocked at how you uh how you can fit it all into a day, but good for you. Listen, um so this is maybe uh maybe stealing a another piece of your state of the city, but when you think about the future of Kitchener uh and our community 10 or 20 years from now, what what's the legacy you hope to leave behind? Because uh, you know, well, maybe you'll still be married 10 years, 20, I don't know. We're gonna be getting a little old. So I can assure you that I'm not gonna pull a hazel. What what what do you where do you think we'll be in in say 15, 20 years?

Berry Vrbanovic: 41:11

You know, listen, I I think um we will once again as a community prove our resiliency um through the challenges that uh that that we're facing uh here in our community and as a country right now. There's obviously a lot of things globally that are playing out that our our national leaders are are are having to deal with, and and and that will certainly um you know I I'm a cop, not half full, but three-quarterful kind of guy. I'm hoping that we will find positive pathways uh towards some of these geopolitical issues going forward. But I think through the the resiliency, we will once again uh continue to punch above our weight as a city, as a region, uh going forward. Um, I think the business community is going to be uh a critical part in terms of helping shape that, whether it's you know, an individual business, a small ma and pa shop, or or you know, large corporations like like Google, for example, who is you know employing over 1,500 people in our region now, or Toyota that you know throughout uh our region and beyond is employing probably over 8,000 people. Um, these are the the things that are going to help shape how we continue to evolve as a community. And um I can certainly tell you as long as I have the privilege and the honor of continuing to serve, it will be focused on finding ways um to continue to grow and develop our economy, to uh enhance the quality of life, and to ensure that we continue to punch our weight on a national and global level.

Ian McLean: 42:53

Well, some of us are pikers and can't keep up to the 31 years of of office. But but we're all you know, we're all um you know players at different stages along the way. You're you'll your your influence will be felt for years uh because of because you've been doing it for so long. And uh kudos to you for for uh continuing on. You're like the Energizer Bunny. Like I I I it makes me tired sometimes when I see your social media posts and say, oh my god, how many events did he go to today? But good for you. Listen, uh, and and as I said before, some of this is a little bit about leadership and about the personalities of leaders. Uh and we always ask this same set of questions because it's always fascinating to see how how leaders respond to them. So if if we could go, you could go back and tell your younger self something, what would it be?

Berry Vrbanovic: 43:46

Listen, always maintain your integrity, uh, be authentic, respect people and treat them the way you would want to be treated. You do those three things, no matter what you do in life, whether it's personal relationships, professional relationships, that will put you on a highway to success going forward.

Ian McLean: 44:05

Uh okay, and those are excellent, actually. I can make notes of those and come back to those in the next stage of my life.

Berry Vrbanovic: 44:13

I'll throw in a live love laugh because I think that's important too. Uh, who or what inspires you most? That's um listen, that's uh that's a good question. And and you know, I I talked about some of those individuals um along the way. I'd be remiss if I didn't reference, you know, obviously our parents, but in particular my late mom who passed away last year. I mean, she grew up in a country um when the communists arrived in in World War II, and it wasn't a pretty time um in the former Yugoslavia then. And uh I'll never forget uh the day I announced that I was going to be running for mayor, and Jeff Hicks interviewed her um uh while I was in the green room getting ready to do my speech that I was announcing that I was I was running, and um and then afterwards he asked the question he because of that interview, uh he said, Well, your mother described herself as a revolutionary in my interview with her earlier. Is that the kind of mayor you're gonna be in? Like, I'm dumbfounded thinking, like, how the heck do I respond to this? I said, number one, I said, if you're gonna bring a parent to something like this, give them media training uh first. But secondly, um, you know what, I'll just say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. And and and she always instilled certain core values, like the ones I talked about a moment ago, um, that I think have served me well as uh as a human being.

Ian McLean: 45:43

If you weren't in your current career, what would you be doing? What would you be doing instead of being mere? I and yeah, yeah, I mean, I will take as gospel that you love your job and you wouldn't want to do anything else. Yeah.

Berry Vrbanovic: 45:53

But if you weren't doing that, what would you do? So, you know what? I mean, I likely would have continued in IT because that's where I was, and that that was you know a path to success back in in the day when you and I were were younger. Knowing what I do now and some of the volunteer work I've done globally, um, I love international uh development work. And uh, you know, someday when I'm re older and retired, uh that's something maybe I I hope to do a little bit more of.

Ian McLean: 46:23

Um are you and this is this is always are you other than behind the bits? Oh, my head! No, no, you can't use that one. Are you reading a book or what podcast do you listen to?

Berry Vrbanovic: 46:34

Um I I do like the Hurly Burly, uh, which is uh for all of a sudden political hacks uh on throughout the political spectrum, it's always a good place to go. Um lately I haven't been doing a whole lot of reading because by the time I get home at night, uh you're you're and you're done reading all your city and your regional reports and stuff. There's not a whole lot of uh of time uh up. I did, I mean, it's a while back now, but one of the awesome ones was that whole Tuesdays with Maury series, yeah, uh, which was fantastic.

Ian McLean: 47:05

Yeah. Well, I'm I'm with you. I mean, I by the time you get into newspapers and reading reports of various things, I try to read, but the only time I really read is when I'm on vacation. It's when I when I kind of really tune out. But uh, so the Hurley Birdie is a great podcast for those uh that that want to get their dose of politics. Uh and I I this is gonna be. You're gonna get me in trouble. I know you are gonna get in trouble. I'm gonna give you a political action. It's the same question for everyone. What's your favorite local business here in I'll say Kitchener, Waterloo Region, but in Kitchener? What's your favorite business?

Berry Vrbanovic: 47:38

Is all of the above uh we'll say all of the above, but like what's your favorite restaurant or listen, I I I do um have an appreciation for things that are locally owned, whether it's a a small mom pa shop, um, you know, coffee shop restaurant, or those that are sort of local chains, but not sort of the national or international chains. Um, you know, I I do like to start my days uh many mornings at uh at matter of taste, and I and I and I raise them only in the dangerous world of raising anyone because earlier this morning, um Minister Gregor Robertson, who's in town today, uh I guess finished his CBC interview and went next door, and I saw him in there and I gave him a shout out at uh I joined him for an announcement this morning and gave him a shout out because I think that's also spoke to his values, which is locally owned, downtown, sustainable uh small businesses.

Ian McLean: 48:37

Okay, and uh for our listeners, uh you you don't have to work hard to find where you are, but if they wanted to get in touch with you or learn more about uh about the city kitchener, what you're doing, the work that you're doing, how do people find uh www.kitchener.ca in terms of my city work.

Berry Vrbanovic: 48:54

If you want to learn about sort of some things nationally with cities, www.fcm.ca or globally www.uclg.org, on Twitter or X, I guess, at Barry Online, email mayor at Kitchener.ca.

Ian McLean: 49:08

Uh love to hear from you. Uh and you always catch him on his social media and you're very active on that. Listen, we could have gone on forever, but thank you. I know how busy your schedule is. Thanks for making some time and and talking about the importance of uh of the community broadly, but also the role the business plays as we go into Small Business Week and the importance of individuals and and and business and in Kitchener and beyond. So thanks for spending time with us.

Berry Vrbanovic: 49:33

Oh, and thank you, Ian, because you know what? This kind of thing is so important in this changing environment of media and how people take in information. Podcasts have become an important way, particularly of getting local news and you doing this with uh local leaders is uh is a big part of it. And I know it takes a commitment, so thank you for doing that.

Ian McLean: 49:52

Joining us for another episode of Behind the Business, proudly presented by Gore Mutual, insurance that does good. New episodes drop every Thursday, so be sure to tune in next week. You can also visit greater kw chamber.com to catch up on past episodes anytime. We'll see you next time as we continue to go behind the business.