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Home » Living » Arts and culture

Arts and culture

The community of Guelph is proud of its reputation as a vibrant cultural hub.

Guelph is home to award-winning festivals, signature cultural events and magnificent public spaces and venues. The contributions of its flourishing arts and heritage organizations and talented artists, writers and performers contribute immeasurably to our community’s well being.

Market Square

Free outdoor skating, music, events and more

About Market Square
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Guelph Museums

Anna Wiebe to perform free Fourth Friday concert at Guelph Civic Museum
August 23, 2016
Call to Artists: Rites of Passage
August 16, 2016
Artist’s Inspiration: Carol Tinga
July 28, 2016

Explore Guelph Museums

Heritage conservation

Heritage is the foundation for Guelph’s creative, distinctive and diverse community.

Heritage Guelph

Sleeman Centre

Happening this month
The suite experience

Pub-style restaurant
Guest Services

Visit the Sleeman Centre

Arts and culture news

#GuelphCulture in full force for Culture Days

September 20, 2016

Rogers Hometown Hockey coming to Guelph

September 7, 2016

Community invited to be part of “larger-than-life” art project

August 24, 2016

Arts and culture news

Special projects
What’s new in arts and culture

River Run Centre

River Run announces 2016-17 season
June 1, 2016
2016-17 Season Launch
May 19, 2016
Talented youth in the spotlight at River Run
April 26, 2016

What’s on stage

Public art
Discover the City’s public art collection

Call For Participation: Digital Scholarship Study
September 26, 2016
SLG Leader Appreciation Week- Sept 26-30
September 26, 2016
Research Data Repositories Unavailable Sept 26-30
September 22, 2016
Library Carnival Sept 27
September 22, 2016
Book Group Study Rooms Online
September 7, 2016

Guelph Public Library

Last Updated: August 25, 2016.

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Guelph, Ontario Canada
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Latest updates

Survey: Victoria Road Recreation Centre multi-purpose room programming
September 27, 2016

Integrated Metal Products celebrates expansion with ribbon cutting at new 33,000 square foot facility
September 27, 2016

Public Notice: Bristol Street tree removal
September 27, 2016

Visit the newsroom

Citywide recognition in 2015

In 2015, the City of Guelph was the recipient of several prestigious awards and industry acknowledgments. As leaders and employees in this community, it is very rewarding to know that the work that is done every day across this organization is making a difference.
Guelph is a leader among cities and our employees strive to do the best they can every day. Being at our best means making this community stronger together through quality programs and services.

Guelph honoured for municipal public sector leadership

The Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and Deloitte recognized Guelph for demonstrating outstanding leadership by taking bold steps to improve Canada, through advancements in public policy and management.

City of Guelph honoured for excellent communications

The City Guelph has been honoured with a Gold Quill Excellence Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), for the 2014 municipal election communications plan—My Guelph, My Vote.

City of Guelph wins award for leadership in environmental conservation

Ontario Nature presented the City of Guelph with the Lee Symmes Municipal Award in recognition of the City’s commitment to the natural environment and acknowledges the City’s leading-edge Natural Heritage System policies developed and implemented over the past 12 years.

Guelph-Wellington Emergency Medical Service receives Service Award for Geriatric Excellence

GWEMS received the award for its Community Paramedicine Program and for demonstrating dedication, leadership and innovation towards care of seniors in the community.

City of Guelph Wins QUEST 2015 Community Energy Builder Award

The Community Energy Builder Awards are presented annually by QUEST to recognize leadership and innovation in advancing Smart Energy Communities in Canada. Guelph received the “Local Government” award for its emerging Guelph Energy Efficiency Retrofit Strategy (GEERS) as a major component of its Community Energy Initiative.

Communicators from the City of Guelph and Guelph Municipal Holdings Inc. win eight Pinnacle awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), Hamilton Chapter.

The Pinnacle Awards are prestigious communications awards with a long-standing history of recognizing and rewarding the best public relations programs and projects from the Hamilton, Halton, Niagara and Southwestern Ontario regions.

Guelph’s Exhibition Park wins design award

The City and Earthscape took home an Awards of Excellence in the Excellence in Design Award category for the new natural playground space in Exhibition Park.

City receives award for Downtown Waste Cart Communications Campaign

The City of Guelph’s Solid Waste Resources department is pleased to be a 2015 recipient of a Recycling Council of Ontario Silver Award for excellence in the Municipal Communications category.

Guelph is a Fair Trade Town

On May 12, 2015, Guelph became Canada’s 20th Fair Trade Town.

City receives Play Works’ Gold Youth Friendly Community designation

Guelph received Play Works’ gold designation, which represents the successful demonstration of 15 of 16 Youth Friendly Community criteria.

National panel recognizes City’s communications for Jubilee Park as best in its class

Guelph was honoured by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) with two more awards for communications excellence. The City’s received the Don Rennie Memorial Award for its communications strategy for the Jubilee Park Master Plan, and a Silver Award of Excellence in the Canadian Community Relations Campaign of the Year category.

Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative highlighted in Engineering Dimensions magazine

The article titled, “Community Energy in Guelph: Environment and Economy in Partnership” chronicles Guelph’s journey in its efforts to conserve energy and water despite its growing population. The article highlights partnerships and policy entrenchment as the key contributing factors to Guelph’s leading advancements in this sector.

Grow Guelph Business Retention and Expansion program recognized for excellence by the Economic Development Council of Ontario

The Grow Guelph BR+E program is a collective of the City of Guelph and other local business service organizations.

City Building

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Frozen water pipes

Frozen water pipes

Following a deep freeze that began in February 2015, Guelph saw an unprecedented number of homes and businesses affected by frozen water pipes. Almost 400 customers were without running water, some for up to eight weeks. City staff acted quickly to develop programs and services to help those affected get access to water for basic needs from drinking and cooking to showering and laundry, and to restore home water service as quickly as possible in spite of continued freezing temperatures. Members of the Guelph community stepped up too, supporting affected family, friends, neighbours and even strangers. Programs developed in the moment during the event have been built upon to create a permanent program for managing the City’s response to frozen pipes in the future.

Learn more about frozen water service

Example of an advertisement for frozen pipes that was used to promote the program.

City Building

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$279,000+ in community grants

Man reading book to a child

Man sitting with a boy while holding a football

Woman and girl paddling a canoe in a river

Woman teaching a child to play a game

The City has a Community Investment Strategy that provides the organization with clear direction for investing in local organizations and the work they do.

The Wellbeing Grant Program is one of the ways the City provides financial support to Guelph’s non-profit community. An important feature of the program is its community-based approach to allocating these wellbeing grants.

Funding decisions are not made by City Council or City employees. Eight citizens with expertise in community benefit organizations are appointed to review and evaluate the grant applications. Funding decisions are then based on eight categories identified in the Canadian Index of Wellbeing. This approach increases community participation in municipal decision making and ensures the grant program is supporting areas of importance to community members.

In 2015, the City awarded $279,400 to 47 local not-for-profit organizations through the Wellbeing Grant program.

Here’s the story of one of last year’s recipient — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph, Mentor Program — and how the grant made a difference.

“This program provides at-risk girls and boys ages 5 to 14 from Guelph and surrounding area with the support of a well-trained positive adult role model.

Last year, we had a mentor approach us who didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but he really wanted to be involved in the community.

During the intake process, we learned about his personality and interests and a particular student came to mind immediately. They were so similar.

The only concern was that the student had mental health challenges and the mentor volunteer was not experienced working with people with special needs.

After talking to the school and mentor, we decided to make the match and provide extra support to the mentor.

This has now become one of the most successful matches made. The student has opened up so much with the mentor doing better in school, and he has even made a friend with another student in his class. The school cannot believe the change in the student who is more social and his ability to calm himself when he gets upset has skyrocketed.

The mentor has more confidence and is gaining very valuable experience. They love seeing each other and look forward to weekly visits.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Guelph

City Building

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Thank you volunteers!!

Volunteers are a huge part of making Guelph a caring community and help deliver many City programs. In 2015, more than 1,000 volunteers contributed 23,359 hours to City programs—time valued at almost $700,000.

The City offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for students, adults and seniors.

Volunteer opportunities

City Building

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Celebrating 100 Years

2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the writing of In Flanders Fields by Lt. Col. John McCrae. In commemoration, the City unveiled the McCrae statue at the Civic Museum.

John McCrae statue revealed

In addition, history went high-tech with the launch of 100 Years of In Flanders Fields Map Journal, a web-based, multi-media experience developed by the City’s team in partnership with Guelph Museums. The map journal uses interactive, content-rich maps to trace John McCrae’s life and the experiences that led to his writing of In Flanders Fields more than 100 years ago.

100 Years of In Flanders Fields Map Journal

McCrae House, a National Historic Site of Canada, also underwent renovations. The refurbished birthplace of McCrae features exhibitions focused on his life as a doctor, adventurer, solider and artist. During 2015, new programs, including backyard theatre and daily tea and tours, were initiated to enhance visitor engagement with McCrae’s story.

McCrae House renovations

Old photograph of John McCrae

John McCrae

Old piece of note paper the the poem In Flanders Field on it.

In Flanders Field

Exterior photo of the McCrae house

McCrae house

Screenshot of the 100 Years of In Flanders Fields Map Journal, a web-based, multi-media experience developed by the City’s team in partnership with Guelph Museums.

100 Years of In Flanders Fields Map Journal

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Downtown Improvements

The Community Improvement Plan uses incentives and grants to encourage private sector investment and stimulate the revitalization of downtown Guelph.

In 2015, the City approved one Minor Activation grant to the Granary Building Ltd. for $240,000.

Petrie Building

Petrie building before renovations

The grant was given to the Granary Building Ltd. for the interior renovation of the historic Petrie Building at 15 Wyndham Street North, and for the adjoining property at 19 Wyndham Street North. The buildings include 7,600 square feet of commercial space and 3,100 square feet of office space.

For every dollar of grant money provided by the City, Granary Building Ltd. is contributing 3.55 times that amount in renovation costs.

Old postcard of Wyndham Street showing the Petrie-Kelly building, date unknown

Historic plaque for the Petrie-Kelly building for being recognized as a location of architectural interest

“When we assessed rehabilitating and re-activating a heritage building in downtown Guelph and were faced with long dormant upper floors, years of neglect, outdated services and structural issues it was clear that we needed to find partners if the project was to succeed. The City of Guelph Community Improvement Plan provided the funds that bridged the gap and made the project viable.”

Kirk Roberts, The Granary Building Ltd.

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Arts in the house
Radon gas

Radon Gas

Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Radon gas can seep into homes and buildings through cracks and holes in floors and foundations.

In 2015, the City implemented the Radon Gas Mitigation Program for new buildings and additions constructed in Guelph.

As part of the new program, most building permits applied for after August 31, 2015, must include a mitigation strategy to minimize the level of radon gas in buildings.

In 2015, 143 building permits were issued that required radon gas mitigation measures to be implemented.

Learn more about radon gas

“The Radon Gas Mitigation Program aims to address potential exposure to radon gas and reduce health risks to building occupants in our community.”

Rob Reynen, Manager of Inspection Services, Building Services

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Artist in Residence

Collage of the 100 paintings by Artist in Residence, Greg Denton.
Guelph’s Artist in Residence program is a City initiative guided by the Council-appointed Public Art Advisory Committee. As an integral part of the program, artists are asked to engage the public in creative experiences that contribute to the vitality of the community.

In 2015, the Public Art Advisory Committee recommended awarding the project to Greg Denton. His proposal, entitled, “100 Portraits/100 Poppies: Sitting in Remembrance,” sought to engage Guelph’s veteran and military community in a creative experience that would enhance the city’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the writing of McCrae’s poem.

Artist in Residence program

Artist in Residence, Greg Denton, painting a portrait of a posing veteran.

Greg Denton

Artist in Residence

Completed portrait Michael P. Seitz

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Sort it Right!

Have you ever stood in front of waste containers and thought… what goes where? The City, in partnership with community app developers, developed and implemented the Sort Right web-based waste sorting tool to help Guelph citizens determine which waste item goes in each waste cart.

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We’ve got an app or online service for that

In the quick moving technology world, apps and more advanced online services have become a norm to help residents navigate and access critical City information.

311GIS

In 2015, the City launched the Guelph Map app 311GIS making it easier for residents to report a problem. It’s a new way to use your smartphone, mobile device or desktop to report concerns about parking, wildlife, signs, property maintenance and more. You can report a problem on the spot, attach pictures or videos, and get updates about the City’s response. You can also see if other people are reporting similar problems in your neighbourhood, or across town. Over 200 requests for service were placed using the app in the first two months.

Guelph Map App: 311GIS

Screenshot of the 311GIS map showing icons where issues have been reported

Parking

The City’s new parking payment option, pay-by-phone, at its downtown parking lots on Baker, Macdonell, Wilson and Wyndham streets, was launched in November. By downloading the APP – MacKay Pay – extending parking has never been easier, more convenient or faster!

Pay by phone downtown

Screenshot of app showing the ability to pay through the app

Transit

A new app makes it easier for persons with autism and other cognitive disabilities to learn how to ride the bus through a series of step-by-step instructional cards.

App empowers persons with disabilities to ride bus

Electronic Funds Transfer

The City implemented an Electronic Funds Transfer for vendor payment. Vendors no longer need to wait to receive payments by cheque; payments can be directly deposited to their accounts, and payments to the City can also be deposited electronically. This will save the City approximately $12,000 annually.

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File for life

The City’s Emergency Services launched a new in-home safety tool for Guelph and Wellington County residents who have serious or complicated medical histories. The File of Life program gives first responders quick access to a patient’s medical history during an emergency. This new program allows residents to record critical medical information on a magnet on the outside of the fridge where first responders are sure to see it. File for Life is supported by Safe Communities Guelph/Eramosa Township, Guelph Health Link, Community Care Access Centre, and Canadian Mental Health.

File of life example showing fields for name, date of birth, Health card number, address, city, postal code, telephone, doctor, medical conditions and medications

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Innovation in local government

Innovation is a bit of a buzz word these days. Every business claims to be or want to be innovative.

But what does that really mean?

For the City of Guelph, innovation comes in many forms; an employee making a simple change in the way they work that saves the corporation money; creating a new program or service that fulfills a need within our community; even going about our daily routines with a new perspective that creates a better outcome for the City and the community.

Governments that allow themselves to innovate are more effective, efficient and better support the community.

Being innovative helps us find better solutions. Being innovative is exciting and means that we are growing as an organization and as a city.

Colleen Clack, Deputy CAO, Public Services shares her views on innovation in local government.

Additional 2015 accomplishments

City staff is innovating work in wastewater treatment. In 2015, a system was built to reduce ammonia during sidestream treatment. This innovative system decreases the burden on the mainstream treatment system and will help to increase overall system capacity and reduce operating costs. By finding operating cost efficiencies and increasing capacity at the plant, our entire community benefits.

Learn more about the Anammox-deammonification system

Community participation is important to developing programs and services that meet community need. In 2015, the City developed and launched an Application Showcase to provide the public with access to the apps developed by community members as part of a City-hosted Hackathon. These apps make it easier for residents to find and gather information.

City Building

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City Building

When we talk about city building we’re not just talking about the bricks and mortar, we’re also talking about building a community.

We’re talking about building on the strength of our past as we build for the future; ensuring generations after us have a place where they can live, work and enjoy.
Here at the City, we’re always looking at ways to improve what we do and to celebrate those wins with the community.

City building is not done in isolation. It is done with and in the community.

City programs and services support the building of a prosperous, healthy community every day; and every day our community helps us build a stronger more dynamic organization that strives to make a noticeable difference.

Scott Stewart, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services shares his views on city building.

Additional 2015 accomplishments

Our River Run Centre was home to Music Works | Stage Works, a mentorship program that offers youth real-life experience in putting on a professional-style show from concept development to performance. In 2015, 93 youth, ages 13 to 18 participated. More than 26,000 youth also participated in Linamar for the Performing Arts (school) shows at the River Run Centre.

Culture Days’ list of the Top Ten Cities and Towns across Canada in 2015 – we were ranked 8th within the group of cities and towns with populations of 50,000 – 499,999 and tied with Milton, Ontario. Richmond, British Columbia topped the list in this grouping along with London, Saskatoon, Kelowna and Kamloops.

Guelph made the top 10 list of Canadian cities and towns participating in Culture Days 2015. The non-profit organization made its selections based on the number of activities hosted by a community. Guelph ranked eighth within the group with populations of 50,000 to 499,999, for hosting about 50 activities, events, and exhibitions during the celebrations.

In 2015, more than six kilometres of bike lanes were added throughout the city

The City partnered with University of Guelph students to present the Wilson Street Promenade as part of the John Galt Day festivities.

Learn more about the Wilson St. Promenade

In 2015 Guelph Economic Development staff connected with more than 5,000 investment leads and local businesses. Attracting business to Guelph is one of the many ways we ensure the longevity of public services.

City Economic Development staff and the University of Guelph participated in three outgoing trade missions resulting in 112 investment leads from Brazil, the United States of America and Germany. The City also hosted three incoming trade missions from Holland, Denmark and France, and the first ever Guelph-Wellington and European trade and investment Agri-food Forum with the University of Guelph, Wellington County and Ontario Agri-Food Technologies

In 2015, Economic Development staff’s work in business expansion and new investments resulted in over 2,000 new jobs being created

The Hanlon Creek Business Park continues to attract new and expanding businesses to our community. In 2015, two more companies signed up to make the business park their home. The two new additions now take us to 50 per cent sold

The City also serviced thirty-one film inquiries from companies wanting to film in our community

Organizational excellence

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Delivering great services

Keeping things running at maximum efficiency is part of what we do every day; whether it’s improving our underground infrastructure such as sewer and water pipes or implementing processes that ensure greater outcomes.

Several projects were implemented in 2015 that helped us deliver better services to the community including:

The City installed almost two kilometres of water and sewer pipes as part of the multi-year York trunk sanitary sewer and Paisley-Clythe feeder main project, Guelph’s largest water and sewer infrastructure project to date. Once complete, a total of about 10 kilometres of pipes (6.2 water; 3.8 sewer) will be installed extending from Silvercreek Park to Victoria Road. This project was identified as a top priority in the Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan and provides a much needed infrastructure upgrade for our growing community.

Learn more about the Paisley-Clythe feeder main project

A back hoe digging a hole for the York trunk phase 2 sanitary sewer and Paisley-Clythe feeder main project

New LED lighting at the Sleeman Centre

Energy efficiency upgrades were completed in various high-energy use facilities. Optimizing energy use was achieved by improving building automation systems, and a measurement and verification procedure to track energy projects.

An example of the upgrades was the replacement of old lighting with new LED lighting over the ice pad at the Sleeman Centre. The benefits of this upgrade included improved quality of the light that is cleaner and brighter, longer-lasting lights, virtual elimination of labour required for regular bulb replacement, and much higher energy efficiency.

In this facility alone, the ice pad lighting upgrades would see a return of $18,000 in one year, plus an additional $2,500 in maintenance savings. The City also expects to receive an $8,000 rebate from the utility company for changing over to LED lighting.

The City’s 100 per cent score on Ministry of Environment and Climate Change compliance inspection, and by passing the annual, third–party Drinking Water Quality Management Standard accreditation audit, demonstrates once again, that the City’s drinking water is safe and efficient.

Organizational excellence

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Financial Sustainability

Have you ever asked yourself where the City gets the money it needs to run its programs and services? More than 75 per cent of money the City needs is received through property taxes (residential and business) and user fees. Here’s the breakdown on where money came from in 2015:
2015 Revenue Sources in millions - Taxation: $213.2, Reserve funds: $6.6, Internal recoveries: $35.2, Grants: $10.8, External recoveries: $13.1, Interest and penalties: $4.7, Product sales, licenses and permits: $11.8, Water/wastewater: 52.1, user fees: $33.9
And what exactly does your property taxes and user fees fund these days? The City delivers a variety of services like emergency services, snow clearing, public transportation and waste collection, and all those services and programs need people to make them work. Here’s a look at the 2015 expenditure categories:
2015 Overall City Expenditures in millions - Salaries: $178.9, financial expenses: $2.8, Other transfers: $7.4, Government transfers: $27.4, Internal charges: $35.2, Debt charges: $59.8, purchased services: $37.3, purchased goods: $32.7
Our budget webpages outlines how the City prepares a budget, how residents can offer feedback and how budget decisions are made.

The City’s 2015 audited financial statements will also provide more insight into the organization’s financial position.

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Records and Information Management

To be transparent for citizens, the City has a responsibility to ensure corporate records are current, recorded accurately and retained appropriately. In 2015, the City completed its Records and Information Management (RIM) Strategy.

Improved records management means staff can provide better service to the community by quickly accessing information. A record is any recording of a City business decision or activity related to the operation of providing services.

Learn more about the RIM Strategy

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Managing our tree canopy

Each year, there are exciting collaborations between the City and the Guelph community to continually expand our tree canopy. Many of our community partners joined in several plantings of trees and shrubs throughout the year and with the help of over 6,000 school, business, citizen and community group volunteers, over 5,500 trees were added to our tree canopy.

In addition, the City planted 491 large new trees in 2015 (340 in subdivisions and 151 trees due to Emerald Ash Borer damage).

Tree plantings and forest restoration projects contribute to the overall percentage of canopy cover, increase diversity of tree species in our urban forest and support the goal of increasing the sustainability and resilience of the urban forest.

Did you know that the City has a tree inventory? In 2015, the City added 16,802 new records and updated 7,036 records already in the inventory. Each year, City staff documents location, species, size, and condition information for newly planted and existing City, shared and private trees. To date, the inventory has records on 48,279 trees.

A tree inventory is essential for defining the current state of our urban forest. Information collected provides baselines and benchmarks which allow us to more effectively make decisions on matters such as pest, disease and invasive management, climate change, restoration/planting priorities, asset valuation, budget justification and preventative maintenance.

Newly planted trees

Managing our tree canopy

Young trees planted in a park

Managing our tree canopy

Mayor Guthrie and Councillor Gibson with shovels helping to plant trees

Managing our tree canopy

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Integrated Operational Review

The Integrated Operational Review (IOR) is a multi-year initiative program that’s improving how the development industry, business community and the City work together. Implementation of the IOR examines internal processes and how to make them better.

In 2015, the City looked at six development approval processes (DAPs) to identify and begin implementing improvements. Staff mapped each step along the way, looking for ways to enhance the customer experience. To further improve the process, staff implemented a mandatory pre-consultation by-law, established the Development Review Committee and developed an Interim Rapid Response Protocol for high impact Industrial, Commercial and Institutional development and investment opportunities.

Learn more about the IOR

The IOR implementation plan is more than just a roadmap with deadlines and deliverables; it requires the City to undergo a significant cultural shift from within.

Todd Salter, general manager of Planning, Urban Design and Building Services

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Organizational excellence

Organizational excellence doesn’t just happen, it takes leadership’s vision to set a course of constant improvement and a will to be, and do better; it takes employee dedication to want to improve systems and processes; and it takes a community that expects and deserves the best programs and services possible.

Here at the City of Guelph, we strive to achieve organizational excellence on all fronts—with our leaders, our employees, and our community.

“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”

Pat Riley

Mark Amorosi, Deputy CAO, Corporate Services shares his views on Organizational Excellence.

Additional accomplishments

Last year, the city developed a Sewage System Maintenance Inspection Program to protect municipal water supplies from contamination and protect the health of the community. The program also includes ongoing inspections of existing private sewage systems.

In 2015, the City developed and delivered communications training and support to hundreds of employees across the corporation to enhance the organization’s overall communications capacity and ensure information is delivered to the community with clarity.

There are talented employees working to service the community all across the organization. The Talent Management Blueprint was created to ensure we develop and engage our staff — which allows us to continue to deliver outstanding service and value to the community.