News Release

Royal City Brewing toasts Guelph with grand opening of its new Beer Hall

Guelph, Ont., March 24, 2022 – Royal City Brewing recently celebrated the grand opening of their new Beer Hall at 199 Victoria Road South in Guelph.

Mayor Cam Guthrie, Cam Fryer and MP Lloyd Longfield cutting the red ribbon at Royal City Brewery

Left to right: Mayor Cam Guthrie, Cam Fryer and MP Lloyd Longfield

“We love working in Guelph because of the people,” shares owner, Cam Fryer. “This is a place where community matters and folks value being connected to local providers. Guelphites are so kind and supportive, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the community’s support.”

Royal City is committed to supporting Guelph’s local economy through job creation and working with local suppliers. The brewery’s expansion has created 28 new positions in the local job market with new staff supporting Beer Hall operations. Royal City Brewing also buys essential brewing supplies from two leading, Guelph-based suppliers, Brewers Supply Group (BSG) and Escarpment Labs. Together, the three businesses employ about 80 people in the city.

“Royal City Brewing is a fan-favourite and we’re excited to share news of their expansion,” says Christine Chapman, the City’s manager of Economic Development. “We appreciate their contributions to our local economy and community, and wish them much success as they grow their business in Guelph.”

Royal City Brewing also gives back to the community through charity and collaborations. “Royal City Brewing gives a great deal to the Guelph community as part of their charity work, and it does not go unrecognized,” says Mayor Cam Guthrie.

Before COVID-19 changed operations, the brewery was donating about one per cent of their annual revenue back to local charities and community groups through their Community Collaboration program. Royal City’s Lantern Ale, brewed each year for Black Heritage Month in February, raises funds for the Guelph Black Heritage Society.

Collaboration beyond beer

The new Beer Hall space is more than a place to drink beer and grab some food. It’s also a place for people to gather, collaborate and build community.

“The one thing that we had continually sought through our operations was to create a community space that could serve as a nexus for community groups and events, and now we’ve made it happen,” adds owner, Cam Fryer.

Royal City Brewing products are available at the LCBO and grocery stores across the region, as well as at the brewery.

About Royal City Brewing

Royal City Brewing was founded in 2013 to create irresistible and accessible beer for the local market. Royal City Brewery is a one-stop shop with a bottle shop, dine-in menu, on-site brewing and home delivery. In addition, the new Beer Hall offers a variety of monthly events, from comedy to science on tap and art nights to sports tournaments. For more information, visit royalcitybrew.ca.

About Invest in Guelph

Invest in Guelph makes it easy to do business in Guelph. Our expert team is ready to help, whether making business connections, growing your business, choosing a site, or finding new markets. We provide a suite of programs and services to support business expansion and re-location, and are your resource for property development, business promotions, and partnerships. We support people making Guelph their home, their place of business, their resilient community.

For more information

Christine Chapman, Manager, Economic Development
Economic Development and Tourism
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2823
[email protected]

Council approves City of Guelph housing pledge: By Guelph, For Guelph

Pledge calls for support from all levels of government and local developers

Guelph, Ont., March 1, 2023 – Yesterday, Guelph Council approved the City’s housing pledge, as the next step to addressing anticipated impacts associated with Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, and Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act.

On October 25, 2022, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued a letter, which was revised on February 13, 2023, concerning the Province’s Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. The letter states the City of Guelph must demonstrate its commitment to accelerating housing supply to support the Province’s goal of building 1.5 million homes across Ontario by developing a municipal housing pledge and taking the necessary steps to facilitate the construction of 18,000 new homes by 2031. In response, City staff drafted a housing pledge, By Guelph, For Guelph, and Council approved the document.

“Council’s support is a clear signal to the Province that we are on board, but we can’t do this alone,” says Jayne Holmes, the City’s deputy chief administrative officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “The City will continue to look at opportunities to increase the supply of housing and we want to work with our community partners, our local developers, and the Government of Ontario to achieve these collective goals.”

The pledge highlights several opportunities for collaboration and accountability, including what the City can do, what local developers can do, and how the Government of Ontario can step in to achieve its housing target.

What the City of Guelph can do

While not responsible for the actual building of homes, there is much a municipality can do to facilitate more housing. In the pledge, the City commits to eight different goals and over 30 objectives to set the stage for success in Guelph. Some of these goals are:

  • simplify and improve the development approvals review process;
  • increase human resources to deliver capital infrastructure projects that provide essential services like water and wastewater needed for new housing;
  • end exclusionary zoning policies; and
  • communicate with third-party utility providers and construction industry partners to ensure they are aware of these housing targets and can adjust their plans and help the Province achieve these housing goals.

What local developers can do

The development sector can help meet housing targets by abiding by provincial mandates regarding response times and build homes in a timely manner once development approvals are in place.

What the Province can do

The pledge highlights 19 items the Province can act on to help achieve housing targets. The City asks the Province to approve updated policies and land use schedules within the Municipal Comprehensive Review related to the designation of strategic growth areas and increased heights and densities. The Province is also asked to exempt the Clair Maltby Secondary Plan from appeals to allow over 7,000 housing units anticipated in that area to be built faster, and to exempt the upcoming comprehensive zoning bylaw from appeals.

“Yes, we need more housing, but it’s more than that. It’s about building community,” adds Holmes. “We urge the Province to invest in post-secondary education and trade schools to graduate more planning, engineering, and construction professionals. We need funding for infrastructure and parkland. We need funding for hospitals, paramedic services, transit, mental health and addiction services, social housing, and affordable housing; these services are crucial for a healthy, growing community, especially to support the provincially anticipated surge in population.”

In addition, the City calls upon the Province to identify annual targets for provincial ministries, developers, homebuilders, and other community partners with agreed upon accountability measures and metrics in place to evaluate progress.

Next steps

Council will now submit the pledge to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. To continue demonstrating the City’s commitment to facilitating an increase in housing supply, staff will provide regular updates on the status of applications and housing starts through its growth monitoring report.

Resources

Understanding provincial legislation

For more information

Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Infrastructure and Development Enterprise Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260, extension 2248
[email protected]

City of Guelph recommends path forward for construction of the South End Community Centre

Recreation facility remains a priority to support growing south end  

Guelph, Ont., February 23, 2023 – At the March 7 Committee of the Whole, City staff will update Council on a recommended path forward for the construction of the South End Community Centre (SECC). 

A report released by staff includes updates on the design, construction timelines, and budget without altering the facilities amenities and environmental sustainability targets. Staff recommends an additional budget of $35.5 million for the project, bringing the total cost of the SECC construction to $115.5 million. The additional budget will primarily be funded from development charges, consistent with the current approved funding already in place leaving approximately $1.8 million to be funded by taxation.  

In late 2022, the province released several changes that will impact how and when the City collects development charges and as part of the City’s 2023 budget, the financial impacts of these changes have started to be phased in. The funding of specific projects by development charges is separate and distinct from the financial impacts related to the collection of development charges city-wide.   

We know that access to recreational facilities and programs is a vital part of a healthy community and that facilities to support this are much needed in the south end of Guelph,” says Jayne Holmes, the City’s deputy chief administrative officer of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “Given the pressures of inflation, we changed the project delivery model to construction management to help identify cost savings while maintaining the amenities our community needs and delivering on our Race to Zero commitments.”  

Inflationary pressures have increased project costs to build the SECC at a rate of almost $1 million per month over the past year—a year-over-year inflation rate of 10 per cent. These pressures have resulted in the increasing cost to build the SECC originally budgeted and approved in 2020 at $80 million.  

If approved by Council, construction could begin as soon as this fall and be ready to open in late 2026.  

City working to manage inflation impacts across all capital projects 

In April 2022, in response to the high rate of inflation across the globe over the past three years, Council delegated authority to staff to prioritize capital projects within the approved budget up to the end of 2023.  

The results of this prioritization exercise where $39 million in spending was deferred to future years were reported to Council through the 2023 Budget Confirmation process; however, it was noted that expected costs for the South End Community Centre project had not yet been finalized and would be addressed through a separate recommendation to Council. 

About the South End Community Centre 

Although the concept for the SECC has been in the works since the early 2000s, the construction was originally approved under report IDE 2020-141 South End Community Centre Project Update in October 2020 with a budget of $80 million. The centre included twin ice pads, an aquatic centre with a lap and teaching pool, double gymnasium, walking track, warm up area and multi-purpose rooms. Construction of the SECC aligns with the “Building our future” strategic pillar of the City’s strategic plan, Guelph. Future Ready., as it supports growth in Guelph. 

Media contact 

Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Infrastructure Development Enterprise
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2248
[email protected] 

City of Guelph settles Crown charges over 2019 bypass spill

Updated wastewater bypass standards provide more rigour to practice

Guelph, Ont., February 9, 2023 – Today the City of Guelph resolved charges brought by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks under the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) related to two spills from a construction-related bypass failure in February 2019. The City pled guilty to one count of causing or permitting the discharge of sewage into a waterway under the OWRA and is paying a fine of $106,250, including the 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.

“The spills, which happened during bypass operations for a City construction project, were caused by unique circumstances including extremely cold weather and malfunctioning equipment,” says Jayne Holmes, deputy chief administrative officer of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “The City takes the protection of the environment seriously and has reviewed and updated wastewater bypass standards to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Background

On February 20, 2019, a failure of mechanical bypass equipment used during a sanitary sewer replacement resulted in a spill of sewage. The spill happened as a result of both the main and backup pumping systems failing, due in part to extreme cold weather. Immediate actions were taken to stop and mitigate the impact of the spill, the bypass system was shut down and all City projects requiring a bypass were put on hold while staff reviewed and updated the City’s bypass standards.

Media Contact

Jayne Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2248
[email protected]

City of Guelph chosen Canadian city to lead development of next-generation emergency services database

Federal program grants $1 million to City and Esri Canada for partnership

Guelph, Ont., February 9, 2023– The City of Guelph was selected, alongside its partner Esri Canada, as the Canadian city to lead the development of a next-generation emergency services geographic information system (GIS) database. This innovative partnership was awarded $1.017 million in federal grant funding and will support critical enhancements in public safety in Guelph and across Canada, as the country implements a modernized Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) emergency response system.

“This database will improve critical elements of all emergency responses,” said Michael Bartholomew, program manager, GIS and Data, Projects, Strategy and Digital, City of Guelph. “This includes more accurate call-routing and patient and incident location information which will help reduce emergency response times for the Guelph community and communities across Canada.”

The City and Esri Canada will work together to research, develop and build a modern, innovative geodatabase based on new GIS data models (NENA NG9-1-1) adapted for Canada’s next generation of 911 technology. The partners will also develop GIS applications to automatically keep emergency services databases populated, updated, and maintained. Testing the developed GIS applications and databases is a critical component of this innovative project and will ensure the data meets the strict, high-quality data standards required by Canada’s telecommunications providers and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

“Complete, up-to-date and accurate GIS data and maps are critical components of an effective NG9-1-1 system,” said Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “The City of Guelph is a progressive city when it comes to NG9-1-1 initiatives, and we’re pleased to partner with them on developing Canada’s NG9-1-1 best practices and software solutions that will create and maintain accurate GIS data. The work we’re doing will help Guelph and many other municipalities across the country meet Canada’s goal of using GIS data to route emergency calls to the right emergency call answering centre starting March 2025.”

This solution will address Canada’s special NG9-1-1 GIS data requirements; provide the CRTC Emergency Services Working Group with NG9-1-1 GIS data best practices; and become the standard NG9-1-1 GIS data solution for governments, organizations that aggregate data for use, and NG9-1-1GIS data producers across Canada.

The purpose of NG9-1-1 GIS is to make 911 service systems faster and more resilient and provide seamless data flow from the public to 911 responders. Access to 911 services will not be impacted as communities transition to next-generation services and people should continue to dial 911 for emergency help.

The NG9-1-1 project is supported by the Canadian Safety and Security Program; a federal program led by Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science, in partnership with Public Safety Canada.

About the City of Guelph

Guelph is a growing, diverse, and vibrant community of about 135,000 people, located about 100 kilometres west of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Guelph’s community partners and business leaders are making a difference locally and globally in agri-food, technology, environmental enterprise, and advanced manufacturing industries. The city’s healthy local economy, thriving arts and culture scene, charming neighbourhoods, parks, and green spaces make Guelph among the most livable cities in Canada. Learn more at guelph.ca and follow the City of Guelph on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn

About Esri Canada

Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government, and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. These solutions enable organizations to better manage their resources, plan their future, and collaborate within and beyond their organization. Esri Canada’s products and services help advance successful digital transformation. The company serves 12,000 organizations from 15 offices across Canada and is based in Toronto. In 2019, Esri Canada achieved Platinum Club status with the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program by retaining its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years or more. More information can be found at esri.ca. Follow Esri Canada on TwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram, and LinkedIn.

About Defence Research and Development Canada

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is Canada’s science, technology, and innovation leader, trusted advisor, collaborative partner, and knowledge integrator for defence and security. As the science and technology organization of the Department of National Defence (DND), DRDC develops and delivers new technical solutions and advice to DND, the Canadian Armed Forces, other federal departments, and the safety and security communities. DRDC also works with partners in academia, government, and industry and with Canada’s allies.

Media Contacts

Michael Bartholomew
Program Manager, GIS and Data, Projects, Strategy, and Digital
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2581
[email protected]

Joy Chan
Manager, Marketing Communications
Esri Canada
416-436-6488
[email protected]

Strategic Advisory Group advocates for extension of daytime services at Royal City Mission; plans for What’s Needed Next

Guelph, ON, December 8, 2022: The Council-endorsed Strategic Advisory Group on downtown Guelph, a subcommittee of the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness and Community Safety, has supported a request to Guelph City Council for an extension of daytime services for people in need at the Royal City Mission. There is a gap in daytime space available between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. and Council’s support of the request would make the space available for an additional four hours a day over the next year.

This measure is intended to be a short-term solution and the group is now focused on identifying longer-term solutions to daytime service options for people in need. These services will include health and community services, as well as hygiene and storage options.

Funding the Royal City Mission will not address the rise of mental health and addiction issues exacerbated by the pandemic. It will also not respond to the acute crises occurring downtown. Mental health and addictions require comprehensive health interventions, and currently, the necessary health capacity is non-existent or immensely under-resourced and strained. Those who are struggling the most do not have pathways to the health care they require, and the group is analyzing and conducting a system redesign that will require advocacy to upper levels of government for funding.

Mayor Cam Guthrie says, “I’m glad that our group was able to endorse this funding request to increase daytime service hours at the Royal City Mission, but this is just the start. I believe this shows the downtown businesses and community that we are acting on these important matters. We will do more, we need to do better”.

CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Group, Shakiba Shayani adds, “The group will continue to focus on making our downtown a welcoming and thriving place for all community members while meeting the basic needs of people who are struggling. Mental health, addiction issues, and homelessness are system failures, so we’re taking the system redesign task seriously. Informed by diverse voices and evidence-based; we’ll share what that plan looks like and what it will take to implement it”.

Expanding daytime and overnight services and facilities is one of the six priority areas identified to help keep Guelph downtown welcoming and safe.

Learn more about the priority areas, intended outcomes, tactics in progress, and available community resources on guelph.ca.

Media Contacts

Mayor Cam Guthrie
City of Guelph
[email protected]
519-837-5643

Shakiba Shayani
President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce
[email protected] 
519-822-8081 extension 2

 

 

Council approves City’s recommendations in preparation for changes stemming from Bill 109 and Bill 23

Guelph, Ont., November 22, 2022 – At a special meeting today, Council received an update and heard from delegates about anticipated impacts associated with Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, and Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act. In response, Council approved staff’s requests to immediately fund an increase in staff, as well as changes to the development application fee structure. Council will also call on the Province to reconsider its plan to defund growth, which further pushes costs of growth onto local tax and ratepayers.

“Housing is unattainable for too many people in Guelph, and we’re committed to doing what we can to create more homes and improve housing affordability,” says Jayne Holmes, the City’s deputy chief administrative officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “We support the Province’s goal of increasing housing supply across Ontario, however the pace at which we’re mandated to comply cannot compromise quality, liveability and safety, nor should it put the burden of paying for growth on our local taxpayers. We need all levels of government, and our development industry partners, to work together to meet these targets.”

Staffing requirements

The costs associated with these additional approved staff will be included in the 2023 budget update which will be presented to Council for confirmation on January 25. Additional requests to support Bill 109 and Bill 23 may be brought back to Council through the 2024-2027 multi-year budget process.

New development approval fees

Council also approved staff’s proposed changes to the fee structure for pre-submission review meetings to ensure the additional costs associated with the application review process are not borne by Guelph’s residents. The updated fee structure is based on a benchmarking review of fees charged by surrounding municipalities and Council directed staff to undertake a full fee study with an objective of full cost recovery in 2023.

Council will call for development charges to be maintained

Lastly, Council will call on the Province to fund financial gaps resulting from the proposed legislation within Bill 23.

Currently about 80 per cent of development growth is funded through development charges and 20 per cent is funded through property taxes. Should the Province pass the proposed Bill 23 legislation as is, it will significantly reduce development charges, parkland dedication fees and community benefit charges which are important revenue sources to support growth related infrastructure. This would increase the portion of growth-related costs funded through taxes and significantly impact existing property taxpayers.

In addition, Council supported staff’s request for the Province to review policies and penalties related to approved, yet unbuilt, housing in Guelph. Data shows there are thousands of approved, unbuilt units, which jeopardizes the City’s ability to meet the Province’s target of 18,000 new homes by 2032.

“While the City continues to do what it can to improve the development approval process and expedite application approvals, developers must also be held accountable to meeting targets by pulling permits and building approved homes within a reasonable timeframe,” adds Holmes. “We encourage the introduction of timeframes for developers to ensure we get shovels in the ground faster, and get approved, unbuilt homes ready for move-in.”

Next steps

The City will review and respond to 18 open consultations related to Bill 23.

About Bill 109, More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022

Bill 109 aims to address housing shortages by mandating municipalities to expedite approvals to build homes faster. This includes forcing municipalities to partially refund zone change application fees and site plan application fees if decisions are not made within new legislated timelines.

About Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

Bill 23 introduces municipal housing targets based on population size and growth. The City of Guelph has been assigned a housing target of 18,000 by 2032 as part of the provincial goal to build 1.5 million homes in 10 years. To meet this target, the bill proposes to exempt developers from paying development charges, parkland dedication fees and community benefit charges.

Media contact

Shelly Reed, Strategic Communications Advisor
Strategic Communications and Community Engagement
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2223
[email protected]

Guelph’s official 2022 municipal election results are in

Official results of the 2022 municipal electionGuelph, Ont., October 26, 2022 – After 29,254 total ballots were cast in yesterday’s municipal election, Guelph residents have elected the next City Council and school board trustees.  

2022-2026 Guelph City Council 

Mayor, Cam Guthrie
Ward 1, Dan Gibson and Erin Caton
Ward 2, Rodrigo Goller and Carly Klassen
Ward 3, Phil Allt and Michele Richardson
Ward 4, Christine Billings and Linda Busuttil
Ward 5, Leanne Caron and Cathy Downer
Ward 6, Dominique O’Rourke and Ken Yee Chew 

Upper Grand District School Board trustees 

Wards 1 and 5, Martha MacNeil and Luke Weiler
Wards 2, 3, and 4, Laurie Whyte and Ralf Mesenbrink
Ward 6 and Puslinch, Katherine Hauser  

Wellington Catholic District School Board trustees 

Joe Tersigni, Marino L Gazzola, Vikki Dupuis and Sebastian Dal Bo 

As of Sunday, October 23, there were 105,096 eligible voters. With revisions to the voters’ list at the polls on election day, there were 106,217 eligible voters. In total, 28 per cent of eligible voters participated in the 2022 municipal election. This is an eight per cent decrease from 2018. During the advanced voting window, 7,660 ballots were cast representing 26 per cent of the total ballots cast. Residents are encouraged to check guelph.ca/vote for updated data on voter turnout that will become available over the next few weeks. 

The inaugural Council meeting is scheduled for November 15, 2022. 

With the election complete, the City will be evaluating the voter experience. Eligible voters are encouraged to complete an online survey to share their experiences on Have Your Say Guelph. The online survey will be available until November 10. A telephone survey by OraclePoll Research Limited will be conducted in the following days amongst eligible Guelph voters on behalf of the City.  

Media Contact 

Stephen O’Brien, City Clerk
City Clerk’s Office, Corporate Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 5644
[email protected]  

International Economic Development Council honours City of Guelph with Gold Award of Excellence

Guelph, Ont., September 21, 2022—Last night, at the annual International Economic Development Council (IEDC) annual conference in Oklahoma City, the City of Guelph was recognized with a Gold Award of Excellence for it’s Guelph Shops Holiday Wish Book.

“Communities need our profession now more than ever,” says IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “This year’s awardees exemplify the ingenuity, leadership, and determination needed to meet the challenges of today and the future. The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and demonstrate the level of leadership that our profession strives for every day.”

The Guelph Shops Holiday Wish Book was the centrepiece of the 2021 Guelph Shops holiday campaign; a prime opportunity to promote Guelph as a top visitor and business destination during the holiday season. The inaugural edition showcased more than 40 local businesses from various shopping categories, and was well-received: more than 56,000 people were aware of the wish book, almost 12,000 people read the online print brochure, and there were 1,000 clicks on various business links.

The City collaborated with Guelph Chamber of Commerce and local graphic designer Ellyn Lusis to produce the wish book and they look forward to releasing the 2022 edition later this fall. “The Guelph Shops Holiday Wish Book is the first of its kind in our community, and our strong partnership with the Guelph Chamber of Commerce was critical to its success,” says Christine Chapman, the City’s manager of Economic Development. “Our diverse business community also played a huge role in this success; your participation and commitment to Guelph makes it easier for us to attract tourists, visitors and shoppers to our area. And a big thanks goes to the IEDC for recognizing our efforts with this award. We’re excited to see Guelph Shops, and our community, continue to receive international attention.”

“Working collaboratively with our community and ecosystem partners to promote local business is a core pillar of the work we do” says Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. “At a time when economic recovery and business resiliency were of the utmost importance, we were thrilled to have showcased a diverse and innovative set of businesses in the Guelph Shops Wish Book. Thank you to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for assisting with the funding of this successful program.”

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development experiences. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.

About Economic Development and Tourism

Economic Development and Tourism includes the functions of economic development, tourism, and the Guelph Junction Railway. Economic Development makes it easy to do business in Guelph through coordinating business connections, supporting business growth, attracting new businesses, facilitating partnerships, and business promotions. Tourism stewards the Guelph story for visitors and residents by fostering a well-connected stakeholder community through engagement, facilitation, and coordination. The team supports tourism businesses, destination development, and visitor services. Guelph Junction Railway (GJR) is the City-owned railway that operates across 38.6 kilometres of track running from Campbellville to Guelph’s northeast industrial park, connecting with Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway. GJR supports more than 20 businesses with transportation of goods and many more indirectly through transloading services.

Resources

For more information

Christine Chapman, Manager, Economic Development
Economic Development and Tourism
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2823
[email protected]

Guelph moves ahead with new Community Benefits Charges and updates to Parkland Dedication Bylaw

Guelph, Ont., July 19, 2022 – Last night, City Council approved new Community Benefits Charges and updates to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw required by legislation.

The updated Parkland Dedication Bylaw will come into effect today, and Community Benefits Charges will take effect on September 18, 2022.

“The new Community Benefits Charges and the updates to the Parkland Dedication Bylaw will support responsible, long-term financial planning that ensures growth pays for growth in Guelph,” says Tara Baker, city treasurer and general manager of Finance. “These changes will help ease the tax burden for residents, and better fund community services such as cultural centres, public parking and parks.”

About Community Benefits Charges

Community Benefits Charges provide additional funding for City facilities and services including arts and culture, public parking, and in some cases, parks. Community Benefits Charges cover the building costs of public services associated with new, high-density growth that aren’t covered by development charges or parkland dedication.

Community Benefits Charges are paid as a one-time fee by the property developer or builder; it’s not part of property taxes. The charges are collected for new residential buildings or structures that are at least five storeys high with 10 or more residential units. The charge is four per cent of the property’s land value on the day before a building permit is issued.

About the Parkland Dedication Bylaw update

The Parkland Dedication Bylaw is one financing tool that helps the City create parks and open spaces to match the Guelph community’s growing needs in two ways:

  1. Developers may transfer land for parks and public recreation, or
  2. Developers may provide money for future parks, park equipment or recreational buildings.

Guelph, like all municipalities, must update its Parkland Dedication Bylaw before September based on changes to provincial legislation. These updates include:

  • Improving bylaw transparency and clarity, such as updating definitions
  • Making it easier to apply the bylaw and calculate the fee by clarifying how and to what areas the bylaw applies to

Learn more about the Parkland Dedication Bylaw, including answers to commonly asked questions and review the bylaw updates.

Media contact

Greg Clark, Manager, Special Projects
Finance
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2713
[email protected]

Made-in-Guelph growth strategy to be presented to Council

Guelph, Ont., July 7, 2022 – On July 11, Council will discuss staff’s recommendation to amend Guelph’s Official Plan and incorporate the Shaping Guelph growth management strategy.

Guelph’s Official Plan (OP) sets the goals and policies for managing land use in the city including:

  • how natural areas are enhanced and protected
  • which parts of the city have residential, commercial or industrial development
  • locations for parks, multi-modal transportation options and other amenities.

In May 2019, the Province of Ontario updated its growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Since then, Council and the community have been engaged in a conversation about Guelph’s growth and development to plan for the province’s mandated population and employment targets. This conversation has produced Shaping Guelph, a true made-in-Guelph growth management strategy.

City staff are recommending an amendment to the Official Plan that includes:

  • revising the plan’s vision
  • providing an updated urban structure
  • setting a 2051 population forecast of 208,000 and an employment forecast of 116,000 jobs
  • modifying density and intensification targets, and
  • updating policies and land use designations to conform with A Place to Grow and the Provincial Policy Statement.

Community input collected through two years of engagement informed the recommendations staff is presenting to Council.

“The community was clear: design a built environment that promotes sustainability and healthy, active living, while providing options for housing choice and jobs,” explains Melissa Aldunate, manager of Policy Planning and Urban Design. “Shaping Guelph and the Official Plan amendment support the growth of Guelph to 2051 in a way that respects and conserves the city’s natural and cultural heritage while meeting the needs of people who live, work and operate here today and in the future.”

Recommendations to modify the Official Plan include:

  • mapping and protecting employment areas
  • setting the boundary and targets for downtown as a major transit hub
  • identifying areas for growth areas and setting policy to encourage mixed-use development
  • planning for 46 per cent of new growth to happen in the existing built-up areas
  • requiring higher density, compact development in greenfield (unbuilt) areas
  • committing to engagement with rights-holding Indigenous governments on land use decisions
  • updating policies to protect water resources

Next steps

Pending Council’s approval, staff will consult with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and report back to Council before the Ministry grants final approval.

For more information

Melissa Aldunate, Manager, Policy Planning and Urban Design
Planning and Building Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2361
[email protected]

Satisfaction survey: 95 per cent of residents proud to call Guelph home

Guelph, Ont., June 17, 2022 – Today, the City of Guelph releases its 2022 satisfaction survey results, which show that residents continue to be happy with life in Guelph, and with City services.

The survey, conducted between March 29 and April 16, asked residents to share information about their perception of Guelph’s quality of life, and experiences with City programs and services, customer service, and communication.

“Satisfaction research helps us understand if we’re meeting our mission to deliver responsible and responsive public service to Guelph’s growing and diverse community,” says Scott Stewart, chief administrative officer, adding, “The results also identify opportunities where we can continue to make investments to ensure the city is future ready and a great place for everyone.”

What we heard (summary)

Resident perception of the quality of life in the city of Guelph remains unchanged in 2022 (96 per cent) compared to 95 per cent in 2019. The proportion of people (41 per cent) who say it’s very good is on par with the national norm (40 per cent).

Most respondents also report having positive perceptions of Guelph as a community.

  • 95 per cent agree that they are proud to say they are from Guelph
  • 94 per cent agree that Guelph is a welcoming community
  • 90 per cent also agree that Guelph is an environmentally responsible city

The survey results also show that millennials (71 per cent) are slightly more optimistic about Guelph’s future, and their role in it when compared to boomers (61 per cent) and Gen Xers (56 per cent).

The area that saw the greatest improvement is the proportion of residents (78 per cent) who perceive Guelph as a great place to own a business with those agreeing or strongly agreeing up 22 points from 2019 (56 per cent). While this increase is a positive upwards trend, the information was gathered through a random sampling of residents, rather than a focus on those who own businesses in Guelph. A follow-up employment survey is being conducted to better understand Guelph’s local economic profile and the business owner’s perspective.

Seventy-eight per cent of residents remain satisfied with the value they receive for their tax dollars, including user rates and fees, and express a preference for increasing user fees (35 per cent) or taxes (32 per cent) to support City services instead of decreasing service levels.

When asked about their most recent interaction with the City, 76 per cent of residents say they are satisfied with the information or service provided, and 80 per cent believe that the City provides information in an open and transparent way. However, eight per cent of respondents say they’ve experienced barriers or difficulties in accessing City programs and services, with physical and accessibility barriers cited most often.

Residents who had contact with the City between March 2021 and March 2022 say the information or services provided are:

  • Fair and equitable: 81 per cent agree
  • Easy and accessible: 80 per cent agree
  • Accurate and reliable: 79 per cent agree
  • Timely: 78 per cent agree
  • Personal: 74 per cent agree

“It’s reassuring to read this year’s survey results,” says Stewart, explaining that the survey was conducted at a time when the Guelph community is facing challenges and pressures like ongoing COVID-19 impacts, inflation, and increasing housing affordability issues. “Considering these challenges, the survey findings tell us that what we’re doing to adjust during this time of flux is working for most of our community, and we’re glad to hear people are generally happy living in Guelph. What we heard also tells us that there’s more work to do around equity, accessibility, and affordable housing.”

Stewart adds that the City will use the results to support and inform corporate initiatives and processes like the multi-year budget and upcoming strategic plan refresh, improve program or service design and delivery, and enhance the resident experience.

“As a City, we’re helping to shape tomorrow so that Guelph’s residents will continue to be proud to live here. The survey results, along with Guelph’s Community Plan and the City’s strategic plan, serve as a guide in our journey to run a modern government, one that is effective, fiscally responsible, and trusted by the community.”

Background

Between March 29 and April 16, the City conducted its third satisfaction survey since 2017 to better understand resident needs and expectations. Ipsos administered the survey and completed 600 interviews by phone with residents 18 years or older. An additional 287 self-selected respondents participated in an online survey, between March 28 and April 19.

The 2022 information collected was compared to past City of Guelph satisfaction surveys, as well as Ipsos’ municipal database wherever possible.

The City will continue to conduct the survey every two years, with the next one planned for 2024.

Resources

Media contact

Daniel Beemsigne, Manager, Corporate and Community Strategic Initiatives
Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2225
[email protected]

Ontario Public Works Association recognizes City of Guelph with three awards

City honoured with two Project of the Year awards

Guelph, Ont., May 18, 2022 – Yesterday afternoon, the City of Guelph was recognized with three Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) awards, including two for Project of the Year. The awards promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects in five categories and recognize the collaboration between the managing agency/municipality, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who work together to complete public works projects.

The City was honoured with awards for:

  1. The Niska Road bridge for Project of the Year in the Transportation, $2-$10 Million category
  2. Locomotive 6167 relocation for Project of the Year in the Historical Restoration/Preservation, less than $2 million category
  3. Waterworks Heritage in the Historical Restoration/Preservation, $2-$10 million category

“I want to congratulate all the staff, volunteers, community members, consultants and contractors who worked together to deliver these exceptional projects,” says Jayne Holmes, deputy chief administrative officer of Infrastructure, Development, and Enterprise. “We are honoured to be recognized for working together on creative solutions that protect and preserve Guelph’s unique history and cultural heritage.”

About the winning projects

Niska Road Bridge

The original bridge crossing the Speed River collapsed in 1974. That bridge was replaced by a Bailey bridge, loaned from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, as a temporary connection.

Bailey bridges were originally created for military use in the Second World War. The wood and steel bridge parts were light weight and easy to assemble in different configurations on the battle field. Each piece, known as a Bailey panel, could then be taken apart and moved elsewhere. At the end of the war, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation collected old panels for municipalities to use as needed, and is where the Niska Road Bailey bridge came from.

By 2017, the Bailey bridge’s condition had deteriorated and need to be replaced. The bridge was closed and removed by the Canadian Armed Forces as part of a training exercise. A new bridge was built with two-lanes and safe pedestrian and cycling access, traffic calming features and vehicle size restrictions. The new bridge was designed to be compatible with the cultural heritage landscape, incorporates architectural elements of the Bailey bridge, and maintains the landscape views the Bailey bridge afforded.

Locomotive 6167 Relocation

In November 2020, the City, local train restorers and contractors moved the locomotive, which weighs 222,260 kilos (490,000 pounds) or two times the size of a blue whale, to a new location. The locomotive was lifted by a crane onto a trailer, driven over the tracks and moved onto an arterial road where it moved slowly through an intersection before ending at its final destination in John Galt Park. Despite the challenges of size, safety and the ongoing pandemic, the move was successful and is celebrated today for making a historically-significant artifact more accessible to residents and visitors and animating a public place.

Locomotive 6167 was built in 1940 and used by Canadian National Railways (CN) for passenger and freight service. CN presented 6167 to the City in 1967 in honour of Canada’s centennial. In 2002, City Council established the Locomotive 6167 Restoration Committee, made up of railway enthusiasts and City staff. Their mission was to restore 6167 as a display for everyone to enjoy. The restoration was complete in 2014 and Locomotive 6167 became part of the Guelph Museums collection.

Watch our video to learn more about this project.

Waterworks Heritage

Completed in 1879, the Guelph Waterworks Pumping Station Engine House at 29 Waterworks Place was intended to provide water for fire protection. During construction the purpose expanded to provide water for residential use. The building had most recently been used for storage purposes and had fallen into disrepair.

Conservation efforts focused on preserving elements of the Italianate architectural style and restoring the scale and grandeur of the space by removing a mezzanine level added in the 1970s to expose the cathedral ceilings. The conservation and adaptive reuse of the building now provides vibrant and fully accessible administrative space for City staff.

This project won the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation earlier this year.

Media contact

Jayne Holmes
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development, and Enterprise
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2248
[email protected]

Guelph Council approves Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan Official Plan Amendment

Plan guides the creation of a vibrant, urban community that supports the City’s local growth management strategy

Guelph, Ont., May 17, 2022 – After six years of research and planning, technical studies and extensive public engagement, Councillors voted 11 to 1 in favour of approving the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan and incorporating it into the Official Plan.

“Staff worked hard for several years through this comprehensive and integrated process to hear and address community needs,” says Krista Walkey, general manager, Planning and Building Services. “We presented our recommendations with full confidence because research, analysis and community input helped us develop the best plan for this area.”

The amendment replaces the existing land use policies and designations that currently apply to the Clair-Maltby lands with a new secondary plan that establishes the land use policy framework, and water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure plans that must be in place before development of these lands can begin.

Plan informed by more than 50 community engagement touch points

Throughout the duration of this project, City staff provided over 50 opportunities for formal engagement with residents, numerous community groups and organizations, and Guelph and neighbouring councils. The feedback prompted staff to complete further technical studies over and above those required by provincial legislation, and the results of that engagement were incorporated into the plan Guelph Council has now approved.

Putting the environment first

Over the past several years, City staff conducted a water and wastewater servicing study, a stormwater management study, energy and other utilities study, and a comprehensive environmental impact study to meet legislative requirements. In addition, long-term water monitoring requirements are in place, including monitoring for water levels and quality in existing and additional monitoring wells, as well as salt management best practices for winter months.

It is critical that future development reflects Guelph’s values and the neighbourhood is designed with an environment-first approach. These accepted technical studies will ensure the City’s and the community’s goals are achieved.

Pushing us closer on our Race To Zero

A multi-modal transportation network that aims to reduce vehicular traffic and encourage more emission-friendly modes of transportation is a key focus for this neighbourhood. Whether people walk, cycle, drive or use other ways to get around, transportation options will be safe and accessible for all ages and abilities, including sidewalks, trails, cycling infrastructure, road widths and public transit routes that are supportive of everyone’s needs.

Building, navigating and sustaining our future

The plan provides the framework and guidance to allow development of the Clair-Maltby lands in alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan. Council also approved an amendment to include a transition in height within the Gordon Street Corridor at Maltby Road of eight storeys equivalent in width to the existing identified eight storey area.

The plan:

  • protects the natural heritage system, natural features, and the Paris-Galt Moraine;
  • proposes a transportation network that supports all modes of travel with roads, bicycle infrastructure, recreational trails and pedestrian walkways that provide strong connections throughout the Clair-Maltby area and to the rest of Guelph;
  • includes a system of parks, open spaces and trails to provide recreation opportunities;
  • is primarily residential with a range of housing types, mixed-use areas, and locations for schools and parks; and
  • encourages development that contributes to the City’s goal of being a net-zero carbon community by 2050.

Commitment to long-term financial stability

The City is committed to long-term sustainable development that is fiscally responsible, and financial stability has been a key consideration through creation of the secondary plan. 

City staff conducted a financial impact assessment to identify key financial pressures over a period from 2025 to 2041, and the outputs of that assessment will be incorporated into the City’s multi-year budget process. Council’s approval of the secondary plan does not mean development will begin overnight. While the plan sets the vision for the land, the budget sets the pace, and Council will control how and when this property is developed in terms of capital budget and servicing projects. The next step, now that the plan has been approved, is to incorporate the capital impacts to the development charge study that will launch later this year.

Resources

Media contact

Krista Walkey
General Manager, Planning and Building Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2395
[email protected]

Guelph’s Community Plan revision addresses equity, systemic racism gaps

Guelph, Ont., February 18, 2022 – Guelph’s Community Plan is a reflection of the community’s needs and values. Today, the community shared an update, which includes new language and the theme: We are Community—a theme that speaks to equity and the elimination of systemic racism because everyone in Guelph should feel a sense of belonging.

The update is currently available through the City’s weekly update to Council on guelph.ca.

“The new theme speaks to how Guelph must work as a united community to address systemic racism and build equity. It also highlights the importance of building the relationships and trust needed so we can continue in our efforts to remove the racism and colonialism embedded in our structural systems, whether intended or not,” says Sara Sayyed, the City’s senior advisor of equity, anti-racism and Indigenous relations.

The City and Guelph community acknowledge that racism and exclusion exist in many forms including but not limited to: Anti-Black racism, Anti-Indigenous racism, Anti-Asian racism, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Anti-2SLGBTQIA+, ageism, ableism and sizeism.

In 2020, the murder of George Floyd had an immediate impact in cities and towns across North America. Calls for governments, including the City of Guelph, to listen to equity-deserving groups, build trust, enter into authentic discussions, and act to eliminate systemic racism were immediate. In Guelph, the Community Plan was the platform used for coming together on this important work.

The Community Plan serves as guidance for City officials and departments as well as partner organizations seeking to align to community priorities, values and goals. Although it spoke to inclusion and diversity, the Community Plan was silent on the topic of systemic racism.

“Guelph’s Community Plan was always intended to evolve and grow with the community,” explains Sayyed. “And it became clear, from community conversations, that a more ambitious, immediate, and necessary goal related to equity and anti-racism was needed—committing the City not merely to work toward equity, but toward the permanent elimination of systemic racism in all forms.”

Addressing gaps, laying a strong foundation

For the past 18 months, the community—supported by City staff—worked to address the significant omission of specific direction related to systemic racism in the first version of the Community Plan.

“As a community, we have been on a journey. We have engaged in conscious unlearning, listened, and relearned from many equity-deserving and rights-asserting voices who have the knowledge, expertise and lived experiences to change these systems,” says Marva Wisdom, a community leader who was also involved in the first version of the Community Plan. “Our learning has shaped the new and important pieces of the Community Plan; addressing gaps we’ve known existed for some time and laying a strong foundation for the action planning ahead.”

The We are Community theme includes eight guiding principles to support Guelph’s effort to set the community standard for the elimination of system racism, based on:

  • Understanding community
  • Building relationships and trust (relationship driven)
  • Truth and reconciliation
  • Working across systems
  • Pace and urgency
  • Safe space
  • Data and story sovereignty
  • Shared language and understanding

What comes next?

Future actions, at a high level, include:

  • Updating the Community Plan documentation and website to include the new theme
  • Incorporating the principles of the new Community Plan theme into the City’s engagement approach as the City continuously learns and improves its practices
  • Shifting the City’s anti-racism work from “how we need to work together” to “what we need to do together” to set the community standard for the elimination of systemic racism
  • Working with community members organizations and institutions to co-create an action plan to outline the specific strategies and actions that must be taken to eliminate systemic racism and barriers to inclusion from our institutions, policies and governance structures. The City committed to this next phase when it joined the Coalition for Inclusive Municipalities

About the Community Plan

Introduced in 2019, A United Vision: Guelph’s Community Plan is a celebration of the community’s diversity, shared values and direction for the future. It’s the culmination of 18 months of conversations, observations, research and writing. More than 10,000 Guelphites worked together to write the plan. Themes include We are Home, We Protect our Environment, We Create Value, We Feel Well, We Play and Explore, We Move Around Freely, and We are Community (added in 2022). The plan guides the work of Guelph’s municipal government and gives community organizations and residents a shared road map to monitor progress and share what is learned.

Media contacts

For Community Plan inquiries

Marva Wisdom
Lead external advisor to the Community Plan
Senior Leadership and Equity Practitioner
519-835-4004
[email protected]

For Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities/action plan inquiries

Sara Sayyed
Senior Advisor, Equity, Anti-Racism and Indigenous Initiatives
Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 3509
[email protected]