Category Archives: Mayor and Council

Guelph, Ont., November 14, 2024 – Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie has revealed his final update to his proposed 2025 City of Guelph budget, with targeted changes that makes the city more welcoming, accessible, and affordable for those who need it most. “I have listened intently to community feedback over the past few weeks about the draft budget,” commented Mayor Cam Guthrie, “and I’m happy to announce several new and enhanced additions. From enhancing transit and making it more affordable for students, seniors, and those with lower incomes to restoring the Welcoming Streets Initiative to launching a one-year agreement with the Guelph Tool Library—these changes are good for residents and businesses citywide. Additionally, I am strengthening projects focused on culture, trails, and affordable housing, just to… Continue reading Mayor announces final update to proposed 2025 budget

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Nominations are now open for the 2024 Mayor’s Awards Continue reading Nominations are open for the 2024 Mayor’s Awards

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Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie expressed his strong support in favour of the enhanced patrols, activities, and safety measures announced by the Guelph Police Service in their recent media release. Continue reading Mayor announces support of enhanced safety and enforcement measures in downtown Guelph

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Guelph, Ont., October 28, 2024 – Over the next two weeks, Mayor Guthrie will hold a series of town hall meetings to discuss the draft 2025 budget update. Community members are encouraged to attend to learn more. Town hall dates and locations November 4 – Wards 5 and 6 Salvation Army Citadel 1320 Gordon St, Guelph ON 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 5 – Open to all residents Virtual Town Hall 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 6 – Wards 3 and 4 West End Community Centre (Lions Lair room) 21 Imperial Rd S, Guelph ON 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 8 – Wards 1 and 2 Victoria Road Recreation Centre (Oak room) 151 Victoria Rd N, Guelph ON 6:30 p.m. – 8:00… Continue reading Mayor Guthrie invites public to attend town hall meetings to discuss 2025 budget

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Guelph, Ont., October 17, 2024 – Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie shared the draft 2025 budget update on Guelph’s website; the draft budget will be presented at a special Council meeting on October 30. The Mayor and City staff worked together to identify key investment areas and priorities to ensure the budget meets the community’s needs while also addressing the Mayoral direction to reduce the previously-adopted 2025 budget.   Background  The 2025 budget was previously adopted as part of the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget with a net tax levy increase of 9.8 per cent over 2024. The draft budget released today was updated to align with the Mayoral direction that was introduced earlier this year using the Strong Mayor powers. Under the Mayoral direction, staff were tasked… Continue reading Mayor Guthrie shares draft 2025 budget update

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Guelph, Ont., September 30, 2024 – The City of Guelph has implemented a new online lobbyist registry. The registry provides the public with the ability to see who is lobbying public office holders in Guelph, including who the lobbyist was, who was lobbied, the subject matter of the lobbying and the date the lobbying occurred. “A lobbyist registry provides the public with a record of individuals engaged in lobbying, including who they represent, who they lobby, and the issues they advocate for. This transparency allows residents to understand the relationship between lobbyists and policymakers. The objective of the registry is to increase transparency and accountability, contributing to a more open and democratic culture in Guelph,” says Dylan McMahon, Acting General Manager, City Clerk’s Office. To ensure… Continue reading City announces implementation of online Lobbyist Registry, bylaw in effect October 1

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A motion to fund $450,000 in basic needs provisions for the unsheltered also passed Guelph, Ont., August 29, 2024 – On August 28 at a Special Council meeting, City Council considered and approved the Public Space Use bylaw. Following a staff presentation on the bylaw, Council heard from 43 delegates in addition to 62 pieces of written correspondence. The revised bylaw is expected to be ratified on September 10, after which it will come into effect on October 1, 2024. One amendment, tabled by Councillor Klassen, was made to the draft bylaw. The revised bylaw that returns to Council on September 10 will now include the entirety of both St. George’s Square and Market Square as Sensitive Public Areas. “This highly permissive bylaw is not… Continue reading City Council approves Public Space Use bylaw

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Guelph, Ont., August 27, 2024 – After an extensive national recruitment process, the City of Guelph is pleased to announce the appointment of Tara Baker as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). This appointment takes effect on September 16. Baker will replace former CAO Scott Stewart who retired earlier this summer.   Baker brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in municipal administration with 13 years at the City of Guelph, most recently serving as City Treasurer and General Manager of Finance since 2016. In her time here, she has transformed the city’s financial management practices through modernized policies, enhanced reporting transparency, and the introduction of multi-year budgeting. She has demonstrated an authentic leadership style that encourages innovation and collaboration and drives forward-thinking change where… Continue reading City of Guelph appoints new Chief Administrative Officer

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Ottawa, Ont., ​August 21, 2024​ – The City of Guelph’s delegation joined municipal, provincial and federal leaders at the 125th Annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa from August 18 – 20. The conference provided the perfect backdrop for Guelph’s leadership to advocate for investments and legislative changes to advance key local priorities.  Among the top issues for discussion at the conference was the need for a review of the current municipal fiscal framework. Echoing advocacy from major municipal associations, the City continued to call on the province to undertake this review and give municipalities the tools to fund critical infrastructure and services without putting a financial burden on our communities.  “We met with representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and… Continue reading City of Guelph advocates on municipal funding, community health, and housing stability among other priorities at the 2024 AMO conference

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I have made it clear to the University leadership that I am disappointed, and I expect them to actively participate in finding solutions. Continue reading Statement from Mayor Guthrie about University of Guelph 2024 Fall semester housing options

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The City of Guelph launched its Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) micro-grant program. Micro-grants range from $1,500 to $6,500 and are available for youth ages 15 to 24 to design and implement climate change solutions. Apply online by 4 p.m. on June 21, 2024. Continue reading Guelph opens micro-grant program for youth-led climate action

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Guelph, Ont., March 25, 2024 – In response to a mayoral direction issued on February 28, the City of Guelph is seeking private property donations to (potentially) establish a temporary structured encampment as part of its ongoing efforts to address unsheltered homelessness. Property owners within Guelph are invited to identify potential sites suitable for conversion into temporary structured encampments. These sites will serve as safe havens for those in need for a minimum period of three years. While properties within one kilometre of the downtown core are preferred, all submissions will be considered. Property owners interested in contributing to this initiative are encouraged to submit their name, contact information, and potential location address to [email protected] by April 26, 2024. The City emphasizes that this initial… Continue reading City of Guelph seeks property donations for a temporary structured encampment

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Mayor Cam Guthrie signed three mayoral orders directing City staff to establish the 2025 confirmation budget at a property tax impact of under four (4) per cent; identify opportunities for underutilized City-owned assets, including City-owned surface parking lots, which can be transformed into housing; and present information about what it takes to establish a temporary structured encampment site for those experiencing homelessness. Continue reading Mayor directs staff to reduce 2025 property tax levy and help with housing and homelessness

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Guelph, Ont., February 15, 2024 – At a special meeting of Council held on February 14, City Council heard delegations from members of the community related to the proposed Public Space Use bylaw. As directed by Council in January, City staff prepared the draft bylaw to address safety concerns regarding encampments and related activities on lands owned or operated by the City.   After hearing more than 25 delegations and, in response to the community’s feedback, Council proposed a series of resolutions to move forward the City’s efforts to help address the housing crisis, mitigate safety concerns for those living in encampments, and establish parameters for the use of public space for shelter.  Through the resolutions, Council directed City staff to:  Establish a plan to engage… Continue reading Guelph City Council hears delegations and determines next steps for proposed Public Space Use bylaw

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Take notice that the Council of the City of Guelph passed municipal-wide development charges Bylaws No. (2024) – 20866 to (2024) – 20880 on January 16, 2024 under section 2 (1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O., 1997 c. 27, as amended; And take notice that any person or organization may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal under section 14 of the Act, in respect of the development charges by-law, by filing with the Clerk of the City of Guelph on or before February 25, 2024 a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons supporting the objection. The development charges imposed by the by-laws come into effect on March 2, 2024. These are the calculated rates prior to… Continue reading Notice of passing municipal-wide development charges bylaw

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Guelph, Ont., February 1, 2024 – On January 16, Guelph City Council unanimously directed City staff to develop a Public Space Use bylaw. The draft bylaw, which is now posted publicly, will be discussed and deliberated by Council at a special Council meeting on February 14. Council will vote on bylaw amendments at this meeting. Public Space Use bylaw: special Council meeting Wednesday, February 14 10 a.m. Council Chambers, Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street Live stream The goal of the bylaw is to: help make public spaces owned or operated by the City safer for all members of our Guelph community, and ensure that spaces are being used for intended purposes. While recognizing that Guelph still lacks sufficient permanent shelter space for unsheltered individuals, we… Continue reading Public Space Use bylaw: special Council meeting February 14

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Scott Stewart will complete his five-year term as CAO in July Guelph, Ont., January 25, 2024 – The City of Guelph’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Scott Stewart, has announced that he will retire this summer. Stewart was appointed Chief Administrative Officer in July 2019; he will retire at the end of his five-year term in late July. A dedicated civil servant throughout his 38-year career, Stewart held various senior leadership positions in municipal governments including the Region of Peel and the Cities of Hamilton and Burlington before joining the City of Guelph in December 2015 as Deputy CAO of the Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise service area (now called Infrastructure, Development and Environment). During his time as CAO, Stewart oversaw the development and implementation of the… Continue reading City’s Chief Administrative Officer announces plan to retire

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At the Council planning meeting held on January 16, City Council unanimously passed a motion directing City staff to draft a Public Space Use bylaw to address safety concerns regarding encampments and related activities on lands owned or operated by the City. Continue reading Guelph City Council directs development of Public Space Use bylaw to address safety concerns

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Funding will increase Guelph’s housing supply Guelph, Ont., January 12, 2024 – Today in Guelph, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the City of Guelph will receive $21.4 million to help increase housing supply through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). This fund is a $4 billion initiative from the Government of Canada that provides local governments with funding to fast track the creation of new homes. The funds will help the City incentivize the creation of 739 new housing units above the City average over the next three years. This work will reduce housing barriers and increase housing in Guelph, while supporting the development of affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse communities. “Today’s announcement is a big leap forward for Guelph in addressing the housing crisis… Continue reading City of Guelph to receive federal funding to help build more homes, faster

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Investments focus on maintaining City Services while supporting existing and growth-enabling infrastructure as well as housing and homelessness Guelph, Ont., November 29, 2023 – On November 29, City Council amended and adopted Guelph’s 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget with investments that focus on maintaining City services while supporting existing and growth-enabling infrastructure, as well as housing and homelessness. The budget will help advance the Council-approved Future Guelph strategic plan.   “Today, City Council reduced and adopted Guelph’s 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget,” says Mayor Cam Guthrie. “Council was able to lower the City’s portion of the budget to 3.96 per cent. With the addition of outside boards and agencies, along with new impacts from provincial legislation, including downloading and underfunding housing, hospital and homelessness initiatives, the total impact is 8.52… Continue reading Council adopts Guelph’s 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget

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Today, the City of Guelph released the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget. The budget was built based on direction from the Council-approved Future Guelph strategic plan. Continue reading City of Guelph releases first four-year budget

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Guelph is one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario. We are ready to help home builders and businesses thrive here. Continue reading Mayor Guthrie sets the record straight about housing starts in Guelph

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

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