City of Guelph

News Release

  • City of Guelph secures more than $33.4 million in federal funding to support improved wastewater treatment and more housing 

    Guelph, Ont., August 11, 2026 – Today, the Government of Canada announced more than $33.4 million through the Build Communities Strong Fund for the City of Guelph to improve the City’s wastewater system.   These improvements will help the City maintain high treatment standards, increase the system’s capacity, and support new housing as Guelph grows. Some key benefits include:  “The Build Communities Strong Fund is building essential, sustainable infrastructure that Canadians rely on every…

  • City of Guelph and paramedic union moving to interest arbitration

    The City remains committed to fair and balanced collective bargaining process Guelph, Ont., August 5, 2026 – While approaching conciliation in good-faith and making some progress through the process, the City of Guelph and the OPSEU/SEFPO Local 231 union representing Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services (GWPS) were unable to reach a negotiated settlement. We are now moving…

  • Guelph Fire Brings Fire Safety Conversations to Your Door

    Guelph, Ont., July 28, 2026 – The Guelph Fire Department is bringing fire-life safety conversations directly to residents through its Fire Safety at Your Door “Knock and Talk” education program. This door-to-door fire-life safety education initiative gives residents a chance to speak with firefighters and ask questions. It provides an opportunity for residents to learn…

  • City continues advocating for community benefit from sale of Niska land

    Formal request made during land disposition process Guelph, Ont., July 27, 2026 – Mayor Cam Guthrie, on behalf of the City of Guelph, submitted an official request that the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) consider the City’s historical financial contributions as they work through the potential sale of an 8-hectare parcel of land, zoned for…

  • Guelph’s progress report points to gains in services, housing, climate and downtown renewal

    Guelph, Ont., July 23, 2026 – The City has released its 2025 Progress Report, offering a clear and transparent look at how the priorities in the Future Guelph Strategic Plan are being turned into tangible results across the community. From reducing barriers to housing to expanding Guelph’s tree canopy, the report highlights practical actions the…

  • City prioritizes infrastructure maintenance with Asset Management Policy update

    Guelph, Ont., July 22, 2026 – On July 21, City Council approved the City’s Asset Management Policy update. The policy governs how the City manages over 200,000 infrastructure assets across 17 service areas to support a strong quality of life in Guelph. The updated policy is complimented by the release of a new business intelligence (BI) dashboard on the state of City infrastructure. It includes data on City infrastructure assets like roads, sidewalks, bridges, watermains, buildings and parks among…

  • Lower Wyndham Street set to reopen as Downtown construction project hits first major milestone

    The milestone paves the way for increased traffic access and represents a major step forward for the Downtown project. Guelph, Ont., July 16, 2026 – Great news for Downtown Guelph: the first milestone in Phase 1 of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program has been achieved on schedule, reflecting strong progress during this phase of work.…

  • New online reporting form, education campaign launches to support vacant home tax and rental bylaws

    Guelph, Ont., July 15, 2026 – The City is launching a new option for residents looking to report suspected vacant homes, as well as a digital education campaign to help tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities during rental renovations. Guelph City Council formally adopted a Vacant Home Tax and Rental Renovation Bylaw on…

  • Guelph is ready for future housing growth, says City report

    Guelph, Ont., July 14, 2026 – Guelph is getting ready for more housing as families grow and more people set up businesses in the city, according to the 2025 Growth Management Monitoring Report. The report, which is going to Council today, shows how Guelph has continued to take action — despite slower housing starts across…

  • First development using Guelph’s new planning tool shows how process can fast-track housing and improve affordability

    Guelph, Ont., July 13, 2026 – New housing and affordable units may soon be on the way to Guelph, with the help of the City’s new planning tool. The City of Guelph has completed its first review of a proposed 275-unit apartment building, including 21 affordable units, at 233-237 Janefield Avenue in just 25 days.…

  • Guelph Transit sees increase in Canada Day ridership

    Guelph, ON, July 8, 2026 – Guelph Transit has reported a 54 per cent increase in the number of passengers on Canada Day, compared to the same time last year. Over 50 per cent of passengers boarded after 7 p.m., during the free service period.  Leading up to Canada Day, Guelph Transit launched a campaign…

  • Apply now to work at a voting location for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election  

    Guelph, ON, July 7, 2026 – The City of Guelph is recruiting community-minded individuals to help deliver the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election.  Members of the public are invited to apply for paid election worker positions to support advance voting from October 10 to 18, 2026, and Election Day on October 26, 2026.  “Election workers play a vital…

  • The City of Guelph announces new General Manager of Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service and Paramedic Chief

    Guelph, Ont., July 6, 2026 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce their new General Manager of Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Service (GWPS) and Paramedic Chief, Cliff Eggleton, following a competitive recruitment process.   This senior leadership role is responsible for delivering high-quality emergency and community paramedic services across the City of Guelph and Wellington County. The position provides…

  • 10 Individuals Rescued During Canada Day Storm at Guelph Lake Conservation Area

    Guelph, Ont., July 2, 2026 – The Guelph Fire Department’s Specialty Water Rescue Team safely retrieved 10 people from Guelph Lake on July 1 after a sudden and severe storm with heavy winds, lightning and rain created dangerous conditions on the water. At 5:09 p.m., the department responded to a water rescue call at Guelph…

  • Community-centered plan to help people struggling with high energy costs in Guelph 

    Guelph, Ont., June 24, 2026 – To address rising costs of living and more extreme weather events, Guelph has created its first-ever Energy Equity Action Plan. The plan supports residents who struggle to afford the energy they need and tackles underlying barriers that make it harder for residents to improve their homes.  Many households face difficult choices between keeping their home comfortable and covering other essentials. Energy equity is making sure people…

  • Celebrate Canada Day in Guelph! 

    Guelph, Ont., June 23, 2026 – The City of Guelph will be hosting a variety of activities to celebrate Canada Day this year. See what’s happening around the community as we commemorate Canada turning 159.  Canada Day Celebration in Riverside Park  The City of Guelph has contributed funding to a Canada Day Celebration at Riverside Park, hosted by Supercrawl Productions.  …

  • Guelph residents report strong quality of life and satisfaction with City services

    Guelph, ON, June 18, 2026 – Results from the 2026 Satisfaction Survey show that residents continue to feel positive about their overall quality of life and the services they receive from the City. Forum Research conducted the survey between March 23 and April 9 on behalf of the City. It gathered feedback from a random…

  • Building homes in Guelph gets easier, with new clarity around zoning rules

    Guelph, Ont., June 8, 2026 – Building homes in Guelph is now a bit easier, thanks to a partial settlement from the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on an appeal from a local builders’ group to the City’s Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw. The decision provides more clarity on more than half of the appealed rules — 57…

  • City of Guelph to receive $15.7M in federal funding to support Guelph Transit

    Through the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), the City will receive $1,573,391 annually over the next 10 years Guelph, Ont., June 5, 2026 – Over the next 10 years, the City of Guelph will receive $1,573,391 annually through the Baseline Funding stream of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF). This funding will help the City…

  • Guelph breaks ground on new transit and fleet facility 

    Guelph, Ont., May 29, 2026 – This morning, Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, Hardeep Singh Grewal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation, Mike Schreiner, Member of Provincial Parliament for Guelph, Mayor Cam Guthrie, City Councilors and members of the City’s executive team announced that the city has broken ground on the new Guelph…

  • The City, GWLIP and community partners launch Welcoming Communities Strategy  

    The strategy aims to strengthen belonging and inclusion. Guelph, Ont., May 29, 2026 – The Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership (GWLIP), in collaboration with the City of Guelph and community partners, has launched a new Welcoming Communities Strategy to help build more inclusive, connected and welcoming community in Guelph and Wellington. The strategy reflects a shared commitment to ensuring…

  • City invests $543,500 in local organizations through community grant program

    Guelph, Ont., May 19, 2026 – The City is investing $543,500 in community wellbeing through its Community Grant Program. This funding will help 76 local organizations deliver programs that enhance economic prosperity and improve quality of life in Guelph. This year, the total amount awarded reached $543,500, thanks to an additional $30,000 awarded through City…

  • City offers new accelerator grant to help fast track housing delivery

    Guelph, Ont., May 15, 2026 – Starting June 1, the City will open a new multi-unit accelerator grant to fast-track select housing projects before the end of 2026. The program is supported by $2 million in funding from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and is designed to move housing forward sooner by supporting faster permitting…

  • The City of Guelph announces Terry Gayman as new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development, and Environment 

    Guelph, Ont., May 12, 2026 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce Terry Gayman as the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development, and Environment following a competitive recruitment process, effective May 19, 2026. This executive role provides strategic leadership across core city-building and operational functions, including Economic Development and Tourism; Engineering and Transportation Services; Water and Wastewater Services; Planning and Building Services; and Facilities and Energy Management.  “I am proud and honoured to take on…

  • City set to improve road safety around Guelph schools

    Guelph, Ont., May 12, 2026 – This Canada Road Safety Week, the City of Guelph is sharing how it is improving road safety near schools for children and families. The actions are guided by the City’s Vision Zero strategy, which was approved by Council in 2025.  “The City is committed to making Guelph’s roads safer for everyone, especially in school zones,” says Steve Anderson, Manager, Transportation Engineering. “Following several tragic fatalities on our roads last year, we know our local…

  • Applications now open for 2026 Affordable Housing Seed Funding

    Guelph, Ont., May 7, 2026 – Not-for-profits can now apply for up to $25,000 in seed funding from the City of Guelph to start an affordable housing project. A total of $100,000 is available to cover pre-construction costs, like site studies, surveys or planning fees. Affordable housing supported by the grants must remain affordable for…

  • Candidate nominations now open for Guelph’s 2026 municipal election

    Guelph, Ont., May 1, 2026 – Starting today, candidates can file their nomination for the offices of mayor, city councillor or school board trustee until 2 p.m. on August 21, 2026. Nomination packages are available digitally at guelph.ca/vote and in person at the ServiceGuelph counter at City Hall.   “Serving on City Council or as a school board trustee is a meaningful way to shape the…

  • Guelph residents’ water bills will come from the City of Guelph in June 2026

    Guelph, Ont., April 20, 2026 – Beginning in June 2026, the City of Guelph will be responsible for the administration and billing of water charges in the city. The transition follows Alectra Utilities’ decision to discontinue billing municipal water utilities. In June, customers can expect to receive one bill from Alectra for electricity and one…

  • Join us for the Guelph 200 kick-off!  

    Join us on Guelph’s 199th anniversary, as we look ahead to 2027   Guelph, Ont., April 8, 2026 ​– On Thursday, April 23, the City of Guelph and Guelph 200 Community Working Group invite community members to celebrate Guelph’s 199th anniversary, while looking ahead to Guelph’s 200th anniversary in 2027.   Guelph 200 Kick-off and Harnessing the Spark Workshop  Thursday, April 23, 2026 2 – 5 p.m. Draught…

  • Doors Open Guelph returns with free tours around the city! 

    Doors Open Guelph invites community to discover some of the city’s most intriguing and inspiring places   Guelph, Ont., ​April 7, 2026​ – Doors Open Guelph returns Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., inviting community to step inside a remarkable mix of heritage buildings, community spaces, places of worship, creative businesses and environmentally-minded homes across the city.    This year’s lineup includes well-loved…

  • City secures next round of federal Housing Accelerator Fund support after unlocking 22,789 future homes

    Guelph, Ont., March 27, 2026 – With more than 22,000 housing units already unlocked, the City of Guelph has received another round of federal funding to continue its work to boost housing supply and affordability. “Our government is committed to supporting communities as they build practical, locally driven responses to housing pressures and affordability challenges,”…

  • City of Guelph awards Wyndham Street Reconstruction tender to Steed and Evans Ltd 

    Guelph, ON., March 5, 2026 – The City of Guelph has awarded Phase 1 of the Wyndham Street Reconstruction tender to Steed and Evans Ltd. for 24 million dollars. We’re happy to secure the tender and move the work forward as we renew our infrastructure and enable growth in downtown. The project was tendered to a list of pre-qualified contractors, and Steed and Evans Ltd. was selected as the lowest compliant bid, keeping the…

  • Stepping Stone opens new daytime drop-in space, expanding access to community supports

    Guelph, Ont., March 2, 2026 – Today, Stepping Stone opened a new daytime drop-in space at 23 Gordon Street, creating another welcoming place in Guelph for people to find support and connect with services. This new space offers daytime services Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,…

  • Court decision reinforces owner and landlord responsibility for fire safety

    Conviction of Fire Code offences resulted in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment Guelph, Ont., February 26, 2026 – A fatal 2024 fire, in which two occupants died tragically in a rental home with no working smoke alarms, has resulted in charges for two landlords. “Through collaboration with the Office of the Fire Marshal, Guelph…

  • 2026 budgets finalized for Guelph’s local boards and shared services

    Guelph, Ont., February 4, 2026 – Today, Guelph’s local boards and shared services (LBSS) presented their updated 2026 budgets at a special meeting of Council. The LBSS net tax levy increase of 4.40 per cent represents a significant investment in community well-being, safety, and cultural services. “As separate entities, local boards and shared services agencies,…

  • City of Guelph sets roadmap to major emissions reductions and long-term sustainability

    Guelph, Ont., January 28, 2026 – The City of Guelph has released a new Corporate Climate Action Plan that charts how the municipality can cut more than 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from City operations by 2035. Focused on the buildings, vehicles, systems and policies the City directly manages, the action plan outlines how…

  • City of Guelph and GRCA partnering on future of 126.16 acres along Niska Road

    Planned land transfer helps provide parkland for the growing Guelph community Guelph, Ont., January 23, 2026 – The City of Guelph and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) are working on an agreement for the transfer of 126.16 acres of land along Niska Road. Today, the GRCA board gave direction to proceed with working towards…

  • New emergency grant, collaboration with Stepping Stone to address gaps in daytime services

    Guelph, Ont., January 13, 2026 – To help address immediate needs for essential daytime services such as food, washrooms and warm-up locations, the City of Guelph will provide an emergency grant program and is working with Stepping Stone to open a daytime drop-in space on or about March 1, 2026. Launching by end of day…

  • Stepping Stone and Royal City Mission team up with the City on a new daytime drop-in space for people in need

    Individuals can access services starting January 12, 2026 January 8, 2026 Update: Stepping Stone has shared an important update on the planned daytime drop-in space. Please read their full statement on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stepping-stone-1983_an-update-from-stepping-stone-activity-7415165513451941888-dixC/ The City will issue a new request for proposals in the coming weeks. We remain committed to finding solutions so vulnerable residents…

  • Ontario rewards Guelph with more than $3.69 million through the Building Faster Fund

    Second round of funding rewards municipalities for progress toward housing targets Guelph, Ont., December 15, 2025 — The Ontario government is awarding the City of Guelph with $3,692,960 through the second round of the Building Faster Fund, which provides funding to municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their provincially designated housing targets.…

  • Gay Lea Foods saving 21,960 cubic metres of water per year thanks to Water Smart Business upgrades

    Water savings equivalent to the average water use of 122 single-family homes Guelph, Ont., December 9, 2025 – Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited (“Gay Lea Foods”) is now saving more than 60,000 litres of water per day thanks to water saving projects supported by the City’s Water Smart Business program. These water savings, equivalent to…

  • City of Guelph confirms 2026 budget

    Budget confirms strategic investments, service adjustments, and measures to manage slower growth Guelph, Ont., November 26, 2025 – Today, Mayor Guthrie and City Council considered amendments to the proposed 2026 budget. After reviewing and voting on each amendment, Council closed the amendment period, and the Mayor confirmed he will not veto any of the amendments. This means the 2026 City services budget is now confirmed, with a tax…

  • City takes big steps to protect and expand affordable housing in Guelph

    Vacant home tax, rental renovation bylaw and expanded use of City-owned land for affordable housing coming soon Guelph, Ont., November 26, 2025 – The City is taking proactive steps to protect and expand affordable housing in Guelph. Last night, Council approved work on three major initiatives that will help more people keep or find housing:…

  • City opens new pedestrian and cycling bridge

    Guelph, Ont., November 24, 2025 – Getting around Guelph is getting easier with today’s opening of a new accessible pedestrian and cycling bridge connecting Emma Street and Earl Street. Mayor Cam Guthrie was joined by members of the community to mark the occasion. “This new bridge provides an important active transportation link across the Speed River…

  • Guelph Fire Department upgrades to Next Generation 9-1-1, improving emergency response

    As always, Guelph residents should call 9-1-1 in an emergency Guelph, Ont., November 20, 2025 – The Guelph Fire Department will officially transition to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) network on November 20, 2025. This upgrade follows the successful implementation of NG9-1-1 by the Guelph Police Service in September and reflects a broader provincial effort…

  • New housing to end chronic youth homelessness in Guelph by 2026

    City funding helps Wyndham House bring Welcome to Waterloo housing initiative to Guelph Guelph, Ont., November 17, 2025 – Guelph is on track to become the first mid-sized city in Canada to end chronic youth homelessness. A new supportive housing development by Wyndham House, funded in part by the City of Guelph, is part of…

  • Mayor lowers 2026 proposed City budget increase and adjusts timeline for separate boards to consider reductions

    Guelph, Ont., November 13, 2025 – Today, Mayor Cam Guthrie has revealed his final update to his proposed 2026 City of Guelph budget, which lowers the initial net tax levy increase to maintain affordability. “Ensuring that our City’s budget remains affordable and sustainable for those who live and work in Guelph has been, and continues…

  • The City of Guelph appoints Dylan McMahon as City Clerk and General Manager, City Clerk’s Office 

    Guelph, Ont., November 7, 2025 – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce the appointment of Dylan McMahon as the City Clerk and General Manager of the City Clerk’s office following a competitive recruitment process. McMahon will move into this permanent role on November 17.   McMahon brings more than a decade of municipal…

  • New Medical Priority Dispatch System to improve emergency medical response in Guelph-Wellington  

    Residents should continue to call 9-1-1 in an emergency   Guelph, Ont., November 4, 2025 – Starting December 3, 2025, calls for paramedic services in the Guelph-Wellington area will be triaged and dispatched using the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). Already in use across many Ontario municipalities, MPDS is designed to ensure paramedics are dispatched more quickly to urgent,…

  • Guelph Tourism announces 2026 funding programs

    Applications are now open for tourism projects focused on creating new experiences, improving accessibility, and enhancing existing events and festivals. Guelph, Ont., November 3, 2025 – The City of Guelph and Destination Marketing Guelph are excited to launch the 2026 Tourism funding programs, featuring the return of the Destination Animation program and the introduction of…