The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…?

City of Guelph Recommits to Vision Zero

After this week’s workshop meeting about transportation at city council, the City of Guelph released an update about their Vision Zero initiatives. “Our goal is to use different tools to encourage drivers to slow down and be aware of their surroundings and of people who are cycling, walking, and wheeling,” said Liraz Fridman, road safety supervisor in a statement. “Every person must do whatever they can to keep our roads safe for themselves and each other.”

Some of those tools like lower speed limits are already in place, and four automated speed enforcement cameras will be installed some time this summer and then be rotated every three months though 16 different locations. Last year, the City gave out nearly 3,600 tickets for red light violations, which collected nearly $265,000 in revenue that will be re-invested in road safety planning and improvements. Update road safety data will be available in July.

Human Society Gets Money for Pet Food Bank

The Guelph Humane Society received a $29,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and this week they recognized the investments made that will better help the community. The grant enabled GHS team members to receive Mental Health First Aid training, and it provided start-up support for a pet food bank to help Guelph and Wellington pet owners care for their pets during difficult times.

“The Guelph Humane Society’s GHS Cares Programs help Guelph and Wellington’s vulnerable pet owning community members access the social assistance they need by filling unrecognized gaps in our social service and healthcare system,” said Human Society executive director Lisa Veit in a statement. “We are grateful for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s support and the ability to give our team the tools they need to address high pressure and potentially challenging situations.”

The GHS food bank program will officially open this month. Food will be stored at The Seed and the be available through distribution partners Chalmers Centre, Wyndham House, and the Guelph Community Health Centre’s Community Health Van. Members of the community that wish to donate food are asked to contact Guelph Humane Society by email at programs [at] guelphhumane.ca or by phone 519-824-3091.

Tool Library Fundraising for New Purchase

The Guelph Tool Library is looking to raise $2,000 towards purchasing three electric/battery-powered rototillers. Yes, the Tool Library does presently have rototillers, but they’re gas-powered and thus the can’t be stored at their office in Old Quebec Street Shoppes. You can contribute to the Tool Library’s GoFundMe here.

“The first item of the GTL’s inventory was a gas-powered rototiller, and since then, our two rototillers have been borrowed for over 100 times by our members,” said Saba Saneinejad, the Library‘s co-ordinator and board member in a statement. “We would love to be able to continue providing this items to our community; and transitioning to electric/battery powered rototillers not only makes it possible but it also is a more environmentally friendly solution.”

Longfield Gets the Chair

Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield has been chosen to succeed Kirsty Duncan as the chair the Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) in the House of Commons, which studies all matters relating to science and research, including any reports of the Chief Science Advisor. Along with his new position, Longfield will continue to serve on the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure for the SRSR, the Liaison Committee, and the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

“I am eager to take on this role during such an exciting time in research and innovative advancements in Canada— the needs of the scientific community, regulators, and business are changing rapidly. Science and evidence-based data is crucial to ensure the success, challenges and opportunities ahead of us are met in Canada today,” Longfield said in a statement.

City Wants to Know How to Improve Public Participation

You have until May 14 to take part in the Growing Civic Participation online survey, the City of Guelph would like to know your thoughts on the update to the Civic Engagement Framework. They’re looking for answers to the following questions: What kinds of involvement interest you? How can we make those opportunities better? When and where we should schedule activities so you can be included? And what worries or concerns you may have that are keeping you form sharing your thoughts with city staff or council?

Along with the online survey there will be three in-person opportunities for you to share your feedback with the clerks office: Tuesday May 2 from 2-5 pm at the Shelldale Centre, Wednesday May 3 from 9 am– 12 pm at Guelph CHC Downtown, and Sunday May 7 from 1-4 pm at the parking lot of Shake It Off Studio.

Indigenous Gathering Circle Opens at Wellington Place

This week, Wellington County officially opened the new Gathering Circle behind the Wellington County Museum and Archives in Fergus. It was developed as an alternative, land-based space for education, healing and gathering as a means to support the Indigenous community in a culturally safe environment. When completed in the fall, the circle will include space to grow medicines for ceremony, native plant species, and a pavilion.

“The Gathering Circle was developed to provide our Indigenous community and the agencies that serve them a safe space to meet. One that is not confined by walls – but plants, water and natural space,” said Colleen Brunelle, chair of the County’s Indigenous Advisory Committee in a statement. “This is part of our commitment to putting action into Reconciliation. The work is far from finished – but this is a great start.”

Additional Notes

The Guelph Humane Society will be holding another microchip clinic today from 10 am to 1 pm at the Hanlon Creek Boulevard office.

The elevator at the main library will be unavailable for two months starting on Monday May 8 as work crews do upgrades and repairs.

Empowerment Day is back for the first time since the start of the pandemic and it will be held at the Sleeman Centre on Thursday May 4 from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Upper Grand District School Board is looking for feedback on two new draft policies.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School robotics team won the first-ever Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas and were the only Canadian team in the finals.

Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home won the Supporting Seniors Award from AdvantAge Ontario for the Wellington Wishes program, which is essentially a Make-a-Wish program for the home’s residents.

Current “Have Your Say” opportunities: Rainbow Crosswalk, Growing Civic Participation, Race to Zero, Downtown Parking Master Plan, Transit Stop Accessibility, Silvercreek Parkway North Reconstruction, York Road Reconstruction Phase Three, and Guelph’s Bicentennial.

Transit Detours

Routes 50U, 52U, 56U, 58U, and 59U have all been paused until the fall, and so has the Light Night Service.

New and Upcoming Construction

There will be lane reductions next week on Kortright Road East at Cox Court starting May 1 for the installation of a new pedestrian crossing.

There will be lane reductions next week on Clairfields Drive East at Farley Drive starting May 1 for the installation of a new pedestrian crossing.

There will be lane reductions on Delhi Street between Derry and Eramosa for one day on Tuesday May 2 for the installation of an underground gas line.

There will be lane reductions on Stone Road West between Edinburgh and Hanlon Road for the inspection of sewer pipes and the installation of pipe lining. This work starts on May 8 and will continue to the end of the month.