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…?

Emma to Earl Bridge Free to Proceed

The Emma to Earl pedestrian and cycling bridge is free to proceed after the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks dismissed an objection to the project. One objection was filed by the group Guelph Residents for a Safe Speedvale Avenue during the 30-day appeal period to the update environmental assessment, but the ministry determined that the City has “made reasonable efforts” to engage and consult with Indigenous communities, and that the plan for the project was developed in accordance with provisions of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.

“The Emma to Earl bridge is a critical connection for people travelling by bike and on foot, particularly while the Speedvale Bridge is upgraded in 2026, and without which people would need to detour at least two kilometres to cross the Speed River,” said Reg Russwurm, the City’s manager of Design and Construction in a statement. “Improving active transportation connections in Guelph is an important investment in sustainable transportation, and vital to the City’s commitment to Race To Zero, especially as we prepare to support the Province’s mandated population growth targets.”

Workers will be in the Speed River ravine sweeping and cutting vegetation as needed to prepare for geotechnical work later this fall once local birds have migrated south and the wildlife breeding seasons are over. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Greener Homes Program Launches Monday

Approved by council earlier this year, the City of Guelph will launch the Greener Homes Program on Monday, offering Guelph homeowners the chance to apply for a zero-interest loan up to $50,000 to help cover the costs of energy-efficient home retrofits from windows and doors, to heat pumps and solar-powered systems.

“We all need to be part of the fight against climate change, and we know people in our community want to play their part,” said Bryan Ho-Yan, the City’s manager of Corporate Energy and Climate Change in a statement. “This program will make energy-efficient upgrades more accessible for Guelph homeowners.”

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the program you must own a low-rise (detached, semi-detached, townhouse, or rowhouse) residential property in the municipality of the City Guelph that’s at least five years old, and:

• have a property tax account with the City
• have consent from all listed property owners to participate in the program
• have no back taxes, liens, or title disputes on the property
• have not started improvements for which you plan to use the loan for

What types of upgrades qualify? 

• building upgrades including insulation, air-sealing, window and door repair or replacement
• mechanical systems such as air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and heat recovery systems
• Control systems such as smart or programmable thermostats
• Renewable energy systems including solar power and solar hot water systems

How to apply

Six steps will get homeowners on their way to accessing loan funds:

1. Check eligibility
2. Schedule and complete a home energy assessment
3. Submit the home assessment with planned upgrades for approval
4. Once approved, complete upgrades
5. Schedule and complete a follow-up home energy assessment
6. Submit invoices and the final assessment report to get the loan

47  U of G  Research Projects Get Funds

Nearly 50 research projects at the University of Guelph are splitting $8 million in funding from the Government of Ontario between them. This funding, which comes from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance – a collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the University of Guelph – seeks to advance agri-food innovations that support rural communities, keep our food supply safe, and develop a prosperous, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.

The projects include the examination of community-based approaches to strengthen food security and help address climate change impacts in several Northern Ontario First Nations; plus the management of soybean pests to promote sustainable yields, the optimization of immunity in poultry to reduce impacts of potential disease, and examining the use of agri-food wastes in novel applications.

“Through the power of partnership, the University of Guelph drives innovation and brings farm-tested research to the table, in Ontario and globally,” said U of G President Dr. Charlotte Yates in a statement. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs investment in world-class U of G research is vital to advancing a sustainable, competitive agri-food sector that makes a difference to the environment, to businesses, to producers, to communities and to the health of people, animals and planet.”

Donations Open for Annual Friends Book Sale

The Friends of the Guelph Public Library have released details about their big book sale, which will take place again at 69 Huron Street, but this year happens about a month earlier from Wednesday September 20 to Sunday September 24. The Friends are presently collecting donations of good quality used books, games, puzzles, DVDs, and vinyl records for the sale, and those items can be dropped off at 69 Huron from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays, and 10 am-noon Wednesday through Saturday only. For more information about the sale, visit the Friends’ website.

Coming Soon: Link PRESTO to OnYourWay

Starting August 8, people transferring to and from the GO Train will be able to cover their Guelph Transit ride for free using a new co-fare program that will let people link their OnYourWay card to your PRESTO card.

Once the new co-fare program begins, Guelph Transit will no longer accept PRESTO cards to ride city buses. Instead, tap your PRESTO-linked OnYourWay fare card when you get on the bus, then tap it again on one of two co-fare validator machines when you hop off at Guelph Central Station to refund your bus fare. When you come back to Guelph, tap your OnYourWay fare card on a validator as you get off the train before boarding a Guelph Transit bus. As you board the bus, tap your OnYourWay fare card again and enjoy a free ride to your destination.

Follow the instructions here to sign-up.

Feedback Wanted for Parks and Rec Plan

The ongoing work of updating the Parks and Recreation Master Plan continues. The master plan guides how the City responsibly manages existing recreation facilities and amenities and develops new ones to meet Guelph’s growing and changing needs, and it also identifies the ways that parks and recreation can support building an equitable, strong, vibrant, safe, and healthy community. The deadline to contribute to the Have Your Say is August 13, but there are also opportunities for in-person contributions next week.

You can register here for one of three Conversation Cafes at various locations around Guelph:

• Tuesday, August 1, 7 to 9 pm in The LOFT space at Longo’s, 24 Clair Rd. W.
• Thursday, August 3, 10 am to noon – Guelph Little Theatre, 176 Morris St.
• Saturday, August 5, 10 am to noon – Guelph Civic Museum, 52 Norfolk St.

Additional Notes

Bookmark for later: Here are the holiday hours for the City of Guelph for the August Civic Holiday. Plus, all branches of the Guelph Public Library will be closed on Monday August 7.

The City of Guelph’s Hot Summer Nights continues this coming Thursday August 3 at Orin Reid Park from 6:30 to 7:45 pm.

Automated speed enforcement will begin at four locations around Guelph starting on August 1.

Alectra Utilities is spending over $4 million to improve the grid here in Guelph; $2.6 million to replace underground assets including switchgear and vault cover renewal and $1.7 million to renew overhead assets including poles and transformers.

Diyode Maker Space will be having their grand opening at their new 700 York Road location on Saturday August 19 from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Help send the Guelph Silvercreeks to the National finals in Stonewall, Manitoba by joining their GoFundMe.

Look up, and out, when you’re at Guelph General Hospital starting today, a crane will be onsite to remove the old MRI machine.

The Wellington Catholic District School Board Catholic Education Centre will open at their new location at 255 Speedvale Avenue West on September 1.

Current “Have Your Say” Opportunities:

Culture Plan, Development Charges, Downtown Waste Project, Guelph’s Bicentennial, Parks and Recreation Master Plan*, Race to Zero, and Silvercreek Parkway North Reconstruction. (*Denotes new.)

Transit Detours

No new detours or changes.

New and Upcoming Construction

The reconstruction of Metcalfe Street between Terry and Eramosa will begin again on Monday July 31. This project will replace the sanitary and storm sewer pipes, and watermains.

Metrolinx will be doing signal infrastructure installation overnight for approximately two weeks starting on Monday July 31. This work will be happening on a portion of track between the east end of Guelph Central Station and Wellington Street.

There will be lane reductions on Victoria Road North from Woodlawn to Brant for one week starting on Monday August 14.

There will be construction on Downey Road South to Forestell Road from August 24 to 28 for resurfacing and shoulder repairs.