Adam A. Donaldson

City Preps COVID-Safe Rec Programs, While Province Extends Stay-at-Home Order

Published on Jun 1, 2021Jun 2, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

When the Government of Ontario announced changes to the stay-at-home order a few weeks to allow for the re-opening of outdoor recreation facilities, there was a question mark locally about splash pads. On Tuesday, the City of Guelph cleared the question mark and announced dates for the opening of water-based amenities, plus summer recreation programs, while the Province formally announced the extension of the order. Continue reading “City Preps COVID-Safe Rec Programs, While Province Extends Stay-at-Home Order” →

This Month at Council Part 2: Multi-Year Budgets, Transportation Master Plan, and CoW Issues

Published on Jun 1, 2021May 31, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

In the second part of the monthly recap of events at city council, things are much more streamlined. Two special meetings covered the ins and outs of multi-year budgeting, and the draft Transportation Master Plan, while the regular council meeting of the month was all about the ratification of the Committee of the Whole agenda, but with a couple of addendums. Continue reading “This Month at Council Part 2: Multi-Year Budgets, Transportation Master Plan, and CoW Issues” →

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for May 31, 2021

Published on May 31, 2021May 31, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Let’s recap the stuff from Committee of the Whole! You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here for the Politico preview. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s council meeting, you can follow along on Twitter, or follow the tweets below. You can also watch the City’s own live-stream of the meeting here. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for May 31, 2021” →

Guelph Marks Discovery of Mass Grave at B.C. Residential School

Published on May 31, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

The discovery of a mass grave with the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School has re-opened a national sorrow, and prompted new demands for accountability and reconciliation. Guelph is no exception as key Royal City institutions have lowered their flags to half-staff in recognition of the loss while community activists organize a vigil at Guelph’s most recognizable landmark. Continue reading “Guelph Marks Discovery of Mass Grave at B.C. Residential School” →

WDG Public Health Warns About High Risk Variant as the Region Re-Enters Orange

Published on May 31, 2021May 31, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

New daily case counts are falling, we’re closing in on a potential re-opening date, and more vaccines are being given out every day. What this silver lining needed was a cloud, and we got one. On Monday, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health sent out a warning to the community that anyone who recently returned from Nunavut needs to self-isolate now to prevent the spread of a very contagious form of COVID-19. Continue reading “WDG Public Health Warns About High Risk Variant as the Region Re-Enters Orange” →

This Month at Council Part 1: Operations Campus Update and a Contentious Planning Meeting

Published on May 31, 2021May 29, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Jam-packed meetings started the month of May with a committee meeting that covered a lot of different money matters, both immediate and long-term, and then with a planning meeting that featured four controversial planning proposals. In part one of the monthly council recap, we will go from a COVID update from public health, to concerns about over-protecting local heritage in the city’s east end. Continue reading “This Month at Council Part 1: Operations Campus Update and a Contentious Planning Meeting” →

MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for May 1-31, 2021

Published on May 30, 2021May 29, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Every month, Guelph Politico posts the latest inspection results from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit inspection of local restaurants, hotels, cafes, grocery stores and other businesses that handle food. We call it “Mangez!”, and this column highlights the latest inspections done by WDGPH, and the results they’ve posted. Continue reading “MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for May 1-31, 2021” →

Ontario Moves to Accelerate Second Doses, While Schools Left Waiting for News

Published on May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

The Government of Ontario is full-speed ahead on a “two dose summer” according to Premier Doug Ford in a Friday announcement from Queen’s Park. Starting on Monday, people over 80 will begin receiving their second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, but progress on vaccines seems to have come at the expense of progress on re-opening schools as the week ends with no announcement on education. Continue reading “Ontario Moves to Accelerate Second Doses, While Schools Left Waiting for News” →

Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the June 7 Meeting?

Published on May 27, 2021May 31, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

The first council meeting of June will be a very busy Committee of the Whole meeting indeed, and it will cover a wide variety of items from several different service areas. From Corporate Services, to Public Services, to Audit Committee, and the regular quarterly update on the local pandemic response from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, you should pack a lunch because this might be a long meeting. Continue reading “Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the June 7 Meeting?” →

City Looking for Feedback on 10-Year Plan to Change Transit Routes

Published on May 27, 2021Jun 5, 2021 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

After last night’s discussion of the Transportation Master Plan, the City of Guelph is zooming in on one aspect of transportation planning that will be key to the TMP’s goal of getting people to make 19 per cent fewer trips by car. From now until Jun 20, the City is looking for feedback on proposed changes to transit routes that could be implemented over the next 10 years with the approval of the public and council. Continue reading “City Looking for Feedback on 10-Year Plan to Change Transit Routes” →