In parts of Ontario, there’s a certain anxiousness about the second stage of the Ontario government’s re-opening of the economy, but things are not going to totally get back to normal in at least two parts of Guelph society. In separate press announcements today, one Guelph institution said that they’re keeping the status quo, and the other is actually taking away service effective immediately. Continue reading “Library Keeping to Curbside, GRCA Shutting Parks Again”
Saturday’s Guelph Solidarity Protest to Support Black Lives Matter drew 5,000 people to downtown Guelph to demonstrate against systemic racism and police brutality. For Guelph’s predominately white citizenry, it was a time to listen, and to show support, and in that spirit, this week’s episode of the podcast will feature very little commentary from the host, and will be almost entirely dedicated to those voices that were raised last weekend. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #225 – Black Lives Matter!”
Stage 2 of the re-opening of Ontario’s economy begins this coming Friday, and with more people going back to work, it means there are going to be more parents looking for childcare. Along with other new initiatives announced this week with Stage 2, the Government of Ontario has revealed new guidelines to oversee the safe re-opening of childcare centres across the province. Continue reading “Ontario Government Announces Plans to Re-open Childcare Centres”
In a throwback to when there was just regular controversy unrelated to the pandemic, the City of Guelph has announced that construction will commence on the fenced-in leash-free dog area at the Bristol Street Park on June 29. The would be the second such amenity to built in Guelph, and it comes after the project was nearly ended in its entirety back in February. Continue reading “Construction to Begin on Bristol Street Dog Park at the End of the Month”
Although many members of the City of Guelph workforce have found themselves laid off as a result of the pandemic, when the members of three public unions return to work they will at least be doing so with a new agreement. Three Canadian Union of Public Employees locals that represent City of Guelph staff have approved a deal reached between them and the City at the end of last month. Continue reading “CUPE Unions Have Ratified New Agreement with the City”
At their daily media briefing at Queen’s Park Monday, Premier Doug Ford and members of his cabinet announced that Ontario will begin Stage 2 of the economic re-opening at 12:01 am on Friday June 12. The hitch is that only some portions of the province will move on to Stage 2, as several areas in Ontario will remain at Stage 1 for the time being. Continue reading “Guelph Will Be a Part of Stage 2 Opening of Ontario”
A City of Guelph employee has been suspended after they posted an inappropriate message concerning Saturday’s Solidarity Protest to Support Black Lives Matter to the popular “Overheard at Guelph” Facebook page. The employee has been put on administrative leave, and an investigation is being conducted, but while the post has since been deleted, many on social media remain disturbed at the swipe at a peaceful and inclusive event. Continue reading “City of Guelph Employee Put on Leave After They “Criticized and Disparaged” Saturday’s March”
This month’s planning meeting will have no planning applications. The rare reprise from those sometimes controversial meetings will allow city council to give its full attention to the results of community engagement about Guelph’s not-too-distant future. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the June 15 Meeting?”
If it’s the middle Wednesday of the month, then it’s time for the new regular monthly council meeting. Staff will present an update on all the effects and costs of the pandemic, but we’ll have to wait an extra couple of days to find out the full measure of those details. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the June 17 Meeting?”
Thousands of people flooded Market Square Saturday and than marched through the streets downtown to send one message: anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism must end, and so must police brutality against those groups. In what might have been one of the largest protests Guelph has ever seen, especially in recent memory, a diverse group of residents joined a worldwide chorus of people demanding the elimination of systemic racism. Continue reading ““The Change Starts Now!” Thousands Take Over Market Square to Say, “Black Lives Matter!””
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