Adam A. Donaldson

This Municipal Election Year is an Animal Farm

Published on Aug 4, 2014Sep 1, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

George Orwell’s 1945 political satire Animal Farm was about a group of animals who take over their farm from the drunk and inept Mr. Jones and enjoy success until the pigs that led the revolution become corrupt and human-like. Orwell was commenting on the Russian Revolution, but Animal Farm may be somewhat prescient in terms of the way the municipal election is shaking out in some quarters. You see, the animals are making a play to take over. Continue reading “This Municipal Election Year is an Animal Farm” →

City & ATU Reach Tentative Agreement; Bus Service to be Restored After Ratification

Published on Aug 1, 2014Sep 1, 2018 by Adam A. Donaldson1 Comment

As the lockout of Guelph Transit nears the end of its second week, there’s a sign of hope that this time next week we may be able to get back on the buses again. Word came in late last night that the City of Guelph and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1189 have reached a tentative agreement.

The key point is that this means there’s no immediate end to the lockout. The ATU members will vote this coming Thursday, August 7, and if they vote to ratify, council will hold a special meeting to vote it through on their end. Meeting day and time to confirmed soon. Now the question is, for the union, will the third time be the charm? Continue reading “City & ATU Reach Tentative Agreement; Bus Service to be Restored After Ratification” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #12 – Anthony MacDonald, Progressive Conservatives

Published on Jun 8, 2014Sep 3, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

“It’s the economy, stupid.” That was once of the three messages that Democratic strategist James Carville created for Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential Campaign, and it worked. “It’s the economy, stupid,” might as well be on Anthony MacDonald’s campaign signs because if there’s a four word message from our interview, I think that is it. According to the Progressive Conservative candidate, and I quote, “there’s nothing more important than the economy.” The question is though, will Guelph think that MacDonald is the right man for the job and send him to Queen’s Park as its Member of Provincial Parliament? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #12 – Anthony MacDonald, Progressive Conservatives” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #11 – Juanita Burnett, Communist Party of Ontario

Published on Jun 1, 2014Sep 3, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Both the national and provincial Communist Party have made their presence known in Guelph the last several years, and why not? It’s only fitting because the party, the second oldest registered political party in the country, was started right here in Guelph in 1921. For the last several years, Drew Garvie has carried the Communist flag – as it were – in the Royal City, but with Garvie moving on to Toronto, the local Communist Party has turned to Junita Burnett to speak for the working class in the 2014 Provincial Election. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #11 – Juanita Burnett, Communist Party of Ontario” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #10 – James Gordon, New Democratic Party of Ontario

Published on May 27, 2014Sep 3, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Arriving at the Essex Street campaign office for James Gordon, the candidate takes a minute to show my around his digs. He leads me to the back and says you’ll like this. He opens the door to a large backroom where in one corner there’s a stack of campaign signs, and in the other a drum kit and amps. It seems that you can take the boy out of the band, as it were, but then he brings the band with him onto the campaign trail. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #10 – James Gordon, New Democratic Party of Ontario” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #9 – Liz Sandals, Liberal Party of Ontario

Published on May 21, 2014Sep 3, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

When last we spoke to Liz Sandals during the 2011 Provincial election, she was merely a Liberal backbencher seeking to return to the Ontario Legislature. But now, she’s the Minister of Education, looking to help her new boss, Premier Kathleen Wynne, hold on to power in an increasingly divided and partisan Queen’s Park. Obviously, she likes her chances in spite of everything. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #9 – Liz Sandals, Liberal Party of Ontario” →

GUELPH POLITICAST – #8 – Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario

Published on May 14, 2014Sep 3, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

So season three of the Guelph Politicast will cover the Guelph candidates running to the Royal City’s Member of Provincial Parliament. Obviously, the scheduling of the podcast will depend on the availability of the candidates, which is why it was something of a surprise when the first campaign to set a time and day for a sit down was the one being fronted by a provincial party leader. Yes, the first election edition Guelph Politicast of 2014 is with Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario and the Green candidate for the riding of Guelph. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST – #8 – Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario” →

City to Present Streetscape Manual for Downtown Facelift

Published on Mar 30, 2014Mar 30, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

It turns out Baker Street is just the beginning. Adding to the recent talk about re-orienting the north end of Downtown Guelph, is the news below that city staff has released a draft of the new Downtown Streetscape Manual and Built Form Standards, which will come before the Planning, Building, Engineering and Environment Committee a week from Monday on April 7. Continue reading “City to Present Streetscape Manual for Downtown Facelift” →

City Seeking Provincial Conciliator for Transit Contractor

Published on Mar 29, 2014Mar 30, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Coming perilously close to being taken out with the trash, came word late Thursday afternoon that the City of Guelph was seeking conciliation from the province as contract negotiations with the employees of Guelph Transit, represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1189, appear to have come to an impasse. Continue reading “City Seeking Provincial Conciliator for Transit Contractor” →

Valeriote Adds Veterans Affairs to List of Liberal Duties

Published on Mar 27, 2014Jun 11, 2018 by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Justin Trudeau may be the face of the party, but it seems that Guelph MP Frank Valeriote is doing all the heavy-lifting. Now, along with deputy whip and co-chair of the policy caucus, Valeriote will head up the Liberal Party’s criticism on Veteran’s Affairs in the Commons. Valeriote’s new position in the Liberal caucus was announced Monday. Continue reading “Valeriote Adds Veterans Affairs to List of Liberal Duties” →