Category: Guelph Politicast

GUELPH POLITICAST #484 – The Devils Building a God (feat. Christopher DiCarlo)

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We’ve been told that Artificial Intelligence is coming for all our jobs, that it will create fake news so real looking there will be no room for doubt, and in the worst case scenarios it will supplant human beings as the dominant lifeform on planet Earth. It’s scary stuff, and yet our fate depends on the same tech bros that have turned social media and the internet into a few concentrated monopolies. Is there still time to rein in A.I.? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #484 – The Devils Building a God (feat. Christopher DiCarlo)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #483 – The Labour Day Special (feat. Lou Thompson & Waida Mirzada)

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We return to work at the Politicast just in time to mark Labour Day next Monday, the unofficial end of summer, and the official day to mark the sacrifices and accomplishments of workers and labour leaders. We talk a lot about how work is changing with the impact of technological change and the rising cost of living, but policy has to change too, and that’s where activism comes in. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #483 – The Labour Day Special (feat. Lou Thompson & Waida Mirzada)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #Repeat – New-ish Year, New-ish CAO (feat. Tara Baker)

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The CAO position is the highest ranking official in local government that doesn’t have the job title of either mayor or city councillor, and it’s the only staff position at city hall that’s hired by a committee made up of the mayor and councillors. So yes, it’s a pretty important job, and it’s not like there’s any shortage of issues or needs for the new woman in charge as she nears the end of her first year in charge. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #Repeat – New-ish Year, New-ish CAO (feat. Tara Baker)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #Repeat – The Good Old Guelph (feat. Stephen Robinson & Jack Mallon)

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Guelph loves its cultural heritage! As we count down to the 200th anniversary of the city in 2027, we’re seeing more and more of a focus on our local history, but there’s something else happening in 2027… the elimination of the heritage registry. Any property listed, but not designated, on January 1, 2027 will be deleted. The stakes, and the workload, have never been this high! Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #Repeat – The Good Old Guelph (feat. Stephen Robinson & Jack Mallon)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #482 – Three For Fringe (feat. Bridget Cann, Christel Bartelse, and Julie Lyn Barber & Michele Dvoskin)

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The Guelph Fringe Festival unfolds this weekend with 10 companies performing in three different venues over four days in downtown Guelph with 100 per cent of the ticket prices going back to the artists. These shows are experimental, personal, and unlike anything you will ever see anywhere else, and this week’s show is going to highlight three interviews from three different shows to tell you why Guelph Fringe is a can’t miss event for theatre fans and the theatre curious. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #482 – Three For Fringe (feat. Bridget Cann, Christel Bartelse, and Julie Lyn Barber & Michele Dvoskin)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #481 – The Business Climate (feat. Andy Veilleux)

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Donald Trump’s return to the White House promised economic disturbances if not outright challenges, and this is on top of the challenges that already existed like supply chains, wages, turnover, and the high cost of housing and real estate. It’s also worth noting that these are not Guelph-specific challenges, but that’s okay because the new president of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce is not from Guelph. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #481 – The Business Climate (feat. Andy Veilleux)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #480 – The Encampments You’re Not Seeing (feat. Danny Liu)

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It’s been almost a year since Guelph City Council approved the Public Space Use Bylaw. You may not see as many tents as you once did, especially in the open in places like St. George’s Square, but don’t think that they’re gone. There are still many people in Guelph who are unhoused, unwell, and are still searching for help that’s hard to come by, and this week will talk to one of the helpers. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #480 – The Encampments You’re Not Seeing (feat. Danny Liu)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #479 – Summer in the City (feat. Mike Ashkewe)

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As we all now ease into summer vacation mode – even if we’re still working at our many labours – we’re taking stock of this busy year so far. We’ve made it though two elections and some long nights at council with at least a couple of more long nights to come before city council takes August off. (Or will they, given that there’s been a special August meeting the last few years?) So where do we currently stand with the first six months of 2025 behind us? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #479 – Summer in the City (feat. Mike Ashkewe)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #478 – Breaking Down the Grocery Code (feat. Karen Proud)

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The grocery industry in Canada is the epitome of monopoly; the Competition Bureau in 2023 reported that 75 per cent of all grocery purchases are made at one of the five major chains in Canada. In the wake of high grocery prices, which has been one of the pinchiest of pinch points in the post-COVID economy, people have wanted to see changes in the industry, so does that start with a more level playing field? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #478 – Breaking Down the Grocery Code (feat. Karen Proud)” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #477 – Buses and Brant (feat. Steve Petric and Daniel Kaufman)

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There’s no rest for the weary on this Canada Day week, especially if you’re engaged on housing and transit, and there has been some interesting news on those fronts in the last couple of weeks. No matter your holiday status this week, we’re not going to load you down with a policy deep dive, but we’re going to stop with two special guests to re-calibrate ourselves and remember: Progress is slow, but we need to be in this for the long haul! Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #477 – Buses and Brant (feat. Steve Petric and Daniel Kaufman)” →