Is the rapid state of development making Guelph lose its character? This is a question more and more people have this election year as plans for bigger and bigger residential buildings keep coming to city council. Meanwhile, Clair-Maltby lies in wait in the south end for an official plan. So how do we know we’re developing right? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #135 – On Development, Part I: “The Big Picture””
A few weeks ago, the new Ontario government cancelled $93 million of funding for something called the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling (OMCC) program. The money, which was raised from the cap and trade agreement, was for cycling infrastructure in towns and cities across the province, and the move is proof of just how hard it is to make cycling a priority for governments, but there is hope! Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #134 – Building the Cycling City”
At city council this week, a resolution from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to support the North America Free Trade Agreement and stand with governments across Canada against Donald Trump’s aggression on trade was passed unanimously. You may be asking, “What good does that do?” You may also be asking, “What the heck is AMO again?” Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #133 – Cathy Downer on AMO”
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean there’s a big floating mass of plastic that’s roughly three times the size of France. While it’s true that much of that plastic is fishing equipment, and about two-fifths of it comes from just five countries in southeast Asia, it’s making us all think about our wasteful ways, especially when it comes to plastic. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #132 – Plastic Free Guelph”
News is the art of delivering the day’s information in an organized and coherent way, but stories don’t just happen with a beginning, middle and end all in one day. Some of the biggest stories, including the most important stories, trace their roots back many years. In the news, there’s an important function to not just understand the day’s events, but the events that led to the day’s events. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #131 – Back With the Back-Grounder”
Is our waste collection and processing the best it can possibly be? That was the simple question at the heart of the Service Review of the City of Guelph’s Solid Waste Department. Solid Waste was the first of three pilot Service Review projects approved by city council, an immense months long project that yielded 11 recommendations.This is the rest of the story. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #130 – Reviewing the Service Review”
In as much as the murders of Colten Bushie and Tina Fontaine were shocking, it was somehow even more shocking when those murders went unavenged as both perpetrators were found not-guilty of second degree murder. It’s enough to make you wonder why more Indigenous youth aren’t angrier and more active. Well, this is a podcast about one who is. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #129 – Xicotencatl Lopez”
The saying goes, “let a smile be your umbrella,” but there are a whole lot of people out there for whom their smile is a source of grief, and not a source of relief. Before we go into Election Day, let’s hear from some people talking about one of the election issues that has not gotten a lot of press, but is nonetheless factored into every major party platform in someway: dental care. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #128 – Guelph Wellington Oral Health Action Committee”
It was a major conference of municipal leaders, influencers, and business people. Appearing live on stage where politicians from the three major parties, including the interim leader of the Official Opposition, and the Premier of Ontario. Only one person could interview them on the issues that matter, and get straight answers, and somehow, that person was me. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #127 – The OGRA Sessions”
Mental health has been one of the most talked about issues of the current election, and it’s understandable. Over the last few years, the stigma around mental health issues has been receding, and people have been able to share more openly, which has been a good thing. The problem is that the healthcare system is showing the strain. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #126 – Martin Bauman, Canadian Mental Health Association”
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