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”
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”
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!””
For nearly two weeks, protests demanding an end to police brutality and anti-Black racism have taken to the streets in cities across the U.S., Canada, and around the world. On Saturday, it will be Guelph’s time to demonstrate with what’s looking to be a very large gathering of people in support of Black Live Matter out in front of City Hall. What’s it going to look like, and what’s it been like organizing something like this in a pandemic? Continue reading “Q&A with Kayla “Kween” Gerber About Saturday’s March, and Combatting Racism in Guelph”
The civil rights demonstrations and marches that have erupted after the killing of George Floyd while in police custody last week continue to occupy people, politicians and current affairs both here and in the United States. After thousands showed up at a march in Kitchener Wednesday, the City of Guelph and the Guelph Police Service have both put out messages in advance of Saturday’s event in Downtown Guelph. Continue reading “City of Guelph and Guelph Police Thinking Ahead to This Weekend’s Protest”
On Wednesday afternoon, the local Board of Health met for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and while the general message was that the pandemic response has been good, it’s not come without cost. Many of the regular programs at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph have been interrupted due to the pandemic, and the literal price tag to protect us from COVID might be close to $1 million. Continue reading “Public Health Board Told COVID Costs Have Topped $1 Million (So Far)”
People around the world have been watching the events unfolding in the United States last weekend, and some of those people live in Guelph. As we struggle with our own feelings about the death of another Black man in police custody, and we think about our own roles in combating anti-Black racism, Guelph’s leaders have been offering words of comfort, understanding, and self-reflection. Continue reading “Guelph’s Leaders Offer Messages of Hope and Encouragement”
