We’ve talked about a lot of heavy stuff on the podcast this year – the pandemic, sexual violence, trans healthcare, mental health and reconciliation all to name a few. So before we take a summer break* it felt like we needed a safe space, somewhere serene where we can get back to nature and just talk like two people. In other words, we just need someone to tell us a story. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #336 – Story Time”
It was a busy day at Queen’s Park as the Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne, and then the Government of Ontario re-delivered the 2022 provincial budget. There were a few slight tweaks between the one delivered back in April and the one that now awaits passage nearly six months after the start of the Province’s fiscal year, but there was one particular point of interest that got the most attention. Continue reading “New Ontario Budget Almost the Same as the Old One”
Ontario’s legislators are back at Queen’s Park for the first time since the June election, and there’s a lot of work to do. That was the impression left by Guelph MPP and Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner at his inaugural press conference for this term. Going into the new session, Schreiner wants to focus on affordability, climate action, and, obviously, the healthcare staffing crisis. Continue reading “Schreiner Wants Action on Healthcare and Climate at Legislature Returns”
It’s election season here in Guelph! The nominations are open for this fall’s Municipal Election, and interested residents are filing their papers to run for positions as mayor, for city council and for a spot on one of the local school boards. Each week, this space will break down who’s new to the race, who’s running again, and where we’re still waiting for someone to show an interest! Continue reading “Municipal Election Nominations Update Week #14”
There are 145,000 stories in the Royal City, and this is some of them. Looking at a week’s worth of media releases from the Guelph Police Service, there’s a lot going on in our little city crime-wise speaking, so let’s run down some of the charges, issues, and requests for information from the Guelph Police Service over the last seven days. Continue reading “POLICE NOTES: Train Accident, Hammer Man, and 5 Break-Ins in 1 Day”
Another weekend in Ontario means another weekend of hospital closures as healthcare workers struggle again to cover widening gaps in the system, and they’re crying out for help. This was the message from representatives of healthcare worker unions and advocacy groups at a media availability on Friday as they laid out a five-point plan the Provincial government could take to turn the issue around right now. Continue reading “Healthcare Workers are “Crying Out for a Life Raft””
Recent discussions around homelessness and mental health issues in the downtown core have focused occasionally on petty crime. Combined with a recent murder investigation in the area around the Speed River behind Wellington Plaza, it seems like crime is becoming something that Guelphites are more and more accustomed to, but the statistics are telling a slightly different story. Continue reading “Guelph’s Crime Severity Rate Drops Again in Most Areas in 2021”
After white-knuckling through a long weekend where at least 14 Ontario hospitals experienced closures or capacity issues, all eyes have turned to the Provincial government as demands get louder for immediate action. Even after a series of media interviews by the new health minister, plus a rare mid-summer appearance of the premier at an event this morning, there’s still no sign that the government is getting in a crisis mode. Continue reading “Pressure Increases on Provincial Government to Act on Healthcare Issues”
What kind of year has it been at Guelph city council? A busy one. Things have been pretty much nonstop at city hall so far as council business was concerned, which makes sense because this is an election year, and there was a lot of business to finish. In these very consequential seven months of 2022, what were the highlights and lowlights of the work around the horseshoe? What happened, how did it happen, and why? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #335 – The Year at Council So Far…”
Fifteen artists in three venues for a combined 45 different shows makes up the slate of his year’s Guelph Fringe Festival. Several years in the works because of repeated COVID-19 delays, Fringe will take the stage at Red Brick Café, Silence, and the Guelph Civic Museum starting on Thursday night and running through Sunday afternoon. The goal? To support local actors, dancers, musicians, and performing artists. Continue reading “Guelph Fringe Festival Returns This Weekend!”
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