Guelph Crime Severity Numbers Head Down for the First Time Since 2013

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There’s been a lot of discussion around Guelph lately about the safety of the city, the need for more police, and the newly instigated debate about how much is too much policing. Perhaps this will help the conversation. The Crime Severity Index numbers for 2019 have been released, and although Guelph hasn’t reclaimed a top spot as one of Canada’s safest communities, we have seen a decrease for the first time in six years. Continue reading “Guelph Crime Severity Numbers Head Down for the First Time Since 2013” →

This Month at Council: A Growth Workshop, Supportive Housing, and a New Library

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It was a very busy October at City Council, and front loaded with one of the biggest, most controversial debates of our time: the approval of the new main library. That took a lot of time and energy around the virtual horseshoe, but there was also a lot of ground covered on updating the City’s growth projections, setting aside funds for supportive housing, and, as always, a couple of controversial zoning amendments. Continue reading “This Month at Council: A Growth Workshop, Supportive Housing, and a New Library” →

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GUELPH POLITICAST #244 – Guelph: Home of ‘The Incubus’

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In 1982, John Cassavetes appeared in a schlocky Canadian-made horror movie called The Incubus, and a not so small portion of The Incubus was shot in Guelph. Just in time for Halloween, we’re going to talk about that time in the 80s where an Academy Award nominated actor and director came to the Royal City to hunt monsters in an unforgettably forgettable horror movie. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #244 – Guelph: Home of ‘The Incubus’” →

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for October 26, 2020

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Get ready for a long discussion about affordable and supportive housing! You can click here for the agenda from City Hall, and you can click here for the Politico preview. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s council meeting, you can follow along on Twitter, or follow the tweets below. You can also watch the City’s own live-stream of the meeting here. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for October 26, 2020” →

Commission Says Long-Term Care Homes Need More People, More Time

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It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the pandemic that it has disproportionately affected long-term care homes and the elderly. According to the people charged with investigating those effects, 55 per cent of long-term care homes have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks, and 75 per cent of all COVID fatalities were in long-term care, and as we enter the second wave, those investigators have come forward with some immediate advice. Continue reading “Commission Says Long-Term Care Homes Need More People, More Time” →

City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the November 5 Meeting?

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It’s been a long time coming (perhaps too long in some quarters), but council will begin the debate about what it might look like in the future with a special Thursday council meeting specifically dedicated to the topic. Has the time come to say goodbye to our even dozen, part-time city councillor system? It may be depending on how city council themselves end up feeling about the recommendations. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the November 5 Meeting?” →

Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the November 2 Meeting?

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To kick off a very busy November at City Council, this month’s Committee of the Whole meeting will have something for everyone. Nearly every service area is represented by one item at this meeting including asset management, corporate records, next year’s audit plan, and a nomination of a staff member to join an external board. Continue reading “Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the November 2 Meeting?” →

Schreiner Amendment on Sick Notes Passes Second Reading

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As the second wave of the pandemic continues to flare, the Ontario Legislature is moving forward on a small measure of assistance for workers with an amendment to the Employment Standards Act that will no longer force workers to get a sick note at their employer’s request. Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner’s private members bill has passed second reading, and it’s well on it’s way to amending the law. Continue reading “Schreiner Amendment on Sick Notes Passes Second Reading” →

Ontario Government Moves to Scrap Ranked Ballots for 2022

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We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, local economies teeter on the brink, and there are sweeping demands for social justice reforms, so naturally, the Ontario government has decided that now is not the time for change. If you were hoping that Guelph, or other Ontario municipalities, might be able to vote with Single-Transferable Vote (STV), or Ranked Ballots, in the 2022 municipal elections, get a new hope. Continue reading “Ontario Government Moves to Scrap Ranked Ballots for 2022” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #243 – The Library Victory Lap

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The Guelph Public Library Board of Directors met Tuesday night, and among their agenda items was the next steps for the new main library plan. For many people in Guelph, these are great signs of progress for a project that’s been gestating since the mid-90s, but there might be even more pressure for the board to now turn those plans into reality. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #243 – The Library Victory Lap” →