Where’s the hottest political action in Guelph this election? It’s in Ward 5! There are 10 people who are vying for those two council seats in this campaign, especially for that vacancy left by the one incumbent running now for mayor. The other incumbent? She’s one of the guests on this edition of the podcast, but before that we will hear from one of her challengers. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #543 – Back to the 5ive (feat. Wesley Harris and Cathy Downer)”
“I am running because I believe experience matters, particularly at a time when Guelph is facing significant challenges and difficult decisions. I know how City Hall works. I know the community. And I know the importance of listening, working collaboratively and staying connected to the people I represent. Serious times call for serious, experienced leadership.” Continue reading “QUESTIONNAIRE: Cathy Downer for Ward 5 City Councillor”
On Wednesday night, residents of Ward 5 made it to the southeast part of the riding(?) for a town hall with their city councillors, Leanne Caron and Cathy Downer, but a big portion of the meeting had to do with an area in another ward. At Arbour Vista Public School – once people were able to find their way to the library – residents heard about changes coming to downtown, changes coming to the 2026 budget, and answers to other concerns. Here’s the recap! Continue reading “RECAP: Downtown Construction and Budget Updates at Ward 5 Town Hall”
Not affiliated with any of the planned budget town halls coming soon, Ward 5 Councillors Leanne Caron and Cathy Downer held their own town hall on Thursday night at Harcourt United Church that focused on planning issues. The City of Guelph’s general manager of planning and building services Krista Walkey was on hand to provide some technical information, and to help the councillors answer a tonne of questions. If you missed it though, here’s the recap… Continue reading “RECAP: Ward 5 Have Concerns About Fourplexes, Budget Cuts”
The results of the 2022 Guelph Municipal Election were predictable in some ways, but really quite surprising in others. Among the especially notable surprises is that while nine incumbents were running for re-election, only eight of them are coming back to the council table in the new term. As for those five new councillors, who are they exactly? Let’s go through the returns below! Continue reading “ELECTION RESULTS: Resounding Re-Election for Guthrie, 5 New Councillors”
On Wednesday, 10C Shared Space’s SDG Cities office held the second of two in-person campaign events. The anti-debate (so to speak) has a chance for candidates from Wards 4, 5 and 6 to meet and exchange ideas about how Guelph city council could best achieve the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, like environmental protection and social equity. So what were some of the ideas generated by this motley crew? Continue reading “Wards 4, 5 and 6 Candidates Get Their Turn to Talk About SDG Goals”
“Guelph faces many challenges – climate change, impacts of growth, pandemic recovery, care for vulnerable people…and the list could go on. As a Guelph City Councillor I have taken a leadership role on many issues with positive outcomes. I want to continue with this important work with the support of Ward 5 residents.”
Continue reading “CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE – Cathy Downer, Ward 5 Councillor”
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 #6”
It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve had a nice, friendly town hall with a pair of the ward councillors. If you’ve been missing that interaction, Tuesday night was the perfect night for a little back and forth between council reps and constituents, especially if you live in Ward 5, are interested in Ward 5, or are interested in city planning matters. In their latest town hall, Councillors Leanne Caron and Cathy Downer hosted the City of Guelph’s general manager of planning, Krista Walkey. Here’s the recap. Continue reading “RECAP: Ward 5 Councillors Talk About Planning Stuff at Town Hall”
The above picture is from a time when these sorts of town halls happened in-person, but not for the first time, this town hall was held on Zoom. On Wednesday night, Ward 5 Councillors Leanne Caron and Cathy Downer talked to constituents about traffic issues in the ward and other updates including recent developments and the ward boundary review. Check out the recap of the live coverage below. Continue reading “RECAP: Ward 5 Town Hall Covers Traffic, Train and Drive Thru Concerns”
