GUELPH POLITICAST #390 – How to Cover a Protest in 2023

For years, Guelph has been a hotbed of protest, a very politically inclined city on a variety of issues including climate change, poverty, workers rights, equality, Black Lives Matter, and the systemic abuse of Indigenous peoples. Last Wednesday, direct action was on display again as people gathered in Market Square, but this was a protest completely unlike any other in a number of ways, and we need to take a moment to unpack things. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #390 – How to Cover a Protest in 2023”

Tensions Fray as ‘Million’ Marchers Met Bigger Counter Protest at City Hall

Two things were observably true on Wednesday morning in Market Square: a planned demonstration by around 250 people under a banner called “1 Million March 4 Children” where met by a counter-protest three times its size, and there was considerable enmity between those two sides. All told, about a thousand people gathered in the one acre-sized square in front of City Hall but in ideology they were worlds apart. Continue reading “Tensions Fray as ‘Million’ Marchers Met Bigger Counter Protest at City Hall”

They’re Marching for Children, But Some Are Concerned There’s Another Message

The site of flags, signs and marchers through downtown is hardly an unfamiliar site for Guelph, and it will be seen again this coming Wednesday as a group of people will gather at City Hall and undertake a long march to College Avenue in the name of “Uniting diverse backgrounds and faiths” to eliminate “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.” But what does that mean? Continue reading “They’re Marching for Children, But Some Are Concerned There’s Another Message”

Guelphites Stand With Ukraine on First Anniversary of Russian Invasion

Although the war still rages in Ukraine, over 200 people came out to Guelph City Hall on a cold Friday night to send the message that we haven’t forgotten. Hopes and prayers were offered that there won’t be a similar vigil at the same time in 2024, but there was also gratitude for the outreach and support, and a special message from a Ukrainian woman who now lives in Guelph after escaping the war back home. Continue reading “Guelphites Stand With Ukraine on First Anniversary of Russian Invasion”

Guelph Rallies to Support Ukraine and Pledges to Do More

About 300 people come out on Sunday to show solidarity with Ukraine, and Guelph’s Ukrainian community. In front of a sea of yellow and blue, several speakers came out to say that the events half-a-world away are having an effect on people right here in Guelph too. From the request for financial support, to the invitation to settle refugees here, the message was loud and clear that the Royal City stands with Ukraine. Continue reading “Guelph Rallies to Support Ukraine and Pledges to Do More”

City Announces How They’re Responding to New Provincial Restrictions

Almost 24 hours ago, the Government of Ontario announced a series of new restrictions on public gatherings, as well as capacity limits and new closures. On Monday night, the City of Guelph announced how they’re responding; which facilities are closing, which programs are cancelled, and what will be left for the so-called time-limited pause in the provincial re-opening? Continue reading “City Announces How They’re Responding to New Provincial Restrictions”

City Increase Online Access to Information Services

As we’ve so often heard, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost every aspect of our daily lives, and doing business at Guelph City Hall is one of those aspects. Even as we look forward to emerging from the second wave, the City of Guelph is looking to make it easier to access their services online, whether you want public information or whether you want to rent a picnic shelter. Continue reading “City Increase Online Access to Information Services”

City Hall Flags Fly at Half Mast for Former City Councillor David Birtwistle

The flags at City Hall were ordered lowered to half mast on Friday to honour the late David Birtwistle, a former city councillor, mayoral candidate, and active member of Guelph’s political establishment. Mayor Cam Guthrie in a statement said that Birtwistle “cared deeply” for his community, and that we was an “engaged and active citizen” even after he left formal political life. Continue reading “City Hall Flags Fly at Half Mast for Former City Councillor David Birtwistle”

Shoes Sub for People in COVID Friendly Climate Protest

Exactly one year ago, a group of young people gathered in St. George’s Square to protest Canada’s lack of climate action, and to demand better from all levels of government. Since then, holding a protest with hundreds of people has gotten more difficult, and so has the job of getting attention for climate changes issues. Activists are forced to be more creative than ever, and that’s why if you passed by City Hall at lunch hour on Friday you saw rows and rows of shoes. Continue reading “Shoes Sub for People in COVID Friendly Climate Protest”

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for October 7, 2020

Tonight, final decisions for the new main library and the South End Community Centre will be made! You can click here for the amended 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 7, 2020”