The Government of Ontario is ordering that all non-essential business be closed by midnight on Tuesday, and the province’s grocery stores will not be considered among the “non-essential.” But what about farmers’ markets? One concerned citizen is pushing the City of Guelph to re-open the weekly market in Guelph, but City staff says that there are practical considerations that make that impossible. Continue reading “If Grocery Stores Are Essential, Why Can’t We Open the Farmer’s Market?”
The City Clerk’s office has released a consolidated agenda for Monday’s emergency city council meeting, which includes more details about what emergency action that city council is considering in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some local fiscal stimulus is being planned, and according to City staff, the emergency measures could come with a $4 to $6 million price tag. Continue reading “Amended Council Agenda Promises Fiscal Relief With (Maybe) a $6 Million Cost”
Just when you thought there was nothing left to close in Guelph, the City has announced that they are closing all playgrounds in the Royal City as well as the fenced-in dog park, the skate park, and other outdoor rec facilities upon the advice of the Medical Officer of Health. The closures will take effect immediately. Continue reading “City of Guelph Announces Closure of Park Facilities”
Even in the midst of a public health crisis, the gears of municipal politics still must move. With new authority granted by the Government of Ontario, city council will be meeting for the first time since the state of emergency was declared in the province, and they will gather in-person and electronically to discuss the immediate concerns of the City. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the March 23 Meeting?”
In the midst of a national health crisis, the Government of Ontario made time to release the annual Public Sector Salary Disclosure, aka: the “Sunshine List.” Since 1996, the Provincial government has released salary information for anyone who works for the government making $100,000 a year or more, and this year, the number of names on the list for Guelph went down by 89. Continue reading “Number of Guelph Names on the Sunshine List Down From Last Year”
Mayor Cam Guthrie has called for an emergency session of City Council to take place Monday March 23 at 6 pm. The move follows the passage of the Municipal Emergency Act yesterday by the Ontario government, which allows municipal councils to carry on business electronically while authorities are continuing to recommend social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings. Continue reading “Mayor Guthrie Sets Emergency Meeting of Council for Monday”
City Hall is closed, and city council is on hold as Guelph self-isolates in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Although there’s still yet to be a confirmed outbreak in the Royal City, elected officials and City staff are doing everything they can to protect Guelph from feeling the worse effects of the global pandemic. So how’s it going? Mayor Cam Guthrie recently offered some insights on CFRU. Continue reading “Guthrie Talks About the Challenges of COVID-19 on CFRU”
As of Tuesday night, there have been almost 200,000 worldwide cases of novel coronavirus and nearly 8,000 fatalities. In Canada, there are 424 confirmed cases, another 16 suspected cases, and so far only one death. The details are changing hourly, and all levels of government are scrambling to find the best way to respond. What we need right now is some community radio. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #213 – Community Reporting on COVID-19”
After inching towards the decision for the last few days, both the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington have made the move to close all municipal facilities to the public. While select services will continue, no one from the general public will be allowed to enter any City building or any County facility. Continue reading “Guelph and Wellington Close All Facilities to the Public”
Although the buses are still running, Guelph Transit has announced that they’re taking steps to protect drivers and passengers while still keeping up transit services in the midst of the continuing battle against the spread of COVID-19.As of March 18, changes will be coming to how you ride Transit, but it will also be coming with a greatly reduced price tag. Continue reading “Transit Announces Free Buses & Reduced Service to Fight COVID-19”
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