This past Monday would have been the monthly Committee of the Whole meeting at the council chambers of City Hall, and this past Wednesday there was a special meeting of council on the schedule. Four previously scheduled council meetings have been cancelled as we’ve been locked down thanks to COVID-19, but a second emergency meeting has now been scheduled for next Thursday. Continue reading “Second Emergency Council Meeting is Called for Next Thursday”
One of the biggest issues with a stay-at-home order is that you have to have a home to stay at. For that reason, the Government of Canada announced last month that they were offering $157.5 million in funding to address the needs of the homeless during the COVID-19 crisis, and the County of Wellington will be getting $720,000 of that money to look after the short-term needs of our area’s most vulnerable. Continue reading “Wellington County Gets $750,000 to Help the Most Vulnerable Through Pandemic”
In a move that definitely sends a message that we’ll be dealing with COVID-19 for the long haul, the City of Guelph has cancelled all events and programs at city facilities through to July 5. Although the facilities themselves are still closed until April 30, the City will be hosting no events, concerts, or gatherings at those building until well after Canada Day. Continue reading “City of Guelph Has Cancelled All Programs and Events till July”
In a move that was perhaps inevitable, the City of Guelph announced Thursday that they are temporarily laying off 601 part-time and casual employees nearly one week after Mayor Cam Guthrie called for a state of emergency, and nearly four weeks after the closure of City facilities began. Continue reading “City of Guelph Lays Off 601 Employees as Closures Continue”
On Thursday night, Mayor Cam Guthrie called a state of emergency in the City of Guelph. If you’re wondering what exactly that means for life here in the Royal City, you’re not alone. The mayor talked to Guelph Politico on Friday about what the state of emergency means for Guelph, what City Hall is doing to respond to the crisis, and his most important request to all Guelph residents right now. Continue reading “Q&A with Mayor Guthrie About the State of Emergency”
The City of Guelph has announced that the closures of all City facilities will continue until the end of April. Although the original intention was that some facilities like City Hall, rec centres and the library were going to re-open on April 6, they will now remain closed till May. In-person council meetings will also be cancelled for the time being. Continue reading “City Facilities Closed Till April 30, All Council Meetings Cancelled”
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?”
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