On Thursday night, city council will meeting its second special session in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and a big portion of the conversation is going to be about the City of Guelph’s financial picture in the near and long term. According to the City’s Treasurer and General Manager of Finance, she’s confident that Guelph’s balance books are in good shape to ride out the storm. Continue reading ““We’re Okay.” Treasurer Confident that Guelph Can Weather the COVID Challenge”
In response to growing concern about the state of long-term care homes in the province, and after an especially damning report from the CBC, the Ontario government announced changes to how the COVID-19 pandemic is being managed in places where so many in our most vulnerable population lives. Continue reading “Ontario Takes Action on Long-Term Care Homes as Outbreak Continues”
It would be unfair to say that independent art house movie theatres like the Bookshelf Cinema are feeling the biggest impact from the COVID-19 lockdown, but things weren’t exactly easy for them before the outbreak. From the fewer number of films being released theatrically, to big monopolies at the studios and national theatre chains, to the growing number of streaming options, indie cinemas had a lot to deal with before a global pandemic. But is it a lost cause? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #217 – Missing the Movies”
In another emergency session of the Ontario Legislature today, a representative sample of Ontario’s political leaders approved an extension of the state or emergency and other measures to assist Ontario schools and municipalities weather the crisis. The government said they’re using every tool at their disposal to protect the health and safety of Ontarians. Continue reading “Ontario Government Passes New Emergency Measures”
In the City of Guelph’s second ever emergency council meeting of the pandemic era (and last because there will be a name change later), the socially distant city council and senior staff will look at their actions so far, and the next phase of of the City’s technical and fiscal response to COVID-19, which needs to be council approved. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the April 16 Meeting?”
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”
Last week, the Globe and Mail noted that the Guelph General Hospital had been hit the hardest among all of Ontario’s hospitals in terms of staff infected by COVID-19. The week before that, Guelph General announced that there was an outbreak in one of their wards that precipitated the announcement of State of Emergency in Guelph. This Thursday, according to the Hospital, the outbreak is over. Continue reading “Hospital Says the Outbreak is Over; Public Health Warns No Easter Parties”
One week ago was rent day for people everywhere, and many of those people were not able to submit those rent cheques because the COVID-19 quarantine has meant no money in the bank. April 1 was the first hurdle in what might be a months long dilemma for Canada’s renters. We could be on lockdown for the foreseeable future, so what happens when the rent cheques stop entirely? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #216 – Seriously, Keep Your Rent”
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”
As promised, Premier Doug Ford released the modelling data and projections that have formed his government’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Accordingly, the numbers paint a pretty grim picture of the worse case scenario, and along with these new raised concerns, the government has also taken action to rein in the number of businesses that are still allowed to remain open as we enter the fourth week of lockdown. Continue reading “Ontario Government Releases Pandemic Models, Changes Essential List”
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