Tag: COVID-19

A Day in the Park for Some, an Emerging Threat to Others

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson2 Comments

On Sunday in Riverside Park there were the usual activities of people running, kids playing, families spending time together – there was even a little sword-fighting practice – but one corner of the park played host to a microcosm of one of the essential debates of our time: the effect of disinformation on conspiracy theories on the population. Two small groups stood separate but equal in their passions as internet debates were made manifest by the band shell. Continue reading “A Day in the Park for Some, an Emerging Threat to Others” →

Anti-Mask and Anti-Anti-Mask Protests Happening in Guelph Sunday

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson2 Comments

The anti-mask movement will hit Guelph on Sunday with a planned gathering at Riverside Park from 1 pm to 4 pm. Seemingly organized by four area residents, a Facebook event page was posted on Monday followed swiftly by an event page for a counter-protest. The moves make Guelph the latest battleground in the intersection between public health orders, conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic, and yes, QAnon. Continue reading “Anti-Mask and Anti-Anti-Mask Protests Happening in Guelph Sunday” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #235 – The Council Year So Far

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Normally there are no August city council meetings, but as we all know in 2020 what’s normal got up, walked out of the room, and threw itself down the stairs. Having three city council meetings in August is unusual, but it’s hardly the most unusual thing about this political year, and to make sense of everything that’s happened at council so far in 2020, we’re going to do a recap. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #235 – The Council Year So Far” →

CITY PAGES: The Museum, Feedback, and Money For Small Businesses

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The City of Guelph puts out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…? Continue reading “CITY PAGES: The Museum, Feedback, and Money For Small Businesses” →

Mercer Endorses Mask Mandate at Upper Grand School Board

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As we inch closer to the school year, parents and educators (and students as well) are wondering what in-class learning will look like when the kids start going back the day after Labour Day. As Guelph and area’s separate school board works out the details, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Medical Officer of Health is offering her two cents and endorsing the call to have students mask up. Continue reading “Mercer Endorses Mask Mandate at Upper Grand School Board” →

Guelph Stays AA+ Despite the Financial Fallout of the Pandemic

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For the eighth year in a row, the City of Guelph has secured a AA+ rating from the Standard & Poors global rating agency. This good economic news comes in the midst of a fiscal year where Guelph has been hit with the negative effects of COVID-19 and the economic problems created by the pandemic, and although Guelph is not alone in these conditions, it seems again we’re doing better than some of the others. Continue reading “Guelph Stays AA+ Despite the Financial Fallout of the Pandemic” →

Schreiner Wants Less Cheerleading More Regular Leading from Ford

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The annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference wrapped up on Wednesday with some speeches from opposition leaders including Green Party of Ontario leader and Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner. After Premier Doug Ford’s somewhat rosy appraisal of the current response to COVID-19 on Monday, Schreiner notes there’s still a long, long way to go, and a lot of stuff that’s been overlooked by the provincial government. Continue reading “Schreiner Wants Less Cheerleading More Regular Leading from Ford” →

Masks For Everyone, Says Upper Grand District School Board

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At a special meeting of the Upper Grand District School Board on Tuesday night, trustees heard the plans of their staff to ensure the safe re-opening of schools in Guelph and area in just a few weeks time. According to the staff report, the new school year is going to come with big challenges, and a big price tag, but confidence is high that it’s a good plan that will give school kids a taste of normalcy. Continue reading “Masks For Everyone, Says Upper Grand District School Board” →

Guelph Transit Sticking with Current Schedule, and Laying Off Workers

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Guelph Transit announced Tuesday that the current service levels are going to stay exactly the same for the foreseeable future. Since the start of the pandemic, buses have been running at a reduced service level, and even though school will be re-starting again in a few weeks, the City of Guelph will be keeping those services on the Saturday schedule indefinitely, while making some difficult decisions about staffing. Continue reading “Guelph Transit Sticking with Current Schedule, and Laying Off Workers” →

At AMO, Ford is Optimistic While the City of Guelph Comes with a Wish List

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson1 Comment

The annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) kicked off Monday in an unusual way: remotely. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, representatives from many of Ontario’s 444 municipalities will not be descending on Ottawa this week, but will instead be meeting via teleconference, and the effects of the pandemic will definitely be a big part of the conversations. Continue reading “At AMO, Ford is Optimistic While the City of Guelph Comes with a Wish List” →