Husband & dad. Mayor. Past Chair of Ontario Big City Mayors. Love Guelph, garage sales, thrifting, vinyl & drums. Email: mayor
@guelph
.ca for city stuff.
Just putting this out there for consideration:
Once we kick
#COVID
ー19’s butt, I’d suggest that everything be closed on Sunday’s again so that we can appreciate the importance of what taking a pause in our busy lives really means.
I think our body, mind and soul would thank us.
It’s time:
1. Admit we live with the virus
2. Permanently expand ICU’s
3. Hire new healthcare staff
4. Provide free rapid-tests
5. Min 1yr of Business supports
6. Get $10 daycare in place now
7. Further vaccine availability
8. Support non-profits
9. Be kind
10. See
#9
This new Provincial order that says “police can stop people & ask them what they’re up to” stuff.
I’m checking our Charter out on that one.
I’m concerned about this & we’re reviewing it.
Either way, we’re not going to be policing our way out of this pandemic, that’s for sure.
The number one, single, most direct influence, program, policy, change, shift and intervention to help build more homes across Canada has been
@SeanFraserMP
.
So when Province’s belittle the Federal Government to stay out of direct housing help for municipalities, it’s
WE DID IT
#GUELPH
!
We hit 90% first shot vaccinations making us one of the most vaccinated cities in North America! Helping us achieve this goal is Erica at 12yrs old & then Hannah at 94yrs old! Say thanks to the wonderful
@WDGPublicHealth
staff who have worked so hard at this!
So, this is how it’s working:
1. Reduce revenue cities can collect for needed housing infrastructure.
2. Tell cities you’ll “make them whole” a year ago. But don’t.
3. Set up a reward system for cities that meet housing targets, but is billions short.
4. Make sure that system
For those telling me:
“I just want to be able to drive through the streets again!”
Let me be clear:
You driving through the downtown means 100 people lose their jobs. I think we should take a 30 second detour to help our fellow citizens pay their bills.
But that’s just me.
Good morning
#Guelph
!
This is what a four-plex could look like on a single family lot. I’ll be asking city council to endorse this zoning change in a few weeks. Staff are recommending tri-plex (which is great) but I think we could do four. Lots of design elements can be
This is a disease of people, not playgrounds.
Outdoors is where we need to be.
Our kids mental & physical health is important too.
Limit numbers? Yes.
Stop gatherings? Sure.
Wear a mask? Of course.
Social distance? Okay.
Close them down? No.
This needs to be reviewed.
Good morning
#Guelph
! I don’t know who this is but he made my day while working from City Hall yesterday. I have no idea what he was listening to, but I happened to have my new
@BlackPumasMusic
playing in my office & it seemed to fit! 🤷🏼♂️ Roller skate on my friend! Roll on! 🛼
Oh no 🤦🏼♂️ Pedestrian only street that’s full of life with paying customers and booming tourism and arts and culture and no parking for cars where I hear music and laughter and breathe clean air.
I better take a picture of this ridiculousness so others can stay far away from it.
The provincial government’s own Housing Affordability Task Force made it clear that the
#Greenbelt
shouldn’t be touched, nor was it necessary for housing.
Just put it back.
We need INFRASTRUCTURE! Cities have been saying this over and over again! Help us unlock existing lands
I have to say it:
The number of emails & calls I’m fielding lately that start with “I’m not against helping the homeless but...” (in regards to supportive housing being built in their area), is astounding.
#Guelph
is on its way to ending homelessness, and I will not be deterred.
Basement apartments, tiny homes and 2 bedroom condos aren’t gonna cut it folks. Been saying this for several years now. I’m tired of my friends leaving for the house they want at the price they can afford and willingness to commute or work hybrid/online easily now. When young
Wait for a vaccine registration portal??
Not in Guelph.
We just make our own.
That’s how
@WDGPublicHealth
rolls.
Ontario seniors 80 and up are already getting COVID vaccines in
#Guelph
— weeks ahead of when the online booking portal opens:
My TOP 10 takeaways from my trip to Copenhagen to apply to
#Guelph
:
1. TRANSIT: More frequency & wider coverage area & times.
2. SEPARATED: The painted white lines will not provide the choice many are looking for if they want to ditch the car for their bike. Build them right &
When a kids birthday party at a park is ruined because someone has overtaken that public space to instead do hard drugs, or when a mother is pushing their stroller with their newborn and drugs are blown in their faces, or when employees or patrons struggle to get to a business
I’m in a bar.
In Florida.
200 people.
57 TV’s.
Every TV showing Saints vs Vikings NFL game.
Asked the manager to turn just one TV to the
#WorldJuniors2020
@HC_WJC
game & I honestly think 200 people are now going to kill me.
This may be the last photo you see of me.
In 1999
@BoringOldRach
& I were 20 & 23 years old & just married.
I had a salary of $21,700 a year, Rachel was working part time at $8 bucks an hour at a retail store in the mall.
I sold my drum set, my baseball card collection & more & we somehow scraped together just under $10k
If I were Provincial government today:
1. We want to apologize
2. We’re vaccinating essential workers, in COVID hot spots & teachers
3. We’ll have greater supports for businesses
4. We’ll be increasing mental health funding
5. Safe outdoor kids sports remain
6. See
#1
above
Dear PM,
I’m just gotta say it.
Please don’t open the US border to Canada anytime soon.
And when I say “soon”, what I really mean is: “For all that is left of goodness in this world, don’t you even contemplate it for one nanosecond to infinity and beyond.”
Sincerely,
Canada
My daughter sat me down yesterday to inform me that she felt my constant “Good morning
#Guelph
” posts with pictures of happy people looking out the window at nice weather was a bit overkill & I needed to stop. So here’s my new post: Me, waiting for my daughter to clean her room.
WHOA!!! Please RETWEET!
105,545
#Guelph
residents have already received 1 dose of the vaccine, which accounts for 83.6% of the eligible population. If an additional 8,125 residents get vaccinated, we’d reach 90% and would be one of the most vaccinated cities in North America. 👏
Hey
#Guelph
,
YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE.
Walk.
Run.
Jog.
Bike.
Hike.
Bird watch.
Don’t do it in gatherings.
Don’t do it while congregating.
Follow physical distancing rules.
Don’t use sports fields.
Don’t use play structures.
Think of others.
Be healthy.
Be safe.
Thanks.
#Guelph
’s own
@Canadian_Solar
sourced out over 60,000 masks, shipped them in, called us, donated a few thousand for our
@cityofguelph
frontline workers!! Thank you so much! Look at the slogan on their boxes!
#GuelphProud
The Province must:
1. Open outdoor rec amenities
2. Fix ongoing issues with business supports from the 1st & 2nd wave
3. Create further supports for businesses experiencing the 3rd wave 4. Increase mental health funding
5. Tell us NOW if we’re in lockdown beyond May 20th
Shout out to all the grocery store workers in
#Guelph
like my amazing daughter over this past year! The stories of abuse she & her coworkers often get from customers as they just do their job during COVID is nuts. Be kind folks!
Similar in
#Guelph
. I heard about parents looking to rent a parking spot for their son who will now be living in a van. The dad equipped the van with a heater and solar panels and the kid will use the school’s showers and bathrooms because NOTHING IS AVAILABLE OR AFFORDABLE FOR
Some post-secondary students in Waterloo Region are struggling to find affordable housing as the beginning of fall semester draws closer – a trend highlighted in a new study from Ontario’s Big City Mayors.
As Mayor, I herby declare that everyone in the City of
#Guelph
should take the rest of the day off. It’s way too nice outside, so get out there! If your boss gives any pushback when you get up to leave, just tell them “the Mayor said so!”😉
Here’s my letter if you need it:
I know
#Guelph
, we’re not TO. But hear me out, (& this was point in my (pinned tweet) “State of the City” from Feb), there are huge benefits when cities become people-centric & not car-centric. Especially when studies show 80% of all vehicles only have 1 occupant - the driver.
7m40s time lapse: Left, 66 CARS. Right, 293 PEOPLE.
Thousands of Torontonians were able to experience pure BLISS during this first weekend of
#ActiveTO
on Lakeshore & Bayview. A citywide network of safe
#bikeTO
lanes would be enjoyed by millions. Toronto needs this.
SERIOUSLY FOLKS! If you’re from a locked down zone in Ontario and deciding to travel to
#Guelph
for non-essential goods and services, STOP. My patience is wearing thin. Follow the public health guidelines and stop putting everyone at risk.
#COVID19
A long day & night here at city hall. Last one to leave, but definitely worth it! My motion to save the
#Guelph
#DiningDistrict
passed with the end date now Nov 30th instead of tonight. That’s a win for jobs & supporting businesses. Patio’s also got an extension till Nov 30th! 👍🏻
Hey
#Guelph
! Retweet if after we get this COVID virus defeated we open up a roller skating rink downtown at
#MarketSquare
for special weekends with different themed nights of 70’s, 80’s and lots of DISCO music!
If you’re disappointed with me for trying to help those struggling with addictions, mental health and homelessness in
#Guelph
, then you should probably know that I’m committed to continue to disappoint you.
When are people going to get angry? Because I’m angry.
I’m angry as Mayor & angry as a dad of two kids that feel like they, & their friends, have no hope of a life of affordable living & housing.
Their generation is looking for hope. We need to give it to them quickly.
I want to house people, NOT CARS.
Why NO parking minimums?
It helps with:
🏢 More housing
💰 Affordable housing/rent costs
🏗️ Redevelopment of buildings
🥵 Climate change mitigation
👣 Better pedestrian friendly areas
🚲 More active transportation🚍
2/2...
She stood there for a few seconds & then started to cry a bit saying how grateful she was that someone noticed how she was working & took the time to appreciate her. It got me thinking, we (and I) need to thank people more & recognize them for the work they do.
Cities asked for direct funding b/c when the provincial governments get involved, the scope changes & it can delay needed projects. So on housing funding (like the HAF) it funnels money quickly & cities can implement immediately. In a housing crisis, this is what we need.
One of the more interesting things to come out of Council of Federation meeting with premiers today is call on Ottawa to stop signing one-off housing funding deals with munis (ex: housing accelerator fund) and put money through provinces first. Provinces considering legislation.
@AcrossHerTable
You’re very brave and powerful to call out such vile discrimination against you and others that were in that room. Thank you for doing that and I’m glad you’re okay! Shaken up certainly, but okay! The outpouring of support here shows you’re welcomed and appreciated!
1st night in the
@DowntownGuelph
#DiningDistrict
for
#Guelph
! It’s great! People are being safe & respectful of social distancing while
#SupportingLocal
! We’ll tweak and learn as we go to help all businesses, but at first blush, based on the feedback so far - it’s gotta stay!
I sent out an earlier tweet saying I wouldn’t comment on this letter. But I just can’t let it go.
The site identified in this letter is zoned for 18 storeys. To suggest it should be no more than 5 just ain’t going to work. Oh, & we’re in a
#HousingCrisis
& we need housing.
I think every mayor should wear this shirt I made everywhere, and just point to it when we get asked:
“Why aren’t you building a hospital?”
“Why is the teacher not getting back to us?”
“I got a speeding ticket, can you get rid of that for me?”
And so on….
I have called a special
#Guelph
City Council meeting for this coming Monday (Sept 21st) at 6pm, specifically to have a vote of Council to save the
#DiningDistrict
and patio opportunities in
@DowntownGuelph
. Who’s with me?
I remember when people literally chastised, laughed & belittled me when I proposed our downtown core become pedestrian/bicycle focused. Look at the size of what Paris is doing. I’m still committed to this vision for
#Guelph
. Better for environment, businesses, culture & tourism!
BREAKING & BIG! Paris has announced the details for its planned central “car-free zone” (more “car-light” really, as vehicles for locals & disabled will be accommodated) starting in 2024, prioritizing people walking, biking, & riding transit! HT
@grescoe
When Dutch cities started removing cars from their streets and plazas in the 1990s, critics argued, “We’re not the Mediterranean!”
At the time, their country didn’t have the walking and terrace culture of Spain, France, and Italy; due to its harsh climate. They certainly do now.
I want to plant 1 tree for every citizen in
#Guelph
over the next few years to increase our urban forest. With partnership of local government, non-profit & the private sector I think it’d be amazing for our environment, our animal habitat and for our well-being! Who’s with me?
This applied before COVID, applies during COVID & will apply after COVID! I’m asking as both the Mayor & as a Dad to my kids who have unreal stories each & every day they come home from their jobs, of the abuse they & their coworkers are taking lately. Choose kindness
#Guelph
!
Just so everyone knows. But if anyone in charge is listening, sending out a “hey there was an issue at a nuclear plant but we’re not going to tell you about it specifically & it’s not a big deal” emergency text, is terrible. Use this mistake to possibly learn to do better.
I’m in Denver right now at a conference speaking to many officials and let me tell you, the fact that
@VW
came to
#Canada
is a huge deal. Huge. They’re all talking about it. A major get for Ontario, with the collaboration of
@FP_Champagne
,
@VictorFedeli
,
@fordnation
&
Today, I rose in the House to ask Prime Minister
@JustinTrudeau
about the historic investment by Volkswagen - an investment that will create thousands of good paying, green jobs and strengthen Canada’s EV and battery ecosystem!
281 people need their vaccinations in
#Guelph
to reach 90% & become one of the most vaccinated cities in North America! When this happens I think I’ll celebrate by _________.
****WHOA!****
Okay Guelph, here’s what we do,
1. Read this
2. Reply to my tweet with thanks to her for SAVING THIS MAN’s LIFE!
‘I’m 100% proud of my daughter’:
#Guelph
teen part of rescue effort of kayaker at Collingwood’s Sunset Point:
I just found out that the
@cityofguelph
does have the ability to ban plastic bags. So I say the following to plastic bags in
#Guelph
....(retweet if you agree).
Whenever anyone says you can’t or shouldn’t move towards a car-free downtown core, I think it’s important to show them this, from 1970’s to present in the city of Copenhagen:
#Guelph
can do this.
I’ve officially put my name forward for re-election as your Mayor! I’m humbled & honoured to represent
#Guelph
! Looking ahead, especially after a difficult couple of years, I’m hoping to continue making our city the best it can be alongside every citizen & business that’s here!👍🏻
As Mayor, I herby declare officially that everyone in the City of
#Guelph
should take the rest of the day off. It’s way too nice outside, so get out there! If your boss gives any pushback when you get up to leave, just tell them “the Mayor said so!”😉
An extra floor or two on some residential apartment projects are often the extra floors required to provide true affordable units. So when you argue against reasonable additional height, the first things to go are those affordable units you say you want in
#Guelph
.
Good morning
#Guelph
!
Thanks again for your trust in me these last 8 years! I’m looking forward to the next 4!
Many thanks to
@BoringOldRach
,
@Anakin_Guthrie
&
@TheAdelaideGu3
for love & support.
Now let’s do what all loving political families adore & pick up lawn signs. 🤦🏻♂️
It’s true COVID has a 98% rate of survival. Also true, 2% of
#Guelph
’s population is 2,760 citizens. So I think we should do everything we can to stop the spread. Like listening to scientists & health experts. Even if you wear a tinfoil hat, you still have room to wear a mask.
This man is a traitor. Trudeau puppet. World Economic Forum Clown. People have died by his hand. Cam and council should be held accountable for crimes against humanity.
#Guelph
Hey thousands ignoring public health guidelines, enjoy the fines & upcoming academic discipline hearings you rightly deserve. All during an ongoing pandemic, thinking only of yourself, putting many at risk, including our own emergency services staff dealing with this. Nice job.🤦🏼♂️
My daughter just lost her restaurant job due to this pandemic.
The roller coaster has got to stop.
If more restrictions come in place (& I hope not) it better have long term supports for businesses & staff. While I’m at it, the mental health toll is now beyond the word “crisis”
Thousands of small businesses won’t survive another round of lockdowns. Unlike March 2020, many are incredibly weakened after 2 years of painful restrictions. The average small firm has taken on $170K in COVID related debt. We cannot keep doing this.
I am very thankful to the leadership at the
@uofg
for this decision. Thousands upon thousands of students being welcomed into
#Guelph
WITH vaccinations puts not just the campus, teachers, students & all other staff/visitors in a safer environment - but for our entire city too.👍🏻
Important info for
#UofG
community: All UofG faculty, staff, and students are now required to be vaccinated in order to be on campus. More info to come on accommodations and registering your status.
A message from UofG president Charlotte Yates:
Hey everyone, just a thought, hear me out okay, but if you all could just treat
@WDGPublicHealth
employees with respect that’d be great. I don’t think that’s too much to ask but here I am.
Thanks everyone!
If I were the Premier of Ontario, & I wanted to help with housing, safety & healthcare while at the same time help lower taxes for citizens, I’d implement one thing:
Properly fund & address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis by listening to what cities need.