SaltToday

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

We just passed my motion to have a review of the shelter and housing stabilization processes by the county. The changed proposed by the mayor would leave almost no places for people to be in the city and certainly no where near resources. Adding such a huge change to an agenda with no public feedback processes, past the delegation signup and right before the lame duck period for council is a bad call.

- Erin Caton

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Mayor Guthrie slipped this into the agenda at the last minute. Effectively blocking public delegations. No wonder. The proposal directs staff to essentially prohibit encampments virtually anywhere in the city with no alternative plan. Even if one supports the premise (and of course, many do) there's no viable enforcement resources behind this. This is essentially Mayor Guthrie's last bit of political theater before he goes. How telling and how very sad. The real story is which councillors will endorse or reject this last shoddy last act.

- David Gibson

Guelph man upset after bylaw takes encampment tent

The unhoused are being picked on, by by-law, the police, the mayor and council and the provincial government. Shame on them all.

- B Gi

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Where are these people supposed to go? Society is failing its people. We should be providing housing for everyone who needs it, not restricting them from living ANYWHERE and criminalizing being unhoused.

- DeeDee A

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

I would suggest the Homeless are failing themselves-why shoulder the blame or responsibility? Some accountability is necessary and long overdue. These are grown adults, it is fair to have some expectations from them.

- usr_701203

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

This isn't the first time the Mayor has changed or added to an agenda without proper public process. Ironic as I think his comment last week at council with regards to an agenda item was he is against big government or government over stepping (what exactly is this) . I agree with Erin Caton, where will the homeless be allowed to go. The Mayor should be instead adding recommendations on how we can better provide them with the necessities/ services they need and at the same time provide timely action on maintaining the areas around them that they are are occupying. It is sad that so many have nowhere to call home.

- Lorraine Pagnan

Guelph to launch encampment response team in August

Or in an appropriate institution where they can get help.

- MakeGuelphGreatAgain

Guelph man upset after bylaw takes encampment tent

Cry me a river !

- Mike Cummings

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Cut the grass and plow the snow. Nothing else.

- B Be

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

Recipe for a terrible city full of misery and squalor.

- Matt Saunders

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

What's next, no shelters within city limits?

- usr_685740

Local teenager turns to business start-up to leave shelter system

Good for you man, it's a long road ahead but you've got the right ideas.

- nic k

Guelph man upset after bylaw takes encampment tent

Invite him to live in your backyard

- usr_690154

Guelph's $462 million infrastructure deficit visualized in new dashboard

Also known as ... get ready guelph ... for many years we have focused on pet projects not reality that we live in one of the oldest cities in southwestern ontario. We will make you broke with new taxes and fees in the next 10 years and still be broke.

- James D

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

So the mayor who is about to return to the private sector did an end run around the public consultation process to support a policy that would be favored by his friends in the business community.

- DR64

Guelph's $462 million infrastructure deficit visualized in new dashboard

bike routes save money.

- Matt Saunders

Guelph man upset after bylaw takes encampment tent

One simple observation - "When asked about the incident, a spokesperson for the city, Kyle Hayward, said the encampment had been deemed “abandoned by both the Guelph Police Service and the City of Guelph Bylaw Department.”But he was there when they tossed his belongings. Explain the new definition of "abondonment".A very slippery slope.....

- Alec Purves

Guelph's $462 million infrastructure deficit visualized in new dashboard

Should be putting more money into infrastructure and less into police.

- Jboy

Guelph man upset after bylaw takes encampment tent

I walked by that encampment yesterday. There was a big city blue garbage bin beside one of the tents piled high with garbage, and trash laying around everywhere. It's deteriorated significantly in the last few weeks from when it started with one relatively neat tent. I'm surprised it is an allowable location being right on the river. The rotting garbage, lack of sanitation facilities, drug paraphernalia are amongst the concerns of local residents. "Camping" is one thing, but that doesn't give anyone the right to destroy our public spaces. And now that this is deemed to meet the city requirements, it will no doubt grow in size.

- DonnaLeeg

Council to widen restrictions in controversial encampment bylaw

@Erin Caton - what date should the public expect to see the full results of that review??? You mention "no other places," but has anyone produced a map showing the impact of the proposed setback zones?? Without that, I don't think Cam can demonstrate there are realistic alternatives... but by the same token, your claim would also be unsubstantiated...

- Adam Cloet