Alec Purves

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New legislation would make it easier to kick out tenants: Schreiner

GuelphToday

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@FaustusMaybe go and read the proposed legislation.Keep element - "Proposed measures would also continue reducing delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board"Squatters are not tenants. They are no longer paying rent, have broken rental agreement contracts, and are freeloaders.Oftentimes it takes months and tens of thousands of dollars to evict squatters. Who pays the ultimate price? Other tenants in that building who have to absorb the costs.I know of several families who bought a second home as an investment for their children's education; and the current legal system has made it a nightmare for them to recoup any losses due to bad tenants.I guess you also agree there is not an immigration crisis in Canada? Just bring hundreds of thousands of people with no where for them to live?

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VIDEO: Not just snowbirds — all Canadians travelling to U.S. will be photographed

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Canada does the same already. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) uses facial biometrics at certain ports of entry to verify travelers' identities by comparing a live photo with the one on their ePassport or in their NEXUS file. This technology is used at Primary Inspection Kiosks (PIKs) and NEXUS kiosks to identify travelers, speed up processing, and enhance border security.

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New legislation would make it easier to kick out tenants: Schreiner

GuelphToday

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Really?"Ontario’s homelessness crisis has exploded from 20,000 to over 80,000 people."I wonder why there isn't any mention of the legalizing of hard drugs, invasion of new people flooding the market, economy tanking and fewer social nets.Go to any homeless encampment; all four of the above are major contributors to the crisis we face today.Fearmongering at it's best.....

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City proposes deferring major projects to reduce 2026 tax hike

GuelphToday

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So....In actuality, the foreseeable budget is actually this -"The mayor released the draft city services budget update Thursday, which showed a tax increase of 3.17 per cent in the city services portion"PLUSAn increase in other Boards who have not presented their budgets yet. "Those boards will present their budgets to council Dec. 17, with a forecast impact of 2.72 per cent on the 2026 tax increase."Actual tax increase -3.17% plus 2.72% equals 5.89%.I wonder if the deferrals are because it will be an election year? Expect even higher property taxes immediately after the election in 2026.

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Mayor 'wouldn't be surprised' to see tax increase of 6 per cent

GuelphToday

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Simple snapshot of this term, (2022-2026), of Guelph City Council -* 2023 - 5.18%* 2024 - 8.52%* 2025 - 6.78%* 2026 - 5.9% or higherIn one term; Guelph residents have watched and been stunned by the skyrocketing rise in property taxes to between 26% -28%!Just in one term folks.........

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Two city-owned properties named as potential affordable housing sites

GuelphToday

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Would it not make more sense to sell the land as a profit; and also make a profit on building permits and annual property taxes.It would not cost the taxpayers a penny; probably speeds up construction; and does not leave the City having to oversee the building sites regarding maintenance and operation.The other options leaves the City on the hook, and it would take years to make any profit (if any).

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Guelph might have to wait a little longer for a renoviction bylaw

GuelphToday

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A simple observation from reading the staff notes -"Projected annual cost for staffing to support a renoviction by-law is currently estimated at $311,000 for approximately two new permanent full-time staff and two new part-time positions."Doing the math, this averages out to roughly $125,000.00 each for two full-time employees. A quarter of a million dollars for two individuals.I wonder what the caseload is? It needs two full time employees, and two part-time employees to handled a small number of cases?More beauracracy at ridiculous salaries.City Hall is big enough.

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Staff advise against self-cleaning washrooms for St. George’s Square

GuelphToday

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I have been very vocal on this issue. That is a savings of between a quarter to half a million dollars.Hopefully Council reverses it's opinion and agrees that a public washroom in Saint George's Square is not the most ideal location.SOLUTION - Geulph Central GO. Thousands pass through there daily, as well as bar crowd during the evenings.

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City received one applicant for daytime drop-in centre

GuelphToday

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I applaud the two agencies; Stepping Stone and the Royal City Mission for joining forces to provide this needed service.It would provide another vehicle to get some of the less fortunate and homeless off the streets during the daytime, provides meals and additional social services.My concern is the following statement- "The organizations are requesting $1.7 million for each of the two years the program is expected to run, with $1.5 million for operations, staffing and administrative costs, and $200,000 annually to provide three meals each day."One and a half million for salary?Breaking that down; this averages out to 30 full time additional workers at $50,000 each. (Yes - that is a higher income than probable).Why is so much of the budget going to personnel?

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First-year students begin university life with hopes and anxieties

GuelphToday

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With students coming back; restaurants, bars, Uber/taxis, food and booze stores will see an uptick for the next few months.Additionally, many students volunteer in numerous organizations.Welcome to the Royal City!

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City received one applicant for daytime drop-in centre

GuelphToday

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Good evening Morgan;The buildings at 23 Gordon and the RCM are already heated year round. Wastewater? Really? Operating costs will go up, but not in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.The RCM already serves meals for the majority of the week. The only significant increases in "operations" would be hydro and more tiolet paper.23 Gordon operates presently from 8pm-7am. During the night, staffing is maybe 4-8 individuals.Stepping Stone operates with many employees using the temporary workTemporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). That is subsidized wages.I am unsure why you responded the way you did It was a simple question. $1,500,000.00 of taxpayers money "for operations, staffing and administrative costs, and $200,000 annually to provide three meals each day."The vast majority of the one and a half million is alotted annually to personnel. That seems excessive.That is $3,000,000.00 over 2 years.

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Guelph might have to wait a little longer for a renoviction bylaw

GuelphToday

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Good afternoon Matt;The issue is not hiring people to enforce a by-law if City Council moves forward; the issue is about fiscal responsibility and accountability.In 2024, there was roughly a couple dozen N12 or N13 applied for.It does not required two full time staff, and two part-time staff to administer this new beauracracy.A basic home inspection at completion will verify whether an application is legit. That averages out to one home inspection, roughly two hours in length, every two weeks.Paying two full time employees a quarter of a million dollars annually is off the charts.Hiring four individuals to do the workload of oneperson is both irresponsible and a waste of taxpayers money.

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Two city-owned properties named as potential affordable housing sites

GuelphToday

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Selling both properties, with conditional permits; would possibly pay for a large chunk of one year's budget regarding the Day Time Shelter in the downtown core currently being considered by City Council.Open up the market for affordable housing; AND provide funding for a daytime shelter for the less fortunate and homeless. Another positive perspective - it does not cost Guelph taxpayers a penny. Simple solution and meets the demand of two important issues.

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OPINION: Guelph's small-town, small mindedness is stifling us

GuelphToday

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Municipal politics needs to be shaken up at the foundation. Stay focused on what matters in our city -* A freeze on property taxes* Stop wasteful spending* Full audit of City's Operating Budget* Deal with homelessness* More transparency at City Hall* Tackle Community Safety Issues* Advance Accessibility Initiativesand finally* Work with local Committees, Business Associations and local Industry

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Downtown Guelph to get thousands of year-round twinkle lights

GuelphToday

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I am always impressed when stakeholders such as the Downtown Guelph Business Association (DGBA) invest and sponsor so many events and activities in the downtown core.From summer concerts at Saint George's Square, to the Santa Claus parade, to Spirit of the Season, etc..This is what makes Guelph unique and special.

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Revised St. George’s Square design coming on ‘Diggable Downtown Day’

GuelphToday

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Mark this date on your calendar, folks!It amounts to rearranging the furniture in your living room.Fountain demolished and new one resurrected where Big Heart is now.Big Heart moved across the street to where the hot dog stand is now.Throw in a tiny playground children will never visit; and a public washroom that should really be located in a place where thousands of residents pass everyday - Guelph Central GO Transportation Hub.A total waste of taxpayers money; zero "WOW factor".

Guelph Storm calls on business community to rally around Memorial Cup bid

GuelphToday

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I wonder if "estimates" are actually "guesstimates"???Over half a million dollars on a gamble.

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OPINION: Guelph's small-town, small mindedness is stifling us

GuelphToday

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I am volunteering this year at Ribfest.I highly doubt this event has run "past it's shelf life". It is more an issue of many volunteers involved in many events getting burnt out. It is a wonderful event; attracts thousands of people; and is a great family event to go to locally.

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City of Guelph tests new financing tool to boost housing supply

GuelphToday

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The statement below should be of concern to many Guelph residents - "By using an MSFA, builders can fund and construct critical housing-enabling infrastructure like roads, water and sewers for development projects faster than the City’s fiscal and work planning capacity may otherwise allow. The City then repays the funds for this infrastructure as the housing development progresses...." A couple of key points that need to be considered.1) Are home builders capable of providing services such as water, sewage, roads etc? Home building is totally different that providing critical infrastructure.2) I do not see anywhere a statement of cost efficiency or savings to Guelph taxpayers. What is the most effective and efficient way to build homes, that will not be a tax burden and create more increases in property taxes? Guelph residents are already overwhelmed with a skyrocketing 26.1% property tax increase, in less than three years of this current City Council.

City of Guelph tests new financing tool to boost housing supply

GuelphToday

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I am curious to know what percentage the home builders will charge the City for financing and building the critical infrastructure.When the statement is said - "The City will pay them back over time"; everyone understands that implies all Guelph residents will pay it back through property tax increases.