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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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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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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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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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OPINION: Downtown Guelph is ready for Instagram, but not for people

GuelphToday

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I would like to answer several of the otems mentioned in this article.1) DOWNTOWN PUBLIC WASHROOM -I have been very vocal on this point. If there is ever going to be a public washroom funded by taxpayers; it should be located where it is most needed - the Guelph Central Station.Thousands pass through there on a daily basis; whether from across town or by traveling to other cities.It is closer proximity to the major bar/restaurant traffic during the evenings; and the dozen or so homeless that walk the route by it later at night.2) CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND -Better located where children are already found; either City Hall by the slashpad, or at the new library.3) DAY TIME SHELTER -Unfortunately Council moved this behind doors; so we cannot see full transparency on the strategy to eventually move this to 23 Gordon; and try and handcuff the Royal City Mission.I hope RCM continues to serve the local community. They have both the volunteers and support from many.

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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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VIDEO: Your local grocery store won’t be forced to collect empties after all

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Hard to spin the narrative stores were "forced" to accept empties.That was part of the contractual agreement in order to be able to sell alcohol in their stores to begin with. They had months to prepare.

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A budget fought on the margins has no good decisions

GuelphToday

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I remember in the last election; someone campaigned on the promise of keeping property taxes around the rate of inflation. That was in 2022; just 3 years ago.To illustrate how bad costs and the budget has been mishandled and out of control spending; we now have this new narrative of " the City’s portion of the budget".Unfortunately; the "City's portion" is STILL way above the rate of inflation....Even with the new spin; it magnifies how bad, irresponsible and careless budgeting and finances have become at City Hall.Sadly with this current regime, it will only get worse....

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‘We just need to say no’: Mayor on provincial downloading impact to 2026 budget

GuelphToday

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This is an interesting take and spin on the budget.If you actually look at the operating budget; the 5 major categories are as follows - *1 Salaries and benefits*2 Purchased services*3 Purchased goods*4 Long-term debt charges*5 Transfers to reserves. Roughly 47% of the operating budget is allocated to salary and benefits.

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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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This difficult budget actually tells different stories

GuelphToday

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There are many concerns about the 2026 budget.The City budget has three components that are identified to address all the working apparatus of running a City like Guelph. The concern is that all three areas have taken a major increase upwards with little fiscal restraint or transparency.1) Operating Budget - Covers salaries, benefits, operating expenses, day-to-day operations.* From 2022- 2027 projected to see a 42% increase.2) Capital Budget - Covers infrastructure.* From 2022 - 2027 projected to see a 216% increase 3) Municipal Borrowing - Taking on debt to help pay for various projects.* From 2025 - 2027 the City's debt is projected to rise from $102,000,000.00 to over 145,000,000.00. A 70.3% increase in debt. This year, the City paid $9,600,000.00 alone just to service the debt.Bottom line; we are spending monies on things we cannot afford or manage fiscal accountability. Property taxes will continue to project upwards with little to no restraints.

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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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Council puts $1.7M back into 2026 budget; increase hovers at just over 8%

GuelphToday

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The new narrative and spin by the Mayor and City Council separately the "City portion" from the rest of the budget is misleading.Before 2022, the entire budget and property taxes were usually between 2%-3%. This last term, it has literally been blown out if the water.The "City portion" alone is higher than the entire combined budgets prior to 2022.Finances have gotten away this term from this City Council. Add in the attempt for more personal benefits to boot;..... U N B E L I E V E A B L E

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Remember, Guelph police offer a buy and sell zone outside headquarters

GuelphToday

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There was a time when people felt safe; and a person's word meant something.This is a safe initiative; where people can meet on neutral ground; and make legitimate exchanges.Great idea!

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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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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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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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