A closer look at the City of Guelph through the eyes of Mayor Guthrie
On Feb. 5, 2016, The Ontarion sat down with Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, to discuss his first year in office, and what the future might hold for the city.
In the 14 months since Mayor Guthrie took office, Guelph proudly featured the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Guthrie attributes much of these gains to growth across several areas including agriculture, green-tech, and retail.
“Well, there is praise to go around,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “It’s a team effort.”
Mayor Guthrie also spoke about the final print issue of the Guelph Mercury.
“I don’t think anything will ever take place of the Merc, [which] was 149-years-old, something that’s that embedded in the community,” said Guthrie.
He briefly touched on the newly launched Guelph Today website.
“I believe Guelph Today will fill a void, but not the void of what the Mercury was.”
The interview soon drifted towards transit. With Solstice Two soon opening on Gordon Street, students at the university have expressed the need for improved service.
The issue of full busses both on Gordon Street and College Avenue was brought directly to the attention of the mayor by The Ontarion in January 2015.
Over the past year, the city launched an intensive review of Guelph transit services, driven by public input. Additionally, University of Guelph students will soon answer a referendum question that could see the cost of the student bus pass increase by one-third over the next five years.
“It’s been a problem for a while,” said Mayor Guthrie, on the subject of full buses. “All of the review and data, and reporting of that is coming to council in the next couple of months, and then implications of what that report states get forwarded to the 2017 budget process, which means December this year—we pass it in December to kick in for… January 2017.”
Provided that the budget and changes get passed by council, transit changes will take effect in 2017.
As the conversation shifted towards two-way GO service, Mayor Guthrie explained that he is still in meetings with MPPs regarding the “big move,” to spend billions over 10 years on infrastructure.
“…It’s something that all of us mayors in the area have been lobbying the government for,” said Mayor Guthrie. “Outside of the job perspective…I view all-day GO services, and two-way GO as completing a downtown node.”
Mayor Guthrie’s role as a leader in a city with an university so embedded in the community necessitates communication with the university itself. Organizations like the C.J. Munford Centre, the Guelph Black Heritage Society, and GRCGED (Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity) have all been contacted.
“I’ve been getting to know some of these groups that you just mentioned, and I’ve been getting to know some of their aims, their goals—it’s been really educating in that aspect,” said Mayor Guthrie.
Mayor Guthrie praised the University of Guelph’s administration, especially President Franco Vaccarino.
“My personal take is I think he’s fantastic,” said Mayor Guthrie. “I think he was exactly what the University of the Guelph needed at this time. The reason why I say that is because I find him to be very strategic, and visionary for far into the future of what university education system will [pullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…Guelph proudly featured the lowest unemployment rate in the country…[/pullquote]
be like, because it’s rapidly changing.”
Towards the end of interview, Mayor Guthrie gave his thoughts on the misrepresentation of students in the community.
“Sometimes a lot of stuff [is]said about students… I have found [that] complaints are very low,” said Mayor Guthrie. “I have just found that the students of the last year have been embracing our city culture, which is one of acceptance and tolerance and respect and giving back volunteer-wise.”
Mayor Guthrie spoke about individuals who face racism and extreme prejudice in the community.
“I can’t tell them that they’re wrong because if that’s their feeling, that’s their feeling. So I can’t deny how they feel,” said Mayor Guthrie. “It’s a huge surprise to me—I don’t feel that, I don’t hear that, I don’t see that myself, I didn’t know until you just brought that up to me.”
However, Mayor Guthrie revised his answer, explaining that he took note of an on-campus protest in November.
“Oh yes, I saw that online—you’re right, I forgot about that. Yes, they went into Brenda Whiteside’s office or something,” said Mayor Guthrie.
On the subject of protest, Mayor Guthrie suggested the importance of action.
“There [are] always going to be idiots… [Racism and prejudice] needs to be addressed, so you should not hide away from it or publicly speaking about stuff like that, I’m not suggesting that, but at the same time I don’t think I want people to play a victim card either,” said Mayor Guthrie. “You know you don’t want to play the victim card. I think if you play the victim card, you’re also perpetuating—you’re giving ammunition to the very people that are trying to put you down, when you play the victim card.”
Mayor Guthrie explained himself further.
“Perpetuating that, in like an agreement […] people that are putting you down, whether it’s race or background, or sexual identity […] you don’t want to let those two per cent influence the rest of your life. Don’t play the victim,” said Mayor Guthrie. “Not play the victim, that’s the wrong words, I’m not saying like it’s fake—I understand that’s real, but don’t let that victimize you.”
Mayor Guthrie concluded the interview with some closing words.
“… I believe society needs to give people equal opportunity to succeed in life, but… not everyone in life is going to have an equal outcome,” said Mayor Guthrie. “So we always need to make sure that we have the right atmosphere, and… [ensure] everyone has that equal opportunity to succeed, but we can never, ever, sanction, or legislate equal outcome.”