I was invited to speak today at the Accelerate: Collaborating for Sustainability Conference. Industry leaders, social innovators, and decision makers from large and small businesses, corporations, higher education institutions, government, non-profits, social enterprises, social venture capital firms, and more are meeting to explore how we can effectively collaborate to create a sustainable future. World class sustainability […]

I was impressed with the facilitation at our recent Economic Summit that had been arranged by the Planning Committee.  It certainly contributed to a successful event and the notes are quickly being assembled to develop next steps. Here are my introductory remarks along with some of the visuals that were presented for those unable to […]

Last week, I hosted a Telephone Town Hall to talk about the Community Wellbeing Initiative – listen to it here. I was really pleased with this tool, which we’ve never used before. More than 700 people participated in the call – far more than we would ever get at a traditional public meeting. There’s a big convenience factor: […]

When your quality of life is being immediately impacted, it is easy to want the “book” thrown at the culprit(s). I get that.  I have felt that way too.  And in some cases this is the right response. However, over and over again, it is being demonstrated (and not just in Guelph) that the more effective and cost-effective […]

Here I am on Inside Guelph talking about efforts to achieve a UNICEF “child-friendly city” designation for Guelph:    

I attended the Exhibition Opening of the Photovoice Project in Old Quebec Street. I encourge you to visit the exhibition over the next couple of days or view their work on line.  Members of several Neighbourhood Groups were trained in research techniques and photography.  These Community Researchers volunteered to document and interpert their community through […]

Apparently, it’s not so easy to have a conversation these days, let alone challenge the status quo. According to the Guelph Tribune, MPP Sandals believes the vision for Guelph is “flawed”.  Respectfully, I think it’s a little too early to be jumping to that conclusion.  The Community Well Being Plan did not just flip off […]

The City was successful in receiving $75,000 from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Creative Communities Prosperity Fund.  An additional $48,300 will be generated from the private sector which is being facilitated by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and Guelph Arts Council.  The funding will be used to undertake cultural mapping of our community cultural […]

This morning I took part in the announcement of the STEPS program – a new program run by Wyndham House to give marginalized and at-risk youth access to sports and recreation activities. The program will serve all at-risk youth in our community. The Province of Ontario is providing almost $50,000 for the program, and employees of The […]

We officially opened the Clair Road Emergency Services Centre today! You may remember its opening was delayed because of a fire set by an arsonist.  Everything has been put right and it is a magnificent facility. This is the first time in Ontario that Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services have collaborated on a joint […]