Minutes of Guelph City Council

-
Council Chambers
Guelph City Hall, 1 Carden Street
Council:
  • Mayor C. Guthrie
  • Councillor P. Allt
  • Councillor C. Billings
  • Councillor L. Busuttil
  • Councillor L. Caron
  • Councillor E. Caton
  • Councillor K. Chew
  • Councillor C. Downer
  • Councillor R. Goller
  • Councillor C. Klassen
  • Councillor D. O'Rourke
  • Councillor M. Richardson
Absent:
  • Councillor D. Gibson
Staff:
  • T. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
  • C. Clack-Bush, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Public Services
  • J. Holmes, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment
  • T. Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Services
  • D. McMahon, Acting General Manager, City Clerk's Office/City Clerk
  • C. Murray-Sprague, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
  • J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

Mayor Guthrie called the meeting to order (9:00 a.m.).

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That the minutes of the open Council Meetings held November 13, 19, 26 and 27, 2024, and the Committee of the Whole meeting held November 5, 2024, be confirmed as recorded and without being read.
    Voting in Favour: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (10 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caron
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer
    1. That the December 11, 2024 Committee of the Whole Consent Report and Council Consent Agenda identified below be adopted.
    1. That the funding adjustments detailed in Table 4 of Attachement-2 of the 2024 Third Quarter Budget Monitoring Report dated December 4, 2024, be approved.
    2. That a budget adjustment of $448 thousand for PM0001 Paramedics Facility Renewal, be approved.
    Voting in Favour: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (10 to 0)

Councillor Allt introduced Impact from Closure of Guelph Consumption and Treatment Services Site.

The following delegates spoke:
Brad Evoy
Amelia Meister
Mars Russell on behalf of Sarah Bayliss
Melissa Kwiatkowski
Mars Russell
Jean Hopkins

The following delegates did not speak:
Sarah Bayliss
Paige Hutchinson
Andrea Baker
Jill Francis

  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Guelph City Council urges the Ontario government to continue to permit the operation and funding of the Guelph consumption and treatment site beyond the proposed termination date in March 2025. 
    2. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario government to maintain, if not expand, funding for the proposed Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs.
    3. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario Government to not take steps to prohibit the establishment of supervised consumption sites, including urgent public health needs sites (UPHNS). 
    4. That this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance, the Health Minister, AMO and to municipalities that currently have an operating consumption and treatment service and/or supervised consumption site(s).
  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor O'Rourke
    Seconded ByCouncillor Richardson
    1. That Guelph City Council urges the Ontario government to continue to permit the operation and funding of the Guelph consumption and treatment site beyond the proposed termination date in March 2025, at least until the HART hub is fully operational.
    2. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario government to maintain, if not expand, funding for the proposed Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs.
    3. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario Government to not take steps to prohibit the establishment of supervised consumption sites, including urgent public health needs sites (UPHNS).
    4. That this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance, the Health Minister, AMO and to municipalities that currently have an operating consumption and treatment service and/or supervised consumption site(s).
    Voting in Favour: (4)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Richardson
    Voting Against: (7)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil
    Defeated (4 to 7)

    The clauses were asked to be voted on separately. 


  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. That Guelph City Council urges the Ontario government to continue to permit the operation and funding of the Guelph consumption and treatment site beyond the proposed termination date in March 2025. 
    Voting in Favour: (9)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil
    Voting Against: (2)Mayor Guthrie, and Councillor Richardson
    Carried (9 to 2)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    2. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario government to maintain, if not expand, funding for the proposed Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs.

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (11 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    3. That Guelph City Council encourages the Ontario Government to not take steps to prohibit the establishment of supervised consumption sites, including urgent public health needs sites (UPHNS). 

    Voting in Favour: (7)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil
    Voting Against: (4)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Richardson
    Carried (7 to 4)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Allt
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    4.That this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance, the Health Minister, AMO and to municipalities that currently have an operating consumption and treatment service and/or supervised consumption site(s).

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (11 to 0)

Councillor Caton introduced, Support of Charter Rights and Freedoms.

The following delegates spoke:
Brad Evoy
Amelia Meister
Katherine Nixon
Diana Chan McNally
Anna McGregor
Morgan Dandie
Mars Russell

The following delegates did not speak:
Sarah Bayliss
Paige Hutchinson
Michelle Bilek
Mireille Martinez
Andrea Baker
Jill Francis

  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Guelph City Council opposes the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as requested by a collection of Ontario Mayors, to circumvent the courts ability to rule on Charter Rights on the subject of encampment relocations due to municipal bylaws throughout Ontario. 
    2. Further, Council opposes the use of force in involuntary treatment of people with substance use disorders or mental illness who are protected under disability legislation, outside of the existing process. 
    3. That a letter be sent to AMO, OBCM, and the 12 municipalities included in the 13 mayor request letter for information regarding Guelph Council’s opposition. 

    Councillor Caton raised a point of order suggesting that a question from Councillor Downer was out of order because this motion was not about the use of involuntary treatment.  Mayor Guthrie ruled that the question was in order and allowed Councillor Downer to continue. 


  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    2. Further, Council opposes the use of the notwithstanding clause in the use of force in involuntary treatment of people with substance use disorders or mental illness who are protected under disability legislation, outside of the existing process. 

    This amendment was withdrawn by the mover and seconder. 


  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    2.Further, Council opposes the use of force in involuntary treatment of people with substance use disorders or mental illness who are protected under disability legislation, outside of the existing process. 

    This clause was removed by the mover and seconder. 


  • Main Motion
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Guelph City Council opposes the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as requested by a collection of Ontario Mayors, to circumvent the courts ability to rule on Charter Rights on the subject of encampment relocations due to municipal bylaws throughout Ontario.  
    2. That a letter be sent to AMO, OBCM, and the 12 municipalities included in the 13 mayor request letter for information regarding Guelph Council’s opposition. 

    The clauses were asked to be voted on separately. 


  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt
    1. That Guelph City Council opposes the use of the Notwithstanding Clause as requested by a collection of Ontario Mayors, to circumvent the courts ability to rule on Charter Rights on the subject of encampment relocations due to municipal bylaws throughout Ontario.
    Voting in Favour: (8)Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, and Councillor Busuttil
    Voting Against: (3)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Billings, and Councillor Richardson
    Carried (8 to 3)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    2. That a letter be sent to AMO, OBCM, and the 12 municipalities included in the 13 mayor request letter for information regarding Guelph Council’s opposition. 

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (11 to 0)

Mayor Guthrie introduced Council Motion in Support of Solve the Crisis Campaign.

The following delegate spoke:
Brad Evoy

  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller
    1. Therefore, be it resolved that the City Guelph supports Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) SolvetheCrisis.ca Campaign;
    2. AND calls on the provincial and federal governments to commit to immediate action to solve the humanitarian crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental health & addictions grows exponentially; 
    3. AND that the province officially makes Homelessness a Health Priority;
    4. AND that the province appoints a responsible Minister and Ministry with the appropriate funding and powers as the single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs and equally as important, the mental health, addictions and wrap around supports that must be put resourced and put in place;
    5. AND that the provincial government strike a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan;
    6. AND that this provincial task force reviews the current programs and policies developed by municipalities, regions and community partners that have proven successful in our communities, as well as programs and policies proposed by various stakeholders, to evaluate their effectiveness, ability to be scaled up, and to ensure that a variety of solutions are available, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and can be implemented quickly and effectively to tackle this crisis;
    7. AND that the federal government is included in these conversations;
    8. AND that both levels of government provide adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding to ensure that municipalities have the tools and resources to support individuals suffering with mental health and addictions, including unhoused people and those from vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted;
    9. And that this Council calls on the residents of the City of Guelph to join us in appealing to the provincial and federal governments for support by visiting SolvetheCrisis.ca and showing your support;
    10. AND further that a copy of this motion be sent to:
      • The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
      • The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada
      • The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
      • The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
      • The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
      • The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
      • The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
      • Local MPs
      • Local MPPs and
      • Ontario’s Big City Mayors ([email protected] and [email protected]
  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Allt

    5. AND that the provincial government strike a task force with the broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry and people with living experience of homelessness and substance abuse disorders to develop a Made in Ontario action plan.

    Voting in Favour: (3)Councillor Allt, Councillor Caron, and Councillor Caton
    Voting Against: (9)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Defeated (3 to 9)
  • Amendment
    Moved ByCouncillor Caton
    Seconded ByCouncillor Downer

    5.AND that the provincial government strike a task force with the broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry and people with living experience of homelessness and substance abuse disorders to develop a Made in Ontario action plan.

    Voting in Favour: (11)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (1)Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (11 to 1)
  • Main Motion as Amended
    Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    1. Therefore, be it resolved that the City Guelph supports Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) SolvetheCrisis.ca Campaign;
    2. AND calls on the provincial and federal governments to commit to immediate action to solve the humanitarian crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental health & addictions grows exponentially; 
    3. AND that the province officially makes Homelessness a Health Priority;
    4. AND that the province appoints a responsible Minister and Ministry with the appropriate funding and powers as the single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs and equally as important, the mental health, addictions and wrap around supports that must be put resourced and put in place;
    5. AND that the provincial government strike a task force with the broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry and people with living experience of homelessness and substance abuse disorders to develop a Made in Ontario action plan.
    6. AND that this provincial task force reviews the current programs and policies developed by municipalities, regions and community partners that have proven successful in our communities, as well as programs and policies proposed by various stakeholders, to evaluate their effectiveness, ability to be scaled up, and to ensure that a variety of solutions are available, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and can be implemented quickly and effectively to tackle this crisis;
    7. AND that the federal government is included in these conversations;
    8. AND that both levels of government provide adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding to ensure that municipalities have the tools and resources to support individuals suffering with mental health and addictions, including unhoused people and those from vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted;
    9. And that this Council calls on the residents of the City of Guelph to join us in appealing to the provincial and federal governments for support by visiting SolvetheCrisis.ca and showing your support;
     10. AND further that a copy of this motion be sent to:

      • The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
      • The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada
      • The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
      • The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health 
      • The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
      • The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
      • The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
      • Local MPs
      • Local MPPs and
      • Ontario’s Big City Mayors ([email protected] and [email protected]

    It was requested that clauses 5 and 6 be voted on separately. 


  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    5. AND that the provincial government strike a task force with the broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry and people with living experience of homelessness and substance abuse disorders to develop a Made in Ontario action plan.
    6. AND that this provincial task force reviews the current programs and policies developed by municipalities, regions and community partners that have proven successful in our communities, as well as programs and policies proposed by various stakeholders, to evaluate their effectiveness, ability to be scaled up, and to ensure that a variety of solutions are available, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and can be implemented quickly and effectively to tackle this crisis;

    Voting in Favour: (10)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, and Councillor Chew
    Voting Against: (2)Councillor Allt, and Councillor Busuttil
    Carried (10 to 2)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Klassen
    Seconded ByCouncillor Goller

    1. Therefore, be it resolved that the City Guelph supports Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) SolvetheCrisis.ca Campaign;
    2. AND calls on the provincial and federal governments to commit to immediate action to solve the humanitarian crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental health & addictions grows exponentially; 
    3. AND that the province officially makes Homelessness a Health Priority;
    4. AND that the province appoints a responsible Minister and Ministry with the appropriate funding and powers as the single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs and equally as important, the mental health, addictions and wrap around supports that must be put resourced and put in place;
    7. AND that the federal government is included in these conversations;
    8. AND that both levels of government provide adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding to ensure that municipalities have the tools and resources to support individuals suffering with mental health and addictions, including unhoused people and those from vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted;
    9. And that this Council calls on the residents of the City of Guelph to join us in appealing to the provincial and federal governments for support by visiting SolvetheCrisis.ca and showing your support;
     10. AND further that a copy of this motion be sent to:

      • The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
      • The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada
      • The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
      • The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health 
      • The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
      • The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
      • The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
      • Local MPs
      • Local MPPs and
      • Ontario’s Big City Mayors ([email protected] and [email protected]
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
  • Moved ByCouncillor Richardson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Klassen
    1. That by-laws (2024)-21002, (2024)-21003, (2024)-21011, (2024)-21020, (2024)-21021, (2024)-21027 and (2024)-21028 be approved subject to Section 284.11 (4) of the Municipal Act.
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)

The Mayor wished everyone a Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas and thanked his colleagues for all their hard work over the past year.  He also thanked staff for all their hard work and is looking forward to 2025. 

  • Moved ByCouncillor Billings
    Seconded ByCouncillor Busuttil
    1. That the meeting be adjourned (11:26 a.m.). 
    Voting in Favour: (12)Mayor Guthrie, Councillor Goller, Councillor Allt, Councillor Downer, Councillor O'Rourke, Councillor Billings, Councillor Caron, Councillor Caton, Councillor Klassen, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Busuttil, and Councillor Chew
    Carried (12 to 0)
No Item Selected