About Ward 5
Ward 5 is where my Guelph story began. I first moved to the area while completing graduate studies at the University of Guelph, and over the next twenty years I lived throughout the ward, including Hands Drive, Gordon Street, Ironwood Road, and Janefield Avenue. Over that time, I watched Ward 5 grow into one of the most important and dynamic parts of the city.
Ward 5 includes neighbourhoods such as Hanlon Creek, Old University, Priory Park, McElderry Community, Village by the Arboretum, and many of the student housing communities connected to the University of Guelph. The ward is shaped by the University, the Stone Road commercial district, and important community spaces like The Arboretum, Hanlon Creek Park, Royal City Park, and Cutten Fields.
I know this part of the city well. I’ve spent years walking the University grounds, the trails through the Arboretum, and the forests and pathways of Hanlon Creek more times than I can count.
Ward 5 reflects many of the opportunities and challenges facing Guelph today: housing and thoughtful intensification, aging infrastructure, affordability, economic development, and protecting the character and quality of life of our neighbourhoods. As Guelph grows, we need practical leadership that balances responsible spending, smart planning, economic opportunity, and strong community engagement.
Ward 5 Priorities
Ward 5 is one of Guelph's most diverse and complex wards. We have established neighbourhoods and newer housing, students and longtime residents, social housing and single-family homes, major commercial areas, the University of Guelph, and some of the city's most valued parks, trails and green spaces.
After speaking with residents, I see several priorities that stand out for Ward 5.
Thoughtful Infill That Respects Our Neighbourhoods
Guelph needs more housing, and much of that growth will have to happen within the existing city. But good growth isn't simply about adding more units. How and where we build matters.
Residents in established neighbourhoods, particularly Old University, have raised legitimate concerns about multi-unit infill, townhouses and other developments changing the character of their neighbourhoods.
I support thoughtful intensification, but City Hall needs to consider neighbourhood character, heritage, trees, traffic, parking, infrastructure capacity and the surrounding community when reviewing infill projects. New housing should strengthen established neighbourhoods, not overwhelm them.
Ward 5 needs smart growth that adds housing while protecting what people already value about their neighbourhoods.
Bring the University to the Table
The University of Guelph is one of the defining institutions of Ward 5 and one of the largest landholders in the ward. Decisions made by the University, including future student residences and development on University lands, can have significant impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods.
But the relationship should go much further than managing development.
I want to see a much stronger partnership between the University, City Hall and the broader Guelph community. The University has extraordinary people, research capacity, facilities and resources that can contribute to economic development, innovation, sustainability and solving community problems.
I already have strong working relationships across the University and a track record of bringing the University together with businesses, government and community organizations through initiatives such as Innovation Guelph and the Guelph Innovation Network.
Ward 5 needs a councillor who can bring the University to the table as a genuine partner in our neighbourhoods and our city.
Safe and Peaceful Neighbourhoods
Safety in Ward 5 means more than any single issue.
It means safer streets and crossings. It means addressing theft, property crime and other neighbourhood concerns. It means enforcing noise and other bylaws when residents' quality of life is being disrupted. And it means being prepared for periods such as Orientation Week and Homecoming when large student gatherings can significantly affect surrounding neighbourhoods.
Residents should be able to expect reasonable peace and safety where they live.
That requires appropriate policing and bylaw enforcement, but also coordination with the University, Wellington County and community organizations when issues involve homelessness, encampments, mental health or addictions.
We can be compassionate toward people who need help while still maintaining reasonable expectations for safety, behaviour and respect for our neighbourhoods.
Protect Our Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
Ward 5 has an extraordinary network of parks, wooded areas, trails and natural spaces. These are part of what makes our neighbourhoods such desirable places to live.
Residents want these spaces protected, maintained and safe.
That means keeping trails and parks in good repair, protecting trees and natural areas, addressing safety concerns when they arise, and ensuring growth does not unnecessarily compromise the green spaces people value.
Bringing Blueprint Guelph Home to Ward 5
Many of the other challenges facing Ward 5 are the same ones facing Guelph as a whole: aging infrastructure, affordability, transit, housing, economic development, social services and responsible City spending.
Blueprint Guelph provides my broader approach to those challenges: listen to residents, set clear priorities, bring the right people together, and find practical solutions that deliver results.
For Ward 5, that starts with protecting the quality of life in our neighbourhoods while preparing them thoughtfully for the future.