News and Videos
The Better, Smarter, Fairer Framework.
From Marty’s campaign launch…
What Does BETTER Mean to Marty? Better means getting more from the assets, resources and services Guelph already has, while continually looking for ways to deliver greater value to residents and taxpayers.
What Does SMARTER Mean to Marty? Smarter means learning from great ideas and proven best practices in other communities and bringing those lessons home to help Guelph operate more efficiently and effectively.
What Does FAIRER Mean to Marty? Fairer means respecting the financial pressures on residents by carefully examining how taxpayer dollars are spent and ensuring the cost of delivering the services Guelph needs is shared appropriately.
Social Challenges. Talking about Solutions.
Marty recently had a conversation with Daniel and Malcolm about the social challenges facing our community. A big part of the conversation was about working together. Meaningful progress often requires the City, County, Province, community organizations and residents working together. Guelph should continue exploring homegrown ideas. One example they discussed was Welcoming Streets, an initiative Marty was involved in championing in Downtown Guelph. Today, the program connects vulnerable individuals with services while also helping downtown businesses respond to situations that don't require police intervention. Could elements of that approach be adapted in neighbourhoods connecting people, local organizations, and services before challenges become crises?
October 5, 2026
Renters: Your voice really matters!
If you rent your home, an apartment, condo etc in Guelph, municipal decisions affect you too. City Council makes decisions about transit, roads, parks, recreation, housing, neighbourhood services and many of the facilities we all use. And while renters don't receive a property-tax bill directly, property taxes are an expense associated with operating rental housing and can affect the overall cost of providing it. So renters have every reason to pay attention to how the City spends, plans and sets priorities. Most importantly: eligible tenants can vote in Guelph's municipal election. You don't need to own your home to have a voice in choosing your local representatives in the City of Guelph. So get informed. Ask questions. Learn about the candidates. And make your own voice heard.
October 4, 2026
Great Neighbours. Great Conversation.
Another Backyard Meet & Greet with Marty! Sometimes the best conversations happen when you skip the podium, pull up a chair and simply talk with your neighbours. A big thank-you to Anna Toth — and her four-legged co-host Lexi. Neighbours gathered in a relaxed setting to meet Marty, ask important questions, raise issues that matter to them and hear more about his approach to City Council. But just as importantly, Marty got to listen. These informal gatherings are exactly what Marty enjoys about campaigning: real conversations with real people about their neighbourhoods, their city and the things they would like to see addressed. There were great questions, different perspectives, plenty of conversation and, of course, a little Marty Party fun along the way.
October 3, 2026
Marty loves Guelph & the stories that made it
If you spend anytime with Marty, you’ll quickly discover that he has a real love for Guelph’s history - including the stories behind the places we walk past every day. In this video, Marty takes us back to April 23, 1827, when Scottish novelist and Canada Company Superintendent, John Galt, felled a large maple tree to ceremonially mark the founding of the planned town of Guelph. Long before 1827, Indigenous people had lived on and cared for these lands for thousands of years. Guelph museums today have placed the traditional John Galt story within that broader history. For Marty, understanding where Guelph has been is part of understanding what makes our city special today - and thiking about where we want to go next.
October 1, 2026
Listening. Learning. Guelph Renters Union.
Marty recently attended a Guelph Renters Union gathering with one important objective: to listen and learn from renters and what challenges they are facing in Guelph and what role the City Council can play in addressing them. Through his involvement on the Board of Habitat for Humanity Guelph-Wellington, Marty has gained valuable insight into affordable homeownership, housing development and the importance of community partnerships. But he also recognizes that homeownership and renting present different challenges, and understanding both perspectives is important when considering municipal housing policy. The gathering provided an opportunity to hear directly from renters, better understand their concerns and explore how municipal decisions affect their daily lives.
September 27, 2026
Great conversation. Great history. Great cause.
While attending Hope in the Street, Marty had the opportunity to catch up with John Sleeman for a conversation that went beyond the evening’s fundraising efforts. They talked about the incredible work Hope House does for individuals and families in need, as well as the fascinating history of the Sleeman family and its longstanding connection to Guelph.
From the family’s brewing heritage to it’s place in our city’s story, it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on Guelph’s past while celebrating the people and organizations helping shape its future.
September 27, 2026
Hope in the street. Hope for our community.
Marty had the opportunity to catch up with Jaya James, Hope House’s long-serving former Executive Director, who continues to give back as a dedicated volunteer. Their conversation highlighted the important work Hope House does to support individuals and families experiencing poverty and food insecurity, while also touching on some of the challenges community organizations face when organizing events in Downtown Guelph.
For Marty, it was another opportunity to listen and learn about how the city can work more effectively with the organizations and volunteers who contribute so much to our community.
September 27, 2026
Why isn’t Guelph doing this?
Did you know Ontario municipalities can provide significant property tax relief to small businesses through the Small Business Property Tax Subclass program? The province created the program to give municipalities flexibility to support local businesses and Main Streets through targeted property tax reductions. Marty believes Guelph should explore every available tool to support local entrepreneurs, independent businesses, and neighbourhood commercial districts. If other communities are taking advantage of opportunities that help small businesses succeed, we should be asking: Why isn’t Guelph doing this too?
September 26, 2026
Marty wants to meet you.
We’re looking for Ward 3 residents interested in hosting a casual Backyard Meet Marty gathering. Invite your family, friends and neighbours, and we’ll bring Marty! It’s not about speeches - it’s about conversation: asking questions, sharing ideas and telling Marty what you believe City Council needs to hear.
A few neighbours over coffee. A backyard get-together. Friends gathering for a drink. Families talking about the future of their community. Your backyard. Your conversation. Your priorities.
Interested in hosting? Email team@martyfor3.ca and the Marty Party team will help make it happen. Marty wants to meet you. More importantly, Marty wants to listen.
September 25, 2026
Building Homes. Building Community.
For Marty Williams, serving on the Board of Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington has provided valuable perspective on what it takes to make housing happen: partnerships, financing, land, volunteers, community support and innovative thinking all have a role to play. He has also had the opportunity to listen, learn and better understand the challenges surrounding affordable home ownership in our community. Marty brings his own perspective to the table as well: decades of living, volunteering and working in Guelph, relationships throughout the community and an understanding of how businesses, organizations, residents and different levels of leadership can work together. The most important lesson is also the simplest: Housing is about people. It’s about creating stability. It’s about giving individuals and families an opportunity to put down roots and be part of a community.
September 20, 2026
From a Budget Cut…to Almost $1M for for Kids
When the City of Guelph discontinued its curbside Christmas tree collection, Marty Williams saw an opportunity: what if the service could continue and raise money for local kids. Marty brought the idea forward to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, and something very Guelph happened. People came together. Community leaders. Local businesses. Volunteers. Residents willing to make a donation to have their tree picked up. A simple idea became Trees for Tots - and a Guelph tradition was born. The Foundation reported that by 2025 more than 38,000 trees had been collected and over $800,000 raised since the inaugural year in 2013. In 2026 another $90,000 was raised. Almost $1 million dollars to help local children and youth access programs and supports. That’s the kind of collaborative, practical community thinking Marty believes in.
September 19, 2026
Does Marty believe in Santa Claus?
Marty certainly believes in the magic of community. When it looked like Guelph might lose its Downtown Santa Claus Parade after the organization that had run it could not continue, Marty was leading the Downtown Guelph Business Improvement Area. Marty couldn’t let a beloved Guelph tradition disappear. He worked alongside community leaders, organizers, businesses and sponsors to keep the parade going. Through collaboration, creative thinking, sponsorship, the parade was saved. Great communities don’t happen because of one person. They happen when people work together. Bring people to the table. Listen to different ideas. Find common ground. Figure out what’s possible—and then get it done. So, does Marty really believe in Santa? Absolutely. But he believes even more in the people of Guelph.
September 18, 2026
Marty Joins the Shelldale Block Party!
What a great afternoon celebrating community, connection and everything that makes Ward 3 special! Marty had a fantastic time at the Shelldale Block Party in the West Willow Woods neighbourhood, talking with residents and families about their neighbourhood, their experiences and what matters to them. This part of Ward 3 is also near and dear to Marty’s heart. His son Oliver attended school in the neighbourhood, creating many great family memories and a connection to the community that continues today. A huge thank you to everyone who organized the Block Party, everyone who stopped to chat, and all those who work throughout the year to make West Willow Woods such a welcoming and connected community. Great neighbourhoods are built by great people—and Ward 3 has plenty of them!
September 16, 2026
Is the Guelph Election being stolen? Some signs sure are!
Marty was interviewed by CTV today about signs disappearing and being damaged in Guelph. We’ve seen a number of election signs around Ward 3 damaged or removed — including some of ours. But this really isn’t about Marty’s signs. It’s about respecting every neighbour’s right to support the candidate of their choice. Whether there’s a Marty-for-3 sign on your lawn, another candidate’s sign, or no sign at all, we’re still neighbours. Elections should be about ideas, conversations, questions and different points of view — not damaged or disappearing signs. So let’s debate. Let’s disagree. Let’s ask tough questions. And let’s do it with the kindness and respect that makes Guelph such a great community. Because when the election is over, we’ll all still be neighbours.
September 15, 2026
A Bridge way too far…Over Budget?
Marty Williams believes Guelph should invest in great infrastructure — we also need to ensure taxpayers are getting the best value for every dollar spent. The new Emma Street bridge cost approximately $6.5 million. Compare that with the Niska Road Bridge at approximately $2.4 million, or a recent bridge project in Tillsonburg — more than 100 metres long — that reportedly came in at approximately $2.7 million. So Marty is asking a pretty simple question: Why can’t Guelph do this? Why does such a bridge need to cost Guelph taxpayers $6.5 million? Could we have achieved the same objective with a simpler, more cost-effective design? And what can we learn from municipalities? This is exactly what SMARTER. means in Marty’s Better. Smarter. Fairer. approach to City Council. Look at the numbers. Ask the questions. Compare best practices. And make sure every taxpayer dollar works as hard as the people who earned it.
September 10, 2026
A Big Vision for Guelph’s Green Future
Marty recently sat down with Brian Skerrett of Urban Park Guelph to talk about an exciting vision: transforming the former Guelph Reformatory lands into the heart of a National Urban Park — protecting an extraordinary piece of Guelph while connecting it with trails, waterways and other green spaces across our city. Marty is fully supportive of the vision and looks forward to working with Brian and the many community partners who are championing it. This is the kind of big-picture thinking Marty believes Guelph needs — bringing people together around a great idea that can benefit our community today while creating an incredible legacy for generations to come.
August 25, 2026
Recognized for years of service
Marty Williams' decades of volunteer leadership with the Hillside Festival were recognized by the Province of Ontario, honouring his longstanding commitment to one of Guelph's most celebrated community events. For more than 35 years as a volunteer, including over a decade serving on the Board of Directors, Marty has helped strengthen a festival that brings people together through music, culture, and community. His dedication reflects a lifelong belief that strong communities are built by people who step forward, volunteer, and give back.
August 9, 2026
Economic Benefits of Community Events
Marty believes that community events like the Hillside Festival are far more than economic drivers—they are investments in the social fabric of Guelph. They bring people together, strengthen neighbourhood connections, support local artists and businesses, and create meaningful experiences that contribute to the mental health and well-being of residents. Marty believes City Council must look beyond spreadsheets and recognize that supporting community events is an investment in building a healthier, more connected, and more vibrant Guelph.
August 4, 2026
Marty’s Leadership with the Hillside Festival
For more than 35 years, Marty Williams has proudly volunteered with the Hillside Festival, helping one of Guelph's most celebrated community events thrive and grow. As a member of the Hillside Festival Board of Directors for more than a decade, he has provided steady leadership, strategic guidance, and a deep commitment to ensuring the festival's long-term success. Marty's dedication reflects his belief that strong communities are built by people who step forward, volunteer, and work together to create lasting opportunities for arts, culture, and community connection.
July 30, 2026
Marty speaks with the Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs
At the Ontario BIA Conference, Marty had the opportunity to speak directly with Ontario's Minister of Rural Affairs about a growing challenge facing many communities. As cities expand outward through new subdivisions, traditional downtowns often face many of the same challenges as rural communities—competing for investment, maintaining local businesses, and preserving their unique identity. Marty believes governments need to recognize these realities and ensure downtowns receive the support they need to remain the heart of their communities. Strong downtowns build strong cities.
June 28, 2026
Why are main streets so important?
A strong Main Street means a strong city.Local shops, restaurants, services, and entrepreneurs create jobs, attract investment, support community events, and make our neighbourhoods vibrant places to live. When our downtown and Main Streets thrive, the benefits ripple throughout the entire community. That's why supporting local businesses isn't just good for business—it's good for Guelph.
When Main Street does well, the whole city does well.
June 26, 2026
Why isn’t Guelph doing this?
Did you know Ontario municipalities can provide significant property tax relief to small businesses through the Small Business Property Tax Subclass Program? The Province created the program to give municipalities flexibility to support local businesses and Main Streets through targeted property tax reductions. Marty believes Guelph should explore every available tool to support local entrepreneurs, independent businesses, and neighbourhood commercial districts. If other communities are taking advantage of opportunities that help small businesses succeed, we should be asking: Why isn't Guelph doing this too?
June 25, 2026
What’s Marty doing in Southampton?
As a member of the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association Board, Marty regularly meets with community leaders from across Ontario to learn what's working in other municipalities.
The best ideas don't always start in Guelph. By listening, learning, and bringing proven solutions home, Marty believes we can build a Better, Smarter, and Fairer Guelph for everyone.
June 24, 2026
Marty for 3 Launch Party Welcome and Speech by Marty Williams
What an afternoon! The energy, the conversations, the laughter and the incredible support reminded Marty exactly why he is running. Ward 3 deserves leadership that listens, practical solutions that work and a community that comes together.
Thank you to everyone who Joined the Marty Party! Let’s keep building something special
June 8, 2026
Join the Marty Party - June 7th
You’re invited to join us as we officially kick off Marty Williams’ campaign for Ward 3 Councilor!
Sunday, June 7, 2026
2:00 – 5:00 PM
Fixed Gear - Alma St. Tap Room & Patio
This will be a great opportunity to connect, meet the team, and hear more about Marty’s vision for Ward 3.
Marty for 3 Campaign Launches
Marty Williams is proud to officially launch his campaign for Ward 3 City Councilor, bringing together a passionate team committed to building a stronger future for the community though better leadership, smarter decisions, and fairer representation. The MARTY FOR 3 campaign is focused on listening to residents, protecting what makes Guelph special, and working together to build a Better, Smarter, Fairer, Ward 3.
May 15, 2026
It’s Official
After decades of community leadership, volunteer service, and advocacy for local residents and businesses, Marty Williams officially threw his hat into the ring on May 1, 2026, announcing his candidacy for City Councilor in Ward 3. Rooted in a commitment to leadership, smarter decision-making, and fair representation, Marty is ready to bring his experience, energy, and community-first approach to City Hall.
May 1, 2026