More from Marty…
June 28, 2026
I was recently in beautiful Southampton ON for an Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) board meeting. It was good to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from across the province and learn about struggles and solutions that other towns and cities are working on. We have so much in common with each other; when it comes to issues such as affordability, public engagement and accountability, homelessness and other social issues. Guelph is far from unique.
I had a chance to meet with the Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, and make the case that historic commercial districts on main streets in villages, towns, small cities, and big urban areas really have a lot in common. The issues they face are consistent even though the municipalities that surround them are quite varied in size. I told her that it would be great to have a Minister of Main Streets to focus her government’s engagement with the sector and, to my surprise, she told me it was a good idea.
Southampton is a tourist destination; it comes to life in the summer and doubles in population. The businesses thrive for a short time and survive through the rest of the year. And yet they are resilient. They recently had a construction disruption and most made it through to the other side. They have the tallest flagpole in Ontario at the end of their main street, and legendary sunsets over lake Huron. And so people come, take pictures, go shopping, have dinner, and watch soccer in the pubs. In other words, attractions attract people. It’s simple economic development. So what’s our flagpole? What brings people to Guelph? Are we doing enough to promote it and what can we do better?
Stay tuned for more on this.
June 14, 2026
Running for City Council has, so far, been a blast. People have been very gracious, encouraging, and have gone out of their way to wish me well. Those small gestures mean a lot when you put yourself out there; they add up. It makes me believe that I have made the right decision.
At the launch of the campaign event, old friends, neighbours, business acquaintances, folks I know from Habitat for Humanity, the Hillside Festival, and my work in Downtown Guelph came by to celebrate with me. I hope that they discovered or rediscovered the central reason I have decided to be a candidate: my deep love for this city. I spoke about my grandparents, my father, my own adventures here, and the birth of my son at Guelph General. I also said that community connection is good but not entirely sufficient to sit on council. There has to be more.
I have spent years reading, analyzing and responding to council reports, helping to develop positions, and proposing amendments to make Guelph a better place.
I want to take all of that to the next level. We need a council that is better, smarter and fairer.
The launch event at Fixed Gear in the heart of Ward 3, was just the beginning. It makes my heart happy to know what fantastic support I have, a committed core team and a base of volunteers that is growing every day.
There is a long runway to October 26 when the election takes place. I hope you will follow me along this journey as we release more detailed policy statements that reflect what I am hearing from the voters.
I hope you will help get the word out and encourage your friends and neighbours to sign up to receive our campaign newsletter….just click the “get involved” button above and fill out the form with your email and indicate request for updates.