Jan

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

After three terms as Mayor of Guelph, I have decided not to seek re-election this October. I will step aside and pass the baton to the leader our voters choose.

Serving in this role has been an honour and a joy, which made this decision incredibly difficult. Yet I am also at peace with it. Most importantly, it has the full support of my amazing wife Rachel and our children.

As a person of faith, I thank God, who I believe has guided me every step of this journey since the beginning. Today, I feel the same prompting toward a new chapter, one whose path isn’t fully clear, but one I know will be exciting.

Announcing early allows for a smooth transition. Important files and initiatives continue even during an election, and I want to help steer them to completion while working collaboratively with whoever is elected.

I am deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together. With the support from staff, councillors, and our community, some highlights for me include:
• Rebuilding and restoring relationships with other levels of government
• Improving communication and engagement so residents are better informed
• Protecting taxpayers’ dollars and ensuring every dollar delivers real value
• Advancing supportive housing to help those experiencing homelessness 
• Welcoming new businesses and newcomers, and celebrating Guelph’s growth and increased economic development through countless ribbon-cuttings – I will always cherish these interactions
The new South End Community Centre, opening by the end of this term, will be a fantastic addition for so many families.

A few special moments stand out as especially meaningful:
• Reintroducing the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Market Square
• Shutting down Carden Street to celebrate the Raptors’ NBA championship with 2,000 fans jumping for joy
• Opening the Veterans Crosswalk, a reminder to honour those who sacrificed for our freedoms

I will stay fully engaged for the remaining months of my term, leading with the same energy and enthusiasm I’ve always brought to this role. My focus remains on what I believe matters most: public safety, respecting taxpayers’ dollars, building homes, and—hopefully—bringing a few laughs along the way.

Thank you, Guelph. I feel truly blessed every single day to have served you as I worked towards shaping our city into a place we’re all proud to call home.

With gratitude,

Cam Guthrie

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

Let’s cut through the noise shall we? Today it’s about the tired, old, every four year claim that “The Mayor and Councillors are giving themselves a raise!”

This is flat-out false — Here’s the facts, myth by myth, straight up, before the staff report heads to our committee meeting next week.

Myth #1: “They gave themselves a raise!”
Fact: The vote hasn’t even happened yet! So, how is that even possible? No one has “given” anyone anything. If approved by Council, any changes apply only to the next term of council (2026-2030), for whoever voters elect after October 2026. Current council gets zero from this. Period.

Myth #2: “These increases will jack up property taxes!”
Fact: The proposed impact—if anything passes—is 0.08%. That’s negligible in the grand scheme, and it wouldn’t hit until the next term anyway. Yes, it’s all taxpayers money - I never forget that. But these approved policies are not budget bombs and surprises that are unbudgetted for. No need for fear-mongering here.

Myth #3: “The process is shady—they’re rigging it for themselves!”
Fact: Guelph’s process is actually a model other municipalities envy (some are even eyeing it for themselves). Unlike many places—including other cities and upper levels of government—where elected officials directly vote themselves raises during their term, Guelph does it differently and better:
• Our policy comes forward in the last year of the current term and requires a review.
• Recommendations compare us to similar Ontario cities and tie it to our non-union employee group.
• Guelph sits at the 55th percentile—smack in the middle, neither highest nor lowest.
• Council votes on rates that apply only to future successful candidates. Transparent, and future-focused.
• It settles the salaries in advance of the official start of anyone choosing to become a candidate for the upcoming election. Anyone contemplating a mayoral or councillor role deserves to know what is being offered so they can make a fully informed decision. That’s only fair. You’d want to know that too before you started a job.

Myth #4: “But they’re still giving themselves a raise—it’s the same people!”
Fact: Nope, and history proves it. Last term, four councillors voted for this exact policy framework… then chose not to run again. Did they pocket a raise? Of course not—they were gone. Another councillor voted yes but lost their re-election bid. Zero personal gain.

Full disclosure: Regardless of the above, I’ll be voting AGAINST the recommendation for the proposed 10% increase for the 2026-2030 mayoral job rate at the upcoming meeting. The job rate and salary was frozen for this current term, and I believe the current rate is acceptable for whoever the successful mayoral candidate may be for 2026-2030 term. I believe that in the middle of an affordability crisis, where all signs point to this crisis continuing for some time, I must prioritize residents’ wallets over any pay adjustments—no matter how “future-focused” or “mid-percentile” they are pitched. I will continue, as I always have, to set the tone for lowering taxes and providing as much relief for residents as possible.

Take care,
Cam

Read the actual report yourself: https://t.co/z1jkFDAzSP.

[Chris Tomlin @christomlin]

So honored to lead a moment of worship at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service…Jesus was proclaimed so boldly…

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@JustinTrudeau You make me sick.

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@GrayMarker99 Amazing photos Mark! As always ❤️

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@JustinTrudeau @FierteMTLPride How blasphemous can you get?😑

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

A photo of my grandpa (on left) with his friend both 14 years old hanging out with their bikes at his house on Park Ave here in #Guelph. Interesting to think they’d both be in WW2 about four years later.

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@CamGuthrie What a great photo Cam! Love grandpa and uncle Bill. ❤️

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

A beautiful showing of solidarity by lighting up #Guelph City Hall in blue and white to grieve and stand with our local Jewish community and Israel over the senseless acts of terrorism. 🇮🇱

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

Starting tonight #Guelph will be lighting up Market Square at City Hall to stand in solidarity with #Israel & our local Jewish community after the Hamas terror attacks killing, injuring & kidnapping innocent Israelis & civilians from other countries, including Canada.

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

The “strong mayor” system is something legislated & given to the city of #Guelph as of July 1st. There are basically three areas where a mayor can either “retain” or “delegate” these powers.
1. Ability to hire or fire the CAO
2. Ability to reorganize departments and department heads/managers inside city hall.
3. Appoint committee chairs & vice chairs.
As of July 1st, these powers are not ones I will be retaining. In other words, I’ll be using my newfound powers to delegate them to all of council and the CAO.
The other parts of the legislation, are just that - parts of the legislation that are in-place with no decision of “retain” or “delegate” -
1. A veto over a bylaw or to try to pass a bylaw with only 4 councillors and so on….
➡️ Very troublesome and divisive among council.
2. I could also bring forward any matter I deem urgent to any meeting without notice.
➡️ Transparency is lost if this is used with eliminating participation from citizens. There’s other ways of doing this anyways.
3. The tabling of the budget is also now directly through the mayor.
➡️ I’ve made it clear to staff that it should be aligned to our upcoming approved council strategic plan and continuing with a multi-year budget (which is best practice).
People can be upset with strong mayor powers all they want but it is what it is.
To repeat:
1. Collaboration & respect of all members of council is key and a #TeamGuelph approach.
2. This Council has so far approved every housing development that’s come forward and I’m impressed to hear all members wishing to continue in this way, because we need all types of housing.
3. Diminishing the role of a councillor isn’t right. (I was one once). No mayor knows everything about every issue that comes before them.
4. The municipal sector is vying for top talent, and I want them in #Guelph! Someone looking for a job should know they’re entering a culture and workforce that isn’t based on the whim of whatever the Mayor feels like that day.
5. Our credit rating has increased twice over the last two terms to a AAA credit rating and some of that is due to moving towards a multi-year budget process. No Mayor should want to ruin that trajectory we’re on from a fiscal standpoint. Professional staff in our financial department alongside council and the mayor should find balance in the way a budget is not only presented but ultimately approved.
6. Skipping the proper notice and/or possible engagement on any issue I wish to discuss on any agenda flies in the face of transparency and citizen involvement. There are other ways in which any issue I want to discuss can be brought forward quickly but allow for proper process to be conducted.
7. Yes, there were examples in the last term of council where these powers could have been used, but this council is different and I’m happy about that. Guelph should be too. We’re working well together, overall, we’re aligned on the issues facing the city. So, let’s keep at it.
So, there you have it. The vast majority of people seem to be upset with the overall legislation and not directly at me, which I understand and appreciate. I personally appreciate some saying as such publicly. For those that somehow needed this clarity, here you have it.
Now, the best thing we could do for our city is literally stop worrying about legislation we have no control over anyways, and figure out how to approve more homes and get more jobs in our city and all the other good stuff we’re doing!
That’s what I’m focused on prior to July 1st and will be after July 1st. Let’s get to work.

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@dave__whiteside Lol 😂 just wait

[Jann “stop live horse export” Arden @jannarden]

I hope you get old

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

Good morning #Guelph!
Thanks again for your trust in me these last 8 years! I’m looking forward to the next 4!
Many thanks to @BoringOldRach, @Anakin_Guthrie & @TheAdelaideGu3 for love & support.
Now let’s do what all loving political families adore & pick up lawn signs. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

It’s in you hands now #Guelph!

[Cam Guthrie @ReElectCam]

It’s here #Guelph! Voting Day!
To find the nearest location go to this link: https://t.co/PmfqulGN35 #ReElectCam

[WFAA @wfaa]

REST IN PEACE, XAVIER LOPEZ.

We're learning more about the victims of the Uvalde school shooting, and 10-year-old Xavier's family shared this picture of him. His mother attended his awards ceremony at school shortly before the shooting.

Latest updates: https://t.co/VgPBEX9r0Q

[Mayor Cam Guthrie @CamGuthrie]

Okay #Guelph, what’s your take?
Fireworks are becoming a nuisance. Scaring the heck out of four-legged friends and causing property damage to neighbouring homes & so on…Perhaps it’s time to have them only allowed in neighbourhood parks.

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

Taylor Hawkins, the drummer for American rock outfit Foo Fighters, has died at the age of 50, according to a statement from the band https://t.co/MIPXhnhAH4

[Jan @JaniceDouma]

@dave__whiteside 💛Boomer