MEET THE CANDIDATES: Mayor, Cam Guthrie

GuelphToday asked those running for city council in the Oct. 22 municipal election to supply a brief biography and outline their platform and/or why they are running.

THE PERSON: Cam Guthrie was elected Mayor of Guelph in 2014, after serving as a Councillor for Ward 4 from 2010 to 2014.

Cam is well known for his accessible, honest and transparent communication style – ‘just call me Cam.' He is easily reachable by phone, email or social media and enjoys interacting directly with citizens.

Before becoming mayor, Cam was a licensed insurance broker and local entrepreneur for 16 years. Cam’s roots in Guelph stretch back to 1919, when his great-grandfather founded Guthrie’s Bakery on Quebec Street in downtown Guelph.

An avid community volunteer, Cam has served on the boards of several local not-for-profit organizations, and he has mentored start-ups and small business owners through the Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington. He holds a business diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College. In 2008, the Guelph Mercury named him one of the city’s top “40 Under 40.”

An accomplished drummer, Cam has been a member of local bands, played on several studio recordings, and produced or co-produced several albums. He is a loyal fan of the Guelph Gryphons, the Guelph Royals and the Guelph Storm.

In his spare time you might catch Cam admiring vintage and retro finds at local thrift shops and garage sales, a passion that he shares with his family.

Cam and his wife of 19 years, Rachel, are proud parents of two children, Anakin and Adelaide.

THE PLATFORM: In 2014, I became mayor with a clear mandate to clean up financial mismanagement and waste at city hall, while ushering in a new, open-for-business attitude.

It has been my honour and pleasure to serve our city, and four years later I’m proud to report millions saved in efficiencies and future cost avoidances and millions invested in local businesses and jobs in our community.

While I believe that city hall has become more transparent and fiscally responsible to citizens, I know there is still work to be done.

Every day, I speak to residents concerned about crimes like bike thefts, car break-ins, downtown safety and indecent acts in our parks and green spaces. These concerns are real and serious, and I do not take this lightly. A stronger, safer community requires the whole community.

We must work with community groups and other levels of government to invest in programs to address mental illness and addiction issues. We must look out for our neighbours and invest in our police service to provide a stronger front-line response.

Over the past four years I have focused on ensuring that municipal tax dollars are spent on municipal issues. We have invested in local infrastructure like roads and sidewalks in every corner of our city. We also initiated service reviews to ensure programs are being delivered in the most efficient and effective way possible. The program has completed reviews of waste management and boulevard maintenance, uncovering more than $1 million in efficiencies. A much-needed review of transit is underway.

Guelph is on the right track!

To ensure we continue to make progress on these important issues, I propose a 6-pilar strategy to deliver A Stronger, Safer Community.

Neighbourhood Public Safety and Crime Prevention

• Recommend an immediate investment of up to $750,000 per year to the Guelph Police Service for new officers, technology or prevention programs to address property thefts, drugs and speeding in our neighbourhoods. 

Local Infrastructure

• Continue to invest in local roads, sidewalks and active transportation.

Community Assets

• Break ground on the South End Community Centre in 2019.

• Ensure the downtown Baker Street redevelopment project moves forward with the new Main Library.

• Proactively set aside money to fund Guelph’s share of the much-needed Guelph Hospital expansion for increased health services and a new state of the art emergency room and triage.

• Continue to protect and grow Guelph’s urban forest and tree canopy.

• Create fenced in dog parks across our city.

Affordable Communities

• Expand and enhance transit routes and times to employment areas.

• Review policies to encourage affordable development and design through a range of housing options.

Service Reviews

• Continue internal service reviews to ensure value for money and improve service efficiency and effectiveness.

• Support transit service review recommendations.

Continued Leadership

• Bring back accessible and secure online voting for the 2022 municipal election.

• Eliminate single-use plastics at city-owned facilities.

These issues may not be glamorous, but they are important.

Over the past eight years I have spoken with thousands of residents, business owners and community builders. Everyone agrees that Guelph is a wonderful place to build a life and be part of a community, but we must work together to make it stronger and safer.

You have my commitment that I will continue to treat your tax dollars with respect.

As always, you can find me by phone, email or on social media. I strongly believe in being accessible to you – the citizens of our great city!

On October 22, 2018 I hope I can count on your vote for A Stronger, Safer Community.  Learn more at www.CamGuthrie.ca.