Ward 1 it has been an honour to serve as your councilor since 2014.  We’ve accomplished a lot together and on October 22nd I ask for your support again.

THE CANDIDATE: Dan’s formal education includes a B.Sc. from Trent University and a Masters in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto. Professionally, he is a Senior Environmental Scientist working in natural sciences and renewable energy. By design, his career has been built in both the private and public sector, always focusing on sustainable development and seeking innovative ways to resolve complex issues. This is highlighted by his professional experience;

* Guest lecturer at Carleton University’s School of Environment;

* Published author of industry leading Best Management Practices for the hydroelectric industry;

* Chair of the Canadian Hydropower Associations national working group on Fisheries policy;

* Experienced in over 50 provincial and federal Environmental Assessments across Canada;

* Delegations before Federal Parliamentary Standing Committees on topics related to wildlife conservation, species at risk and the Federal Fisheries Act;

* In 2017, appointed to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Species At Risk Advisory Committee (SARAC);

* First elected to Guelph City Council in 2014 | Ward 1

* 2016 appointed as Chair of the Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Committee (IDE) for the City of Guelph.

Dan’s professional career necessitates that he works with stakeholders from all viewpoints in order to balance the many social, economic and environmental aspects of complex issues.

On a personal note, Dan and his wife Katherine are committed financial partners of Lakeside Hope House in Downtown Guelph. They are also firm believers in the foundational benefits of affordable home ownership and Katherine currently serves as Chair of the Board for Habitat for Humanity (Wellington/Dufferin/Guelph).

THE PLATFORM: The realities of housing affordability, raising a family and retiring in a modern City like Guelph have changed dramatically over the past 20 years, and I believe these realities need to be reflected on City Council.

To speak on behalf of all residents who are proud to call Guelph home and who, like my family, are buying their first home, paying down a mortgage, paying property taxes, have children in daycare, sports, programs and/or University, are supporting aging parents or are retired and on fixed incomes. Supporting residents has been my priority in my first term on council and will continue to be my focus moving forward. If re-elected I will:

* bring prudent, responsible financial oversight focussed on service delivery and value to Ward 1 and Guelph Residents;

* bring strong, independent and accountable decision making;

* maintain a focus on municipal issues and will push back on Guelph City Council becoming a platform for Provincial and Federal political debates;

* continue advocating stronger relationships with our regional partners and surrounding communities;

* continue advocating for and supporting Guelph’s local small business and entrepreneurial culture;

* continue advocating for East End Services and the Reconstruction of York Road;

* continue advocating for the redevelopment of the Ward IMICO property and a Ward Neighborhood Trail to promote alternative modes of active transportation;

* continue advocating for the Baker Street redevelopment in Downtown Guelph including construction of a new main Library;

* promoting public safety initiatives and increased police presence in our downtown;

* champion Guelph’s leadership role in energy and water conservation as well as environmental stewardship; and

* continue proactive engagement through regular Town Hall meetings, two way communication, and social media.

In summary, I believe municipal government is intensely local and that strong, transparent and independent councillors are what’s needed at City Hall. Like so many others, I am motivated by the belief that to live and raise a family in Guelph means to invest in Guelph; not just through taxes and fees but also through time and service to our community. On that note, my wife Katherine and I live in Ward 1, we’re raising our two boys (Luke and Marcus) here, and it’s been an honor to serve our community in this role since 2014.

Learn more at www.ward1Guelph.ca, “Ward News Guelph” on Facebook, email at DanGibson.Guelph@Gmail.com or @DanGibsonCllr on Twitter and Instagram

Greetings Friends,

A sincere thanks to the hundreds of Guelph families who have been reaching out to me on this issue since June.  I’m having informative and supportive conversations on a daily basis with residents who are sharing their stories with me and are motivated to help bring some reasonableness to the driveway issue in our City.

Many have been asking how they can help, so here’s goes…..

On Monday July 23rd Council will take the initial vote on the motion.  It’s largely an administrative vote (no debate) but it is essential to getting the issue of a Driveway Width Bylaw Review onto our September council agenda.  If the vote fails on Monday, the agenda item does not move forward.  It’s that simple.  If the vote passes however, the motion then proceeds to the September meeting where council will hear from the public, debate the motion and ultimately rule on the recommendation.

That’s why I need your support this weekend. If you haven’t already done so, please consider emailing your Ward councillors expressing your support for the motion.  Please be civil, diplomatic and reasoned.  I’ve been so impressed with the level of decorum shown by our community throughout this process, and I’d be even more proud if we kept it that way.

Councilors email addresses are found here https://guelph.ca/city-hall/mayor-and-council/city-council/

Thank you for your support.

Dan

One of the reasons I continue to champion the concept of Net Zero emissions for our community by 2050 is the “all above the above” energy and environment strategy that it encompasses.  An approach that doesn’t just fix us on certain technologies, but allows a broader conversation that incorporates ecosystem services in our pursuit of Net Zero.

To this point, on Tuesday July 3rd Council received an update on the development of our City’s Natural Heritage Action Plan (NHAP) from staff.  During discussions I drew connections between our NHAP and our 2050 Net Zero target.  Below is a short video highlighting the conversation.

Thanks to all who have contributed to the NHAP to this point and I encourage all those with an interest in energy and the environment to join the conversation.

To learn more about the NHAP you can follow this link and get involved.

https://guelph.ca/plans-and-strategies/natural-heritage-action-plan-2/ 

Greetings Friends,
Thank you to the hundreds of families and residents who have reached out to me on this file.  The support has been overwhelming and we are just getting started.

As you may already know, on Monday June 25th, I introduced the following Notice of Motion to Council calling for the review of our current driveway widths bylaw and pausing of enforcement.

http://www.ward1guelph.ca/2018/06/notice-of-motion-review-of-city-bylaw-1995-14864-suspension-of-enforcement/

This important procedural step now sets council on a decision pathway over the summer.  A pathway that will (hopefully) bring some relief to residents over this issue. The process is as follows.

• June 25 | Notice of Motion appears on the Council Meeting Agenda (complete).
• July 23 | Council will VOTE  on whether or not to refer this item for council debate & decision.
• If passed on July 23, the item will be referred to the council meeting on September 10th for a Final Debate and Decision. 

http://www.ward1guelph.ca/driveway-email-signup/

See CTV News Coverage here.
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1426006 
Thank you for your support!

It’s no secret, Guelph’s original Ward Neighborhood is undergoing a renaissance in redevelopment interest.  From the Metalworks redevelopment at 5 Arthur, to the redevelopment of the Chemtura Property at 120 Huron Street, the Biltmore Hats property on York Road, the potential redevelopment of the W.C. Wood facility on Duke Street and finally, the reclamation and redevelopment of the IMICO lands at 200 Beverley.

But with this investment comes change.  More homes, more residents and more demands on our parking and transportation systems.  That’s why I believe now (more than ever) is the time for forward thinking planning in the Ward.  Specifally, thinking and planning on creating a more integrated transportation strategy specific to the neighborhood, that supports families and provides options for all forms of transportation.

Along these lines see below a geographic look at these redevelopment sites and their proximity to a potential trail corridor along the existing Guelph Junction Railway line (see photos below).  This is a concept that I have begun to engage staff on as the city begins public consultation on updating the Guelph’s Trails Master Plan.

Special thanks to the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT) for providing the map image and their early engagement and support on this exciting file.

I’d love to hear your thoughts Guelph.

Dan.Gibson@guelph.ca

(Photo Courtesy: City of Guelph, 2018)

Just over a week ago Mayor Guthrie and myself, along with Councillor Bell, held a town-hall meeting about a city bylaw from 1995 that has created major conflicts in our community.

To recap, many citizens have been warned through compliance letters, or received summons and ultimately heavy financial penalties for widening their driveways so they can park their car on their own property. Continue reading