Forms filed. And so it begins...
May 2, 2026
Mayoral Campaign Diary: Part II
The easy part is over! Filled out the forms, got the 25 signatures, filed the papers, paid the deposit, and the campaign for future mayor is now officially official. During the process of filing my nomination papers, I ran into two different candidates doing the same thing, and I stopped to chat with one and waved from a distance in a gesture of solidarity with the other. Around the same time, Guelph Police escorted a local political agitator out of the City Hall lobby who had been causing a disturbance. Intimidation of those running for office has no place in the upcoming election.
Anyone who puts their name on a ballot has my, and deserves your, full respect.
Elect Respect
I can say without hesitation that the vibe of local politics has changed in the last decade, and not in a good way. Guelph is better than most. Recent toxic behaviour in Pickering is indicative of rising political extremism. Read about the experiences of other elected leaders in Ontario. I can’t say why this is happening. I have my theories, but I think it’s a combination of many factors, including but not limited to:
- social media and online anonymity
- world and US political culture
- financial and employment stressors
- media amplification (conflict sells)
We already know there will be at least three new faces on the next council (empty seats in Wards 1, 3 and 5). Change is good. Last election, four new voices joined the horseshoe. They added a fresh lens and invigorated our debates. They asked questions and challenged past practices. They inspired me and recharged my batteries. A healthy organization should actively encourage turnover and new perspectives, while at the same time, experienced colleagues add stability and mentorship. It’s a delicate balance.
That being said, election campaigns by their very nature are competitive. Everyone is vying for a spot on the team. And if you make the team, you have to play side by side with the people you competed against. Every player has earned their position, but the team is one.
Sports analogy aside, an election campaign is also like a job interview. Have you ever walked into an interview and dissed the predecessor, or your future co-workers? It’s not a good look. You can tell a lot about a candidate by how they behave on the campaign trail.
Which brings me to the “Elect Respect” initiative. In response to rising levels of harassment in 2022, the Elect Respect movement was born. In short, it is a pledge signed by candidates and their volunteers to uphold high standards of integrity and behaviour during the election campaigns and while in office. Many Guelph candidates (including me) signed the pledge in 2022.
I invite all candidates in the upcoming election to sign the pledge.