Collaborative, working relationships don’t involve name-calling or attempts at shaming others.
Those are the words of Mayor Cam Guthrie, who publicly spoke out Tuesday for the first time since Premier Doug Ford labelled Guelph city council a bunch of “left-wing lunatics.”
“The last couple weeks have seen some unnecessary and somewhat strained relationships with the province, particularly some commentary from the premier,” Guthrie said, referring to Ford’s comments during Question Period late last month.
“The 13 of us (on city council) are a direct representation of the citizens of Guelph who voted to put us here,” Guthrie continued. “So in a way, calling my colleagues ‘left-wing lunatics’ is actually saying that the very people who voted for us are the same.
“The reality is there are people in this city that voted PC in the last provincial election and those same people voted for us as well.”
Ford’s comments came in response to a question from MPP Mike Schreiner, who sought a commitment from the provincial government to fulfill its promise to make municipalities financially whole in the provincially imposed reductions to various fees collected from new developers.
“It takes multiple players to build housing. One of those players is the province,” Guthrie stated on Tuesday, adding that not only is Guelph “top of class” when it comes to new housing starts in the province, the current council has approved every development application its been presented with.
“I believe we have been consistent, reasonable, available and focused on addressing the housing crisis here in our city,” the mayor said. “Come and meet us, meet with our staff, come meet with the people of Guelph and we will get housing done without having to resort to name-calling against each other.”
