Guelph

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This article is about the city. For the electoral district, see Guelph (electoral district). For other meanings, see Guelph (disambiguation).
Guelph
Independent city
View of Guelph downtown with Gordon St. and Church of Our Lady Immaculate pictured
View of Guelph downtown with Gordon St. and Church of Our Lady Immaculate pictured
Flag of Guelph
Flag
Coat of arms of Guelph
Coat of arms
Official logo of Guelph
Nickname: 
The Royal City
Motto(s): 
Faith, Fidelity and Progress
Country Canada
Province Ontario
CountyWellington County (independent)
City Wards6
FoundedApril 23, 1827
IncorporatedApril 23, 1879
Government
 • MayorKaren Farbridge
2006-Present
 • Governing BodyGuelph City Council
 • MPsFrank Valeriote (LPC)
2008-Present
 • MPPsLiz Sandals (OLP)
2003-Present
Area
[1][2]
 • Land86.72 km2 (33.48 sq mi)
 • Urban
78.39 km2 (30.27 sq mi)
 • Metro
378.45 km2 (146.12 sq mi)
Elevation
334 m (1,096 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1][2]
 • Independent city121,688
 • Density1,325.5/km2 (3,433/sq mi)
 • Urban
121,688
 • Urban density1,475.1/km2 (3,820/sq mi)
 • Metro
141,097
 • Metro density335.6/km2 (869/sq mi)
DemonymGuelphite
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code span
N1C, N1E, N1G, N1H, N1K, N1L
Area code(s)519, 226
Websitewww.guelph.ca

Guelph (/[invalid input: 'icon']ˈɡwɛlf/; Canada 2011 Census population 121,668)[1] is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly 28 kilometres (17 mi) east of Waterloo and 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of downtown Toronto at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 7. It is the seat of Wellington County, but is politically independent of it. Because of its low crime rates, clean environment and generally high standard of living, Guelph is consistently rated as one of the country's best places to live.[3][4] Guelph has been noted as having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country throughout the 2008–2012 global recession,[5] and has ranked at the bottom of Canada's crime severity list for the past five years.[6]

The name Guelph comes from the Italian Guelfo and the Bavarian-Germanic Welf. It is a reference to the reigning British monarch at the time Guelph was founded, King George IV, whose family was from the House of Hanover, a younger branch of the House of Welf. [7]

History

Before colonization, the area was considered by the surrounding indigenous communities to be a "neutral" zone. On selected dates members from these communities would meet and trade goods by the Speed River.[citation needed]

Guelph was selected as the headquarters of British development firm "the Canada Company" by its first superintendent John Galt, a popular Scottish novelist who designed the town to attract settlers to it and the surrounding countryside.[8] Galt designed the town to resemble a European city centre, complete with squares, broad main streets and narrow side streets, resulting in a variety of block sizes and shapes which are still in place today.[9] The street plan was laid out in a radial street and grid system that branches out from the down-town[citation needed], a technique which was also employed in other planned towns of this era, such as Buffalo, New York.)[8]

An 1855 map of Guelph

The Canada Company established Guelph in 1827 to serve as the company's headquarters during the development of the Huron Tract, although town later came into its own as a prosperous railway and industrial centre.[10] Guelph was founded on St. George's Day, April 23, 1827, the feast day of the patron saint of England.[9] The town was named to honour Britain's royal family, the Hanoverians, who were descended from the Guelfs, the ancestral family of George IV, the reigning British monarch; thus the nickname The Royal City. The directors of the Canada Company had actually wanted the city to be named Goderich, but reluctantly accepted the fait accompli.

Guelph was the home of North America's first cable TV system. Fredrick T. Metcalf created MacLean Hunter Television (now part of Rogers Communications) and their first broadcast was Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953.[7]

Guelph's police force had Canada's first municipal motorcycle patrol. Chief Ted Lamb brought back an army motorcycle he used during the First World War. Motorcycles were faster and more efficient than walking.[7]

The city is home to the University of Guelph and Sleeman Breweries Ltd.. The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the oldest part of University of Guelph, began in 1873 as an associate agricultural college of the University of Toronto.

Guelph is home to three National Historic Sites of Canada: the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, McCrae House and Old City Hall.[11]

Geography and climate

Topography and water courses

Downtown Guelph is situated above the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa, which have numerous tributaries. The Speed River enters from the north and the Eramosa River from the east; the two rivers meet below downtown and continue southwest. There are also many creeks and rivers creating large tracts of densely forested ravines, and providing ideal sites for parks and recreational trails. The city is built on many drumlins and buried waterways, the most famous being an underground creek flowing below the Albion Hotel, once the source of water used to brew beer.

Climate

Climate data for Guelph Arboretum
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.9
(57.0) 		13.5
(56.3) 		23.5
(74.3) 		29.2
(84.6) 		31.6
(88.9) 		36.2
(97.2) 		36.5
(97.7) 		33.9
(93.0) 		32.6
(90.7) 		25.2
(77.4) 		20.6
(69.1) 		19.1
(66.4) 		36.5
(97.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −3.7
(25.3) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		3.4
(38.1) 		11.3
(52.3) 		18.5
(65.3) 		23.3
(73.9) 		25.9
(78.6) 		24.5
(76.1) 		19.8
(67.6) 		12.8
(55.0) 		6.2
(43.2) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		11.6
(52.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −7.6
(18.3) 		−6.9
(19.6) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		5.9
(42.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		16.9
(62.4) 		19.7
(67.5) 		18.6
(65.5) 		14.1
(57.4) 		7.9
(46.2) 		2.4
(36.3) 		−4
(25) 		6.5
(43.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −11.4
(11.5) 		−11.1
(12.0) 		−6
(21) 		0.5
(32.9) 		6.0
(42.8) 		10.6
(51.1) 		13.5
(56.3) 		12.6
(54.7) 		8.4
(47.1) 		3.0
(37.4) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		1.4
(34.5)
Record low °C (°F) −34.4
(−29.9) 		−31.7
(−25.1) 		−26.8
(−16.2) 		−11.4
(11.5) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		3.3
(37.9) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		−5
(23) 		−8.3
(17.1) 		−15.1
(4.8) 		−30.4
(−22.7) 		−34.4
(−29.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 56.4
(2.22) 		50.8
(2.00) 		72.1
(2.84) 		78.3
(3.08) 		79.9
(3.15) 		76.0
(2.99) 		88.5
(3.48) 		95.9
(3.78) 		92.1
(3.63) 		69.2
(2.72) 		86.3
(3.40) 		77.7
(3.06) 		923.2
(36.35)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 17.6
(0.69) 		22.1
(0.87) 		46.9
(1.85) 		71.5
(2.81) 		79.9
(3.15) 		76.0
(2.99) 		88.5
(3.48) 		95.9
(3.78) 		92.1
(3.63) 		67.5
(2.66) 		75.3
(2.96) 		38.1
(1.50) 		771.4
(30.37)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 45.8
(18.0) 		33.1
(13.0) 		25.8
(10.2) 		6.3
(2.5) 		0.1
(0.0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.5
(0.6) 		9.7
(3.8) 		38.5
(15.2) 		160.6
(63.2)
Source: Environment Canada[12]

The weather and climate of this region of Ontario has cold winters and warm, humid summers, falling into the Köppen climate classification Dfb zone, with moderately high rainfall and snowfall. It is generally a couple of degrees cooler than lower elevation regions on the Great Lakes shorelines, especially so in winter, the exception being on some spring afternoons when the lack of an onshore breeze boosts temperatures well above those found lakeside.

Economy

Guelph boosts the economy from various sectors. This diversity has helped Guelph obtain the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 4.2%[5]

Manufacturing is the leading sector, accounting for 24.3% of employment (2006 census). The second largest industry is Educational services, accounting for 11.3%.[13]

26.1% (90/345) of business in the manufacturing industry are categorized as Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing businesses.[14]

The City of Guelph's Economic Development Strategy identified life science, agri-food and biotechnology firms, environmental management and technology companies as growth industries on which to focus economic development activities.[15]

Guelph's 3 largest employers include Linamar (8000), the University of Guelph (3700), and the Upper Grand District School Board (3400).[13][16]

Demographics

Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Ethnicity group
Source:[17]		 White 97,020 85.0
South Asian 3,820 3.3
Chinese 3,060 2.7
Filipino 1,945 1.7
Southeast Asian 1,600 1.4
Black 1,565 1.4
West Asian 1,050 0.9
Latin American 1,030 0.9
First Nations 785 0.7
Mixed visible minority 630 0.6
Arab 510 0.4
Métis 360 0.3
Other visible minority 230 0.2
Korean 190 0.2
Japanese 165 0.1
Inuit 10 0.0
Total population 114,115 100
Ethnic Origin Population Percent
English 36,975 31.93%
Canadian 36,845 31.82%
Scottish 27,875 24.07%
Irish 24,445 21.11%
German 14,505 12.52%
Italian 11,135 9.61%
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
18411,240—    
18511,860+50.0%
18716,878+269.8%
18819,890+43.8%
189110,537+6.5%
190111,496+9.1%
191115,175+32.0%
192118,128+19.5%
193121,075+16.3%
194123,074+9.5%
195127,386+18.7%
196139,838+45.5%
197160,087+50.8%
198171,207+18.5%
199187,976+23.5%
199695,821+8.9%
2001106,170+10.8%
2006114,943+8.3%
2011121,688+5.9%

Guelph is the fifth fastest growing city in Canada with a population growth rate of about 2% per year. Guelph's population according to the Ontario Places to Grow plan is projected to be about 144,500 by the year 2021. Population varies throughout the year because of variations in the University of Guelph student population.[18]

The 2001 census enumerated 114,943 residents of Guelph. 49.1% were male and 50.9% were female. 6.2% were under five. The average age is 35.7 years of age. Between 1996 and 2001, the population of Guelph grew 10.7%. The 2011 metro population density of Guelph was 335.6 people per square kilometre.

Historically, Guelph's population has been principally British in origin, with 92% in 1880 and 87% in 1921.[8]

Now, some 10 percent of the resident population described themselves as visible minorities, predominantly South Asian mostly of Afghan, Indian and Pakistani origin: 2.43%, Chinese: 2.42%, Black Canadian/African Canadians: 1.25%, and many others including Filipino and Vietnamese. The city is mostly Christian: 74.17%, almost evenly split among Protestants and Roman Catholics. The largest non-Christian religion is Buddhism: 1.45%, followed by Hinduism.[19]

Education

There are two public school boards that operate inside the city. The Upper Grand District School Board administers all of Wellington County, as well as adjacent Dufferin County, while the Wellington Catholic District School Board administers Catholic education in Wellington County, including Guelph. The Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud offers French First language education for students with parents who had elementary and secondary education in French at École Saint-René-Goupil. The Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest, with similar entrance requirements, operates the École élémentaire L'Odyssée.There are also numerous private schools in Guelph: Cornerstone Canadian Reformed Christian School, Crestwicke Christian Academy, Guelph Community Christian School, Guelph Montessori School, Trillium Waldorf School, Wellington Hall Academy, and Wellington Montessori School, Echo Montessori. None of Guelph's schools offer the International Baccalaureate Program, compared to surrounding cities such as Kitchener and Waterloo.

Secondary schools

Due to the presence of two different school boards, Guelph has numerous elementary and secondary schools. The secondary schools are as follows:

Public:

Catholic:

Post-secondary institutions

Public library system

The original Carnegie library in Guelph.

Although a private library had existed since 1832, a public library did not exist in Guelph until 1882, when the Free Libraries Act allowed municipalities to operate libraries. After occupying premises near City Hall, it moved into an Andrew Carnegie-funded building in 1905,[20] which was eventually demolished in 1964. The current main branch building was opened in 1965.[21]

Guelph is served by a growing library system composed of a main branch located in the downtown core, five branches and a Bookmobile. With a membership of over 85,000, the Guelph Public Library system's goals include preserving and indexing public materials relating to the history of Guelph. Although no formal program has been developed, the library acquires municipal records of archival value from the City of Guelph.

Government

Municipal

Old City Hall (Provincial Offences Court) at Night, Guelph, ON
Main article: Guelph City Council

The city is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor-council system. The structure of the municipal government is stipulated by the Ontario Municipal Act of 2001. There are currently 12 councillors and a mayor, with 2 councillors representing each of the six wards.

The mayor and members of the city council serve four-year terms without term limits, with the next election in November 2014. Prior to the 2006 election, the mayor and city councillors served three-year terms.

Guelph City Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analyzing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities.

In 2010, Karen Farbridge defeated former councillor David Birtwistle, 54% to 38% for the mayor position. 8 incumbent councillors were re-elected, 4 rookie councillors were elected, 2 incumbents were defeated, 2 did not seek re-election.

Provincial

Main article: Guelph (provincial electoral district)

Guelph occupies a single provincial riding of the same name, and is currently represented in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by Liz Sandals, a member of the ruling Ontario Liberal Party.

Federal

Main article: Guelph (electoral district)

Guelph also occupies a federal riding of the same name, and has been represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada by Frank Valeriote of the Liberal Party of Canada since 2008.

Culture

Church of Our Lady, above city
Riparian restoration

Historic sites

  • Downtown Guelph: Many downtown streets are lined with Victorian era buildings, which are now well over a century old.
  • Guelph Civic Museum, a museum located near Downtown Guelph. At Guelph Civic Museum one can find pictures, films and other antique materials related to the historic development of the City of Guelph at a 1850- three-story Guelph limestone building.

National Historic Sites

Outdoor attractions

Most of the natural attractions of Guelph are located beside the two rivers which pass inside the city, Speed River and Eramosa River.

  • Guelph Lake
  • University of Guelph Arboretum
  • Riverside Park, located beside the Speed River at north of Guelph
  • York Road Park
  • Hanlon Creek Park (Preservation Park)
  • Royal City Park and Wellington Street nature sites
  • Exhibition Park (the oldest park in Guelph)

Arts facilities

Entertainment

The Sleeman Centre is a sports and entertainment venue in Guelph. The large, modern facility allows for a variety of events such as concerts, sporting and family events, trade shows and conferences, and it is home to the local hockey team, the Guelph Storm.[22]

Music

Music has always played a large part in the lives of people living in Guelph. From a Bell Organ factory to the opera singer Edward Johnson, Guelph has been a source of musical contribution. Today, Guelph is particularly notable for its indie rock scene, which has spawned some of Canada's more notable indie bands. Guelph is also home to the Hillside Festival, a hugely popular music festival held at nearby Guelph Lake during the summer, as well as the Guelph Jazz Festival.[23]

Sports teams

The Guelph Storm at home ice in 2006.
Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Guelph Storm Ontario Hockey League Hockey Sleeman Centre 1991
2
Guelph Royals Intercounty Baseball League Baseball David E. Hastings Stadium at Exhibition Park (Guelph) 1919 8
Guelph Gryphons Canadian Interuniversity Sport University W.F. Mitchell Centre and Alumni Stadium 1874 0
Guelph Regals Ontario Lacrosse Association Lacrosse Victoria Road Recreation Centre 1992 1
Guelph Rangers Kitchener District Soccer League Soccer Centennial Park and Guelph Lake Sports Fields circa 1985 3
Guelph Underdogs SC Conestoga College Indoor Soccer League Soccer Conestoga College Recreational Centre 2004 0
Guelph Hurricanes Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Hockey Sleeman Centre 1963 0
Guelph Bears Ontario Varsity Football League Football John Ross High School and University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium 1997 0
Guelph Gargoyles Ontario Australian Football League Australian Football Magaret Green Park 2001 0
Speed River Track and Field Club Athletics Canada Athletics Alumni Stadium 1997 10

Media

Main article: Media in Guelph

Transportation

Bus

Main article: Guelph Transit

Guelph Transit provides local transportation around the city. On June 20, 2007, Guelph Transit launched a web-based system known as Next Bus.[24] Global positioning satellites (GPS) technology and advanced computer modelling provide riders via the Internet, handheld devices (including Palms, Blackberries, and Web-capable cellular phones), or their telephones to receive accurate, real-time arrival and departure information. Intercity connections by GO Transit and Greyhound Canada are made at the Guelph Central Station.

Rail

Guelph Train Station

Guelph was the first municipality in Canada to have its own federally chartered railway, the Guelph Junction Railway. This 16-mile link to the CPR is still municipally owned.

The following is cited from the 2010 community profile:

"Guelph is also served by both the Canadian National Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway. The City's own Guelph Junction Railway provides industry with freight handling facilities and connections to CNR and CPR. Via Rail provides inter‐city passenger rail service.  On December 19, 2011, GO Transit began commuter train service to Guelph, with 2 trains heading eastbound to Toronto in the morning, and 2 heading westbound in the evenings."[25]

Highways

Twin cities

People

See Category:People from Guelph.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Guelph (city) community profile". 2011 Census data. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  2. ^ a b "Guelph (Census metropolitan area) community profile". 2011 Census data. Statistics Canada. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Canada's Best Places to Live". Canadian Business Online. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  4. ^ "Guelph recognized as one of Canada's top ten cities". Guelph.ca. 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  5. ^ a b "http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/article/610673--guelph-unemployment-rate-drops-even-lower". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. ^ Crime stats put Guelph ahead in terms of safety
  7. ^ a b c "Facts about Guelph". Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  8. ^ a b c Stelter, G.A. "Guelph". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  9. ^ a b "History of Guelph". City of Guelph. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  10. ^ "Ontario Heritage Trust Founding of Guelph". Heritagefdn.on.ca. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  11. ^ "Guelph". Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada. Parks Canada. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  12. ^ Environment Canada—Climate Normals 1971–2000. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  13. ^ a b "http://guelph.ca/uploads/ecdev/2010%20Community%20Profile.pdf". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  14. ^ "http://guelph.ca/uploads/ecdev/2010%20Community%20Profile.pdf". Page 23. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  15. ^ "The Focus on Sectors". City of Guelph. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  16. ^ "http://www.guelph.ca/communityprofile/majoremploy.html". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  17. ^ [1], Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada - Census Subdivision
  18. ^ Craig Manley, Manager of Policy Planning. "Fact Sheet:Population Growth" (PDF). City of Guelph. Retrieved 2008-03-17. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  20. ^ "Guelph Public Library archival photographs collection". Guelph Public Library. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  21. ^ "Our History". Guelph Public Library. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
  22. ^ About the Sleeman Centre - City of Guelph. Retrieved 30-10-2012
  23. ^ "Guelph Jazz Festival". Guelph Jazz Festival. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  24. ^ "City of Guelph". Guelph.ca. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  25. ^ "http://guelph.ca/uploads/ecdev/2010%20Community%20Profile.pdf". Page 17. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guelph.
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