In late 2023, Guelph joined more than 70 municipalities and regions across Ontario to declare gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic. Additionally, Council directed staff, where appropriate, to set out gender-based violence and intimate partner violence as named priorities within the Community Plan.

Updated 2025 Guelph Community Plan.

A telephone survey of 600 Guelph residents found that community cares about the environment and the well-being of each other, and that there is still work for us to do. View a geographic map or the open data set.

This easy-to-digest summary document captures key data points from sources across the community. It shows you what Guelph looks like as a village of 100 people so that our conversations can be based on key demographics and trends.

The City embarked on a year-long citizen engagement and listening process. Community members were invited to provide input at a variety of events and in diverse ways—surveys, focus groups, casual discussions, targeted workshops and on social media.

This process has included identifying and understanding existing goals and priorities across the community so that the Community Plan can reflect and build on what is already happening and clearly identify where the city can go next.

A Community Plan workshop with local business leaders to gain their perspective of business and the economic sector in Guelph.

Guelph’s plan focuses on preventing and reducing the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and building resilience; ending chronic homelessness; and creating the conditions for mental well-being for those with problematic substance use. This plan is guided by the need for equity, inclusion, and the elimination of systemic racism in our community.

A Community Plan workshop with community builders and local arts and culture leaders to gain their perspective on the importance and value of including arts and culture priorities in the development of Guelph’s Community Plan.

Cards for Community is a playing card game designed to have deep conservations about our community, to consider other perspectives and start thinking about how to take action. This game is adapted from the Vital Conversations Card Game, developed by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough in collaboration with the Atkinson Foundation.

A Community Plan workshop with local environmentalist groups and leaders to gain their perspective on the importance of preserving and including the environment in the development of Guelph’s Community Plan.

A Community Plan workshop with leaders and community builders from social, health and education sectors to gain their perspective on the role their sectors will play in developing Guelph’s future.

A Community Plan workshop with local business leaders to gain their perspective of business and the economy in Guelph.