Wedding in Guelph
The City of Guelph is a city located in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Guelph has a population of 127,009 as of 2006, a 7.0 percent increase from 2001. The metropolitan population is 200,425, which includes Wellington County.
The city is intersected by two rivers and numerous tributaries: the Speed River enters from the north end and the Eramosa River enters from the east; the two rivers meet downtown and continue southwest. There are also many creeks and rivers that create large tracts of densely-forested ravines, and provide ideal sites for parks and recreational trails. Guelph has 2 rivers that intersect in the downtown area. The city is also built on many drumlins.
The weather and climate of that region of Ontario is moderate in both summer and winter. There are no considerable extremes in either temperature or the type of weather that might be associated with locations that are in close proximity to a landmass such as a body of water or a mountain range. However, due to its location close to other moderate or major cities (Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Toronto and the GTA) Guelph experiences the highest percentage of acid rain downfall in all of Ontario.
The Guelph area has not only attracted manufacturing companies. Recently, Guelph has expanded into bringing life science, agri-food and biotechnology firms and environmental management and technology companies. Guelph's Economic Development Strategy says these are the three facets of the local economy that have been identified as growth industries on which to focus economic development activities.
The City is governed by a Council comprised of 12 councillors and a mayor, with 2 councillors representing each of the six wards. City elections take place every 4 years with the next election in November 2010.
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.
The year 2003 saw Kate Quarrie defeat incumbent mayor Karen Farbridge, 53% to 40%. 37% of the city's eligible population voted in the 2003 municipal election.
Most recently, in November 2006, Quarrie was defeated by Farbridge, 51% to 35%. As well, many long-time council members were also defeated.
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