Pillar 02

Keep Guelph
Affordable

Property tax relief and a council that spends wisely.

Why it matters

Property taxes in Guelph keep climbing, and that pressure follows families long after the bill arrives. As a teacher and Ward 1 resident, Evan sees what rising costs do to a household budget, because he lives it too.

Affordability isn't about cutting essential services. It's about targeted relief for the people who need it most, and a council that treats every dollar of spending like it's coming out of a Ward 1 resident's pocket, because it is.

Property Tax Deferral for Families with Children

Introduce a motion to establish a property tax deferral program for owner-occupied homes with children, reducing the immediate burden during high-cost child-rearing years while allowing the municipality to recover deferred amounts later.

A Tiered Property Tax Rebate

Develop a tiered property tax rebate program for lower-income owner-occupied households, so relief scales with need instead of a flat reduction that mostly benefits higher-value properties.

Councillor Pay Tied to Guelph's Median Income

Put forward a motion to lower Guelph city councillor pay to match the median income in Guelph. Council should be paid like the residents it represents, not above them.

Core Services Before Megaprojects

Prioritize core municipal services and infrastructure, like winter plowing, ahead of lower-priority spending and megaprojects. Guelph's 2024 staff report on the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program planned over $17 million in streetscaping and aesthetic enhancements alone. Basics come first.

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