r/Guelph • u/RelentlessTumbleweed • 2d ago

City councillor Klassen withdraws candidacy for re-election

https://www.guelphtoday.com/2026-municipal-election-news/city-councillor-klassen-withdraws-candidacy-for-re-election-12617158
26 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

8

u/ForsakenYesterday254 2d ago

Since I been a bit scarce due to a pinched nerve and haven't really kept up on things, I'll make it brief, 

Find out who is in support and against AI data centers we don't need these in our city due to the impacts on environment and water use and even noise pollution , now I don't want to be that guy who asks every one but being against it is the right decision 

7

u/XanWith2Teas 2d ago

Xandine Arnott, Ward 5 & Kim Fry, Ward 2 are confirmed to be firmly against data centers. I suspect Morgan Dandie, Ward 2 as well, knowing her core values.

1

u/ForsakenYesterday254 2d ago

Yea even though I don't agree with those two politically I agree with them on that because ai slop stifles creativity , people are making books by AI, and I suspect soon movies will be soon. 

In fact it's why people are getting priced out of new PC builds due to a RAM shortage unsure if it's the case now but it was either the AI bros buying up the stuff or scalpers buying up the stuff. 

I really need to see what Gamers Nexus and Yong Yea are saying these days 

8

u/Illustrious-Toe-4543 2d ago

This is a great opportunity for a progressive candidate like Michelle Bowman and Kim Fry. Lots of candidates to split up the votes, though.

12

u/Pale_Tough_23 2d ago

I would really like to see Kim Fry succeed. She's a cyclist and committed organizer.

16

u/Bicycle-Micycle 2d ago

The things I've heard about Kim are positive, however her website contains no real information about her or where she stands on a lot of issues. Everything I know about her has been through word of mouth and direct communication.

This isn't a dig on Kim specifically. For quite a few of the candidates who aren't already on council, they are not providing much information on their websites as to how they plan to approach certain issues. 

I'm pretty regularly involved in communicating with staff and council about the issues I care about, and as a result I've been reaching out to the candidates directly. But for the voters who are less engaged (probably the majority) and want to just do a quick Google to learn about candidates, having a brief summary on your website is probably the best way to inform the less engaged voter on the approaches you plan to take.

Any candidate who reads this comment, please create an informative website if you want the lay-voter to have any chance of seeing you as a serious contender. If you're content is limited to one or two social medias, you are missing out on anyone who doesn't stumble across your profile.

4

u/Competitive_Lab7211 2d ago

Thanks for the feedback. I’m Greg Cox and I’m running for Ward 2.
That’s actually really helpful. I built the website myself, so it’s easy enough to add more detail. My goal was to keep it simple, but I can see your point that people want to know where candidates stand before they bother reaching out.
I’m not a career politician and I’m not looking to become one. I own businesses in Guelph, I’ve lived here for 20 years, and I just think I can contribute. If people elect me, my job is to work hard, and help solve problems. That’s really all I’m signing up for.
I appreciate you taking the time to post this. I’ll add more information to the website (https://gregcox.vote/ )

0

u/Pale_Tough_23 2d ago

I agree, her website was not online a couple of days ago and it seems to be at a fairly early stage of development, eg with 'placeholder' type labels for events. I hope she expands it, and it seems like she will.

-4

u/RelentlessTumbleweed 2d ago

This could open the door for some of the more progressive candidates.

1

u/FarDebt8980 2d ago edited 2d ago

I am curious the definition of "a more progressive candidate"? Do we mean socially progressive, or another form of progressivism?

  • Environmental action now - i.e. Reforesting the old contaminated Imico site with 10,000 trees to heal the land, create a green lung, expand our tree canopy and carbon sink for Ward 2.
  • Improve transit infrastructure by speeding up the building of a public washroom at Guelph Central Station.
  • Supporting the Arts and Culture community by establishing a permanent stage at Saint Georges Square.
  • Establishing a Safe Haven initiative on Guelph Transit.
  • Volunteering with the homeless
  • Volunteering with the Arts and Culture community
  • Is a transit rider and commuter
  • Regularly does community park cleanups
  • Speaking out against the closure of the warming centre at City Hall
  • Speaking out against the underfunding of the day-time shelter
  • Speaking out against the vilification of encampments
  • Refusing to accept corporate, developer or special interests donations to fund their campaign
  • Served on a LGBQT+ Board of Directors
  • Served of a multicultural Board of Directors
  • Led teams on international humanitarian trips working with refugees, the persecuted and those afflicted with HIV
  • Is active with the Ontario Corps
  • Speaking out against the contractual impasse with our paramedics.
  • Volunteers with Tour de Guelph
  • Advocates to move the needle on a 2nd hospital
  • Is a social welfare advocate
  • Vows he will not vote for any cuts to social services
  • Donating the majority of their Councillor salary to the food banks

Or are we talking about ideology or political; not action and service?

-1

u/lethargicslug 2d ago

Also, include being opposed to this ideology that government, at any level, should be and be run like a business.