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  • Welcome to
    ​​the City of Guelph

All About Guelph

The City of Guelph is a vibrant community located in the heart of southern Ontario, just 100km west of Toronto. With one of the premier research universities, and a diverse variety of manufacturing, service, and high technology enterprises, it’s also one of the fastest growing economic regions in Canada. Guelph is known as “The Royal City”. It is the seat of Wellington County, but as a separated municipality, the city is not part of the county. As one entity, Guelph and Wellington County have a population of 200,425.


The City of Guelph has a population of 165,888 (2021 census).


Transportation

Guelph Transit provides local transit throughout the city. For details on their routes, and rates, please visit: http://guelph.ca/living/getting-around/bus/


Rail Services are covered by Canadian Pacific and the Canadian National Railway. VIA Rail has daily connecting passenger services to other major communities.


Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is approximately 65 kilometres from Guelph with easy access via Highway #401. The John C. Munroe Hamilton International airport offers passenger and cargo service to many of the Major cities within North America as well as a few select overseas locations. The Waterloo Regional Airport is a full service Airport of Entry by Canada Border Services.  


Climate

The weather in Guelph has cold winters and warm, humid summers. Local up to date weather can be found by visiting http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-5_metric_e.html

Government

City Council consists of the Mayor and councilors, two from each of the City’s six wards. Members of Council are elected by residents to a four-year term of office. 


Social Insurance Number

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Banking
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​Canada

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Ontario Driver's License


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Ontario
Health Insurance

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Emergency Services

Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!

Health 811

Phone: 811 or visit: Website

 Health 811 is a free, confidential telephone service you can call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This is a qualified health professional, who can assess your symptoms and help you decide your best first step. They can help you decide whether to care for yourself, make an appointment with your doctor, go to a clinic, contact a community service or go to a hospital emergency room.     

Where to Stay

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Things to See
and DO

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Guelph
City Hall ​

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Hospitals
and Clinics

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History of Guelph

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Transportation
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Religion
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Childcare
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Education

Elementary & Secondary Overview

Publicly funded elementary and secondary schools are administered by district school boards.  Working within the framework of the Education Act and its regulations, district school boards adapt provincial education policy to local situations.  Trustees, as elected members of the board, represent the local community, providing a link between electors and the education system. In all regions of Ontario, the Ministry of Education governs both the Public-School Board and the Separate (Catholic) School Board, which are run as separate entities. In Ontario, all permanent residents between the ages of 6 and 16 must attend school.  Most students continue to attend after the required period, to receive a graduation diploma in Grade 12.


Elementary schools provide Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs (for children aged 4 and 5) and programs for grades 1 through 8.  Secondary schools offer programs from Grade 9 through to Grade 12.  The high school program is based on a credit system.  Students must earn a total of 30 credits (one for every 110-hour course successfully completed) to obtain a high school diploma.  Eighteen of the credits are compulsory, earned in a specified number of courses from a list of subjects that every student must take.  The remaining 12 credits are optional, earned in courses that the student may select from the full range of courses offered by the school.  In Grade 9, most students will take a total of eight courses for eight credits.  Students must also complete 40 hours of community involvement activities and must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, which is taken in Grade 10.

Curriculum

In Ontario, all publicly funded schools follow The Ontario Curriculum.  It describes what students are expected to know and be able to do in each subject area by the end of each grade.

Due to the amount of detailed information on the Curriculum in Ontario schools, we were unable to provide all of it for you in this report.  Detailed information can be obtained by visiting: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum


 Public School Boards

The public schools system is operated by the Upper Grand District School Board.   The Catholic School system is provided by the Wellington Catholic District School Board.


Private Schools

Application procedures for private schools differ from school to school.  An entrance test and interview with the child are generally required.  There is not always availability at your private school of choice and your child’s name may be placed on a waiting list for entrance during the school year or subsequent years.  It is a good idea to source out private schools well in advance as their registration takes place in (approximately) December of the prior year and January and February of the same school year.

For a detailed listing of private schools in Ontario, please visit www.ourkids.net.

Post Secondary Schools

Ontario's publicly funded postsecondary education system is made up of 20 universities, 24 colleges of applied arts and technology and other facilities. Ontario has some of the best programs, offered by renowned experts, in the world.

Colleges

Colleges offer a range of programs: certificate programs that are one-year or less, two- to three-year diplomas, apprenticeships, and degrees. Some colleges also offer programs in partnership with a university to grant both a degree and a diploma.   A list of Ontario colleges can be found at Ontario Colleges.

Universities

Publicly funded universities offer three and four-year undergraduate degrees, as well as post-graduate and professional programs.

Some universities offer partnerships with a college to grant a degree and a diploma concurrently. Co-op programs are also available.

A list of the Universities in Ontario can be found by visiting: Ontario's public universities.

 


   

Lifestyle

Shopping

Guelph’s Stone Road Mall is one of the largest malls in Southwestern Ontario. Other popular areas to shop include Old Quebec Street Mall and Downtown Guelph. Downtown Guelph features a unique area of over 500 shops and services.


Guelph Farmers’ Market is a great place to purchase local produce, meats and crafts. The market is open every Saturday from 7am to 12pm.  Website: http://www.guelphfarmersmarket.ca/. There is also a Wednesday Farmer’s Market held every Wednesday from 11:30am to 5:30pm in downtown Guelph.

Area Attractions

River Run Centre
35 Woolwich Street , Guelph, ON
Phone: 519-763-3000/1-877-763-3000
Website: http://riverrun.ca/

River Run Centre features a 785-seat concert/theatre, a 225-seat multi-use studio theatre and a 350-seat reception hall and lobby.


Sleeman Centre
50 Woolwich Street, Guelph, ON N1H3T9
Phone: 519-822-4900
Website

This modern, well equipped facility features a seating capacity of 4,500 for an ice event and 5,000 for a concert or seminar, and is an ideal place to host concerts, sporting and family events, trade shows and conferences.


Guelph Symphony Orchestra
291 Woodlawn Road East, Suite 10A, Guelph, ON N1H7L6
Phone: 519-763-3000
Website: www.guelphsymphony.com

GSO is a semi-profession classical orchestra, consisting of up to 55 players, depending upon repertoire.  Founded in 2001 with Simon Irving as Artistic Director, the GSO performs a six-concert season in the River Run Centre, and is committed to a quality performance


The Arboretum 
University of Guelph  
Guelph, ON N1G2W1
Phone: 519-824-4120 ext. 52113
Website

The Arboretum spans 165 hectares (408 acres) with 8.2 km of signed trails. Observed at The Arboretum are 38 species of mammals, 188 species of birds, 39 species of butterflies, 18 herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) and 1,700 types of trees and shrubs. Almost every tree and shrub indigenous to southern Ontario is growing at The Arboretum.


Guelph Civic Museum and Children’s Museum
6 Dublin Street South, Guelph, ON N1H4L5
Phone: 519-836-1221
Website

Guelph Civic Museum is located in a c.1850 three-storey commercial limestone building and highlights Guelph’s rich history from pre-settlement to present day through permanent and changing exhibitions.


McCrae House
108 Water Street, Guelph, ON N1G1A6 
Phone: 519-836-1221
Website

McCrae House, built in 1858, is the birthplace of John McCrae and a National Historic Site.  Exhibitions interpret the life of John McCrae, world famous doctor, soldier and author of In Flanders Fields.


Hammond Museum of Radio
595 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G3W6
(Hanlon Business Park)
Phone: 519-822-2441
Website

From telegraph to transistor, experience the evolution of radio in exhibits of early radio receivers, amateur radios, military console models, table top and transistor radios.

Public Library

Guelph Public Library
Website

There are six public libraries in Guelph. To find the most convenient location for you, please visit https://www.guelphpl.ca/en/index.aspx

 

Parks & Trails

The City of Guelph maintains over 1000 hectares of parkland. For a list of these parks, please visit
http://guelph.ca/living/recreation/parks/. An interactive Trails and recreation map can be found at: http://guelph.ca/living/recreation/parks/trails/.

The University of Guelph’s Arboretum offers over 400 acres of nature trails, gardens and plant collections. Website: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/

There are a number of Leash-free zones for dogs in Guelph. A map can be found at: http://guelph.ca/living/recreation/parks/leash-free-zones-for-dogs/


City of Guelph Recreation

The City of Guelph offers a variety recreational opportunity for its residents. Details on the City’s programs and facilities can be found in the Community Guide which is available to view online at http://guelph.ca/living/recreation/recreation-programs/

 

YMCA – YWCA of Guelph
130 Woodland Glen Drive, Guelph, ON N1G4M3
Phone: 519-824-5150
Website

Special Events and Festivals

The City of Guelph is proud to host a number of annual events, all of which reflect the City’s diversity and cultural history. For details on the upcoming events, please visit: http://visitguelphwellington.ca/listings/calendar

Golf

Cutten Fields Golf Club
190 College Avenue East, Guelph, ON N1H6L3
Phone: 519-824-2650
Website: http://www.cuttenfields.com/


Guelph Country Club
133 Woodlawn Rd. E, Guelph, ON N1E7H9
Phone: 519-824-2741
Website: http://www.tgcc.ca/


Victoria Park East Golf Club
1096 Victoria Road South, Guelph, ON N1H6H8
Phone: 519-821-2211 
Website: http://www.victoriaparkgolf.


Victoria Park Valley
Phone: 519-821-1441
Website: http://www.victoriaparkgolf.com/


Guelph Lakes Golf & Country Club
RR#1, 7879 Wellington Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 6H7
Phone: 519-822-4222

Website: http://www.guelphlakesgolf.ca 


Greater Toronto Area Attractions

For information on the attractions within the Greater Toronto Area, please visit: GTA Attractions      

Area Videos
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