Getting to know me - answers to Guelph Today Candidate Questions
Dear Friends of Guelph:
Editor Tony Saxon of Guelph Today has asked all candidates for City Council to provide their responses to some important concerns related to the future of Guelph. Below are my responses for those who do not read Guelph Today. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. My phone number and my campaign contact details are below. I can be reached by text, email, phone or via social media identifed below.
Sincerely,
Phil Allt
How long have you lived in Guelph?
Almost all my life with short stints in Edmonton, Houston Texas, London Ontario and London UK
Do you reside in the ward you are running in?
Yes, I live about a kilometre from where I was born and raised in the Exhibition Park area. I attended King Edward School, Victory School, Willow Road School and Guelph Collegiate as well as the University of Guelph.
Why are you running in this election?
The encouragement of the community was the strongest factor guiding my decision. Many people urged me to continue or run for Mayor. I believe that this term I can assist whomever is Mayor by offering sound guidance and representation from Ward 3.
Why should people vote for you?
I care about Guelph.
My education and experience provides me with the ability to be a thoughtful decision maker. My schooling - studying History, Philosophy, Economics, Politics, Theology at Western, Guelph, McMaster, Toronto and Conrad Grebel College (University of Waterloo) prepared me to make decisions that require careful consideration and which address many different perspectives on our challenges.
For a thorough answer, please visit philallt.ca or email me at phil@philallt.ca or call me. We can arrange a coffee time to discuss this very important question.
What do you see as the three top issues facing Guelph residents right now?
- Public Safety and Security - Economic Security, Housing Security, Ground Water Security and Property and Personal Safety.
- Addressing Growth that fits Guelph - not the province - The provincial mandate on housing is a threat to ground water security, our tax base, our reserves and our capacity to address the challenges Guelph faces including replacing aging infrastructure in a timely and effective manner.
- Fair and Effective Taxation - As long as the province expects Guelph to pay for downloaded services and policing, our taxes will continue to go up. We must advocate for a better tax system that provides cities with the capacity to offset the outdated property tax system with a fairer method of paying for our needs. The province is able to raise money and tax using at least 29 different revenue sources including income tax, sales tax, casino revenue, gas taxes. Guelph and other municipalities are hampered by relying on the most antiquated and worst form of revenue bases: property tax. Tax reform time is now.
What is the most important thing you want to see changed in Guelph?
Provincial interference in our affairs - Development, downloading of services and costs, a premier only here for a photo op, do not serve Guelph well.
What is the most important thing you don’t want to see change in Guelph?
The great character of our community. Guelph residents advocate strongly for what is needed in a growing city that is quickly reaching 200,000. That advocacy from many sectors of the community creates a dynamic foundation for the future of Guelph.
Is Guelph growing too fast, just the right amount, or not fast enough?
Guelph is growing far too quickly.
With a university and a community college that increase our population to about 180,000 and a tax base of just 150,000 we are challenged by our financial capacity our ground water supply, our infrastructure and the costs the province makes us pay for development. The faster we grow, the more we all pay.
What makes Guelph great?
The people: Guelph is well served by an incredible population that is has led to our city building entrepreneurs, authors, artists, musicians, hockey players, renowned actors like Neve Campbell, at least 3 Nobel prize winners either from Guelph or living here and an array of intellectuals and scientists.
Nor should we forget our working people in Guelph’s factories, our shops and our volunteer base - confirmable as the best in Canada.
Guelph punches above its weight in many ways that will be demonstrated in our 200th Anniversary celebration.
Any link to an election website or social media account?
Email: phil@philallt.ca
I am on Facebook, Instagram and other social media. I no longer pay any attention to Elon Musk’s X