Have your say on proposed Guelph Hydro merger starting Saturday

Mayor Guthrie says merger would drop rates, create jobs

Image | Hydro tower

Caption: There will be a total of five events where people can learn about the proposed merger, ask questions and provide feedback to city staff and Guelph Hydro. (Chris Seto/CBC)

Public consultations for the Guelph Hydro merger with Alectra begins on Saturday morning at Guelph's Farmers' Market on Gordon Street, and will go until Nov. 9.
The consultations are informal without presentations or question and answer periods.

Times and locations for consultations

Saturday, Oct. 28 - 7 a.m. to noon
Guelph Farmers' Market, 4 Gordon St., Guelph
Thursday, Nov. 2 - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Stone Road Mall, 435 Stone Rd W., Guelph
​Monday, Nov. 6 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Rockmosa Community Centre, 74 Christie St., Rockwood
Tuesday, Nov. 7 - 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Guelph City Hall, Room 112, 1 Carden St., Guelph
Thursday, Nov. 9 - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Victoria Road Recreation Centre, 151 Victoria Rd. N., Guelph
Guelph Hydro started merger negotiations with Alectra Oct. 18. Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said negotiations will continue until the end of the year, and council hopes to ink the final deal on Dec. 13.
Guthrie said a merger with Alectra would benefit the city in four ways:
  • The utility would continue to have a physical presence in the city.
  • Alectra has promised to build a green energy and technology centre in the city, which would create jobs.
  • The partnership would increase the city's dividends, which can be invested in other city projects.
  • Rates will drop for hydro customers.