Guelph

The riding of Guelph corresponds largely to the boundaries of the city itself, a mid-sized community of roughly 130,000 people situated at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa rivers in southwestern Ontario. Founded in 1827 by the Canada Company under Scottish novelist John Galt, Guelph is home to the University of Guelph, one of Canada's foremost research institutions in agriculture, veterinary science, and environmental studies. The city's diversified economy combines advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and education.

Candidates

Lloyd Longfield (Liberal) — Originally from Winnipeg, Longfield moved to Guelph in 1992 and holds a BA from the University of Manitoba and a diploma in mechanical engineering technology from Red River College. He served for approximately eight years as president of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, where he co-founded Innovation Guelph and helped recruit physicians to the community. First elected in 2015, he was seeking a second term.

Steve Dyck (Green Party) — The founder and president of Guelph Solar, Dyck built his career installing solar panels and creating green-economy jobs in the city since 2009. He previously worked in air pollution testing before launching his company. Green Party leader Elizabeth May identified Guelph as one of the party's strongest prospects nationally, and Dyck won a hotly contested nomination over four other aspirants.

Ashish Sachan (Conservative) — A veterinarian licensed in toxicology by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, Sachan holds a PhD in toxicology and settled in Guelph in 2013. He served as president of the Guelph Hindu Society and was active with the Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership, earning the Canada 150 Community Leader Award.

Aisha Jahangir (NDP) — A registered nurse since 1997, Jahangir specialized in labour and delivery at Guelph General Hospital before transitioning to mental health nursing at Homewood Health Centre and later the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre. Active in the Ontario Nurses' Association and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, she campaigned on healthcare access, affordable housing, and climate action.

Mark Paralovos ran for the People's Party, Gordon Truscott for the Christian Heritage Party, Juanita Burnett for the Communist Party, and Michael Wassilyn and Kornelis Klevering as Independents.

About the Riding

Guelph had been represented by Liberal MPs continuously since 1993, and the riding earned national notoriety during the 2011 robocalls controversy, in which misleading automated phone calls directed voters to incorrect polling stations. The 2019 contest marked a notable shift in the riding's competitive dynamics, with the Green Party emerging as the primary challenger to the Liberals rather than the Conservatives.

The University of Guelph's agricultural and veterinary programs anchor the city's identity as a hub for agri-food research and innovation. Linamar Corporation, a global auto parts manufacturer headquartered in the city, is one of the largest private-sector employers. Guelph cultivated a strong reputation for environmental leadership through early adoption of waste diversion programs and ambitious sustainability targets. Affordable housing was a growing concern heading into 2019, as rising property values squeezed both renters and first-time buyers in a city that had long been considered an affordable alternative to the Greater Toronto Area.