Guelph

Guelph entered the 2022 provincial election as the home of Ontario's only Green Party seat — a distinction earned in 2018 when party leader Mike Schreiner became the first Green MPP in the province's history, winning with a commanding share of the vote. The riding, anchored by the University of Guelph and its population of roughly 25,000 students, had long been a competitive battleground among the three major parties before Schreiner's breakthrough. With a city population exceeding 130,000 and a local economy shaped by advanced manufacturing, agri-food innovation, and the university's research ecosystem, Guelph's progressive-leaning electorate had proven receptive to the Green message of environmental stewardship and local food systems. The 2022 contest would test whether Schreiner's 2018 victory was a one-time phenomenon or the beginning of a durable realignment.

Candidates

Mike Schreiner (Green Party) — The incumbent MPP and Green Party of Ontario leader, Schreiner grew up on a grain and cattle farm in Kansas before moving to Canada in 1994. He earned degrees from the University of Kansas and a master's from Indiana University. Before entering politics, he co-founded Local Food Plus, a non-profit promoting sustainable local food systems, and became leader of the Ontario Greens in 2009. He had served as Guelph's MPP since his historic 2018 win.

Peter McSherry (Progressive Conservative) — A Guelph-based employment and disability rights lawyer, McSherry owned his own law firm and was a first-time political candidate. He served as Vice-Chair of the Guelph Police Services Board and was a director of the Rotary Club of Guelph. He was acclaimed as the local PC candidate.

Raechelle Devereaux (Liberal) — Devereaux served as CEO of the Guelph Community Health Centre at the time of her nomination. Guelph was designated as one of more than 20 ridings selected by the Liberal Party for women-only candidacies, and Devereaux was acclaimed as the local candidate.

James Parr (NDP) — Born and raised in Guelph, Parr studied mechanical engineering at the University of Guelph and completed a master's in management of innovation at the University of Toronto. He worked as a Senior Operations Analyst and was acclaimed as the NDP candidate.

Minor candidates included Will Lomker (New Blue Party), Juanita Burnett (Communist), and Paul Taylor (None of the Above Direct Democracy Party).

Local Issues

Housing affordability dominated the local conversation heading into the 2022 election. Guelph's real estate prices had risen sharply during the pandemic, squeezing renters and first-time buyers alike. Candidates clashed over how best to address the growing waitlist for affordable housing and the visible increase in homelessness downtown. The city's plan to manage growth while maintaining its historic downtown character added urgency to debates over intensification and land-use planning.

The opioid crisis remained a pressing concern. Guelph's consumption and treatment site, which had been operating since 2018, was a focal point as candidates debated the provincial government's approach to harm reduction. NDP candidate James Parr called for opioid use to be declared a public health emergency and advocated for decriminalization, while other candidates focused on expanded treatment options and mental health supports. Green leader Schreiner called for a three-digit emergency number for mental health crises, modelled on the 911 system.

Public transit investment also featured in local debates. The city was developing plans for a Quality Transit Network with dedicated bus lanes, while the 2022-2023 municipal budget approved a pilot program for transit fare subsidies and a "kids ride free" initiative. Candidates weighed in on the need for provincial funding to support Guelph's transit ambitions and reduce car dependency in a city experiencing steady population growth.