In September 2019, City Council approved the City’s 2019-2023 strategic plan Guelph. Future Ready. An aspirational and ambitious plan with a vision to make Guelph an inclusive, connected, prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment.

But a plan is just a plan until we make it happen. It’s what we do next that matters. It’s whether we live up to our values and how much progress we make towards our vision.

So, we started updating how we measure and report on our progress. Being honest and open about our results is the only way we can get better and truly reach our aspirations. Then 2020 happened, and the world tipped upside down.

As an organization, we refocused our resources on supporting people and business through COVID-19. We’ve also been working to set the community standard for the elimination of systemic racism with a community-led, City supported approach. We paused certain projects, and accelerated others. We engaged and collaborated with local agencies, community partners, other municipalities and other levels of government to provide the best possible service and support for our community.

Throughout this unprecedented change, we stayed committed to our goal of better measurement and transparency. In 2021, we shared Guelph’s first Future Ready Progress Report. The 2020 digital progress report was data-driven and results-focused. It integrated with the City’s budget to make it easier to see how our investments align with the goals of City Council and our community. And it was an important step toward becoming a more performance-oriented and data-driven organization.

We continue to address gaps and areas where we need to improve our knowledge of organizational performance. Across the organization, we’re working to create common practices and a shared culture around performance management. We want to celebrate our progress and act quickly to adjust and support where needed.

Like the 2020 report, the 2021 Future Ready Progress Report presents a balanced and transparent view of how the City is working towards achieving its strategic plan goals and initiatives and highlights key data and stories including key performance indicators. I’m continually impressed by every single thing we accomplish throughout the year and I’m grateful to work among such talented, caring and dedicated public servants here at the City of Guelph.

Our renewed focus on data and performance measurement will help the community understand the quality of service we are providing. Demonstrating value and being transparent about where we have opportunity for growth and improvement will build trust and accountability.

We’re only part way through our future ready journey; so, keep watching as we continue to share our stories, identify new opportunities for growth and improvement while we report on our progress.

For more information about the Progress Report please contact:
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Jodie Sales
General Manager, Strategy, Innovation and Intergovernmental Services
519-822-1260 extension 3617
jodie.sales@guelph.ca