Welcome to the Royal City Roundup, my bi-weekly community newsletter that connects constituents with my work in Parliament and Guelph. Thank you for being here!

U.S. Tariff Response

From day one since I was elected, l have worked closely with local businesses, the city, the Chamber of Commerce, Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington, and other business groups to make sure we all know how to help tariff-affected businesses protect their business and workers.

Canada’s negotiators had an opportunity last week to reach an agreement on lower tariffs for some sectors, but this can’t come at any price. We will not compromise our sovereignty, our right to trade with other nations, our language and culture, or our future prosperity. No deal is better than a bad deal.

The ongoing illegal and unjustified US tariffs have hit our auto and manufacturing sectors hard. Guelph is the fourth-highest exporter to the U.S. per capita. More than 360 Guelph companies export to the United States, generating over $6 billion in annual exports. While most of those goods are CUSMA-compliant, the uncertainty is bad for businesses, and the new 50% Section 338 tariffs may create significant challenges for some local companies.

I will always advocate for our businesses and workers. The government has provided support since day one, and we will be there for Canadian businesses and workers through what follows as well.

New supports were announced yesterday, including counter tariffs and $7.5 billion of new and improved measures to deliver fast, simple and agile supports to workers and businesses. This builds on nearly $25 billion in supports since the start of the unjustified U.S. tariffs to support businesses of all sizes, protect workers in vulnerable industries, and create new opportunities here and abroad. Read more here!

Powering Canada’s Clean Energy Future

Prime Minister Carney, with the Premiers of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, announced the largest clean energy investment in North American history. This historic agreement will expand the Churchill Falls Generating Station and develop the Gull Island hydroelectric project. Supported by $10 billion in federal financing, the project is part of a nearly $70 billion clean energy investment that will generate 14,000 megawatts, enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of all the homes in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver combined. This landmark investment will strengthen Canada’s energy security, support economic growth, and help build a more sustainable, electrified future.   Read more here!

Building a Stronger Workforce for a Stronger Canada

It’s not every day that a national announcement is made in Guelph. On August 17, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the Hon. Patty Hajdu launched the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance at Linamar.

The alliance brings together manufacturers, educators, unions, Indigenous partners, and training organizations to identify workforce gaps and develop practical training solutions. As technologies like automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the industry, investments in skills development will help ensure Canadian workers and businesses remain competitive.

For communities like Guelph, where advanced manufacturing supports thousands of jobs and drives innovation, strengthening the workforce is key to building a more resilient economy and a stronger Canada.

With an investment of $81 million over five years, six Workforce Alliances represent a strategic, forward-looking approach to strengthening critical sectors that are essential to Canada’s economic security and growth. They are: mining and minerals; advanced manufacturing; energy and electricity; transportation and supply chains; housing and construction; and the care economy.

Read more: CBC News article

Advancing priorities with caucus colleagues

I joined my Ontario caucus colleagues in Peterborough last week to discuss our collective priorities for the coming year. We also toured Faribanks Morse Defense to hear and see first-hand how Canadian manufacturing is supporting our Navy shipbuilding. Curve Lake First Nation also welcomed us to the fascinating Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan (New Beginnings Farms) Aquaponics facility. These site visits always inform the work we do in Ottawa.

Supporting Guelph’s Small Businesses

On August 13, I convened a small business round table with the Hon. Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism to hear from small business owners and business organisations and accelerators. Together with the City of Guelph, we discussed the challenges they are facing, including tariffs and economic uncertainty, and opportunities to support long-term growth and resilience.

With leaders from the local Filipino community, Minister Valdez and I also toured the amazing Lovely Pao Bakery, one of the many local businesses that help make Guelph a great place to live, work, and shop.  More here!

Celebrating Canada Summer Jobs Students

On World Youth Day, I hosted a reception to celebrate the Guelph and employers who participated in the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program for 2026.

For CSJ 2026, the Government of Canada allocated $297 million to support up to 100,000 summer job opportunities across the country. In Guelph, that translates into $1.8 million for 380 jobs for young people in a range of fields.

Thank you to the students who told me about the skills, experiences, and confidence they gained this summer and to the employers who helped create meaningful opportunities!

The social benefit organisations in our city do so much for our collective wellbeing. It’s always an honour to celebrate important milestones with them.

Out on the Shelf celebrated the grand opening of a new space where they can expand programming and resources to support 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies in Guelph and Wellington County.

Guelph General Hospital, Guelph Community Health Centre, Stonehenge Therapeutic and partners in the Guelph-Wellington Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub invited the community to see a new site at 55 Delhi that, after renovations, will provide 8 crisis stabilization beds and 6 withdrawal management beds, filling a real treatment gap that has existed in the city. Expected to open later this fall, the Hub and this partnership will strengthen mental health and substance use services in our community.

The Guelph Black Heritage Society marked Emancipation Month with an informative and moving flag raising ceremony recognising the resilience, contributions, and history of Black communities in our region. I always learn so much from these events.

At Second Chance Employment Counselling, participants and staff from the Ways2Work and Women2Work programs told me about their experience with skills training, employment supports and work placements that help youth and women overcome barriers to employment. This inspiring meeting reaffirms my commitment to job creation in Guelph and sharing opportunities for youth.

These organizations strengthen our community by creating opportunities, fostering inclusion, and supporting residents to reach their full potential.

Helpful information I recently learned and wanted to pass along: 

Parent Resource: St. Joseph’s Health Centre’s Speech-Language Pathology Department offers services for preschool children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder through the Ontario Autism Program’s Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Program. The department also provides speech-language services for adults with developmental needs and adults experiencing communication difficulties. Click here to find out more.

Job Seekers: This job-search engine from the Workforce Planning Board consolidates all the usual job sites for a much broader search. If you or someone you know is looking for work, check it out.

Apply for my Youth Council!

My office is now accepting applications for the Guelph Federal Youth Council. If you’re between the ages of 17 and 24 and interested in civic engagement, public service, and making your voice heard, I encourage you to apply. Please share if you know someone who may be interested. There’s usually pizza!

Youth Opportunities

Please encourage the teens and young adults in your life to check out these cool opportunities!

Youth Digital Gateway Federal opportunities, resources, programs and services

Refresh Your Résumé! Applications for the House of Commons Page Program open in September 2026. If you’re interested in politics, public service, or gaining hands-on experience in Canada’s democracy, now is the perfect time to start preparing your application. For more information, click here.