Three Councillors Voted to Remove Support That Keeps Youth Programs Accessible

For many families, youth sports are already a major expense. A recent council vote brought affordability into focus, with decisions that could have directly impacted participation across the city.

For many Guelph families, youth recreation is where kids build confidence, stay active, and remain connected to their community. Whether it is hockey, lacrosse, or other programs that rely on municipal facilities, participation is directly tied to affordability. That affordability was the subject of a recent vote at City Hall.

Three councillors supported removing a subsidy that helps reduce the cost of youth access to facilities like the Sleeman Centre – a decision that would have increased costs for families across multiple sports and programs.

Those councillors who voted to remove the subsidy were Erin Caton, Linda Busuttil and Phil Allt.

The subsidy reduces facility rental costs by approximately 42.5%. Removing it would have shifted those costs to user groups, which typically pass expenses on through registration fees.

Local sports organizations advised council that higher costs could affect participation levels.

The vote on the subsidy is one of several recent financial decisions involving council.

Erin Caton was among the councillors who supported a proposed 33% council pay increase that was not approved. More recently, Erin Caton, Linda Busuttil, and Phil Allt also voted in favour of an 11.8% council pay increase, which was approved.

These are separate recorded votes, each with direct financial implications – one affecting council compensation, and one affecting the cost of youth participation in programs that rely on municipal facilities.

The Sleeman Centre supports a range of activities beyond ice sports. Changes to rental pricing can affect multiple user groups, including those involved in sports such as lacrosse and other organized programs.

The outcome of the vote means the subsidy remains in place. However, the recorded positions of councillors during the decision provide a clear record of where each member stood on the issue of reducing that support.

For residents and families, those decisions translate into tangible impacts – reflected in program costs, accessibility, and participation levels across youth recreation in the community.

Cover image: Erin Caton. Source: Instagram / Councillor Erin Caton