Riding the line: Boundary changes cause confusion in Guelph’s south end

Some residents in the southern portion of Guelph have begun to face some confusion as they’re finding out they’re now voting in a completely different riding.

It all changed back in 2023 when the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission moved the southern portion of the riding, meaning some voters have now shifted into Wellington-Halton Hills. It’s a change from a smaller, more densely populated area into the larger, more rural riding that surrounds the city.

While the change was put into effect a few years ago, many are only finding out about it now. The Elections Canada website only began displaying the ‘new’ change on Sunday.

Previously, the Guelph riding included Ward 6 through Maltby Road, now ending further north at Arkell Road.

Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie took to social media, working to remind residents of the change, saying it was a change that even he forgot about.

Of course, not many people check their local ridings between elections either, meaning many have been left confused as they begin to discover the update. It acts as a reminder to check in on local ridings and where voting locations will be ahead of election day, coming up on Monday, April 28.