Mayor fumes after University of Guelph riot leaves 60 injured
· Toronto Sun
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That’s how Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie described this weekend’s unsanctioned “homecoming” party at the University of Guelph, which resulted in local police cordoning campus-adjacent roads and sent over 60 people to local hospitals.
“It’s been pretty clear that it was probably the worst amount of issues that we’ve ever experienced in the history of homecoming parties,” Guthrie said Monday morning during an appearance on the local CBC Radio outlet.
“Not only has there been a huge amount of resources required from our own staff for the frontline staff, if you can think about waste and transit and bylaw issues, but then our emergency services as well, police, fire and paramedics — a lot of issues there.”
The University of Guelph is gonna have to explain this. pic.twitter.com/AJp6mn85if
— Canada Proud (@WeAreCanProud) September 28, 2026
Hospital, police overwhelmed
Always an annual headache for local officials, the University of Guelph’s unsanctioned “homecoming” gatherings reached new lows over the weekend.
Police were forced to close Chancellors Way, near Stone Road Mall, late Saturday afternoon as thousands of students poured into area streets and parking lots.
Attendees described the gathering as a “war zone” as an estimated 5,000 people smashed windows, caused property damage and threw bottles at emergency crews.
Video posted online showed police in riot gear wrestling, pepper-spraying and arresting students in trash-filled streets, while being pelted with bottles and debris. Others showed fistfights, people scaling the outside of buildings and a DJ hastily packing up his equipment after students began throwing cans and bottles at him. A large bonfire was also set.
Local businesses reported widespread property damage and smashed windows. Hospital officials told local media about 60 people were treated for a variety of injuries, ranging from intoxication to cuts and head injuries.
‘University will take action,’ president says
In a statement , University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Rene Van Acker said the school is “deeply disappointed” by the riot, saying he realizes the event posed serious safety risks and cannot happen again.
“Preventing future unsanctioned gatherings requires a co-ordinated response and a renewed approach,” he said.
“We will work closely with our community partners to review what occurred, assess where the current approach must change, and identify additional measures needed to prevent similar incidents, reduce risk and better support community safety.”
He blamed much of the trouble on outside agitators and non-students, but said students who took part will face consequences.
“Where individuals are found to have violated university policies or applicable laws, the university will take action,” he said.
Questions from the Toronto Sun asking how much blame school officials should take for the trouble and if the school will help pay for policing and clean-up costs went unacknowledged.
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Mayor speaks out
In a video statement posted online , Guthrie said he’s concerned about the safety aspects of what happened as well as the financial impact.
“I am beyond upset seeing videos of our emergency services getting bottles thrown at them and worse,” he said.
“I’ve heard from businesses today that had their windows smashed out and other property damage and then there’s the garbage and lighting of fires.”
He said students’ actions during the riot should not be tolerated and called on the university to do more to control their students.
“Over the last several years, it has gotten a lot better, but last night was definitely something that came out of the blue,” he said.
Guthrie said he’s fed up that taxpayers are constantly paying for patrolling and cleaning up the mayhem, saying past riots have cost the city as much as $100,000.
“Having to deal with these issues on the financial front have always been a big problem for me and for many of you.”
Guthrie said he once sent a bill to university leadership, which he said never went anywhere.
“There’s new leadership there now; this is a good opportunity to at least broach the subject again,” he said.
“I think there’s a huge willingness with the university to be able to do that, so I think that’s a conversation that must happen.”
Guthrie suggested that the school start adding a $5 surcharge on student fees to help ease the city’s financial burden for future unrest.