Community Message from Chief Cobey: University of Guelph Homecoming 2026

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, our community welcomed students, alumni, families, and visitors for the University of Guelph’s annual Homecoming celebration. The event was supported by the collaborative work of the Guelph Police Service and our community partners.

Homecoming is an important tradition and a significant event for our city. The University of Guelph is an integral part of our community and a major contributor to the local economy. Its employment, research and innovation, partnerships, and student and visitor activity support local businesses and help attract talent and investment to Guelph. The University’s academic, cultural, athletic, and community programs also bring people together, strengthen our community, and contribute to the energy, diversity, and vitality of our city throughout the year.

I want to thank our residents who showed patience and understanding, as well as the students and visitors who celebrated responsibly and treated one another - and our community - with respect. The vast majority of those in attendance did not engage in the dangerous and criminal behaviour that has rightly caused concern, and their responsible conduct should not be overshadowed by the actions of a relatively small number of individuals.

Thank you to our Guelph Police Service members, the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph including paramedic, fire, and by-law services, and the Guelph General Hospital whose collaborative efforts supported the event. I extend particular thanks to University of Guelph President Dr. Rene Van Acker for his leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to ensuring the circumstances that caused concern are not repeated.

As we reflect on this year’s Homecoming, leaders from the Guelph Police Service, the University of Guelph, the City of Guelph, and the Guelph General Hospital have begun reviewing the event together. We will learn from the experience and strengthen our coordinated approach to future large gatherings. We are committed to demonstrating what is possible when we work together to support our community.

Our dedication to ensuring the safety of our citizens and our first responders is unwavering. The community can expect a significantly enhanced public-safety presence at events of this nature in the future, supported by the resources required to protect our neighbourhoods and public spaces.

To those responsible for criminal behaviour: your actions were dangerous, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Our investigators are actively working to identify anyone who endangered the safety of our residents, visitors, or first responders. Your actions resulted in injuries, property damage, and disruptions for our citizens and our businesses. Your behaviour significantly impacted the ability of emergency service personnel and hospital staff to deliver critically important care to our citizens. This criminal conduct carries consequences, and anonymity within a crowd does not place you beyond accountability.  Anyone involved should expect to be contacted by our investigators.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to a respectful and community-minded Homecoming. I am grateful to the members of our Service, and to our University, City, and Hospital partners for their professionalism, commitment, and collaboration. Working together, we can preserve the traditions that bring people to Guelph while ensuring our city remains safe and welcoming for all.

Chief Gord Cobey
Guelph Police Service