Karen Farbridge

Karen J. Farbridge is a Canadian politician, the former mayor and a former city councillor of the city of Guelph, Ontario.

Her Worship Karen Farbridge
58th Mayor of Guelph
In office 2000–2003
Preceded by	Joe Young
Succeeded by	Kate Quarrie
In office 2006–2014
Preceded by	Kate Quarrie
Succeeded by	Cam Guthrie
Personal details
Born	Woking, England
Parents	Joseph Farbridge and Joan Farbridge (Martin)
Website	http://www.karenfarbridge.ca/

Farbridge was born in Woking, England the oldest of three siblings. When she was three years old she moved to Canada with her family for her father's work. Her father, Joseph Farbridge, was an aeronautical engineer who moved to Canada to work with de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.

Farbridge was first elected to Guelph City Council in 1994, and served until her first election as mayor in the 2000 municipal election. She served until 2003, when she was defeated by Kate Quarrie in the 2003 municipal election, but defeated Quarrie in the 2006 municipal election. Reelected in the 2010 municipal election, she was defeated by Cam Guthrie in the 2014 municipal election.[1] During her 11-year tenure as mayor, Farbridge became the second longest sitting mayor, behind Norm Jary who served 15 years, and the longest sitting female mayor.

A resident of Guelph since 1979, Farbridge has an MSc and PhD in biology from the University of Guelph.

Shortly after leaving office, Farbridge launched Karen Farbridge & Associates Ltd., a consulting firm that advises public and private sector clients on public policy development and the navigation of the inner workings of government.[2]

As of 2016 Farbridge was lecturing in the faculty of Environmental Studies at York University.[3]

Electoral record

Guelph municipal election, 2014: Mayor
Candidate	Votes	%	Δ%	Expenditures[lower-alpha 1]
Cam Guthrie	19,672	50.75	–	$91,314.72[4]
Karen Farbridge (X)	14,174	36.57	-17.54	$80,263.17[5]
Jason Blokhuis	3,987	10.29	–	$6,766.23[6]
Andrew Donovan	296	0.76	–	$1,074.50[7]
John Legere	269	0.69	–	$7,204.24[8]
Joseph St. Denis	250	0.64	–	$6,192.70[9]
Nicholas A. Ross	112	0.29	–	none listed
Total valid votes/Expense Limit	38,760	100.0		$82,168.25
Turnout	38,873	43.21
Eligible voters	89,968
Sources: 2014 Official Election Results, City of Guelph, 2014 Election - Mayor, City of Guelph, and Voter Statistics, City of Guelph
includes expenses not subject to spending limit

Guelph municipal election, 2010: Mayor
Candidate	Votes	%	Δ%	Expenditures[lower-alpha 1]
Karen Farbridge (X)	14,902	54.11	+3.15	$63,741.54[10]
David Birtwistle	10,576	38.41	–	$25,607.71[11]
Ray Mitchell	1,182	4.29	–	$4.00[12]
Scott Nightingale	878	3.19	–	$200.00[13]
Total valid votes/Expense Limit	27,538	100.0		$82,168.25
Turnout	28,072	33.91
Eligible voters	82,794
Source: 2010 Final Official Results, City of Guelph
includes expenses not subject to spending limit

References

1. "Farbridge out, Guthrie in as mayor of Guelph". CTV News Kitchener, October 27, 2014.
2. "Former Guelph mayor now private sector advocacy consultant". Guelph Mercury Tribune, September 24, 2015.
3. Emerging energy professionals
4. Financial Statement: Cam Guthrie. City of Guelph.
5. Financial Statement: Karen Farbridge. City of Guelph.
6. Financial Statement: Jason Blokhuis. City of Guelph.
7. Financial Statement: Andrew Donovan. City of Guelph.
8. Financial Statement: John Legere. City of Guelph.
9. Financial Statement: Joseph St. Denis. City of Guelph.
10. Financial Statement: Karen Farbridge. City of Guelph.
11. Financial Statement: David Birtwistle. City of Guelph.
12. Financial Statement: Ray Mitchell. City of Guelph.
13. Financial Statement: Scott Nightingale. City of Guelph.