I have some knowledge (not much) about biology and the academic reputation of Canadian uinversities. And I happen to know some guys from Guelph.
If your friend does not want to be an expert of agriculture or food science, he/she'd better not go to Guelph. It is not good feeling to spend several years in Guelph.
If you are talking about 生物专业的大牛, in Canada it will be UT, McGill and Queen's. If you look at the relevant publication in peer-reviewed journals, you will see that.
If you are talking about research funding, fortunately I am getting some payment from some fundings and I am asked to do something to get new ones related to biology recently.
You can check how many biologists in Canada are from Guelph.