Greetings, shining examples of just what it means to be a Londoner. Welcome to the Wednesday offering from London Ontario Online News, the news outlet we style as The Loon, which exists to further public interest journalism, among many other fancy values.
This is City Hall Notes, the midweek touchpoint on all things local government, which right now is getting properly adversarial, oh yes. An election is happening and we are almost at the end of this council term - scroll down for some insight into the second-last meeting before they’re done.
And this is London, Ontario, the Forest City, Canada’s London, and many other things to many other people. The fall is happening and I can’t believe how cold the mornings have become1. This focuses the mind somewhat: in an election year, the fall smells of leaves and fear. Let’s look at that, and continue to poke fun at everyone because it’s important to have a laugh, innit?
Here’s your guide to the issues that matter in local government this week. Thanks for taking a look!
Election 2026
The battle is on! And everybody involved thinks they’re the main character in this particular drama, oh wow. This has been our first full week with campaign teams working openly, and elbows are sticking out already. Still politely, though.
First, let’s hear from Josh Morgan and Susan Stevenson on affordability. CBC London put together this head-to-head story, surfacing an issue that’s been underlying the whole campaign: the cost of living. Stevenson is talking taxes again in that one.
And the initial pitch by Morgan was two-year freeze on rec centre fees can be read in more detail on the London Free Press’s lovely new website here.
The Free Press also covered Stevenson’s announcement on social agencies, in which she promised to bring back Good Neighbour Agreements, among other pledges.
I’m enjoying the redesigned London Free Press website, which includes a City Hall section for the first time. Very swish! It works much better on the mobile desktop platform, especially. I’ll follow with interest. It’s also worth recognizing that this digital infrastructure spending was down to the Free Press being part of the large company Postmedia. There are some benefits there, even if it’s not locally-owned. London has space for a variety of media business models.
The mayoral debates continue, by the way, with this one at the London Club (Free Press story there) focusing on the three “main” candidates (adding Kirsten Krose), to the dismay of the others, if their socials are anything to go by.
It’s all about the format, I think: this smaller set-up gives a different outcome for those organizing it. I prefer the bigger events, such as the one we did with Rogers tv, but I see why this choice has been made. I also see why candidates deserve the spotlight. It’s a tough one.
More elex bits
Want to know more about running for mayor2? You could watch the second segment, just published, of Inquiry Now, the new interview segment fronted by Daryl Newcombe, City Hall’s favourite TV guy. It interviews former mayors Ed Holder and Matt Brown, with Mr. Brown shamelessly plugging The Loon, and is here.
The Pillar Nonprofit Network candidates survey is new and here, with a sector-specific grilling for those who wish to participate. That has a 53% response rate and answers from 43 candidates. Rogers tv did a wee bit on it here; that outlet is increasing its local news reporting and, despite a slightly confusing home page, is worth watching.
And there are just a few All Candidates Meetings left to catch, if you’d like to learn more about your options. Click the image above for full info, and there is still news coverage popping up, such as: Ward 8 from CBC; and Ward 13 from LFP. That last was a meeting in the main public library downtown on Saturday and is a fascinating contest, with several challengers on the attack and an incumbent, David Ferreira, whose majority is just 34 votes. I was there and I’m sharing a few photos, largely because I haven’t been outside much this week to take any others.
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City Council and more
And the business of our city continues. This week, they removed the covers3 from the council chamber twice, to hold a meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee on Monday, and a Full Council plenary session like something out of Star Wars4 on Tuesday. Every brain cell in the room was pulsing with the word “election” and consequently people said things.
Notably, Councillor Stevenson made a statement, quickly withdrawn following an objection from Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis, about a perceived lack of transparency during a Planning debate. This was about an eight-storey student residence on Sarnia Road, but the location is secondary, to some extent. This is the rake-in-the-grass of this election: infill housing. People are angry and feeling unheard in localized pockets all over town. This will affect ward races more than the mayoral race but it’s still a source of votes for the iconoclastic Stevenson. She’s telling voters that City Hall ain’t listening, but she will.
She was far from the only speaker, of course, Councillors lined up to oppose this one, and it failed 2-13. This was so popular in the public gallery that people applauded, leading the mayor to appeal for neutrality. (You’re not allowed to applaud at City Hall. You have to do “jazz hands”.)5
And, at the penultimate meeting of all-of-council before the election, Susan Stevenson got herself noticed.
If you want to find out more, I’d recommend this strong piece by Alessio Donnini at CBC London.
One other Planning story: tax relief for heritage homes is on the table, following Monday’s meeting. CBC covered it here. That one looks like a medium-term, after-the-election issue, but (quick opinion) it’s still great to hear that owners of heritage homes in London might get more help in caring for them.
The 14 Wards of London Ontario, Part 15.5
Did you read Cedric’s thoughtful post yesterday? I appreciate him very much and feel grateful to work with such an insightful man. Cedric’s conclusions are very interesting indeed.
As for mine, I agree that London is a varied city and everyone’s experiences differ. And, I think a lot about what we have in common as Londoners, and the issues that unite us. Everywhere we went, we encountered road and/or housing construction existing alongside the most beautiful, soul-affirming neighbourhoods and other spaces. Sometimes, but not often, we encountered significant social problems, but these are not city-wide, even if the conversation may be.
Often, and notably, it was difficult to sit together and chat, but when it happened it was amazing. When London works, it really works. It offers a lifestyle many would envy. And it’s in us to ruin it; it often looks like we’re trying.
This wonderful city deserves to be run well. Thanks for paying attention and making good decisions, as London Leaders.
Local storytellers
I’ll never tire of sharing the voice of local journalism Yoda-type Larry Cornies, best experienced on his audio blog here. And, if there is one you listen to, try the latest, about the forgotten star Annie Pixley, who (spoiler - but not a big one) is buried in London. Find that post here.
You can also find Cedric Richards’ Southern Ontario Journal here, and I’m always on the lookout for local journalists who could do with a signal boost. Feel free to reach out - and possible contributors are also welcome to get in touch. Yes, seriously.
Enough
Let’s leave it there for now. That’s plenty to digest and it’s going to keep coming, with weekly announcements expected from at least two mayoral candidates and everybody else jockeying for position.
I’ll keep watching and reporting back. This week, I have had something called “a chill”, which is apparently a virus and not just something you see in old movies with pioneers pushing wagons up snowy hills while Howard Keel sings something that would get him cancelled nowadays. So I’m reminded of all the online ways to stay in touch with out city government, and just this once - JUST THIS ONCE6 - will suggest you consider watching the council meeting that will pop up on the City website here at some point soon. It’s two hours long, with skip-ahead functionality for the boring parts and, especially this week, a good look at some of the main personalities in this election. Think on.
Making a choice? Now’s the time to get good information and use it to support that choice. Thanks again for being great Londoners, and for supporting The Loon, especially if you do it with precious, precious Canuckibucks.
And that’s me for today. I’ll get you a ROUNDUP on Friday, somehow. September cannot conquer us! And it’ll all be over by Christmas.
Cheers cheers, big ears
- Mike
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Local agencies collect items for the homeless. Consider finding out more and picking up an extra pack of socks sometime.
tbh some current candidates could not know LESS about it
It’s a very technical process. This happens at the end of every council meeting. jk jk
not really
not kidding - absolutely true
Don’t make a habit of it if you don’t want to. Remember that (1) you follow The Loon and (2) gaze not into the abyss.
Increasingly, it's feeling like solving homelessness (impossible without multiple layers of government involvement) is the precursor to solving most of our financial and cultural issues.