Hello, everyone, and thank you for supporting London Ontario Online News, our local media start-up that shares useful information with engaged Londoners. This is City Hall Notes where, every week, I write a column about local government. It’s designed to inform, to combat disinformation and misinformation, and to help us all, as London Leaders, make a positive impact on our community.
Usually I write with some levity at this point, but not today. This is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and I want to observe it well. Let’s start with words that lead every meeting at London City Hall. They’re in every agenda, and the mayor or committee chair says these words to open each and every gathering that takes place on our behalf.
The City of London is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (AUh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah-pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run).
We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. The City of London is currently home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit today.
As representatives of the people of the City of London, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory.
What does that mean? They need to be more than just words, though, right? That’s the criticism usually levelled at a land acknowledgement: it needs to be meaningful, to have real impact. It’s more than a pasted-in paragraph from an agenda.
We need to do the work, and find opportunities to learn.
How to find out more
And that’s part of today. Let’s pause and think about this. It’s not just a t-shirt. As leaders, as settlers, as community members, we show up for this discussion, and we recognize we have roles in this process. Right?
It’s really easy to find out more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There’s an excellent federal government website, among many other sources of information. And here’s background on the 94 Calls To Action released by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015. Call To Action 80, by the way, led to the annual observance of today’s National Day.
Tanya Talaga: Seven Fallen Feathers
Last week, I attended a lecture given by the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail journalist Tanya Talaga at King’s University College, here in London. I was honoured to have a few minutes to speak with her and to support an article you can read here.
Tanya’s books include Seven Fallen Feathers, which focused on the tragic deaths of seven young people in Thunder Bay, and the shocking lack of interest or support from the police. I read (and review) a lot of books and I am extremely careful before I use the word “unputdownable” but I’m deploying it this time. I read this book in a single sitting and could not recommend it more strongly as an accessible way to understand the ongoing experience of Indigenous people, forced to send their children into danger if they want them to have a high school education.
And that’s just one point it makes. It’s an accessible book, but it is not light reading. If you like indie bookstores, you can look for it here.
In the news now
These issues are current, of course. Let’s use our usual method of rounding up some stories. Here’s an Indigenous Issues Lightning Round, largely made up of CBC coverage:
Last week, thousands of people marched on Queen’s Park to protest mercury poisoning at the Grassy Narrows First Nation in northwestern Ontario, where 90%1 of people are affected. LINK
Full parole has been given to the man who killed (note: he was convicted of manslaughter) Indigenous woman Barbara Kentner by throwing a trailer hitch from a moving car. Here’s a CBC story showing the distress being suffered by the victim’s family: LINK
There’s concern about a destruction order being applied to residential school documentation, unless survivors come forward and ask for them to be preserved. LINK
One family’s search for a lost brother. TW: even among this content, that is a heavy, heavy story to hear. LINK
And new stamps to mark Orange Shirt Day. I shared one at the start of this article and there are three more. Find out more about them here: LINK
Those are current issues, and not just a thought for November 30.
The link to comic books
Because there always is one with me, right? Every November 30 I sit down to read, and listen to, Secret Path. You can find out all about it on the official website here.
This is the story of Chanie Wenjack, who was 12 years old when he died during an impossible walk home from the infamous Cecilia Jeffrey school. It’s a powerful story told across several media, including a music project led by Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie during the final years of his life. The graphic novel has words by Downie and art by Essex County comic book creator Jeff Lemire.
And here’s an animated version, with a CBC panel discussing it afterwards.
Thanks for reading this. The point I’m making: it’s really easy to get informed about residential schools and the ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous people on Turtle Island, so let’s have a go today.
And Tanya Talaga’s words will stay with me. She spoke of facing residential school denialism every day, and that makes me angry. When I see masked cowards come together to spread lies and evil, I want to oppose them, armed with the truth.
Who’s with me?
And a new topic.
Local government news
Of course, this column has a purpose to fulfil and it’s time to get back to that. The election is in full swing and we had two City Hall committees this week, including some reporting from Planning and Environment.
Nobody covered Community and Protective Services this week, as far as I can tell. I mean, I know what happened, because I have eerie powers that tell me2, but that’s still a shame. City Hall is better with media in the room, even if you can find a full agenda here.3 There was a good hearing for the local orgs who are pitching for funds for new homelessness services, and that’ll pop up again at Full Council.
Planning
This meeting, on Tuesday, did have media present, so we have some reporting. There are two main stories and a full agenda can be found here. Again, there is no video.
Committee says ‘no’ to two towers on Wellington: LINK
The Planning committee voted down Foundation Development Fund’s proposal for 980 apartments in two towers beside the Wellington Road rapid transit corridor, south of the Thames River.
This is a 32-storey, 540-unit building at 60–68 High Street and a 22-storey, 440-unit building at 57–75 Wellington Road.
City staff recommended refusal over excessive density, reduced setbacks and insufficient bicycle storage, while neighbours objected to the buildings’ size and design and potential spillover parking and traffic.
And now we ARE demolishing 100 Stanley Street, according to this report from Jack Moulton at the Free Press. That’s the ongoing saga of the heritage home that’s a bit too close to the rail line.
Both of these will be back for approval by Full Council on October 14. That’s the last meeting of this term.
And the main event: Election 2026
Advance polls are open! People can vote right now if they want. Here’s CTV on it: LINK
Here are some recent bits of news to know.
Josh Morgan picked up a major endorsement with the London District Building & Construction Trades Council backing his re-election as mayor. It represents more than 15,000 skilled trades workers in the London, Woodstock and St. Thomas areas.
President John Gibson praised Morgan’s first-term record on construction, jobs and infrastructure investment and outlined a four-year advocacy plan supporting fair wage policies, procurement favouring local labour and contractors, and fewer barriers to developing skilled trades training centres and programs.
Morgan committed to further developing procurement policies aligned with the province’s Buy Ontario direction, providing more opportunities for local companies and ensuring jobs go to licensed skilled trades professionals.
Susan Stevenson has been talking about business. She’s doing weekly announcements and another is due today, but I’ll probably catch it in the ROUNDUP on Friday.
Stevenson is proposing a Business Concierge to coordinate permits, licences, inspections and problems involving multiple City departments, supported by published service standards and escalation routes for delays.
Her business platform includes a downtown parking strategy examining pricing, short stays, signage and safe access, with a goal of adding 300 reservable, affordable spaces. A roadwork protocol would require early notice, consultation, named project contacts and plans to maintain business access, with construction coordinated around peak business periods where practical.
Stevenson also proposes reviews of red tape, procurement, prompt payment and business-support programs, alongside a temporary task force addressing barriers to investment, hiring and productivity.
Here’s more on that, from CTV London.
Also, the LFP points out this Hyde Park mayoral debate was the first one open to the public.
ADDED - LATE EDIT - BREAKING
Well, I just noticed this. We have a likely date for the new council to meet for the first time, with an agenda item next week recommending an event at RBC Place on November 17 at 6 p.m.
And finally…
Is it that time already? It’s the SIGN SHENANIGANS STORY, regular as clockwork, every election. Looks like the City will crack down on non-compliant signs. Speaking as a Ward 4 resident: yes please. And don’t be chicken about it!
Here’s Jack Sutton of CBC London with a story.
Back with more soon
Thanks again for following the Loon, especially if you’re a special, gorgeous paid subscriber, and/or a sponsor. We appreciate every click, every share, and every recommendation. I think today’s content should show you why: these are important matters, and it makes us all better if we are well-informed.
This article involves some emotional labour. Thanks for reading this far and for opening the door to it.
And wait until you see what Diana Tamblyn is sharing tomorrow. It’s a different topic, also important, and also carrying enormous emotional impact. Thanks for being hundreds and hundreds of people who are paying attention.
The Loon continues to grow, and we are grateful for our opportunities and our privilege.
Hold your kids close.
- Mike
The Loon (London Ontario Online News) lineup
Local independent journalism bringing you new content every day.
Find our editorial standards and policies here.
Meet the Londoners who team up to send you a new feature every weekday:
Monday - Buckle Up - podcast with Matt Brown
SPONSORED BY HAMILTON ROAD BIATuesday - Ward Tours with Cedric Richards
SPONSORED BY LONDON BICYCLE CAFÉWednesday - City Hall Notes by Mike Donachie
SPONSORED BY SPERO LAWThursday - the Forest City Arts and Culture Roundup by Diana Tamblyn
SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN LONDONFriday - Reflections with Steve Cordes
SPONSORED BY OLD EAST VILLAGE BIA
Also on Fridays: the local news ROUNDUP.
Every other Saturday: The Matt Brown Podcast. It's the show about all things local, and maybe some other stuff too. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE.
Not a typo: ninety per cent.
I get updates from friendly folks who support local independent journalism. I also often follow online but this one wasn’t broadcast and I don’t see a video yet.
don’t