Hello, everyone. Shall we have a ROUNDUP of local news from Canada’s London this week? Let’s do it - and take an interest in what’s happening in our community, because that’s how we lead, and how we help everyone to improve their quality of life. I say civic pride is back, and it’s sexy this time. Hell to the yeah.
My name is Mike and I do communications things as public interest journalism. And this is London, Ontario, the vibrant city where we may have the worst unemployment rate in Canada (yes, really) but we have at least one neighbour with a good job and he’s coming home - that’s a livestream.
Best wishes to Colonel Hansen and crewmates, who are on track for splashdown in the Pacific at around 8-ish tonight1, I believe. Thanks for reminding us: ad astra.
I’m not kidding. That’s a local guy and he went TO SPACE. Still couldn’t avoid Donald bloody Trump, though.
Meanwhile, back on Earth
Here’s our curated ROUNDUP of news and such, all designed to keep us informed about local matters that matter, and written without too much added stress and tension, because nobody needs that. Note the recurring issues, which we’re signalling because they show what’s important to our city. The conversation is, of course, led by housing issues.
Roofs over heads
We see a lot of housing projects and announcements these days, happily. Here’s a good one from CTV London’s Lauren Stallone - 50 highly supportive housing units at Cove’s Landing. I still want to round all them all up and do a feature explaining where each project has reached, etc2.
And here’s a CBC London story from Isha Bhargava, who gives us the lowdown on two projects - one London, one St. Thomas - from Indwell, an amazing org.
Jonathan Juha at the Freeps is all over this interesting story about tenants’ rights. Renovictions are a big issue locally, and may pop up again at City Hall this week.
On The Matt Brown Podcast here, there’s a political panel discussing the mayor’s housing incentive, which still has not passed council.
(Look out for me on Matt’s next political panel, banging on about local politics again, alongside insightful political insider Nathan Caranci.)And you can find Mayor Josh Morgan talking to Craig Needles about micro-mod shelters and homelessness on his podcast here. Good - he should talk about that; it’s his biggest pitch to get re-elected.
…and related events in local government
That’s a wide umbrella, I know, but I want to highlight my City Hall update from earlier today, with its various issues including:
Homeless veterans
Tolpuddle Housing Co-op latest
Affordable housing, planning applications and more
Further, attention is being paid to the Downtown Response Team, largely due to a public rebuke from the City of London for a deviation from uniform.
Let’s take a look at the actual uniform first:
For the full background, we can rely on Daryl Newcombe of CTV London, who gives us this comprehensive report. The general concern lies in an implication that the real aim of these City employees is policing, and the specific controversy lies in a patch (NOT pictured) that deviated from the uniform with a controversial phrase that relates to policing.
I find myself unable to confirm the details of the wording, and I note that Daryl hasn’t used them. Fair enough, let’s move on. I’ll keep an eye out and may update this intriguing story later because, thematically, it shares some notes with reporting about the company running the micro-modular shelters on Cheese Factory Road.
Health
Here’s an update on that LHSC case. That’s Jonathan Juha again. Link
EDITED to clarify this is a civil lawsuit, though it involves serious allegations related to procurement fraud.And Craig Needles unpacks the cuts to nursing in London.
(Opinion alert: How can these cuts be OK? I’m well-informed on the issue, and also still baffled. Troubling.)
Jobs and the local economy
Another loose heading but it works at the moment. To wit:
Enbridge, the energy company, has bought the former Costco in south London, to consolidate staff and operations. There’s a strong backgrounder from Norm De Bono3 of the London Free Press right here. Wow, I remember when PenEquity was just working to get planning for that place, although probably its zenith was as a really good Spirit Halloween. Good to see it getting used to generate economic activity again.
Maple Leaf Foods are an important local employer, so I will share this reporting of a tragic incident at their poultry processing plant in London.
And London really does have the worst unemployment in Canada right now, if you’re wondering why I think a lot of folks are ready to vote for any credible alternative at any level of government. Same link.
Journalism
I’m absolutely delighted to see a nonprofit step up with a rescue plan for Fanshawe’s radio station 106.9 FM the X. That’s a trend. Who says local news needs to generate huge profits4?
The Lightning Round
Of course, the biggest story of the week, other than spacefaring quartets being shielded from cosmic rays on re-entry5, has to be the arrival of IKEA. Here’s the story from local TV news legend Nick Paparella6.
Opinion alert: There seems to be some discussion around town about what IKEA’s new model of store will offer, so I just want to say IT BETTER HAVE THE MEATBALLS OR I AM OUT.
Park upgrade includes pickleball! No, don’t ask me. I shall retire an undefeated champion in my own mind.
And let’s send good vibes to the poor souls dealing with the aftermath of fire in their public housing on Simcoe Street. That’s from CBC London’s Josiane N'tchoreret-Mbiamany.
The local content you need
Sports: Gameday London - Knights and more.
Business: London Inc - including a reference to meatballs this Friday.
On the move: Cedric Richards’ Southern Ontario Journal.
Commentary: Steve Cordes’ Community Matters.
Discussion: Matt Brown’s podcast.
Theatre: The Beat Magazine and TheatreInLondon.ca.
Larry being Larry: Larry Cornies’ audio blog
I also had this great share this week. Over at StrongTownsLondon.com, they’re campaigning for this:
…and, tbh, I’m probably on board, not least because I know Andrew Hunniford, a great lad who wrote an awesome piece about transit here. This is, however, more like advocacy than journalism, and round here we’re careful to point out the difference between reporting facts and expressing opinion. You might note my addition of words such as “commentary” above.
It’s a fine line but worth recognizing. Send me any thoughts that occur.
Not local but let’s call it BONUS content
This guy is way over in England but it’s my favourite Earth-based news story of the week. Phew, what a guy. No, he is not tiny - the twist is he’s normal-sized.
Enough enough, sigh
Let’s stay grounded and keep our eyes on the skies. If time allows, I have a BONUS post bubbling under for this weekend. Whatever transpires in this concrete-accursed place we call the Forest City, I’ll be back next week with updates from City Hall. Have a good weekend. If you like. I’m not the boss of you.
And if I dinna see ye through the week, I’ll see ye through the windae.
- Mike
I am not an astronaut, shut up.
Unless somebody salaried wants to take that on, hint hint.
No relation to Bono from U2, I understand.
Am I the only person who wonders if they’re coming home with superpowers?