London, Ont. voters will head to the polls on Oct. 24 to choose who the town’s next mayor, and who their next city councillor must be.
Ten candidates are vying for the mayor’s office, while 61 others are running in 14 ward races across the town.
Six council seats are guaranteed to see recent occupants come the following term, with London Mayor Ed Holder and five councillors opting not to hunt re-election.
Among the many departures are Ward 3 Coun. Mo Salih, Ward 4 Coun. Jesse Helmer, Ward 5 Coun. Maureen Cassidy, Ward 7 Coun. Josh Morgan, and Ward 11 Coun. Stephen Turner. (Within the case of Ward 7, Morgan is as a substitute running for mayor.)
A full list of mayoral and ward candidates will be found on the town’s website, together with other election-related information.
To assist voters ahead of election day, Global News reached out to those running and asked that they complete a brief, five-question survey.
Global News will publish the responses received, ward by ward, over the approaching days, with candidates listed in alphabetical order.
You will discover all the published ward candidate responses on this page.
Below are the responses received by candidates running in Ward 12, one among three wards which covers London’s southernmost areas.
The ward includes the neighbourhoods of Cleardale, Highland, Lockwood Park, Longwoods, and White Oaks, and includes some rural areas south of highways 401 and 402.
David Godwin
Q.1: Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to provide you with urgent solutions to deal with London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?
Currently there may be near zero rehabilitation offered to individuals who need assistance with addictions. I’ll put more Emphasis on Rehabilitation. More accountability for public tax money so it might probably be redirected to programs that may help people to get them back on their feet. More involvement from churches and community groups-not for profit who’re equipped to minister to people each to their physical and spiritual needs. With shortages in labour force we are able to arrange training centers to provide people opportunity to learn a trade- be employed- so that they can begin to support themselves- give them a purpose, and be productive, that way individuals are less prone to fall back again.
Q.2: London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you intend to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?
People must feel secure going downtown- We’d like a stronger police presence downtown and we’d like to provide them the ability to implement the law. Let’s stop penalizing drivers who want to come back downtown and shop- we`re turning drivers off by making it harder to park and drive around – plus the town wanting to extend parking costs- they`ll just go some other place to buy and spend their money. Also must proceed development of housing so people can live in and near the core.
Q.3: Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in relation to the associated fee of living?
I’ll take the emphasis off the “green agenda” that’s penalizing taxpayers and raising the associated fee of fuel, food, and housing. The thought that taxing people more will change the weather is absurd considering. Let`s penalize polluters and never taxpayers. We should be more accountable for public tax money. Frivolous spending of taxpayer money will end with me as councilor.
Q.4: London is within the technique of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the following phase of public transit in the town?
Enough dithering on BRT, the general public is growing weary of it. Let`s get the three legs done asap and move on. No more speak about BRT expansion. Let`s work with LTC for improved bus routes and bus routes needed to the economic areas on the outskirts where people can and go to and from work.
Q.5: What’s your vision for London in the following 10 years and the way can we get there?
If we would like to get people enthusiastic about transit, let`s push the province to revisit high speed rail from London to Toronto, majority of Londoners would agree that it’s a fantastic idea if we are able to go from London to Toronto in 40 minutes. London could be a hub for Ontario for business, health care, and education. End homelessness in the following 5 years. London is a city that takes care of probably the most vulnerable- let`s get people back on their feet so that they will be productive, self-reliant with a purpose and hope. A growing vibrant city where people can raise families, go to work, have businesses in great peace and safety with less government intrusion of their lives. I feel our greatest days are ahead.
Alexander Predominant
Q.1: Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to provide you with urgent solutions to deal with London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?
I feel that The Forgotten 519 is correct in identifying core issues that should be addressed to meaningfully tackle the homeless epidemic that has plagued our city. Tackling underlying issues as identified by those experiencing homelessness is critical in establishing a joint collaboration between government and people we’d like to assist. While I don’t necessarily consider in leaving encampments in place as they’re, I’d try and create safer encampments with basic survival needs, proper sanitation, running water, a spot for everybody to feel secure. I’d be certain that that these camps are serviced on a every day basis by social staff to assist those affected by mental health or addiction issues, bringing the assistance to those who feel marginalized from the community as a substitute of assuming that they may seek the assistance they could need. Establishing a report and trust with this community is important in making a dialogue and motion that may help us combat homelessness from its roots.
Q.2: London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you intend to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?
I feel a lot of these businesses are still feeling the lingering impact of the pandemic, and it might take a number of years to bounce back financially. I feel working with the BIA, London Downtown Business Association and Mainstreet London, to create community events, bringing culture and experience back to the downtown core will help local businesses to thrive once more as well. Easing using public transit and the re-creation of motorcycle lanes will help people reconnect with the streets of London. I feel that events targeting the 1000’s of people attending Fanshawe and UWO and bringing the youth into the community, giving them opportunity to not only invest in the neighborhood but connect with the culture of London, possibly also aiding within the retention of those students in our community after graduation adding strength and variety to the downtown core.
Q.3: Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in relation to the associated fee of living?
Reasonably priced housing is one of the vital critical issues facing London today. A fast call to motion placing lower rental caps on properties will help somewhat. Currently London has one among the best cap rates in apartment rentals in Ontario. Rent freeze in reasonably priced housing units can even help. There may be also a necessity for the federal and provincial governments to re-evaluate ODSP, Ontario Works, Pension and Family Profit rates as recipients are being left behind with record high inflation rates.
Council continues to approve developments for top rise, high-cost housing with minimal reasonably priced units, once we should be tackling increasing homeless and poverty rates in the neighborhood through motion and commitment. Vacant lots are few and much between and with increasing demands on the already strained infrastructure in the town, we’d like to dedicate this space to constructing moderate, not high-rise, reasonably priced housing units for people who need it.
Improving access and reliability to public transit is one other method to mitigate the rising cost of living. Having a transit system that supports the town that it serves is critical in alleviating financial pressure, and decreasing pollution and congestion on city streets. Higher support for cyclists, including secure bike lanes, also gives Londoners a less expensive and more environmental method to get around the town.
Q.4: London is within the technique of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the following phase of public transit in the town?
The following phase in public transit is bringing the transit commission back inside council’s control. The present system doesn’t allow council or city hall to make critical decisions that it deems obligatory for our communities or our city, which is amazingly problematic especially since we are able to only ask the commission to review the request. While we move ahead with BRT we’d like to proceed to discover additional route requirements, develop higher areas of growth and make the system more user friendly, which can not only increase ridership, but in addition reduce the dependency of cars inside the city. A powerful public transit system is commonly a back bone to a thriving city and while now we have managed over time, we’d like a greater system in place to get people to work, to buy or home again who may not find a way to afford a automotive or need a substitute for driving.
Q.5: What’s your vision for London in the following 10 years and the way can we get there?
Over the following 10 years my vision for the town of London is one that gives reasonably priced living for all our residents. We must first start with our housing crisis and try and resolve the problems and construct a greater foundation during which we grow on. From there we’d like to proceed to cut back the town’s dependencies on owning a automotive to get around, a fundamental constructing block in reducing congestion, pollution and increasing the general functionality inside our city. Finally, we’d like to have a city council that’s accountable and aware of the needs of its residents. In spite of everything the residents of this city know what they need, what they need and just need a gaggle of elected officials who’re prepared to make that occur.
Elizabeth Peloza
Q.1: Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to motion to provide you with urgent solutions to deal with London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?
Community based advocacy and front-line staff play a necessary role in helping to formulate solutions and deliver services. Addressing homelessness, addiction and mental health issues can even require the provincial government being an lively partner with the town, with much needed funding and infrastructure.
I would really like to see the roundtables and conversations that began attributable to The Forgotten 519 proceed. I need to expand the programs which are successfully providing support, and adopt programs from other municipalities which are working well . For example, I’ve toured the Indwell property in St. Thomas that operates with a 2 to 1 resident-to-staff ratio, with staff onsite 24/7. In addition they have wrap around support for as much as 5 years. I’d support and work towards this service in London.
Q.2: London business owners have recently highlighted a number of the economic challenges they’re facing particularly within the downtown core. What strategies do you intend to revitalize London’s downtown core to assist businesses thrive?
The last 3 years have been hard for London business owners, especially within the downtown core. London needs a sustainable, secure and vibrant downtown. Like our city as an entire, downtown needs more housing, and I’ll keep pushing for more housing options for our residents. We also must proceed to enthusiastically promote our great events and festivals. And we’d like to be certain that that folks feel secure shopping and dining within the downtown core.
Council has already supported numerous initiatives to revitalize downtown, like increased London Police Services patrols, dedicated staffing for Dundas Place to support the special events held there, public washroom availability, and secure bike storage lockers. I’ll keep our give attention to implementing the Core Area Motion Plan, working with the business owners and residents of downtown to make it a fantastic place to live and work.
Q.3: Affordability within the housing and rental markets is probably the most pressing issue for a lot of Londoners. If elected, what changes would you push for to ease the burden on Londoners in relation to the associated fee of living?
That is one of the vital essential issues our city faces. These are the important thing goals that we’d like to give attention to:
- More housing supply opened up across the town;
- A wider offering of housing options- homes, apartments, condos;
- More high-rises with 3-bedroom units;
- Infill project to assist keep servicing costs lower and preserving undeveloped land;
- Support the vision and development of complete, secure and walkable neighbourhoods;
- Ensuring that the prices of development are covered by the event charges
Q.4: London is within the technique of constructing three legs of bus rapid transit, but challenges remain for the north and west end of the town. What’s your vision for the following phase of public transit in the town?
I remain committed to seeing all 5 legs of a Bus Rapid Transit plan implemented. Our transit system has to work for all the city, not 3/5ths of it. The 2022-2026 London City Council must have a strong discussion and review of the general plan. The variety of current and projected future ridership, the projected revenue generation, the longer term development potential along proposed corridors, and the opportunity of additional government funding to assist offset the associated fee and budget impacts all should be considered.
Q.5: What’s your vision for London in the following 10 years and the way can we get there?
My vision for London is a secure, prosperous city with adequate housing options, good employment opportunities, reliable public and lively transportation options. And we’ll construct that city with good collaboration between our council members, residents and businesses/community organizations.
— Questions by Global News’ Jaclyn Carbone and Maya Reid
