London Jazz Festival

Here is the link to the AM980 interview I had with Devon Peacock last Wednesday. My comments were my own opinions about the Commission meeting that morning. megaphone.link/CORU3852873061

I spoke w Devon Peacock 980 CFPL News earlier about London Transit Commission issues including the decrease in LTC ridership as well the need to update our bus-ad policy. The LTC Board discussed the ridership decrease at our March 30 meeting and directed a further report for further discussion.

A very busy London Transit Commission coming up Monday March 30 at 9:30am (LTC Office 45O Highbury N) -A new paratransit provider? -Conventional Transit Service Report showing ridership down.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association issues an unequivocal condemnation of the Ford government’s plan to defund safe consumption sites across Ontario. Read their full release here: ccla.org/press-releas...

RHAC is pointing to crucial data that speaks not only the value of their programs, but the harm that will come to the community as a result of the announced cuts. To make matters worse, we have a councillor who is literally celebrating Ford’s actions using over-used inflammatory rhetoric.

Today’s rally in Victoria Park to oppose provincial cuts to OSAP was led by local high school students. A massive and spirited turnout despite the weather. I was honored to be invited to speak and along with others addressed the need to turn back these harmful cuts to student assistance programs.

Special Concert for International Women’s Day at Aeolian Hall kicks off with Tara Dunphy. Concert going until 5pm today.

Whitby mayor proposes new disclosure rule ahead of election Mayor Elizabeth Roy said it’s “needed to ensure voters know who may be influencing municipal decision-making…this is a concern raised by the community and council members.” www.ipolitics.ca/2026/03/06/w... We need this in London! #LdnOnt

The agenda for the March 3rd City Council meeting is posted at london.ca/government/c... You can submit a letter for the Added Agenda to <[email protected]> by Mon, March 2nd, 9am. Give Report/Item # and consent for it to be published.

I’m looking forward to speaking at “Building Power at the Grassroots: Municipal Elections Matter” this Saturday, Feb 28 OPSEU Membership Centre, 1092 Dearness Drive. More info and registration at londonlabour.ca/events/munic...

Celebrating London’s designation as the 2026 Forest Capital of Canada by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC). During the term, the City will offer special events and educational programs to celebrate London’s urban forest and natural heritage.

I had a great conversation w @craigneedles.bsky.social on his podcast today about the Ridout/Kent high rise project approved by the PEC, as well as the contentious issues of campaign donations and the need for a Lobbyist Registry. thecraigneedlespodcast.podbean.com/e/developer-...

Clark Bryan has posted a thoughtful vision for a UNESCO City of Music Strategic Plan at clarkbryan.ca/2026/02/24/ He calls it “A Community-Led Vision for a Thriving, Inclusive, Globally Connected Music City” It’s very timely given today’s council committee discussion on this subject.

At @LondonPublicLibrary central for the Annual London Heritage Fair. Visiting the tables with the work of so many local organizations shows the strong commitment to heritage and historical preservation in #LdnOnt. Many thanks to London Heritage Council for organizing and LPL for hosting the event.

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

David Ferreira and I are asking the Community & Protective Services Committee to revise the criteria for opening warming centers as part of #LdnOnt cold-weather homelessness response. A framework change is needed to better protect homeless persons from suffering cold-weather related injuries.

The agenda for the next Community & Protective Services Committee meeting (Mon, Sept 29, 1pm) is now online: pub-london.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx... This busy agenda includes: 2.3 Proposed Temporary Warming Center Framework …

I had a great time at the @KingsAtWestern Opening Ceremonies for O-Week this afternoon. Delivering welcome greetings from the City of #LdnOnt, meeting lots students and staff.

Larry Cornies’ editorial hits right on the mark. London needs a better balance between development approvals and our mobility infrastructure. lfpress.com/opinion/colu... Yet this council is full-speed-ahead on approvals without adequate regard for traffic implications. It’s simply not sustainable.

The London Fire Department has issued a temporary ban on all open air fires in the City because of extreme hot & dry conditions. The ban is in effect until further notice and includes bonfires, campfires, strike burn cans, chimineas, fire tables and fire pits. london.ca/newsroom/pub...

Ontario Superior Court has just ruled the province’s move to remove bike lanes would be “inconsistent” with the constitutional protection of life, liberty and security. 2025 ONSC 4397 globalnews.ca/news/1131136...

My initial thoughts are with the pedestrian victim and I am anxiously awaiting an update on their condition. www.ctvnews.ca/london/artic...

The agenda for the Tuesday July 22 London City Council meeting has been posted at london.ca/government/c... (scroll to Upcoming Meetings, Council) Submissions for the Added Agenda are due Monday July 21, 9am to [email protected]. Give Report / Item# and state consent to publicly publish.

I’m looking forward to talking with Devon Peacock 980am at 7:18am tomorrow about my motion coming to SPPC on Thurs about the Deputy Mayor selection process. I’m asking staff to scan how other Ontario cities select this position and report back, and I’ll talk about some options the Council has.

I’ve filed a motion for the July 17 SPPC meeting to look at how other Ontario cities select and define the position of Deputy Mayor. London City Council should be considering options besides the status-quo where the Mayor nominates the DM and assigns their roles. .

Capping off a great evening at the TAP Creativity Centre @TAPCreativityON for the 34th Annual Pride London Art Show Gala Opening (show runs through July 19th) www.tapcreativity.org

At the New Door Project celebration at the Forest City Gallery recognition event for accessibility upgrades supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. More about the FCG at forestcitygallery.com

I had a great meeting this morning with student leaders from @fanshawesu, representing Fanshawe College students at the main, downtown, airport and south London campuses. We discussed housing, transit, public safety, local political engagement and other issues. fsu.ca

I’ll be holding a discussion about neighborhood Traffic Safety on July 23. We’re focusing on Old North, where a crossing guard was recently injured and where several traffic calming petitions are pending. But these issues are common in other London neighborhoods and all are welcome!

I’m looking forward to attending @OntarioNature seminar “Bill 5 Explained: What it Means and What We Can Do Now” July 9th 7pm, Free registration at us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Had some great conversations about e-bike and battery safety issues at “Watt A Ride” at Gibbons Park last Saturday.

Here is an urgent press release from PAWS Canada about a canine parvirus outbreak in the @LMCHousing property at 345-349 Wharncliffe Rd in #LdnOnt. Please resend to dog owners in the area, esp to person living in these buildings. More about PAWS Canada at www.pawscanada.ca

Hear the Sounds of Swing Band at Wolf Performance Hall June 23, 7pm and UWO’s New Horizons Band at the Paul Davenport Theatre June 28 at 11am Sounds of Swing details: www.events.westernu.ca/events/music... New Horizons Band details: www.events.westernu.ca/events/music...

On June 17 while on duty as a school crossing guard at St. James & Colborne Streets in London’s Old North, Michael-Ann was struck by a vehicle hit by a truck that went onto the sidewalk where she was sitting. To help with her expenses as she recovers, please consider donating to gofund.me/38d012c8

Good coverage from CBC News on Bill 6… Ontario anti-encampment law punishes the homeless, avoids long-term solutions: critics Safer Municipalities Act could violate people's right to shelter, civil liberties union says t.co/Z3Y79ItSNc

Here’s a reminder that I’m holding an informal online session this evening from 7pm until 8:30pm. Zoom link: us06web.zoom.us/j/8241864517...

Dr. Marianne Larsen, Professor Emeritus at @westernu.bsky.social urges the campus community to keep examining Navitas. She points to recent Glassdoor reviews where staff say the company prioritizes profit—“maximizing every cent” from students. The concerns are still real. #NoToNavitas #cdnpse

It looks like the provincial government will be cutting off debate on Bill 6, by-passing committees, going to Second & Third Readings and enacting the bill later today…

Deputy Auditor General Andrew Hayes’s report said several issues came up during the audit | @mblackburn21.bsky.social

The just released @LMCHousing 2025 Asset Management Plan is on the May 27th SPPC Agenda pub-london.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a.... The overall LMCH conditions assessments are: Good-VG: 6% Fair: 26% Poor: 63% Very Poor: 5% But the report does not provide a building by building breakdown.

My Ward 6 Newsletter (May 2025) is now out! You can link directly to mailchi.mp/1f84a71ecebd.... And you can subscribe at: mailchi.mp/feb71126049c...

Nominations for the Urban League’s Green Brick and Green Umbrella awards have been extended until May 30, 2025! Nominations are welcome for and from non-League members. Learn more and nominate at urbanleague.ca/green-awards

I’ll be sending out my next Ward 6 Newsletter early next week. All are welcome to subscribe at: mailchi.mp/feb71126049c...

London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) makes its annual presentation to the Council’s Strategic Planning & Policy Committee (SPPC) on June 17 (1pm- public gallery on 3rd Floor city hall). It’s a good meeting to attend if you have concerns about LMCH, More info to follow, but save the date.

After being hired to promote Georgia’s Medicaid work requirement program, Deloitte Consulting priced reports about its own marketing performance at $300,000 a month. A final report, which was due in February, could cost the state nearly half a million. ➡️ Read the full story: propub.li/3YOiJ66

I’m reading “The Battle for Public Space,” by Anissa Gandhi & Sagan Gunaratnam in the Public Policy and Governance Review ppgreview.ca/2025/02/13/t... It’s a persuasive critique of the Safer Municipalities Act, (now Bill 6). The authors conclude that…

It’s a wonderful day for the 2025 SunFest line-up announcement at the London Brewing Co-op …starting soon!

I’m looking forward to speaking with @devonpeacock_ on the Morning Show tomorrow (Tuesday May 13th ) at 6:35am about the budget surplus issue coming to #LdnOnt City Council forTuesday ‘s meeting. Will replayed at 8:35am. @AM980News

Councillor Franke and I have filed this motion about the budget surplus for the City Council meeting on Tuesday. We want some of these funds invested in badly needed programs and services. Please let your councillors know you support this proactive approach!