2022 London, Ont. municipal election: Meet the Ward 13 candidates
Q.1: Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to action to come up with urgent solutions to address London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?From what I can see, homelessness sees many forms. It can be long term, precarious, short term or temporary, and can vary in frequency.
We need to create and ensure London has a housing supply that’s affordable for both rent and ownership. We need to balance the financialization and public good of housing. If we only build, I fear we will end up with more housing and buildings in the city and the same housing affordability issue.
Our future transit plans are integral to the concept of affordable living, economic prosperity, and reduction of our environmental impact. Regrettably, the federal and provincial funding for our rapid transit plans for the north and west legs are longer available. And we have only a partial system being built. Regarding BRT, I hope that one day, the north and west legs can be a possibility again.When it comes to accommodating the immediate needs of the city.
Heritage: In 10 years, it is my hope that we have mainly followed the London Plan on heritage conservation and preservation.Q.1: Over the summer, the group The Forgotten 519 put out a call to action to come up with urgent solutions to address London’s homelessness crisis. If elected, how would you tackle homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in London?
Secondly, a program to invest in tiny homes, not only on public property but on private property. The province has given homeowners the right to create secondary dwelling units, and we need to catch up to that. We must bring our policies and by-laws up to date to allow people the opportunity to either create a secondary unit or tiny house on their property.
First, let’s assume that those who “choose” the lifestyle will be very hard to change over quickly. That said, I feel we need to consider a space where, given the choice, people can camp. River Road for me may be an excellent opportunity. It’s along the river and set far enough back from the roadway. We can service it with washrooms, showers and, most importantly, security so that people feel safe. Yes, rules to keep people safe.
Success will come by ensuring that safety and security are key pillars. If our shelters are unsafe, it is paramount that we change that. The mere name implies safety, and from talking to people on the street, they simply are not. We must partner with those who ensure that those who take refuge are secure, safe and cared for.
I think one of the other challenges we’re seeing coming out of the pandemic is a reluctance to come back to the core. Two years has allowed people the opportunity to create new habits. Less people are downtown on a Friday, so the bars are not as busy at 5pm, come the end of the week. The Grand Theatre is not sold out of all their season ticket vouchers. On top of all that, inflation, interest rates and supply chain issues has made it difficult to do business – period.
We need to work with our educational institutions to expand or engage in a downtown campus. Success of the core is based in part on students who represent a large portion of residents with a disposable income. Reassert that there is more to the city beyond Dufferin Avenue – you can go south young man!
Lastly, we could introduce a small business property tax sub class structure. They have done this in Toronto, and I feel that this is easy for us to adopt. It may well mean that larger corporations pick up some of the dollars involved in the tax structure, but I feel that a sub class for a period post COVID would be beneficial. With the pandemic, inflation, interest rates and supply chain issues hampering small business right now, it’s imperative that we focus successful outcomes.Q.
Specifically in Ward 13, I see there to be a benefit with converted dwellings. Much of the housing in this Ward has been set up for student housing: five-bedroom, five-bathroom units owned by a corporation out of Toronto. I’d like to see some of these properties be converted to senior living spaces. Bringing four seniors together, each with their own bedroom and washroom with a connected living space.
As for the future of transit, I’m looking to connect communities. We are a regional transit hub, and we need to define what that means and how we can benefit. Connecting our regional neighbours through a transit system only makes sense. It can get Londoners to jobs in Strathroy, St. Thomas and Woodstock. It can expand our housing opportunities, allowing people the opportunity to live close by without the need for a vehicle. Most importantly it creates better community in Southwestern Ontario.
Within our surrounding neighbourhoods, I see a mixture of old and new. A connective cycling infrastructure that meanders off the TVP into surrounding communities. I see community hubs, both indoor and outdoor that embrace community, building on a strong need to work together to form solutions. When you wander into areas such as Piccadilly, we see thriving coffee shops that represent community hubs where neighbours engage. We need these in all communities.