Seven years ago, I had to leave London for a job opportunity that existed elsewhere and not here. Three years ago, I had the chance to come home, so I did. Now that I’m back, I want to work to make London a city where everyone can see a future. I’m running for City Council so London can be that city where we all see a future: fairer, greener, and undaunted.

A Fairer City

There’s so much that I love about London, but it breaks my heart that some Londoners keep getting left behind. Fairness is a big category and a lofty goal, of course, but it’s one we should be striving for every day. 

Housing. As a city, we need to continue to work to improve housing attainability at all levels, and provide deeply affordable housing for those without another option. We also need stronger protections for renters so that homeowners and renters alike can have housing stability. Demoviction is one area where there’s work to be done. 

Jobs and opportunity. A city where we can all see a future means a city with good jobs and opportunities for recent graduates. 

Transportation. We all deserve to be able to get around. This can mean driving, but it also means options for those who can’t afford a personal vehicle, or who simply can’t drive. Transportation is an equity issue, and to be the best that we can be, London needs to improve our transit system and active transportation infrastructure.

A Greener City

A city where we can all see a future is one where our natural environment is a priority. This is because whether we like it or not, environmental degradation and climate change are defining issues of our time. Climate anxiety is keeping an increasing number of Canadian youth from being able to see a future. The solution to despair is action, and that’s why we as a city need to hold our natural environment as a priority in our decision making. London becoming one of Canada’s first certified Bird Friendly Cities five years ago is a very good example of what we’re capable of. 

There are a lot of exciting opportunities that come with environmental action. Environmental action can mean embracing innovative technologies like district heating or film that decreases heat loss through windows. It can also mean rethinking our transportation choices. It can also mean coming to know and love the native plants that once dominated the landscape here. Let’s move forward together as a greener city and a city with a future.

A City That’s Undaunted

I’ll be frank. I don’t think that any part of leading a city is easy. London is a city that often treads cautiously, but I think that we’ve done our best work here in London when we’ve been willing to tackle big problems with bold solutions. Leadership means being willing to make difficult decisions. I don’t want London to be a city that misses opportunities. Being a city where we can see a future means being a city where we take action, even when it’s hard.