Statements

LONDON, ON - Today, I have tabled the City of London’s 2025 Annual Budget update with a substantially lower property tax increase than was initially projected. The document now being put before members of the public and City Council for consideration contains a proposed increase of 7.4%, down from the original 8.7% projected in the Multi-Year Budget approved last year.

When I tabled the Multi-Year Budget last year, I promised to work relentlessly to find additional savings and efficiencies to lessen the burden on rate payers, while at the same time continuing to make strategic investments in services of greatest importance to Londoners. I’m grateful to Civic Administration and a variety of Agencies, Boards, and Commissions for sharing in that commitment, taking time to thoughtfully review their asks, and ultimately lessening the financial impact on taxpayers for the coming year.

Among other things, this budget contains $6.76-million in savings identified by Civic Administration, reductions to City Councillors’ expenses, $850,000 in savings from the London Police Services Board, $1.49-million identified by the LTC, and the Upper Thames Conservation Authority has committed to working within the reduced budget for 2025, reducing its budget increase request by 50%. All of these savings are a result of efficiencies and re-allocation of dollars, and will have no impact on services provided.  

At the same time, this budget remains fully committed to previously announced investments in affordable housing, health and homelessness, public safety, transportation, and other core City of London services. The City of London currently spends $16 million annually on a variety of initiatives related to health and homelessness. Given that, I remain optimistic the Federal and Provincial Government will soon complete negotiations and deliver the City of London’s portion of a $250-million fund dedicated to addressing encampments, and moving people indoors. This was first announced in April, and without these funds, we simply will not be able to adequately resource a Winter Response Program.

I encourage Londoners to review this document, to reach out to myself or members of Council with feedback, and to participate at a public participation session at Budget Committee on November 19^th. Formal deliberations will begin on November 21^st, while final approval will come before the end of the year.

I am confident this budget strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and strategic investment in our community's priorities. Thank you to the Deputy Mayor, Budget Chair, Civic Administration, and Agencies, Boards, and Commissions for their work in getting us to this point, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration as we refine and finalize a budget that works for all Londoners.

City staff will be engaging with Londoners at various locations across the city prior to the budget public participation meeting on Tuesday, November 19. Find a location near you and stop by to connect with the team. Find out more at getinvolved.london.ca/budget.

Access the approved Municipal Budget here.

Today I have tabled London's 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget (attached) which will result in an 8.8% tax increase in 2024, followed by 8.6% in 2025, 5.7% in 2026, and 6.5% in 2027, for a four-year average of 7.4%.

Above all else, this budget prioritizes investments in three critical areas: public safety, housing affordability and homelessness, and transportation. It contains the single largest public safety investment in London's history, representing more than half of the entire 2024 budget increase, or 5.0% of the 8.8% tax increase. The cost is significant, but the cost of doing nothing - as we've all seen - is far greater.

Beyond that, this budget is focused largely on housing affordability and homelessness, and transportation. It includes tens of millions of dollars to support the creation of more affordable housing, reduced processing times for planning and development approvals, and substantial increases in paratransit service.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to cause intense pain, grief, and trauma for members of London's Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian communities. They are mourning family members and loved ones killed, or agonizing over the well-being of those held hostage or unable to leave the region. What's happening right now is horrific, and the impacts on an increasingly large number of Londoners are undeniable.

I am joining with other voices across Canada and the broader international community in calling for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, the surrender of Hamas, and safe access to humanitarian aid for those in desperate need. I want peace and security for Palestinians. I want peace and security for Israelis.

As Mayor, beyond issuing this statement, my ability to influence global events is limited. However, I will continue to do all I can to achieve those objectives here in London, and I would encourage all Londoners - regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity - to do likewise. Since the start of this war, we have seen a rise in anti-Palestinian acts, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Londoners wonder if their Synagogues or their Mosques will be attacked as we've seen in other cities. Our neighbours are scared.

We have an opportunity and an obligation to promote here at home the peace and security we desire abroad.

Please, support one another in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and schools. Choose calm and compassion over fear and division. These aren't just empty words, this is my sincere wish for all of us - especially those who are hurting the most - as we navigate our way through this period of immense grief and polarization.

No amount of justice can ever bring back Our London Family.

While this represents an important step towards closure for the Muslim community, and our city at large, it is by no means the end of that journey. It is one that continues, and it is one that we will undertake together. Each of us has an obligation, as individuals and as a society, to combat and confront hatred in all its forms. This verdict does not absolve us of that responsibility. Instead, it must serve as a lasting reminder of the need to remain committed to this effort so that it never happens again.

It is my sincerest hope that Londoners, and all Canadians, will continue to support and care for each other as we did in the days, weeks, and months after June 6th, 2021, and throughout the duration of this trial. The City of London is unwavering in its dedication to dismantling Islamophobia, racism, and hate. We will spread to other communities lessons in understanding, inclusivity, and love.