Help get some critical sustainability items included in the City of London’s budget

On January 18th, 55 Londoners, over 2 sessions, (one online and one in person) got together to discuss community priorities for the Multi-Year Budget. The “Sustainability Summit: Your Say on London’s Budget” was an innovative collective action, resulting in deep collaboration to determine a small number of key fundamental sustainability items from the draft budget.  This Summit was a result of direction from Mayor Morgan: that if one or more budget items generated broad community support, those items would be strongly considered for inclusion in the budget.

Although there are many items beyond these that should be included in the final budget, the letter details items which the diverse group collectively wish to highlight and request to be funded.

Take action by adding your voice to these important issues. The Mayor has specifically stated that he will be looking for community feedback in order to determine his budget to be released January 30th or 31st. This is our opportunity to demonstrate community support for these items.

We are no longer collecting signatures. The letter has been submitted to become part of the public record for the January 29th Public Participation Meeting. Thank you to everyone who signed the letter

Important Note: This letter represents a community response to the draft multi-year budget.

This letter and form are being hosted on the Climate Action London website to facilitate wider civic engagement. Climate Action London along with the London Environmental Network, Pillar NonProfit Network, ReForest London, Greening Sacred Spaces and Council of Canadians Blue Communities and other individuals acted as organizers of the event. Each of the groups maybe submitting their own separate letters. Individuals signing are representing themselves unless otherwise noted.

After adding your voice, you can take further action by writing your own email or letter to your councilor or adding feedback https://getinvolved.london.ca/budget

Learn more about the items broadly supported by the individuals and groups that came together.

To improve reliability and frequency of service. Extend to areas not currently serviced. For both conventional and specialized service

Incremental Zero-Emission Bus Transition beyond trial project

To assist 400 indigenous identified individuals

Expansion focusing on low income neighbourhoods

Asking City Hall to lead by example

Incremental costs to complete already approved routes (with the hope from the group that a complete Rapid Transit Network would follow)

Staff resources to carry out “Roadmap to 3,000 Affordable Housing Units” plan including cut red tape to get new affordable buildings

Learn more about the Sustainability Summit and the core organizing group HERE