Susan Stevenson Launches Campaign for Mayor, Promising New Leadership for London

Councillor Susan Stevenson officially launched her campaign for Mayor of London Wednesday evening, welcoming supporters, volunteers, community members, and local media to the opening of her campaign headquarters.

In her launch address, Stevenson presented six priorities focused on restoring safety and pride, supporting small businesses, strengthening accountability at City Hall, improving transportation, building practical partnerships, and delivering accessible leadership.

“Londoners are doing their part. It’s time City Hall did its part,” Stevenson said. “To change the future, we have to change the present. That is why I am running for Mayor.”

Stevenson pledged to make London’s neighbourhoods safer and cleaner through consistent enforcement, better maintained public spaces, and stronger responses to residents’ concerns. Her proposals include exploring weekly summer garbage collection, improving road and traffic safety, strengthening neighbourhood participation in local development decisions, and introducing Good Neighbour Agreements for homelessness and housing contracts.

Supporting London’s small businesses will also be a central focus of the campaign. Stevenson proposed a practical review of municipal red tape and services, a roadwork protocol to better protect businesses affected by construction, a downtown parking strategy, and a task force focused on increasing economic prosperity.

“Behind every small business is someone who took a chance,” Stevenson said. “When local businesses thrive, Londoners win.”

On municipal accountability, Stevenson committed to placing taxpayers at the centre of City Hall’s decisions. Her proposals include more detailed financial reporting, an online register of delegated authority, public reports on Bus Rapid Transit costs and government homelessness funding, the creation of an Auditor General position, and a confidential fraud and waste hotline.

“Public money deserves public answers,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson also outlined plans to improve how Londoners move throughout the city. These include annual reviews of road construction and snow removal, better coordination of traffic signals, an examination of policies affecting traffic flow, a business case for expanding transit service to industrial areas, and improved cleanliness and safety at bus shelters.

On addiction and homelessness, Stevenson called for stronger partnerships with the provincial and federal governments, police, healthcare providers, and community organizations. She said the City must place greater emphasis on treatment, recovery, and sober housing, while ensuring publicly funded programs deliver measurable results.

Stevenson also promised a more accessible and responsive Mayor’s Office, along with public reporting of Councillor attendance and voting records, earlier access to Council agenda materials, and the creation of a Finance Committee to regularly review detailed municipal financial information.

“I know who I work for. I work for you,” Stevenson told those gathered at the campaign office. “I will stand behind my decisions. I will explain them. And when something needs to change, I will take responsibility for changing it.”

In the weeks ahead, Stevenson will release more detailed proposals explaining how her campaign intends to act on its priorities and how Londoners can measure the results.

“Tonight, we open these doors. On October 26th, let’s open a new chapter for London,” Stevenson said. “Let’s put taxpayers first. Let’s restore safety and pride. And let’s bring new leadership to City Hall.”