Stevenson pledges tax restraint and expanded Tax Deferral Program

LONDON, ON — Mayoral candidate Susan Stevenson is committing to bring forward budgets with municipal property-tax increases under 1 per cent in 2027 and 2028, with zero as the goal, and inflation or less in 2029 and 2030. She is also proposing expanded tax deferral and detailed Council scrutiny of municipal finances.

“Families need room in their budgets. City Hall has to make room in its own,” said Stevenson. “Protecting families and seniors from rising costs will be a priority in every budget I bring forward.”

Stevenson will review the unallocated balance in the Corporate Contingency Budget line. City finance staff confirmed that more than $10 million from that line was used for Enwave-related capital costs, with Council approval. Stevenson says the issue exposed the need for more detailed financial information for councillors.

She would give Council line-by-line reports comparing actual spending with budget and bring reserve and contingency allocations, transfers, and proposed uses forward for explicit review and approval. Department reviews would identify savings to support annual budget decisions.

“I have not been given a line-by-line financial report showing actual spending against budget,” Stevenson said. “I will not pretend to identify every saving before I have seen the detail. Council needs that information to do its job, and Londoners deserve that accountability.”

London’s municipal rate-driven tax increases of 8.7 per cent in 2024 and 7.3 per cent in 2025 compounded to approximately 16.6 per cent. National annual-average consumer price increases compounded to approximately 4.6 per cent over the same two years, a difference of about 12 percentage points.

Stevenson would bring forward an expanded Tax Deferral Program similar to those programs offered by other Ontario cities. Eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities who own and occupy their homes could defer all or part of their annual property taxes. Deferred amounts remain payable; eligibility, interest, fees, repayment terms, and program costs would be published before launch.

“I have pushed for this on Council and voted for the preparation of a business case for an expanded program,” Stevenson said. “As Mayor, I will bring this work back. Giving eligible homeowners time to pay can help them stay in their homes.”

The tax pledge applies to the municipal increase from rates after assessment growth. Individual bills may vary; education taxes, water, wastewater, and user fees are separate. Stevenson would bring the proposals through Council’s budget process.