Latest news with #JoshMorgan
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Mayor's budget squeeze on city hall's external boards and agencies yet to yield tax savings
London mayor asked several agencies to find budget savings in order to meet his property tax increase target of below five per cent, reports Daryl Newcombe. Mayor Josh Morgan believes it's too early to tell if he can still meet his property tax target of below 5 per cent in 2026. Earlier this spring, Morgan and Budget Chair Coun. Elizabeth Peloza contacted 12 city-funded agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) requesting they provide opportunities for potential budget reductions, provincial/federal advocacy and new revenue generation. However, just two response letters appear on the agenda of next week's Budget Committee meeting. '(Some) other organizations we're still in discussions with, and other boards just need some time to dig into their budgets,' Morgan tells CTV News. The letters on the agenda from the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) and Museum London both include blunt warnings against another budget reduction in 2026. 060425 - Property tax Exterior of Museum London. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London) 'Further budget reductions from the City will necessitate reduced operating hours, impact jobs, and reduce our ability to attract investment from all levels of government, sponsors and donors,' reads the letter from Museum London. The MLHU writes, 'further reducing the funding from the City by an additional 1.5% would lead to a deficit of over $1 million dollars for the Health Unit next year.' 060425 - Property tax Exterior of Middlesex London Health Unit. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London) Peloza explains that the 2024-2027 municipal budget already includes savings from both agencies, 'In their letters it's stated that at the beginning of the multi-year budget they already took their (budget) cut then. Now they're saying, 'I don't have more to give.'' 'I'm not surprised by their responses,' admits the mayor. 'I met with both of them individually, and as I said all along, there's going to be some organizations that are facing different types of pressures than others.' Outreach to the city's ABCs was an extensive undertaking by Morgan and Peloza earlier this spring. 060425 - Property tax Projected property tax increase in 2024-2027 Budget. (City of London) Joint Meetings with the Mayor and Budget Chair: • RBC Place • Middlesex-London Health Unit • Upper Thames River Conservation Authority • London Middlesex Community Housing Meetings with the Mayor: • London Public Library Meetings with the Budget Chair: • London Police Services Board – Finance Committee • Museum London • Tourism London • London Transit Commission Written Correspondence Provided to: • Kettle Creek Conservation Authority • Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority • Eldon House The mayor emphasizes ABCs can still respond to City Hall about potential budget savings in the coming weeks and months. 'Given their board (meeting) cycles, (and) the amount of time their staff need to look into things in a meaningful and serious way, they're going to need a little bit more time,' he explains. 'What I've said to them is there's no bad time to bring forward a budget savings.' The London Police Services Board's finance committee recently began looking for between $1 million and $1.5 million in budget savings that would not impact police operations. The appointment of a temporary London Transit Commission (LTC) made up of Council members has delayed an analysis of the net financial impact of two unanticipated events when the LTC's multi-year budget was first approved: lower fuel prices and declining international student enrolment at Fanshawe College. London's initial property tax rate increase in 2026 was projected to be 6.4 per cent, but the mayor set his own target of below 5 per cent. 060425 - Property tax 2024-2027 Municipal Budget Documents. (File) Achieving the mayor's target requires finding savings and/or revenue totaling about $13 million. Peloza believes budget savings from external agencies, boards, and commissioners will be needed for the mayor to reach his target. 'I'm going to assume that we were banking on them, and the mayor was especially banking on them as he made a target to get under a certain percentage,' she admits. 'It's going to get to the point of which ones can we cut, which ones can't we cut. Those decisions will start with him and then go to council for consideration.' Council deliberations about the mayor's draft budget begin in late November. Morgan says it's still too early to determine if his tax target will be reached. 'I don't know yet, but what we are doing is we're tracking in the right direction,' he says. Representatives of the Health Unit and Museum London have asked to speak at the Budget Committee meeting on June 11.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
'People being on the street, people living here': Richmond Row office building is being converted to apartments
The city partnered with Farhi holdings to turn Richmond Row office space into apartments, reports CTV's Gerry Dewan. The city partnered with Farhi holdings to turn Richmond Row office space into apartments, reports CTV's Gerry Dewan. London's mayor Josh Morgan announced a new office-to-residential conversion on Tuesday. It's the city's third such project for the city, this one a partnership with Farhi Holdings. Work is already underway at 685 Richmond Street where they are taking almost 32,000 square feet of office space and converting it into 41 residential units that will house approximately 80 people. 060325 - housing Third office-to-residential project announced by the city. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) According to Morgan, 'In the long run, people being on the street, people living here, are what supports the businesses in the area.' The offices in the four-storey building have been mostly empty for five years. Total office vacancy rates in the downtown have reached about 32 per cent, according to analysis from CBRE Limited. Morgan says the office conversions address three issues -- office vacancies, the demand for affordable housing and the goal of maintaining a vibrant downtown core. 'The people who are going to live in this building are going to walk out the doors to support the businesses and the downtown core. They're going to have opportunities to work in the downtown core as well,' said Morgan. 060325 - housing Third office-to-residential project announced by the city. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) Ilias Korakianitis and his family members operate Dimi's Greek House, an eatery located close to where the conversion is taking place. He told those gathered for the announcement that having more downtown residents, along with increased policing and street maintenance, could bring significant improvements to the core. 'If we want downtown to come back to life, we need leadership. We need support, and we need urgent action,' he said. Farhi Holdings owner Shmuel Farhi says the conversions also prevent buildings from falling to the wrecking ball. 'Every building we adapt saves tons of concrete, glass, steel from the landfill,' said Farhi. The city has provided economic incentives amounting to about $35,000 per residential unit. Farhi told CTV News incentives are necessary because the conversions aren't easy or cheap, pointing to the heating system as one example. 'The heating that was for an office wasn't conducive to heating for residential. So that's another million dollars that we have to put there,' he said. 060325 - housing Third office-to-residential project announced by the city. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) Morgan said the money comes from the $85 million Housing Accelerator Fund which is supported with money from the federal government. He said more downtown residential conversions are coming, including a proposed 35 storey tower planned for the southwest corner of Oxford and Richmond, where retailer Urban Outfitters was once located. That project is being spearheaded by Toronto developer Fitzrovia Real Estate.
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
It's time to deliver: Mayors call for mature, pragmatic coordination across all governments to meet Canada's housing goals Français
OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's pledge to build 500,000 homes each year will only succeed if federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments are working together—aligning investments, focusing on shared priorities, and resourcing the levers that deliver results. That's the message from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) Big City Mayors' Caucus as local leaders gather in Ottawa for FCM's Annual Conference and Trade Show. "We agree with the Prime Minister—it's time to build. But we can't build without delivery—and delivery happens when governments are aligned; resources are targeted, and municipalities are equipped to do the work on the ground. Delivery happens when governments are aligned, resources are targeted, and municipalities are equipped to do the work on the ground." said FCM President Rebecca Bligh. A National Prosperity Partnership should be a functional, practical blueprint for this kind of collaboration. It's about governments working together — across respective jurisdictions and mandates — to coordinate on housing, infrastructure, and economic growth, and to align existing resources accordingly. The focus is on delivery: setting shared objectives and resourcing the levers that move real outcomes forward — many of which are with local governments, where that delivery takes shape. "Cities are ready to deliver — but we're being asked to meet today's housing and infrastructure challenges with outdated tools and limited capacity," said Josh Morgan, Chair of FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus. "That's why we need a mature conversation about how governments work together. We need a modern approach that aligns plans, funding, and delivery — so communities on the front lines are equipped to succeed." This year's Annual Conference also features a high-level meeting between Canadian Mayors and a delegation of U.S. Mayors — highlighting the critical role local governments play in strengthening cross-border economic relationships. At a time of trade tensions, supply chain pressures, and shared infrastructure challenges, cities are working together to advance practical solutions that support both national competitiveness and local prosperity. By aligning efforts to facilitate trade, workforce mobility, and resilient infrastructure, municipal leaders are helping to reinforce the conditions that drive economic growth on both sides of the border. These discussions also reflect an expanding role for local governments in shaping international engagement—from trade and climate resilience to inclusive economic development. FCM will continue building strong relationships with its American and international counterparts to advance shared priorities and deliver results for communities. That commitment is reflected in the presence of a U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) delegation at FCM's Annual Conference, reinforcing the strong cross-border ties that support shared priorities—from economic growth to climate resilience. The delegation includes: Andrew Ginther, USCM President and Mayor of Columbus, Ohio Tom Cochrane, USCM CEO LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, La. Bryan Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, Mich. This call to action is being amplified as local leaders gather in Ottawa to align their priorities and speak with one voice. As Prime Minister Carney prepares to meet with Canada's Premiers, the message to First Ministers is clear: Canada's success depends on a new way of working together—one that respects jurisdiction, but reflects a matured, pragmatic approach to collaboration. That means aligning resources, coordinating objectives, and actually resourcing delivery—laser-focused on results that, by design and necessity, are achieved through local governments. In the face of economic uncertainty, shifting global markets, and rising pressures on Canadians, now is the time for governments to stand together and deliver. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities unites more than 2,000 local governments at the national level, representing more than 92 per cent of Canadians in every province and territory. SOURCE Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory - FCM's Big City Mayors to brief media on why delivering an ambitious agenda for Canada depends on municipal action
OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - As Parliament resumes and Canada pledges to build 500,000 homes annually, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and its Big City Mayors' Caucus are calling for a National Prosperity Partnership—a renewed, united approach to tackling Canada's biggest challenges. From housing and infrastructure to homelessness, municipalities are vital to delivering national priorities. But progress demands full partnership across all orders of government—especially amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S. FCM continues to collaborate with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to address shared cross-border challenges. Where: Rogers Centre Ottawa, 55 Colonel By Drive, Room 211 When: Thursday, May 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET Participants: Rebecca Bligh, President of FCM and Councillor of the City of Vancouver, BC Josh Morgan, Big City Mayor's Caucus Chair and Mayor of the City of London, ON Valérie Plante, Mayor of the City of Montreal, QC Scott Gillingham, Mayor of the City of Winnipeg, MB Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, ON Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Mayor of the City of Gatineau, QC Notes for media: Media are encouraged to register in advance to secure a spot The event will be livestreamed on FCM's YouTube pages; however, only in-person attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions The media are invited to also speak with the delegates of the United States Conference of Mayors, including LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, La., who will be attending the press conference The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of municipal governments, with more than 2000 members representing more than 92 percent of the Canadian population.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
The award winning film Southern Alps traverse
Waiatoto follows a seven-day east-to-west adventure across the Main Divide - with the three-man team travelling on packraft, skis and on foot. Charlie Murray, Jasper Gibson and Nick Pascoe set off from the Matukituki valley and made their way across rugged terrain to the Tasman Sea via the Volta Glacier. Along the way, the group battled through snow drifts and took in epic scenery on the slopes beneath Mount Aspiring/Tititea. The 22-minute film is part of the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival . For their efforts, the filmmakers have been awarded the Hiddleston/ MacQueen Award and $2500 prizemoney for the Best NZ-made Film at the festival. Kathryn is joined by Jasper Gibson, who was on this incredible adventure, and Wanaka-based film-maker Josh Morgan, who was brought onto the project after the fact thinking he was going to make a YouTube short - but ended up making a prize-winning film. Short film Waiatoto tells the story of a traverse across the Southern Alps through packraft, skis and tramping. Photo: JASPER GIBSON
