There was lots of talk but few promises of action when city councillors welcomed London's four MPPs to city hall Tuesday.
London North Centre MPP Deb Matthews, London West MPP Peggy Sattler, London Fanshawe MPP Teresa Armstrong, and Elgin Middlesex London MPP Jeff Yurek appeared at the Corporate Services Committee meeting. Each offered comment on areas where municipal/provincial partnerships could be leveraged. A common theme among each of their remarks was a call for more communication and feedback from councillors.
"If you have communication on a regular basis you're understanding the issues as they unfold," says Armstrong. "Not having that ongoing contact means once a year, you're just highlighting the problems and not really looking how those concerns, legislation, or asks can be moved forward on a regular basis."
Shining a light on London's tech sector, securing provincial funding for bus rapid transit (BRT), and a basic living wage were all raised during a short discussion period during the meeting.
Councillor Tanya Park asked whether London would be selected for a basic income pilot project, a question met with silence from the MPPs. The question angered Councillor Phil Squire, who has repeatedly argued the program wouldn't be viable for London or the province.
"I would rather see that money go directly into the areas where people need help," says Squire. "The problem with a basic income if you apply it across the board, some estimates in Canada say that it is a $400-billion project. I think there is a much better way to use money in terms of attacking the problem directly."
Speaking after the meeting, Matthews stressed the province has committed to moving forward with the basic income pilot, but in what city has yet to be determined.
"We've asked former Senator Hugh Segal, who is really the greatest expert in this, to give us some advice on how we move forward with a basic income pilot," says Matthews. "There are lots of questions about what a pilot would actually look like. How we would define it?"
When pushed on provincial funding for a BRT in London, Matthews says she is very optimistic.
"It (bus rapid transit) will make a huge difference for London, it's a huge investment in London, and will make a real difference for the livability of the city," says Matthews. "I think it is a good proposal and I'm doing my best to make sure it gets funded."
