Two questions I’ve been getting at the door recently are, 1) Do you live in the ward? and 2) Why run now?  These are great questions, and they are interrelated. I’ve captured my answers in a short post.

Like many Londoners yesterday, I watched with increasing concern as a wall of smoke from  northern Ontario wildfires descended on our city. As a result, many outdoor events and activities scheduled for today (and into Friday) have been, or will be canceled. Environment Canada has  issued an Orange Alert for air quality, which strongly recommends that everyone remain indoors, especially those who are at additional risk of poor air quality (children, seniors, people with existing health conditions).  

For a little over a month now, I’ve been knocking on doors and speaking with Ward 4 residents. In order to hear a range of voices and concerns, my volunteers and I have visited areas in the north, east, south, west of the ward. I plan to knock on every door at least once, and there are still a lot of people to speak with, but already themes are starting to emerge.

Homelessness weighs heavily on our city.  It is an issue that we repeatedly hear about at the door when we are canvassing in Ward 4. Folks are concerned for the health and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness, and they are frustrated with the lack of progress in getting people housed. They worry about public safety.

While I was out canvassing last weekend a man asked what my stance on gay rights was. The question tripped me up for a second – I blurted out kind of awkwardly, “pro!”