Susan Stevenson enters London mayoral race, cites need for change at city hall

Susan Stevenson, councillor for Ward 4, filed her paperwork Monday to run mayor of London. CTV’s Daryl Newcombe reports.

On Monday morning, Susan Stevenson filed her nomination papers, joining the race to become London’s next mayor.

“Londoners want bold, courageous leadership that’s going to address the issues that we’re facing,” she told CTV News moments after registering.

Stevenson has served as Ward 4 councillor since being elected in 2022. During her term, she has often clashed with colleagues and Mayor Josh Morgan over some of the same issues she cites as motivation for her mayoral bid.

“More and more people are concerned about greater transparency, accountability, lower taxes and a safer downtown,” she said.

Stevenson is urging voters to consider the results of the past three years at city hall.

“This is a perfect opportunity to look at what happened. Are you happy with it? And if you aren’t — just like in sports and in most corporations — when the results aren’t there, leadership changes,” she said.

Stevenson, 59, worked as a professional accountant for 25 years and in leadership development for five years before being elected to council. She grew up and raised her family in London.

Stevenson rejected the suggestion that she has been polarizing during her first term.

“I don’t believe I’ve been polarizing. The reaction from others might have been polarizing, but regarding what I’ve done and said, I invite people to go back and look at how I speak, what I’ve posted,” she said.

In February, London’s integrity commissioner ruled Stevenson did not violate the council code of conduct following three complaints related to her decision to move a citizen’s camera during a ward meeting.

In December 2024, council docked Stevenson 30 days’ pay after an investigation by the previous integrity commissioner found she bullied and harassed a senior city staff member.

In 2023, council formally reprimanded her for posting photos on social media of identifiable homeless individuals while implying criminality.

Stevenson has maintained the investigations by the previous integrity commissioner were unfair and improperly conducted.

“I invite the public to look at what happened here within this council and within the administration regarding those complaints,” she said. “I invite them to closely scrutinize my actions, what I did and the results.”

Stevenson said her three and a half years on council would be valuable experience if she is elected mayor.

“I believe there’s immense value in having been inside for three and a half years to really see where the changes need to be made and how to move quickly, because there’s a learning curve,” she said.

She also criticized the budgets under Morgan.

“We’ve got taxes that have gone up close to 25 per cent this term, and people are saying, ‘Where did the money go? Where are the services?’ We haven’t been, in my opinion, transparent and accountable to the people,” she said.

Also running for mayor are Kirsten Krose, John Feher and Lawrence-Zachary Howe.

The deadline to file nomination papers for the 2026 municipal election is Aug. 21. Election day is Oct. 26.