Local leaders are buzzing over Thursday’s federal budget they say did not disappoint. It includes everything from financial support for a new rec centre to solving homelessness within 10 years. Municipalities across Canada had been united in their call for the homelessness issue to be a nation building project. Now the federal government has committed $11.2 billion dollars over four years starting in 2027-2028, plus $17.8 billion in future years toward ending homelessness within 10 years. London Mayor Josh Morgan says it will need all hands on deck. “To meet and put these federal dollars to work we’re going to need more operating dollars for the facilities that can be built across the country. Mental health and addiction facilities. More supportive housing. These types of things that actually get people off the street and into the care they need,” Morgan said. London Chamber of Commerce CEO Graham Henderson says addressing homelessness is directly tied to the health of downtown. “This is a concern that people constantly raise when they’re being asked, ‘do you want to go downtown, do you want to come downtown, do you want to work downtown. No I don’t because, dot dot dot.’ That doesn’t mean we don’t care. We do care. It has to be treated compassionately. The two go together,” Henderson said. Much of the government’s support during the trade war with the Trump administration has been targeted toward big industry, such as steel and auto. But in this federal budget, there is also support for small business. It comes on the heels of a London idea to create a tariff response service to help small businesses navigate tariff rules. “The budget recognizes the importance of that. It specifically talks about the need to assist local chambers in assisting smaller businesses with this issue,” said Henderson. Civic leaders also point to support for housing and infrastructure, including funding they hope will help London complete its transit network. The budget also specifically pledges support for a rec centre in Northwest London. “I want to commend our local MPs for the advocacy work they have done to get that in there. Huge need in the northwest. We expect when we build this facility it will have over 300,000 visits a year to meet the growing need in a growing part of the city,” said Morgan.
