February 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM

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The meeting is called to order at 1:02 PM; it being noted that Councillor E. Peloza (4:55 PM) and Mayor J. Morgan (5:42 PM) were in remote attendance.

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED Councillor S. Franke discloses a pecuniary interest in item 2.3, having to do with Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program Update by indicating that her spouse is employed by the TVDSB.

2.   Consent

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That Consent Items 2.1 to 2.5 BE APPROVED, with the exception of items 2.3 and 2.4.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

2.1   Development Charge Institutional Discount - Policy Review and Proposed Transition Approach

2026-02-03 Staff Report - DC Institutional Discount Policy Review

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following action be taken:

a)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to remove the Institutional Discount from the 2028 Development Charges Background Study; and

b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to develop a transition plan for the development charge Institutional Discount, including exploring the alignment with the City of London Community Grants Program.

Motion Passed

2.2   Confirmation of Appointment to the Hyde Park Business Improvement Association

2026-02-03 Submission - HPBIA Appointment

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That Ashleigh Patterson of Montana’s Fanshawe BE APPOINTED to the Hyde Park Business Improvement Association Board of Management for the term ending November 15, 2026; it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated January 7, 2026 from D. Szpakowski, General Manager/CEO with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed

2.5   Micro-Modular Shelter Site Update

2026-02-03 Staff Report - MicroModular Shelter Update

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That, on the recommendation of the City Manager and Deputy City Manager Social and Health Development, the report regarding the Micro-Modular Shelter Site Update BE RECEIVED for information.

Motion Passed

2.3   Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program Update

2026-02-03 Staff Report - Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program Update

Moved by P. Cuddy

Seconded by H. McAlister

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, the following actions be taken:

a)    the staff report dated February 3, 2026, titled “Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program Update” BE RECEIVED for information;

b)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated February 3, 2026, titled “Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program Update” as Appendix “A”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on February 10, 2026, to:

i) the Memorandum of Understanding between The Corporation of the City of London and the Thames Valley District School Board and the London Transit Commission for the Secondary School Student Transit Pass Pilot Project ( the “MOU”), as appended to the proposed by-law as Schedule “1” , BE AUTHORIZED and BE APPROVED;

ii) the Agreement between The Corporation of the City of London and the Thames Valley District School Board and the London Transit Commission for the Secondary School Student Transit Pass Pilot Project (the “Agreement”), as appended to the proposed by-law as Schedule “2”, BE AUTHORIZED and BE APPROVED;

iii) the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, or their written designate, BE AUTHORIZED to execute the MOU;

iv) the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, or their written designate, BE AUTHORIZED to execute the Agreement;

v) the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, or their written designate, BE AUTHORIZED to administer the Agreement;

vi) the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, or their written designate, BE AUTHORIZED to approve and execute agreements to amend the Schedules to the Agreement;

c)   the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to apply the required financing to a limit of 1.04 million from the Community Investment Reserve Fund for the costs of the Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program for September 2026 to June 2028, as required; and

d)   the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to remove the summer months of July and August from the program.

ADDITIONAL VOTES:

Moved by S. Stevenson

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the motion be amended in part c) to read as follows:

c)   the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to apply the required financing to a limit of 1.04 million from the Community Investment Reserve Fund for the costs of the Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program for September 2026 to August 2028, as required.

Motion Passed (10 to 3)

Moved by S. Trosow

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That pursuant to section 31.6 of the Council Procedure By-law, Councillor C. Rahman BE PERMITTED to speak an additional 2 minutes with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

Moved by C. Rahman

Seconded by S. Stevenson

That the motion BE AMENDED to include a new part d) to read as follows:

d)   the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to remove the summer months of July and August from the program.

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

Moved by P. Cuddy

Seconded by H. McAlister

That the motion, as amended, BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (7 to 4)

2.4   Mayoral Direction 2026-001: Creation of an Affordable Home Ownership Incentive Program

2026-02-03 Staff Report - Mayoral Direction 2026-001

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That the following actions be taken with respect the Creation of an Affordable Home Ownership Incentive Program:

a) in response to Mayoral Direction 2026-001 ‘Creation of an Affordable Home Ownership Incentive Program’, the revised proposed by-law, as appended to the Added Council Agenda, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on February 10, 2026, to amend By-law No. C.P.-1545-41, being “A by-law to established financial incentives for the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Project Area”, by:

i) ADDITION of a NEW Schedule “6” to the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan – Financial Incentive Program Guidelines – “New Home Ownership Incentive Program”;

ii) APPROVE the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentive Program Guidelines – New Home Ownership Incentive Program template agreement;

iii) AUTHORIZE the Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth, or their written designate, to amend, enter into and execute the above-referenced agreement provided the terms of the agreement conform with the applicable Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentive Program Guidelines – “New Home Ownership Incentive Program”;

iv) AUTHORIZE the Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth, or their written designate, to approve, enter into and execute amending agreements provided the terms of the amending agreement conform with the applicable Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentive Program Guideline – “New Home Ownership Incentive Program”;

b) it BE NOTED in the revised proposed by-law as appended to the Added Council Agenda, the program is restricted to first-time buyers, the term of the loan is extended from five years to ten years, and the program eligibility is restricted to current residents of the City of London;

it being noted that the Civic Administration, pursuant to section 284.3 of Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 S.O. 2001 c. 25, received Mayoral Direction 2026-001 on January 26, 2026, and the report has been prepared for Municipal Council’s consideration;

it being further noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard a verbal presentation from J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders’ Association;

it being further noted that the communications as appended to the Added Agenda, from J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders’ Association and Councillors S. Trosow and D. Ferreira with respect to this matter, was received.

ADDITIONAL VOTES:

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That the delegation request from J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders Association, BE APPROVED to be heard at this time.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

Moved by S. Trosow

Seconded by D. Ferreira

That Mayoral Directive 2026-001: Creation of an Affordable Home Ownership Incentive Program BE REFERRED to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee for a report back on the following matters:

a) if the program can be expanded to existing housing stock (previously lived in) in addition to new homes;

b) further limiting the definition of eligible persons to first-time home buyers;

c) further limiting the definition of eligible persons to persons with a household income below a particular threshold;

d) providing other sources of funding available to fund a program not limited to new construction;

e) identifying funding options for this program other than reallocating the Housing Accelerator Fund’s (HAF) housing related infrastructure category;

f) providing a more detailed budget for the program including anticipated staffing and administration costs;

g) if the goal of assisting purchasers of homes be accomplished through an expansion of the City’s Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program; and

h) providing an environmental scan reviewing similar programs in other Ontario jurisdictions;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard a verbal presentation from J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders’ Association;

it being further noted that the communications as appended to the Added Agenda, from J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders’ Association and Councillors S. Trosow and D. Ferreira with respect to this matter, was received.

Motion Failed (7 to 7)

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That the motion BE AMENDED to direct Civic Administration to restrict the program eligibility to first-time home buyers.

Motion Passed (12 to 2)

Moved by S. Stevenson

Seconded by J. Pribil

That the motion BE FURTHER AMENDED to extend the term of the loan from five years to ten years.

Motion Passed (12 to 2)

Moved by C. Rahman

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the motion BE FURTHER AMENDED to restrict the program eligibility to current residents of the City of London.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That the motion, as amended, BE APPROVED; it being noted that Civic Administration will bring forward a revised by-law to the February 10, 2026 meeting of Municipal Council.

Motion Passed (8 to 6)

Moved by P. Van Meerbergen

Seconded by S. Lehman

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recess at this time, for 15 minutes.

Motion Passed

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses at 4:36 PM and reconvenes at 4:55 PM.

3.   Scheduled Items

None.

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Consideration of Appointments to the London Transit Commission (Requires 5 Council Members)

2026-02-03 Submission - Council Resolet 4.2-2-SPPC

Moved by P. Cuddy

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That the following Council Members BE APPOINTED to the London Transit Commission:

  • Councillor S. Franke

  • Councillor C. Rahman

  • Councillor S. Lehman

  • Councillor S. Trosow

  • Mayor J. Morgan

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.2   Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee (DIACAC) - Request for Direction

2026-02-03 Staff Report - (4.2) DIACAC

Moved by P. Cuddy

Seconded by H. McAlister

That, on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the following actions be taken with respect to Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee (DIACAC) – Request for Direction:

a)    the report dated February 3, 2026, titled “Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee (DIACAC) – Request for Direction” BE RECEIVED; and

b)    that Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to carry out all necessary actions to implement Option 1 as outlined in the above-noted report.

Motion Passed (12 to 2)

ADDITIONAL VOTES:

Moved by S. Trosow

Seconded by S. Stevenson

That the report dated February 3, 2026, titled “Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee (DIACAC) – Request for Direction” BE REFERRED to Civic Administration to consult further with DIACAC.

Motion Failed (4 to 10)

Moved by C. Rahman

Seconded by P. Cuddy

That pursuant to section 33.8 of the Council Procedure By-law, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee BE PERMITTED to proceed beyond 6:00 PM.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential 

Moved by S. Trosow

Seconded by D. Ferreira

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes In Closed session to consider the following:

6.1    Solicitor-Client Privilege

A matter pertaining to advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, with respect to the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentive Program Guidelines, including communications necessary for that purpose and directions and instructions to officers and employees or agents of the municipality.

Motion Passed (8 to 6)

That Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes In Closed Session, from 2:54 PM to 3:23 PM.

7.   Adjournment

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by D. Ferreira

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.