Hello Ward 13

We’ve started 2026 at full speed, and a lot of what’s happening right now feels unsettled. Between ongoing trade tension with the United States and fresh tariff threats, and with election chatter picking up municipally, it’s normal to feel like the ground is moving quickly under us. Moments like this can be unnerving, but they also show who we are. London and Canada have a habit of getting through uncertain stretches by leaning on each other, staying practical, and not losing sight of what matters: strong neighbourhoods, great communities, and a fair shot for people who work hard.

February is also Black History Month, and it’s a good time to reflect on the people and stories that have helped shape London and Canada, and on the work that still matters today: building a city where everyone feels they belong and has real opportunity. If you’re looking for ways to take part, there are community events throughout the month, with programming supported by the London Black Heritage Council, Museum London, and the London Public Library.

This year also carries special weight as we mark London’s Bicentennial. Throughout 2026, you’ll see Bicentennial programming woven into events across the community, alongside dedicated celebrations that highlight our history, our neighbourhoods, and the people who built this city. February is already full of chances to take part, from local history programming at the library, to Heritage Fair London, to events at Eldon House. I hope you’ll take a moment to check out what’s happening, bring your family, and help celebrate the London we’ve inherited and the London we’re building next.

And on that note, I’m genuinely excited to see a major Canadian moment unfolding right now. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, born in London and raised just outside the city, is scheduled to fly on NASA’s next Artemis mission, taking humanity back around the Moon for the first time in decades. If all goes to plan, his launch window begins in the coming days, and he’ll be the first Canadian ever to travel around the Moon. Let’s all wish him luck.

Locally, there’s real work on the table that will shape the year ahead. The City is moving into the next chapter of the Downtown Plan, and there’s a virtual public meeting on Thursday, February 5 from 6 to 7:30 PM. Downtown is still the heart of our city and a major economic and cultural driver, and it needs clear direction and follow through. I’m fighting hard to make sure downtown gets the prioritization it deserves, and that the initiatives and implementation that come out of this plan are funded and supported, not left as nice ideas without the resources to deliver. That includes serious, strategic thinking about the role and location of City Hall downtown, the City’s ability to make targeted purchases and acquisitions in key areas, leveraging existing assets, and making better use of natural assets like our riverfront. Just as important is steady, reliable programming so people can show up downtown and know there’s something going on, something to do, and a reason to stay.

On the practical side, I also want to flag a few things that may affect day to day life this month. The City is temporarily adjusting winter operations as we deal with a province wide road salt shortage. Major roads, bus routes, and areas around schools and hospitals will continue to be prioritized, and residential streets may take a bit longer as crews manage plowing and use more sand in combination with salt.

I also want you to know you will continue to have full representation at City Hall through your Councillor, and I want to be clear about what that looks like. I’ve been bringing a real fight to Council for the people of Ward 13 and for London. That means pushing for accountability, asking the hard questions, and making sure big decisions are grounded in facts and outcomes, especially in tight budget years. It also means continually pressing to make sure our homelessness response makes sense, is properly vetted, and is set up to actually work with the very limited resources and support we have.

As always, thank you for staying engaged. Your voice matters, and I’ll keep showing up, listening, and fighting for practical progress for Ward 13 and for London. To the neighbourhoods, community groups, resident associations, local businesses, and everyone who calls Ward 13 home: you have my ear, and you have my effort to make sure your priorities come first.

David Ferreira
Councillor Ward 13, London Ontario
519-661-2489 ext. 4013 | dferreira@london.ca

For more information on newsletters, ward meetings, current city initiatives, and other resources, please visit my website at www.davidferreira.ca.

Throughout 2026, the City will support community partners who are hosting Bicentennial-related events and will also integrate the Bicentennial into other City-led events taking place during the year. A list of February events can be found below.

• Black History Month
  • The following events will be hosted throughout February by the London Black Heritage Council:
    • Opening Ceremony at Museum London – February 7, 1 PM – 4 PM
    • Family Celebration at the Central Library – February 14, 10 AM – 1 PM
    • Lewis Coray Trailblazer Awards February 18
    • African Festival at Carrefour Communautaire Francophone de London February 21
    • Closing Celebrations – at Central Library February 28
• “Terrific Tales of London and Area”- hosted by the London Public Library and London and Middlesex Historical Society
  • London: Expansion and Annexation (Jennifer Grainger).
    • Central Branch Library 
    • Wednesday February 18, 7 PM
• “On This Day in London” daily event Facebook series by the London and Middlesex Historical Society
  • https://www.facebook.com/LondonMiddlesexHistoricalSociety
• Amelia Harris’ Birthday at Eldon House
  • February 21/22, 2026
  • https://eldonhouse.ca/
• Heritage Fair London: “Honouring our past, celebrating the present. Here’s to 200 more!”
  • Central Branch Library
  • February 21, 10 AM – 3 PM

For the most up to date information regarding London’s Bicentennial, including a full list of public events, visit https://getinvolved.london.ca/london200.

The City of London is hosting a second virtual public meeting as part of the ongoing process to develop a new plan for the future of downtown.

The Downtown Plan is being created with direction from Council to develop a strategy that encourages residential, commercial, and employment growth in downtown London.

Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2025, and involved extensive community engagement, including an online survey, in-person focus groups and a virtual public meeting. As a result of this research, a number of potential actions have been drafted.

During this second virtual public meeting, the draft actions will be presented, giving participants the chance to ask questions and provide input.

This is a valuable opportunity for residents, business owners, and community organizations to learn more about the next steps of the plan and share their feedback and ideas. 

The virtual session will be held on Thursday, February 5, from 6 – 7:30 PM via Zoom webinar.

Register for the webinar today or go to the project’s Get Involved webpage anytime before the meeting to learn more and sign up.

The City of London will begin installing public art on Rapid Transit bus shelters in spring 2026, starting with eleven shelters along the Downtown Loop and East London Link corridors. 

For the first rollout of art, artists were selected through the City and London Arts Council’s established processes. Future stages will include additional calls for proposals and further opportunities for community input.

This initiative builds on feedback gathered during the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment, where residents highlighted the importance of shelters that reflect the character and history of their neighbourhoods. As a result, the artwork will reflect themes such as Indigenous culture, local history, diversity, arts and music, transportation, wellness, and education. 

The first art panels installed at the Ontario and King shelter are now in place. Midway Memories, by local artist Katie Wilhelm, blends archival imagery of London’s Western Fair District with contemporary brushwork, connecting the city’s history with its present-day identity. 

For the second rollout of artwork, the project team is now collecting community input. Residents are invited to share ideas for future shelter artwork here:  https://getinvolved.london.ca/rapidtransitart

The City of London has completed its 2024 Ward Boundary Review. The new boundaries were approved at the December 17th council meeting.

Thus, London’s ward boundaries have now been updated to reflect our growing city and changing neighbourhoods. Ward 13 hasn’t changed but many other wards have. It’s important to learn more about these changes before voting in the 2026 municipal election next Fall.

Thus, the City of London launched a communications campaign to help residents understand these recent changes.

To learn more go to London.ca

Application submissions are now open for the 2026 Tim Hickman Memorial Health and Safety Scholarship. This annual scholarship provides $3,000 to full-time students enrolled in occupational or public health and safety programs at colleges or universities in Southwest or Central-West Ontario. This may include occupational safety/health/hygiene, occupational/physical therapy, nursing, medicine, emergency services or other related fields.

The scholarship is in memory of Tim Hickman, a part-time City of London arena employee who tragically lost his life in a workplace accident on March 23, 1996. It represents the importance of promoting occupational health and safety awareness.

Applications for the scholarship are due February 28, 2026. For details on how to apply, to view past recipients or learn more about Tim’s story, visit: https://london.ca/tim-hickman-memorial-health-safety-scholarship 

The Service London Portal is a 24/7 online platform provided by the City of London, Ontario, allowing residents to report municipal issues, submit service requests, and access city services. Recently Civic Administration has added two new buttons to the portal.

There is now a “Yard and Lot Maintenance” button to submit reports about tall grass and weeds or debris associated to private property. Additionally staff have added a “Cant’ Find What You Are Looking For” button to better serve Londoners who are unclear where to report their issues.

To access the Service London Portal visit: https://service.london.ca/ 

The City of London is temporarily adjusting winter road maintenance operations as London begins to feel the effects of a province-wide road salt shortage. 

While many Ontario municipalities experienced salt supply challenges as early as mid-December, London was able to maintain regular service levels longer than most due to proactive stockpiling we coordinated before winter. The early start to the winter weather and the frequent snowfall and cold temperatures have put pressure on our current salt supplies and future salt deliveries from our vendor.  

To responsibly manage our remaining salt inventory the City is making operational adjustments while continuing to meet provincial snow maintenance standards. 

Crews will be plowing major roads more frequently to reduce the need for salt. This includes clearing roads with schools, hospitals, and bus routes. We will get to residential streets as soon as we can, but we may need some extra time while we clear these busy roads.  

We will also be using more sand in combination with salt to reduce our salt use.  

For ongoing updates about snow clearing, please visit: london.ca/snow