Hello Ward 13

Canada Day is here, and downtown will be buzzing from tonight’s Night Market on Dundas Place straight through tomorrow’s concerts and fireworks in Harris Park. Whether you’re tasting something new at the street-food stalls, browsing local artisans, or staking out a riverfront view for the 10 p.m. show, I hope you’ll join the celebration and experience Harris Park’s newly naturalized shoreline and river lookout.

July keeps the momentum rolling: Sunfest fills Victoria Park with global music and food July 3–6, London’s Pride Parade paints the core in colour on July 20, and Rock the Park and Home County follow close behind. If you’re dining or shopping downtown, try the new digital Downtown Dollar on the Love Local app—tap to pay at nearly two hundred businesses and keep your spending local.

Behind the scenes, big pieces of our city are moving forward. The draft Downtown Plan is now open for feedback, and Indwell’s Hilda Stuart Lofts on South Street is taking shape alongside other supportive-housing projects that will bring dozens of neighbours home.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of this at our Community Chats—July 3 at Ivey Park, July 10 at Blackfriars Park, July 17 at Evergreen Park, and July 24 at Meredith Park. Enjoy the festivals, stay safe, and have a wonderful Canada Day long weekend.

Warm regards,

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.

Downtown London is the place to be this Canada Day! From music and markets to food trucks and fireworks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and the celebrations start early.

🎉 Kick off the festivities on June 30

Join the London Heritage Council for Night Market London on Monday, June 30 at Dundas Place. This interactive, family-friendly festival features local musicians, artists, street performers, food trucks, artisan vendors, and more!

🍁 Celebrate Canada Day on July 1

Head back downtown for Canada Day London, beginning at 12 p.m. on Dundas Place. Celebrate the many cultures that make up our community with live music, vendors, kids’ activities, and special programming.

🎆 Fireworks and live music in Harris Park

The party continues at Harris Park!
Starting at 7 p.m., enjoy the OLG Entertaintment Zone featuring artists
Bella Rose and Amanda Movio, followed by headliner King Cruff.
Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Come early for a great view!

🏀 Free rec programming & neighbourhood events

The City is offering free recreational activities on July 1.
Visit london.ca/CanadaDayRec for details.

You can also check out neighbourhood celebrations across the city, including:

• South London Canada Day
• East London Canada Day
• Summerside Canada Day

For more events, visit londonheritage.ca/CanadaDayLondon and londontourism.ca. Happy Canada Day!

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #CanadaDay | #DowntownEvents

Sunfest 2025 returns to Victoria Park from July 3–6, transforming downtown London into a global celebration of music, food, and culture. This free festival features over 46 musical ensembles from 22+ countries across five outdoor stages, alongside more than 225 food and craft vendors.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #Sunfest | #DowntownEvents

Just in time for summer and fireworks, major restoration work at Harris Park is now complete—bringing a fresh look and improved experience to one of London’s most popular green spaces.

Stretching from Queen Street Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge, the project replaced a crumbling shoreline wall with a naturalized riverbank made of native plants, rocks, and grasses. The result: a healthier Thames, better access to the water, and a more welcoming park for everyone.

Upgrades also include a new river lookout, improved fishing and boating access, and a revitalized stretch of the Thames Valley Parkway with benches, trees, and educational signage. Seventy-four new trees are being planted—more than triple the number removed.

Whether you’re out for a stroll or enjoying Canada Day festivities, come experience the revitalized Harris Park.

Read the full media release ➝

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #HarrisPark | #ProjectComplete

Supporting local just got easier: Downtown London has launched a digital version of the Downtown Dollar Gift Card—the card you know and love,
now available on your phone.

Using the Love Local app, you can load Downtown Dollars to your mobile wallet and tap to pay at over 195 downtown shops, restaurants, and service providers. The original physical card is still available too!

Since launching in 2021, over $600,000 in Downtown Dollars have been distributed—funds that go right back into our local economy.

Learn more or grab yours at downtownlondon.ca/downtown-dollar-gift-cards

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #DowntownDollar | #SupportLocal

London’s Pride Parade returns on Sunday, July 20 at 12 p.m., and it’s a chance for all of us to celebrate inclusion, diversity, and love in the heart of the city.

Whether you’re cheering from the sidewalk or walking with your community group, everyone is welcome to be part of this powerful and joyful event.

Let’s make this year’s parade our most colourful and united yet!

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #PrideParade | #LoveisLove

The City of London is developing a new Downtown Plan, and you can help.

With more than 10,000 residents and 1,400 businesses calling the core home, downtown is evolving fast and we want to know what you see as its greatest strengths, challenges, and future opportunities.

Have your say: Fill out the quick survey (link below) and help shape strategies for residential growth, economic development, and downtown vibrancy.

Pop-up engagement opportunities will also be taking place at events across the city this summer.

🔗 Share your feedback

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #DowntownPlan | #ShareYourThoughts

As summer unfolds, so does progress on supportive housing across Indwell’s projects in London.

🏥 War Memorial Children’s Hospital Renamed
The former War Memorial Children’s Hospital will now be known as Hilda Stuart Lofts, honouring WWI nurse and Victoria Hospital superintendent Hilda Stuart. Her legacy connects the building’s past to its future as supportive housing. The original building name will remain etched in stone above the entrance.

🏗️ Construction Progress Across London

• At Hilda Stuart Lofts, work is well underway, including restoration of historic window openings, elevator installation, and interior framing.

• At Coves Landing (46 Elmwood Place), interior demolition is complete. Renovations led by Drewlo Holdings in partnership with Tricar Group, Sifton Properties, and Auburn Developments will create homes for 50 people.

• At the former Western University medical school, Indwell has submitted permits for the Health Services Building, which will feature 96 apartments. Fundraising is ongoing—contributions can help furnish an apartment or support the broader $5M campaign.

Learn more or support the work at indwell.ca.

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #HopeandHomes | #SupportiveHousing

London Music Hall is kicking off a bold new chapter, with major renovations to expand capacity, improve accessibility, and add a new entrance off Dundas St. Even bigger news? A new on-site comedy club, Comedy & Co., is joining the venue lineup, bringing year-round laughs to the core.

The announcement comes as the venue celebrates its 20th anniversary, with a special concert series launching this September. Expect iconic performances, exclusive events, and some surprises to honour two decades of unforgettable live music in downtown London.

Founded by the Manuel family, London Music Hall has grown into one of Canada’s premier entertainment venues, and these new upgrades promise to make your next night out even better.

Stay tuned for the 20th Anniversary Concert Series lineup this fall!

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #LondonMusicHall | #20YearAnniversary

Downtown London is thriving thanks to $646 million in construction permits, 1,456 new residential units, and over 4,700 public events since 2020. In 2024 alone, more than 1.18 million people attended downtown events.

The new Downtown London: Momentum Report shows how sustained City investment—over $11 million in incentives and major infrastructure upgrades—combined with strong community partnerships, is transforming the core.

📘 Read the full Momentum Report

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #DowntownMomentumReport | #Projects&Improvements

Rehabilitation work on the Adelaide Street bridge over York Street and CN Rail is now underway, with traffic reduced to a single lane in each direction until late August.

Project includes asphalt resurfacing and expansion joint replacements, part of a broader multi-year effort to extend the bridge’s lifespan and improve safety.

Pedestrian routes will be redirected, and parking under the bridge will be limited while repairs are completed.

📅 Timeline: June 16 to August 29
📍 Location: Adelaide Street North between King Street and Hamilton Road
🔗 More info: london.ca/roadwork

#Ward13 | #LdnOnt | #AdelaideStreetBridge | #Construction