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Stephanie Marentette for Ward 6

my Priorities

Responsible Development

Our city is growing at a rapid rate. Growth is generally a good thing, as it builds our local economy through investment, creates opportunities for residents, especially youth entering the job market, and a vibrant, diverse culture for all Londoners to enjoy. But growth without a plan can be disastrous, as it increases pressure on public services and infrastructure, creates pressure on an already-precarious housing supply, and can impact the character of a neighbourhood adversely. To help our city grow in a responsible, cohesive way, I will:

  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors, developers and community stakeholders to ensure our city grows in a cohesive way;
  • Ensure that infrastructure considerations such as roads, transit and sewers, are at the forefront of decision-making to ensure that our city’s infrastructure is updated and able to support and keep pace with growth and development;
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors, developers, community stakeholders and city staff to address growing congestion concerns around the city as well as the significant traffic safety issues posed by increasing “cut-through” traffic in neighbourhoods such as Old North;
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors, developers and community stakeholders to address concerns regarding homelessness and affordable housing; and,
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors, developers and community stakeholders to address commercial vacancy concerns.

Better Customer Service

London residents should be able to expect a minimum baseline service standard for our hard-earned tax dollars. When concerns are reported regarding garbage, dead trees that pose a health and safety risk, flooding, and snow removal, a clear response standard should exist to ensure residents have confirmation that their issue has been noted as well as updates regarding when a service call to address the concern can be expected. London residents should also be able to count on our local public services and use our public spaces. To improve customer service received by London residents, I will:

  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors and city staff to establish a service call standard that includes an acknowledgment of a service request within a specified time as well as updates at regular intervals concerning when a service call can be expected so that residents are not left wondering if their service request has been received or when the issue will be addressed;
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors, city staff and community stakeholders to ensure public spaces such as the Thames river trail system, basketball and tennis courts, and parks are properly maintained; and,
  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors and city staff to ensure sidewalks and roads are properly maintained.

Collaborative Governance

If I am given a mandate to represent ward 6, I will be a strong voice for our community on council. That being said, I also recognize that I am one vote of fifteen. In order to make meaningful progress on issues facing ward 6 and the city more broadly, councillors must work together collaboratively and cooperatively. There are some issues directly affecting ward 6 that require a strong, principled stance that may not align with the views of other councillors, but there is a marked difference between taking a principled stance and being needlessly adversarial and uncooperative across multiple issues. I firmly believe that the latter approach is unproductive and contrary to the best interests of our community and we will accomplish substantially more with a collaborative, consensus-building approach. If elected, some of the city-wide issues on which I will collaborate with fellow councillors include:

  • Addressing the homelessness and afforable housing crisis;
  • Facilitating access to key social services, particularly those in support of mental health;
  • Supporting our transit system through proper funding to facilitate service improvements and allow our transit system to keep pace with the demands of our growing city;
  • Revitalizing London’s downtown;
  • Encouraging investment in our city to grow our economy create jobs;
  • Supporting community services such as the London Public Library to ensure London residents have access to community programming, information, and computer/internet access; and,
  • Supporting cultural activities such as the London Film Festival and local arts groups.

I will also work collaboratively and partner with other levels of government to address funding issues as well as issues that span multiple levels of government.

Reasonable Property Taxes

Canada has entered a technical recession. Even families with two incomes and good jobs are not able to keep pace with inflation and price escalation. Now more than ever, it is essential that we keep property taxes reasonable, spend within our means and make every dollar count. If elected, I will:

  • Partner and collaborate with fellow councillors and city staff to keep property tax increases to a minimum and prevent unnecessary taxation; and,
  • Work with fellow councillors, city staff and community partners to ensure tax dollars are not only spent wisely, but allocated fairly and proportionately across sectors.