London’s Tax Battle: Susan Stevenson Pledges Bold Property Tax Caps to Relieve Homeowners

In a move that is sending ripples through the local political scene, mayoral candidate Susan Stevenson has stepped forward with a high-stakes promise to tackle the rising cost of living in London. Speaking from her downtown campaign office, the current Ward 4 councillor unveiled a strategic plan designed to protect homeowners from the aggressive property tax surges seen in recent years.

A Commitment to Affordability: The 1% Promise

The core of Stevenson’s platform is a strict commitment to fiscal restraint. She has pledged that, if elected, she will keep property tax increases below one per cent for her first two years in office. For the subsequent two years of her term, she aims to limit increases to the rate of inflation or lower.

This promise comes as a direct response to the significant tax hikes Londoners have endured, specifically the 8.7% increase in 2024 and the 7.3% hike projected for 2025. Stevenson argues that these spikes far outpace inflation, leaving families to shoulder a heavy financial burden long after the city budget is finalized.

“Today, I am setting the commitment and standard of accountability,” Stevenson stated, emphasizing that detailed financial scrutiny will be the key to finding necessary savings.

Where Will the Savings Come From?

While critics often point to the difficulty of freezing taxes without cutting essential services, Stevenson insists that the city’s $1.5-billion budget contains significant inefficiencies. Rather than cutting the services that residents rely on—such as garbage collection or traffic calming—she plans to target “wasteful or duplicative” programs.

Stevenson’s strategy for budget optimization includes:

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• Comprehensive Review: A deep dive into the city’s reserve funds and individual department budgets.

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• Expanded Support: Reintroducing and expanding the property tax deferral program to assist low-income households.

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• Targeted Cuts: Evaluating the costs of specific projects, such as bus rapid transit shelters and the special constables feasibility study.

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The Mayoral Race: Stevenson vs. Morgan

The race for the top spot at City Hall is heating up. Stevenson is challenging the incumbent, Mayor Josh Morgan, who is seeking a second term. While Stevenson is pushing for a sub-1% cap, Mayor Morgan has pledged to keep tax increases within a three per cent range over his next term.

This clash of fiscal philosophies puts the spotlight on how London will balance its priority spending—particularly police funding—with the economic pressures facing its citizens.

Looking Ahead to Election Day

With a total of 12 registered candidates vying for the mayor’s chair, the competition is fierce. Voters will have the opportunity to decide the future of London’s financial trajectory when they head to the polls on October 26.

For more information on municipal governance and how property taxes are calculated in Ontario, you can visit the City of London official website or stay updated with the latest local reporting via the London Free Press.