2026 London Municipal Election: Osam Ali – Councilor Ward 8

Name: Osam Ali

What position are you running for? Councilor Ward 8

What do you see as the principal opportunities and obstacles facing London’s economy over the next Council term? What should the City do to support business growth, job creation, entrepreneurship and investment, and how should it work with employers, Western University, Fanshawe College and others to attract and retain the talent London needs?

London has a real opportunity to grow by building on our strengths in education, health care, manufacturing and technology. The biggest obstacles are rising costs, labour shortages, housing affordability and slow approval processes.

The City should make it easier to do business by cutting red tape, speeding up approvals, investing in infrastructure and supporting local entrepreneurs and employers. We also need stronger partnerships with Western, Fanshawe and local businesses so students and graduates can move directly into local jobs and build their futures here.

A stronger economy starts with making London a place where businesses can grow, people can find good jobs, and talent wants to stay.

London now has a new Downtown Plan. Which elements would you prioritize and what results should Londoners expect to see during the next Council term? Please address the downtown business environment, public spaces, housing and office conversions, cultural and civic destinations, safety, transportation and implementation accountability.

My priorities would be safety, cleaner public spaces, stronger support for downtown businesses, and more housing through redevelopment and office conversions. We also need better transportation connections and more cultural and civic activity that brings people downtown.

Londoners should expect visible results: fewer vacant spaces, safer streets, more residents and visitors downtown, and clear public reporting on progress.

London faces an urgent health and homelessness crisis. Residents, employees and businesses also have concerns about violence, property crime, public disorder and confidence in public spaces. These conditions require related but distinct responses. What actions would you support in each area, and what responsibilities should fall to the City, police, the health system, other orders of government and community partners?

My priority would be a stronger downtown action plan focused on safety, cleanliness, business support, housing and reducing vacant space. The City should accelerate office-to-residential conversions, improve public spaces, strengthen cultural and civic destinations, and make downtown easier to access by transit, car, bike and on foot.

The plan also needs clear timelines, measurable targets and public reporting. Londoners should expect visible progress: safer streets, fewer vacancies, more residents and visitors, and a stronger downtown business environment.

What changes would you support to increase housing supply and affordability and create neighbourhoods with access to employment, services, transportation and public amenities?

I would support faster approvals, more diverse housing options, and stronger incentives for affordable housing. New growth should be focused near jobs, transit, schools and services so London builds complete, connected neighbourhoods where people can afford to live.

London’s cultural facilities, venues and public spaces are essential to the life of the city, and several face age, capacity or funding pressures. What cultural infrastructure should be prioritised during the next Council term, and how should the City decide where to invest?

I would prioritize well-used cultural infrastructure such as Centennial Hall, Museum London, London Public Library branches, community arts spaces, festivals and key downtown public spaces.

City investment should focus on urgent repairs, accessibility, capacity and long-term value, with clear criteria based on usage, community benefit, partnerships and economic impact.

London’s economic success depends on reliable local, regional, national and international connections. How would you improve local transit and service to major employment areas and shift workers, intercity bus and air links, and passenger rail? What should businesses and employees be able to expect in terms of frequency, reliability and access?

London needs a stronger transportation action plan focused on reliability, access and economic growth. I would support more frequent transit to major employment areas, better service for shift workers, stronger intercity bus and passenger rail connections, and improved air access.

The City should set clear service targets for frequency and reliability, work with employers on key routes and shift times, and advocate with provincial and federal partners for better regional connections. Businesses and employees should be able to count on transportation that gets people to work on time and connects London to major markets.

What changes would you make to municipal approvals, regulation, procurement and customer service to make it easier to invest, build and operate a business in London?

I would make City Hall easier to do business with. That means faster, reliable, and automated approvals, less red tape, clear timelines and better customer service from start to finish.

I also support a simpler, more transparent procurement process that gives local businesses a fair opportunity to compete. London should be known as a city that welcomes investment and helps businesses get things done.

London City Council approved the 2025–2035 ReconciliAction Plan in May 2025, committing the City to 155 actions over ten years. What should the next Council do to translate these commitments into a clear, properly resourced implementation plan developed with Indigenous partners? How would you advance reconciliation through economic development, procurement, planning, cultural investment and municipal services?

The next Council should implement the ReconciliAction Plan with clear timelines, dedicated resources, measurable results and regular public reporting, developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.

I would support stronger Indigenous participation in procurement, economic development, planning, cultural investment and City services so reconciliation is reflected in how London makes decisions and invests.

London’s growth depends on roads, transit, water and wastewater systems, emergency services and community facilities. How would you determine which investments proceed first, pay for growth fairly and maintain competitive property taxes?

I would prioritize infrastructure that protects core services, supports housing and job growth, and delivers the greatest long-term value. Growth should help pay for growth, while the City aggressively pursues provincial and federal funding to reduce pressure on property taxpayers.

I would also require clear project timelines, public cost reporting, regular progress updates and stronger oversight of major capital projects. Londoners should know what projects cost, whether they are on schedule and whether they are delivering results.

London City Council approved the Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2022. The Plan calls for a 55 per cent reduction in community-wide greenhouse-gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. Which elements of the Plan would you prioritise, accelerate or change during the next Council term? How would you ensure that climate action strengthens resilience, affordability and economic competitiveness for residents and businesses?

I would prioritize practical climate actions that also lower costs and strengthen London’s economy—energy-efficient buildings, reliable transit, resilient infrastructure and better waste reduction.

London is currently 22% below 2005 community-wide emissions, while the 2030 target is 55%, so progress must be measured closely. I would focus City investment on actions that deliver clear results, protect residents and businesses from severe weather, and improve affordability without creating unnecessary costs or red tape.

How should Council respond when strong-mayor powers are exercised, and how would you use your role as a councillor to provide effective scrutiny and accountability?

Strong-mayor powers make Council oversight even more important. As a councillor, I would ask tough questions, review decisions carefully and push for transparency, accountability and responsible use of public funds.

What role should arts, culture and the creative industries play in London’s economic and community development? How should the City support cultural organisations, artists, venues, festivals and creative businesses while ensuring that municipal investment produces lasting public value?

Arts and culture help make London a city where people want to live, visit and invest. I would support local artists, festivals, venues and creative businesses, while making sure City funding is focused, accountable and delivers clear public value.

The goal should be a stronger cultural sector that supports jobs, tourism, vibrant neighbourhoods and community pride.