Written by Kieran Delamont, Associate Editor, London Inc.

City to open more land for housing

London’s planning committee agreed to add up to 2,000 hectares of residential land inside the Urban Growth Boundary this week, a move that is being celebrated by homebuilders and housing advocates. “An ample supply of land allows the market to work better, creates greater affordability, choice and the ability for people and families to stay in London,” said London Home Builders’ Association CEO Jared Zaifman. There is a good deal of concern that much of London’s population growth is heading to bedroom communities outside the city’s boundaries (Komoka, Ilderton and so on) and that is straining the city’s resources (since many of these folks work in London) while taking tax revenues elsewhere. So, in the end, the city ― also eager to hit its housing goals ― was happy to approve a request from the province to add 2,000 hectares within the urban growth boundary. Council will have to vote on it and, if approved, it will need the provincial go-ahead.

The upshot: Expanding urban growth boundaries is becoming a province-wide issue, with a lot of cities figuring they need to be willing to do this to hit housing targets. There are arguments for and against. Developers and housing-focused politicians like it because it adds land on which it’s easy to build upon, and to build things like single-family homes that buyers want. Environmental advocates don’t like it because it encourages sprawl. And for city governments, it can offer good and bad aspects: it opens up land for housing (which they view as good), but by its very nature it encourages cities to sprawl outwards, and sprawl can be expensive ― just ask the City of Ottawa, which is now facing a surprise $590 million bill to run infrastructure out to a subdivision that it tinkered with the urban growth boundary for. So, there’s pluses and minuses to be found, with economic inefficiencies to be managed on either side of the equation. 

Read more: CTV News London

Fanshawe College to receive $20M investment from WSIB

Fanshawe College is set to receive a $20 million investment from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) as it looks to develop a lab focused on mental health tools for first responders and public safety personnel. The investment will go towards developing the WSIB Centre of Excellence in Immersive Technologies Simulation for Workplace Safety, the school said (a bit of a mouthful), which will “use extended reality and artificial intelligence technologies to develop training tools to reduce mental stress injury among first responders and non-first responder work environments.” President Peter Devlin said that the investment “underscores the WSIB’s commitment to innovation and community well-being,” and that they were “paving the way for ground-breaking advancements that will benefit those on the front lines of public safety.”

The upshot: After facing criticisms in the past for its high rate of denials around mental health claims, the WSIB has signalled recently that it is trying to improve its record on mental health in the workplace ― injuries that by some measures account for as much as 30 per cent of all disability claims. Last week, the Ontario government announced that it was unlocking $400 million to invest in health and safety programs for workers and employers developed by the WSIB, and earlier in the year it also made some alterations to the way it handles mental health injury claims. Plus, splashing a little cash around to your (soon to be) new neighbours is good PR, too (the WSIB is moving its headquarters to the former 3M Canadian headquarters at 300 Tartan Drive). “This WSIB Centre of Excellence at Fanshawe College has amazing potential to reduce the impact of mental stress injury claims and the length of time it takes for these heroes to safely return to work,” said Jeff Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB. “Together we are going to change lives and save lives too.” 

Read more: Fanshawe College

Toys ‘R’ Us Argyle to be shuttered?

Toys ‘R’ Us looks like it might be closing its unit in Argyle Mall, along with several other locations across the province. Toys ‘R’ Us hasn’t confirmed the exact extent of the closures yet, but it’s been reported that locations in Mississauga, Sudbury, London, Thornhill and Stoney Creek are all closing. Online, reports from shoppers suggest that the Argyle Mall location will be closing once it sells out of its inventory, likely towards the end of December or early January. So, if you’ve got some toys to get for Christmas ― you might be wise to jump now rather than waiting for the “tax holiday” to kick in. The Wonderland Road Toys ‘R’ Us is set to stay open, however.

The upshot: It’s no secret that the retail landscape has been hit hard over the past few years, and the closure of several Toys ‘R’ Us locations probably reflects that. Within Toys ‘R’ Us parent company, there appears to be some consolidation going on. Earlier this year, some shoppers noticed that merchandise from homewares retailer Rooms + Spaces started to appear in Toys ‘R Us stores (they are both owned by Putman Investments), with reports suggesting that both brands were contracting their retail footprints. “The retail landscape in general is struggling,” said marketing professor Joanne McNeish. “Consumers either have less money, or they’re just spending less, so that’s an issue.” 

Read more: Mississauga.com | Financial Post

November real estate numbers deliver some market optimism

The London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR) released data for home sales in the month of November this week, with a total of 614 homes exchanging hands in the region (the LSTAR catchment area also takes in Strathroy, St. Thomas and portions of Middlesex and Elgin counties), a 35.5 per cent bump compared to sales in November of 2023. On the supply side, 1,102 new properties entered the market, a 2.8 per cent year-over-year gain. LSTAR chair Kathy Amess said the numbers reflected mounting demand and value in the market. "The recent interest rate cuts have played a significant role in boosting market activity,” said Amess. “Lower borrowing costs have made homeownership more accessible, driving up sales and expanding inventory. It's encouraging to see such positive momentum, and we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant and affordable housing market for everyone."

The upshot: As the real estate market quickly heads into the winter doldrums, the November numbers delivered a little bit of optimism to a sector seeking to find some footing and direction in the post-pandemic world. Bank of Canada rate cuts appear to have edged a few buyers off the sidelines, and those buyers remain firmly in the driver’s seat with around four months of inventory available. And though the average selling price in the LSTAR catchment region jumped in November (to $640,198 from $623,189 last month), in the City of London proper the average price fell once again to $614,399. Hastened by winter’s early blast, local realtors will be hunkering down for a seasonal slow down and eyeing up the spring market in hopes the sunnier conditions. 

Read more: LSTAR

More executive shuffling at London hospitals

There’s more reshuffling going on at the executive level at London’s hospitals this week. Dr. Adam Dukelow (pictured) is returning as the new integrated vice-president of medical and academic affairs for both London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London ― reviving the shared executive position that had been done away with as the hospitals dissolved formal ties under the administration of former LHSC CEO Jackie Schleifer Taylor. “This is a permanent integrated role and is an indication of the continued strong partnership between both organizations,” the two hospitals said in a statement this week. “An innovative, system-focused healthcare leader who is well known for his unwavering commitment to excellence, Adam has held several leadership roles at both LHSC and St. Joseph’s during his more than 20-year career in medicine.”

The upshot: It seems pretty clear, at least from the outside, that the two hospitals both seem to think that dissolving their ties was a strategic mistake, and this is another move to rebuild the relationship between LHSC and St. Joe’s. But elsewhere, there was another departure at the executive level, with Dr. Kevin Chan ― the one-time acting CEO, before David Musyj was brought in ― stepped down from his role as the vice-president of medicine, research and academics, to “be closer to his family.” He’s the fourth major executive to leave the hospital, after Nash Syed (head of the Children’s Hospital), Dr. Alex Barron (head of the medical advisory committee) and Brad Campbell all left since August; only Campbell’s firing appears to be a strategic organizational cut, with the other three all voluntarily resigning, leaving positions that Musyj is now trying to fill. 

Read more: London Free Press

Boler Mountain eyes early season opening

Maybe you’re groaning watching the snow pile up, but you know who isn’t? Local skiers, boarders and Boler Mountain, which is planning to open next week, according to manager Marty Thody, who told CTV News London that they’ve had the snowmaking machines running most days and every night through this blast of winter weather. It’s a big year for Boler Mountain ― they are debuting a new three-million expansion to its chalet, which added around 7,000 square feet this year. “We’ve built this new facility for our rental guests,” said rental shop manager Katie McKeiver. “Which is really awesome. We’re very excited.” (There’s also a new rooftop patio and bar.)

The upshot: It’s a welcome change for Boler compared to the last few years, which have delivered warm temps and slushy conditions, although the new upgraded snow machines have helped mitigate that somewhat. There is the chance of some rain as temperatures warm up early next week, but it is expected to drop again shortly thereafter. And bigger changes to Boler could be in the works, Thody hints. “We’re looking at developing in the south side of our West Hill,” he told CTV. “There could be a few things happening over there the next few years if we have some decent seasons and generate revenue.” 

Read more: CTV News London

Dispatch: December 06, 2024

A summary of recent business appointments and announcements, plus event listings for the upcoming week.

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