Ask Bronagh

I will endorse someone else. I cannot be the only person capable of this. I know you are out there. I am 100% not going back on my promise to run only one time. I will not be yet another politician who makes a promise and breaks it. Full stop I will not run for mayor in 2030.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

We can change so much in four years that it can't be undone. I am much better at writing law and policy than pretty much everyone I know. The ones we have now don't work and it would take a very awful next mayor to want to change things that honestly make people's lives better. Let's just not vote for one of those in 2030Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

I help other municipalities, other government departments, other public organizations, and companies across Canada sort these problems out. I will do that for London, and leave after my one and only term (I am committed to never running for mayor again) a City that works better for everyone, no matter who is the mayor.Bronagh, to London Decides questionnaire

I think it may be time to consider changing the format of council from one that has Ward representation to one where councilors all represent the interests of the entire city. I don't subscribe to the belief that lower income neighbourhoods with more of the issues you've identified would suffer, since many elected representatives right now don't even live in their own wards.Bronagh, to SoHo Community Association

I would really prefer us to have a council that does not have people from wards but people that have to all work in the best interests of all Londoners who bring their unique skills to the table as opposed to their specific neighbours' concerns.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Because I have worked so long with the public, as casual staff with the City of London for 17 years, and because I was a candidate in an election long before most of the other people running (2003 was the first provincial election I ran in), I have a deep understanding of what London needs and can be from the inside and outside of its systems.Bronagh, to London Free Press questionnaire

I think I have the most broad skill set maybe? Art, law, writing, fitness, org. leadership, teaching, research, sales, waitressing. My favourite job I have ever had was selling bikinis and it's a good illustration of who I am. It is a thing just about everyone stresses about and I live for being able to build people's confidence even if it is in the smallest way.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Served on LHSC Finance and Audit - that's a billion or so - serve on many other smaller boards. If we need training absolutely. Pretty sure there is training for councilors.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

I used to work casual for the city for 17 years. I taught fitness and boxing and planned family programs for holidays. … I used to have a Rogers TV show called LdnOntTV that allowed me to interview a lot of politicians.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

I was able to create work for six other artists. I sourced supplies locally. I enlisted the help of random passersby to make suggestions I incorporated. Some even painted a bit. If you look closely, you'll not find my signature. Because that mural is not mine. It's everyone's. It's about London and it's for London.Bronagh, to London Decides questionnaire

…the funny coincidence that the current Mayor has the same last name as me, the original Morgan of London politics.Bronagh, Her Facebook page, 17 Sept

Ontario Green party had a vacant land tax in our platform in 2003 so I would like to take this moment to say "we told you so"Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Well no one is funding me or pushing me to do anything.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

Their public presence is what we call incumbent advantage and a change in how we do politics after this cycle changes that no matter what. I can't tell you how many people have been pushed to our campaign because of how frustrated they are by the fact the media are treating this election like there are 2 or 3 mayoral candidates running.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

We have too much, disconnected administration, overcomplex and unevenly applied bylaws, reports that are not clear and concise, contracts that do not ensure priorities are accomplished, and policies, plans, and declarations that are meaningless without resources dedicated to them.Bronagh, to London Decides questionnaire

I am a lawyer with 26 years of call and I am saying without qualification that the entire system is many years past due for an overhaul. It never happens because it's boring and not a hot election issue, ever. With me, this gets done.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

The resources that are currently being wasted to administer an overcomplex system right now could easily solve all of our big problems.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

Same thing I do as a clear language legal instructor, but on a much larger scale. We tackle the most pressing issues first by policy, bylaw, report, all other paperwork review.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Piece by piece, we look at all of it. Comprehensively, we see how the different pieces fit together. We see where we are and what we are committed to that we can't change. We say honestly what is working and what is not, without judgment, with only honesty and humility (no "gotchas"). We combine our efforts with other jurisdictions that are facing similar challenges (none of this is unique to London). We reimagine and we redraft. We do this collaboratively in the full view of London. We make a plan and execute it.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Realistically if I am the one who wins this campaign, that is a very strong statement that London wants systemic change, so it is going to take all of us to make it happen and everyone else who gets elected is going to want to get on board with that if they want to ever get elected again.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

I deal with this every day with my work clients. The way we get things moving is by making the case for efficiency, which only truly works when it is an organization wide approach. … I don't think for a second there isn't going to be some pushback. I already get that and I don't even work there yet. But I'm committed and determined, I know the law, and am willing to do the unpopular things to make these necessary changes.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Elected people are the decision makers for sure. The platform discusses how to make paperwork work so they can make informed decisions. If staff are not delivering that, then that has to and will change, for sure.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

At very least, people who are not incumbents do not know what specific $s, dates, #s etc. they can deliver until they are in the job and can assess the situation. Now I know that a lot of people like figures, facts, plans, etc. and I get that. But I think we do more harm than good costing out these things and creating promises that we cannot guarantee with any certainty.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

As for my platform, the central promise is a thing I already do for other governments all the time (just on a larger scale), so I know it's possible, even if I do get a ton of pushback.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Putting a $ value on decisions like this during an election cycle is unrealistic and meaningless.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

Even some of the people asked to enforce bylaws and policies don't understand them! Wild. … So, re-writing things in clear (plain) language is step one.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Next is potentially uneven application of policies or application of unwritten policies. … How we improve enforcement is through transparency. This will also go a long way to building trust in government.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

There's no need to incentivize people or businesses to come to, stay in, or grow in London when the rules of the game are fair, easy to understand, and evenly applied.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

We need to focus on the immediate needs of the most vulnerable people... treat this as an emergency the same way we treated COVID as one... put the money and muscle behind filling gaps in existing systems... stop finger pointing at the people working for a lot less than many paper-pushers do every single day to save lives... move the money down to the front line... stop funding luxury spaces and start making houses truly affordable... rehabilitation yes! for those who are ready... supports that move people toward being ready yes! in the meantime. This is not an either or proposition.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Systemic review of what the partners we already have to help those who need support are doing, what's working, and how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together is the only way we move forward.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

Constantly working in a state of risk where funding year to year is not guaranteed and can easily change due to political agendas is exhausting and a huge waste of the time of people and agencies working on the front lines with our most vulnerable populations.Bronagh, to Pillar Nonprofit Network

And there are always going to be people who live on the fringes of society. They matter too. We are always going to have shelter needs and we have a lot of empty spaces just sitting there in London if we need more.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Forced treatment is proven to cause more harm than benefit. My partner worked street outreach for five years and he gives me research on this to read a lot because he is still very passionate about this (he works to tackle food insecurity now). I defer to experts like him on this but also note that forced treatment seems inhumane to me.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Yes committee that includes people with lived experience. We are already putting this together. … There cannot be a siloed approach to this either... has to be addressed in concert with so many other societal issues and the only way to do this is, wait for it, system-wide review to break down those silos.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

This is an either/or question which I won't engage in. It is lacking in nuance. It is genuinely harmful to phrase things this way.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

I am not for one second minimizing the absolute truth this has increased exponentially especially since COVIDBronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

We have spent lots of money and feel like there's been little movement. Why? We spent a lot of time planning and talking and doing the paperwork. That is done, great. So let's just go. The money and people power and brain power exists.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

One discrete thing that maybe I did not elaborate on too much is a well-thought-out and supported peer support outreach program to help people out of active addiction by showing them something different and better is possible. Not everything needs to cost a fortune.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

We already have the ingredients for a thriving downtown and more than enough studies to draw from. The key is people. … London downtown is not what it was in the 1990s and that is OK. Just go. That is something all of us can do and my leadership style is by example – I'm already working, shopping, and socializing there all the time.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

Anything else, whether it is increasing policing, "good neighbour" agreements, or any number of other siloed approaches, ultimately makes us look like we are doing something while the underlying issues don't go away... they just move to another neighbourhood.Bronagh, to SoHo Community Association

Council of Canadians asked: “Will you commit to demanding transparency about the portion of this Emergency Services Campus budget devoted to policing, as opposed to fire, dispatch, EMS, HAZMAT response?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Council of Canadians asked: “Will you commit to reducing the budget for the Emergency Services Campus by the amount that would be used for policing?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

There is a difference between those numbers and what people feel in the community.Bronagh, Rogers tv mayoral debate, 16 Sept

I sense a general theme with your questions about inequitable distribution of resources across London which I wholeheartedly agree with.Bronagh, to SoHo Community Association

I have been a lawyer for 26 years, so I know what we can and can't legally share, and I don't think we're sharing all of it, at least not in a way that gives people complete confidence that everything is fair.Bronagh, to SoHo Community Association

Saying that is affordable is gaslighting and shameful.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Commit to affordable housing, not to housing, generally. Property tax revenue, which we covered in an earlier question, has no business going toward subsidizing new luxury units. We can't be dazzled by general numbers about housing starts when the average salary for a family in London would not come close to the amount needed to rent or buy one of these places.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

The fact this isn't where the bulk of new housing dollars are already going (affordable housing starts) is ridiculous with the rising costs of basic living in this province and country.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

Have you ever heard or read that there is nothing we can do about this? I know I have. I would like to tell you that I do not take legal advice from non-lawyers (even if they are elected politicians) when they say we cannot take this on. We absolutely and creatively can. … I think this is one of the first things I want to tackle because it helps a lot of the other issues that are top of mind. We have people without spaces to live. We have buildings that are empty. What are we even doing.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

We already have the regulatory muscle to enforce property standards. … It is long past due to put people inside the empty spaces. It's inhumane that buildings sit vacant while people freeze to death every year on our streets.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Council of Canadians asked: “Should the City advocate for additional powers from the Province, such as the authority to impose a vacant commercial property tax?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Council of Canadians asked: “Would you support expanding [Property Standards Officers'] role to document evidence of suspected bad-faith evictions or landlord fraud, preserve that evidence, and refer well-documented cases to London Police or the appropriate provincial authorities for investigation?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

There is an entire downtown full of possibility and when you make the bylaws, contracts, and policies work the way they are supposed to, the people who control the land and properties in the downtown will want to build/renovate there.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

I don't think this is necessarily an either or proposition. There is more than enough space for all of us to coexist and we don't have to put other species at risk/greater risk to do that.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Ignoring plans that we spend a lot of time and money to create because developers want it that way undermines public confidence in government and does more harm than just obstructing a view.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

There has to be a balance and I think this can happen when we have honest conversations and transparent policies that people can understand and that work together comprehensively. It should help to have a mayor who is not seeking another term so I can try to make more long-term decisions that would allow this kind of stuff without trying to boost numbers before the 2030 election cycle.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Not low at all costs, but definitely people need a break and streamlining City Hall should make that possible.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Potentially making them more fair. Looking at the property tax rate in the same way we look at other sources of government revenue: is this the most fair way to generate income, in 2026? When is the last time we've taken a system-wide look at how they're calculated, how they're spent?Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

CCAL asked: “Will you support a binding policy that any property tax increase above the rate of inflation requires a public referendum?”I can't commit to an expensive referendum for this, no.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

Institutional waste within City Hall administration and government. Budgeting that is neither fully explained nor taxpayer supported.Bronagh, to VoteGrid

CCAL asked: “How many management positions do you believe are redundant?”I don't know until I get there. Probably at least a few.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

Ensure efficiencies from (1) directly benefit those on the front lines of our most pressing problems. Reduce administration. Put the money to work in the hands of those who know where it need to go.Bronagh, to VoteGrid

Transparency from agencies as well as all the parties - businesses, individuals - we contract with. An overemphasis on the accountability of charities doesn't get us the resource savings we need. Adding administrative burden takes from the front line. Smarter, more relevant (not necessarily more), clearly defined and planned for reporting is better.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

There is a procurement review already happening. I'll look at it for sure.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

Use it and expect council to use it... it improves immediately because we get past that ridiculous idea that transit is not cool and cars are essential. The same system review we apply to City Hall we apply to transit. make transit service a required part of any new development.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

BRT should help. I'll personally commit to using transit for City business, and creating expectations for other elected representatives to do the same. We'll better understand the problems with getting around by sharing those problems with the rest of London. And we'll solve them together.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

I don't see any reason why this is not achievable. … Buses should be accessible to everyone so they can get to work, school, and recreational spaces easily and cheaply.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

BRT will help. Safe cycling lanes. Smart choices about new development that includes planning for how people will get around. … And we need to talk about ParaTransit. Everyone needs to be able to get around and this service is long past due to receive all the attention and support it deservesBronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Reddit AMA asked: “If elected, will you oppose projects such as widening Wonderland Road … in favour of supporting public transit, bike lanes, and other alternatives?”Short answer Yes.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

If we had thought about how much extra GHG would be entering our atmosphere because of the many, many traffic jams we've created this summer due to the proliferation of construction projects, we would have planned them better. Making decisions in silos within the organization is the problem.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

Let's start by making sure the pedestrian infrastructure we already have makes better sense – link up the safe bike lanes for one thing – and clear the sidewalks properly in winter. The idea we force people into cars for everything by making it impossible for them to make other choices is nonsensical.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

So road safety... speeding is a huge problem which does not get addressed through fines which are ultimately only a punishment for low income people. There has to be a better way.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Mutual respect between cyclists and motorists (I am both) is a culture a bike mayor can model and build.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

It is a waste of time and resources to make a commitment, plan, declaration, etc. (often for political posturing) that has no teeth and realizes no impact. If we made certain commitments, they need to be funded and implemented.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

Again with the public confidence: why make emergency declarations if you're just going to ignore them? We need to stop the practice of paying lip service to things like this and actually implement projects to address them.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

I'm an advocate for improved cycling and pedestrian infrastructure because less cars and more green transportation options is solution #1.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

Council of Canadians asked: “Would you vote in favour of an AI Data Center in our municipality?”No. We can slow down our approach and think about what's in the long-term best interests of our community.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

For once it would be nice to plan for technological advances rather than react to them.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

I think of AI like a tool like a pen or a hammer or a gun. People make choices about how to wield it. … AI exists. I did not create it. I do use it. Never for art, sometimes for writing. In teaching government clients I talk about how to use it to realize efficiencies.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Council of Canadians asked: “Do you support keeping water & sanitation publicly owned through direct control by municipalities?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Cost/benefit with all the factors that are in favour of allowing backyard fires and banning them considered.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

I know of a few social enterprises and businesses that are leaders in this area. … The City does not need to micromanage everything – well thought-out and evenly applied regulation is sufficient.Bronagh, to Thames Region Ecological Association

I think we can get there on the big issues, every time, by having honest conversations in the open without resorting to personal attacks or needless politicking. And as leaders, we need to model collaborative behaviour.Bronagh, to London Free Press questionnaire

There will never be a need for a mayor who leads by example and puts forth arguments and ideas that are in the long term interests of the City to use strong mayor powers. Consensus-based decisions are possible when we apply logic and fairness to every step in the process.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

There is a better way to do politics. We just have to believe it's possible and demand it from our public servants.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

There are many in London who are suffering. I want to hear from our most vulnerable citizens and people on the frontlines serving them to understand what we can do collectively as a city to ease their pain and improve their lives.Bronagh, to London Free Press questionnaire

I go to meetings sometimes but I honestly hate them and think we need to overhaul how they work. They are confusing, long, and often they happen at inconvenient times for working people to attend. Lots of change to make City Hall more accessible.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

TBH I would love to see money out of politics to a greater degree so we can elevate more voices like some of the young colleagues of mine in the mayoral campaign like Mustafa and Lawrence-Zachary and Jeff. They really deserve a listen.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

A loss of confidence in government is one of the biggest problems we have as a society. Any steps towards restoring that don't undermine the benefits by creating more expensive administration are ones we should take.Bronagh, to Climate Action London

Council of Canadians asked: “Do you support Bill 5?”NoBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Council of Canadians asked: “Do you support the Ontario First Nations Chiefs' legal challenge against Bill 5?”YesBronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

Not sure how we define "clearly expressed will" without referenda on every issue, which is not reasonable.Bronagh, to Concerned Citizens Association of London

I have seen first hand the power of art to heal and to connect. Please do not reduce this point to a soundbite that suggests I think art is a replacement for care and the vital systemic changes that need to happen. It isn't a standalone solution. But it can be a part of any program, service, or initiative that aims to lift people out of places where they are struggling and into a better place for themselves and for our community as a whole.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

I have said it a few times how frustrating I find it that decision makers here treat arts and culture like a nice thing and not a primary economic driver of London. Such a failure of imagination.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

How about Centennial Square? Right in the core, right by City Hall and busy, beautiful Victoria Park. Lots of possibility to bring even more life to the core by revitalizing this space.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

What we also have is a weird attitude that London should stay the best kept secret in Ontario (this is literally what my employer told me when I first moved here for work from Toronto). The powers that be have to stop liking it that way.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

When I was doing live art downtown a couple of years back during the AMO conference, the politicians from other cities were losing their marbles about how they had no idea how awesome London is.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Money to the front line of the crisis on our streets that spills into our libraries and other public spaces is not a big ask when you get rid of unnecessary administration and waste at the top.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct

Constantly working in a state of risk where funding year to year is not guaranteed and can easily change due to political agendas is exhausting and a huge waste of the time of people and agencies working on the front lines with our most vulnerable populations.Bronagh, to Pillar Nonprofit Network

Look at multi-year funding cycles for service providers doing things that are municipal responsibilities.Bronagh, to London Free Press questionnaire

Writing a list of commitments without financial commitments behind them is nothing more than an exercise in electioneering.Bronagh, to London Chamber of Commerce questionnaire

Guess what? That's in our public systems, too. That's not an accusation. That's clear-eyed honesty from someone who worked 17 years as casual City staff. Let's clean our own house first, and stop pretending that a declaration solves a problem.Bronagh, to Council of Canadians, London chapter

We can, however, re-draft our laws and policies and contracts and use the regulatory tools that already exist to make it hard to behave in a hateful way or to ignore human suffering.Bronagh, to London Decides questionnaire

I would say as someone with no chickens that to me this would be a cost/benefit decision … There has to be a net benefit to the city not only taking into account the admin costs but also quality of life issues for both the chicken-having people and the chicken-adverse people.Bronagh on Reddit AMA on r/londonontario, 3 Oct