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← Councillor Ward 1

Hadleigh McAlister

Candidate for Councillor Ward 1

Elected (official result)

In their own words

This candidate hasn’t listed a campaign website or social account with the Town. That says nothing about them as a candidate — it just means less of their material is published online for us to summarise.

Where they stand

Every candidate in this race is shown against the same 16 issues, in the same order, whether or not we’ve found something for each one. Why we do it this way.

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

McAlister: set targets for different housing types — especially transitional and supportive housing to address homelessness.

  • Set targets for different types of housing beyond the Roadmap to 3000
  • Particularly interested in targets for transitional and supportive housing
  • Work with the province on targets for new mental health and addiction supports
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I would like to see the city set targets for different types of housing. We do currently have the Roadmap to 3000 affordable units but we have a high demand within a broadly defined affordable housing stream. I am particularly interested in seeing targets established for transitional and supportive housing to help address homelessness.”

Source: London Decides — 2026 Candidate Questionnaire (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1) · September 16, 2026

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

What happens to my tax bill, and where does the money go?

McAlister says growth should pay for growth but senior governments must fund the infrastructure they mandate.

  • Asked about paying for growth fairly, McAlister said growth should pay for growth, but the demands should not all fall on the property tax base.
  • He says if the Province sets housing targets it must provide housing-enabling infrastructure funds, and the Federal government must step up with funds for large transportation projects.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“Growth should pay for growth, but not all of those demands should fall on the property tax base. For instance if the Province wants to set housing targets they also need to provide appropriate levels of housing enabling infrastructure funds. Likewise for large transportation projects the Federal government need to step up with funds to support them.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Emergency services

When I call for help, will it come fast enough?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transit

Can I get where I need to go without driving?

McAlister wants investment in transit, cycling and sidewalks so the system is safe, affordable and accessible to everyone.

  • Asked how he would improve local transit, McAlister said London needs an integrated multi-modal system with continued investment in public transit, cycling and sidewalks.
  • He says the system must be safe, affordable and accessible to everyone, and the City must keep advocating to higher governments for air and rail networks.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“London is continuing to grow, and we need to ensure that we have a integrated multi-modal transportation system in place for our residents. It is essential that we continue to invest other transportation options such as public transit, cycling, and sidewalks. We must ensure that we have a transportation system that is safe, affordable, and accessible to everyone. We must also continue to advocate to higher levels of government to ensure that air and rail networks meet the needs of our residents and businesses.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Government

Will decisions be made in the open, and will anyone answer for them?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

McAlister: establish a nonprofit advisory committee to make recommendations to council.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q9: Ensuring nonprofits are included in decision-making.
“I think establishing a nonprofit advisory committee that could make recommendations to council would be helpful. This would also give council the option to forward items for their review and input.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

McAlister wants clear service timelines and full transparency so residents can track requests through the City process.

  • Asked how to make it easier to invest and operate in London, McAlister said city services need clear timelines and transparency: people should see where a request is, what documentation is needed and when to expect a resolution.
  • He says Service London is a good tool but needs refining, and having a person to talk to — like the Pathways to Approval desk — makes dealing with the city smoother.
“In the digital age I think it is important for any service provider to be able to have clear timeliness and transparency. By that I mean service areas should have timelines for providing responses and people should be able to see where a request is in a process, what further documentation may be need, and when they can expect a resolution. Service London for instance is a great tool but it needs to be refined and made more user friendly. Having a person to talk to can also make dealing with city a smoother process. We have seen that with our Service London representatives and also through our Pathways to Approval desk.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

McAlister: organizations providing public services should receive city funding.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q8: Support multi-year funding & longer-term partnerships (Yes/No + why).
“Yes — These organizations provide important public services in many communities throughout our city and should receive funding.”

(one sentence)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

McAlister says London is catching up on ageing infrastructure and should keep leveraging federal and provincial dollars.

  • Asked how to prioritize infrastructure and keep taxes competitive, McAlister said London is playing catch-up on ageing infrastructure after years of delayed projects.
  • He says the City has done a good job leveraging federal and provincial infrastructure dollars and must continue so the demands do not all fall on the property tax base.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“London is playing catch up in many ways on ageing infrastructure. What we are witnessing right now is growing pains of years of projects being put off or delayed. I know that construction is not a popular subject right now but we are seeing progress. I think we have done a good job leveraging available Federal and Provincial infrastructure dollars so far. We will need to continue to do so moving forward to ensure that not all these growing demands fall on the property tax base.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

McAlister says London must diversify trade beyond the US, build domestic capacity, and align post-secondary programs with jobs.

  • Asked what Council should do for business growth and talent, McAlister said London's economy is suffering from heavy reliance on the United States and the City should seek new international opportunities while bolstering domestic capacity.
  • He says the City should work with Western and Fanshawe so local programs match employment needs, and follow the direction of the new Economic Development Plan.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“London is a city with great economic potential. Unfortunately, lately our economy has been suffering because of a heavy reliance on the United States. We need to be bold and look for new international opportunities while also bolstering our domestic capacity and work towards a more sustainable and self sufficient economy. With two post secondary institutions we should be working collaboratively with them to ensure that local educationally programs support employment needs in our city. It is also important that the City of London follow the direction set out in the new Economic Development Plan that was recently passed.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

McAlister wants to grow London's tree canopy, plan for wildfire smoke, and restore Climate Action Reserve Fund funding.

  • Asked which climate plan elements to prioritize, McAlister said London should grow its tree canopy as the Forest City and stay vigilant on wildfire conditions and poor air quality.
  • He says Climate Action Reserve Fund contributions have been greatly reduced, and restoring that funding through the multi-year budget is needed for the city to meet its climate objectives.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I would like to see London continue to grow its tree canopy. We are the forest city after all, and we should be proud and diligent stewards of our natural environment. We do also need to be vigilant and plan accordingly for wildfire conditions. It is important that we respond to poor air quality warnings.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor and a hospital when we need one?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Growth & development

How fast should we grow, and who decides what gets built where?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Social & community services

Who looks after the most vulnerable residents?

This candidate has spoken about this issue more than once. Each statement is shown with its own source.

McAlister: food security and housing are basic needs needing continued attention.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q12: Other priorities candidates wanted the sector to know.
“I have been very impressed in London (and particularly in Ward 1) with the nonprofits that work in the food security field. They are doing important work and it has been a pleasure working with them. I hope to continue to do so if reelected. Housing is an important priority of mine but food is also top of mind for many of my residents. Food and shelter are basic needs that continue to need our attention.”

(several paragraphs)

Source: Pillar Nonprofit Network — London 2026 Candidate Survey (candidate's own Q&A answers)

Confidence:High

McAlister: keep making progress on housing and homelessness — strategic local resources plus more provincial funds.

  • Continue progress on housing and homelessness
  • Be smart and strategic with local resources for meaningful impact
  • London and surrounding municipalities need additional provincial healthcare and housing funds
“I would like to continue to see progress on housing and homelessness. It is not something the city can solve on their own, but we have to be smart and strategic with resources we have locally, to ensure that it has a meaningful impact. London, along with surrounding municipalities, need additional healthcare and housing funds from the Province to tackle these complex issues.”

(a few sentences)

Source: London Decides — 2026 Candidate Questionnaire (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1) · September 16, 2026

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

McAlister calls arts and culture economic drivers and wants to leverage the UNESCO City of Music designation for more venues.

  • Asked what role arts and culture should play, McAlister said they are economic drivers, citing Film London and the Music office under Tourism London as substantial revenue generators.
  • He says the return on investment is there and wants more small and mid-size venues to leverage London's UNESCO City of Music designation.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Arts and culture are economic drivers and we’ve seen that in action in a few areas. For instance both Film London and the Music office under Tourism London are substantial revenue generators in our city. The return on investment is there and we need to continue to capitalize on those successes. I think we can do more to leverage our UNESCO City of Music designation by supporting more small and mid-size venues throughout London.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Hadleigh McAlister, Ward 1)

Confidence:High

Data centres

Should energy-hungry data centres be welcomed here?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Water & waste

Is our drinking water safe and our waste handled?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Bylaw enforcement

Are the rules fair, and are they actually enforced?

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Think we got something wrong?

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