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← Councillor Ward 11

Skylar Franke

Candidate for Councillor Ward 11

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?

Franke: 'the solution to homelessness is housing' — a housing-first approach with wrap-around services, plus higher social assistance rates.

  • 'I believe the solution to homelessness is housing'
  • Housing first approach, with housing that has wrap-around services
  • Advocate for increased social assistance rates, proper funding for education and healthcare
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I believe the solution to homelessness is housing. I also believe preventative solutions like housing, healthcare, food and education prevent crime, and are cheaper than emergency or punitive solutions.”

Source: Downtown London BIA — 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Survey Responses (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

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

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

Franke: keep property taxes as low as possible while protecting good services — won't cut important services to cut taxes

  • Asked whether keeping property taxes low is a priority, Franke answered yes on affordability grounds, noting most people are struggling with rising costs.
  • She added she will not cut important services in order to keep taxes low.
“Yes. I think keeping taxes as low as we can, while still providing good services is important from an affordability perspective. Most people are struggling with the increasing costs of everything. However I won't cut important services to keep taxes low.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Council of Canadians (London Chapter) — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Franke: many city services take priority over cutting property taxes; budget decisions will be evidence-based

  • Asked whether she would prioritize any municipal needs over reducing or limiting property-tax increases, Franke answered yes.
  • She said she would review budget cases from staff and agencies, boards and commissions to make informed, evidence-based decisions.
“There are many services the city provides that I would prioritize over reducing the property taxes, and I would review the budget cases submitted by staff and our agencies, boards and commissions to make informed and evidence based decisions.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Council of Canadians (London Chapter) — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Emergency services

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

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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.

Franke is pushing a small-business concierge to help firms navigate permits and regulations.

  • Asked what changes she would make to approvals and customer service, Franke said she has been pushing for a small-business concierge-type role to help businesses navigate permits and regulations so it is easier, faster and cheaper to open and operate in London.
“I have been pushing to have a small business concierge type role to help businesses navigate the complex pathways or permits and regulations to make it easier, faster and cheaper to open and operate a small business in London.”

(one sentence)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Franke: long-term funding means more leverage — 'a bigger return on investment' for the municipality.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q8: Support multi-year funding & longer-term partnerships (Yes/No + why).
“Yes — Long term funding means more leveraging for nonprofits, which means the municipality gets a bigger return on investment. Additionally, the nonprofit sector is a huge economic driver in the community, and offers social and environmental benefits at the same time.”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Franke: regularly consults nonprofit leaders on policies and motions.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q9: Ensuring nonprofits are included in decision-making.
“I regularly consult with nonprofit leaders on policies and motions (for example the winter response motion, the special constables motion, etc) to gain their insight in the decision making process. I let nonprofit leaders know when there are issues they need to weigh in on at city hall. I would continue this, and if re-elected my door would always be open for discussions on municipal decisions. If there is a more formal idea for how nonprofits could play a larger role at city hall, I'd be happy to discuss.”

(several paragraphs)

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?

Franke wants the delayed Wharncliffe and Horton underpass completed to fix a bottleneck.

  • Asked how she would prioritize infrastructure investments, Franke said she follows the city's corporate asset management and capital plans, but the one project she is pushing to move forward is the long-delayed Wharncliffe and Horton underpass to resolve a bottleneck.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“The only infrastructure project I am pushing to move forward is the Wharncliffe and Horton underpass project which has been delayed for years and needs to be completed to resolve a bottleneck.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Franke wants simpler approvals, lower barriers and better city-program access for small businesses.

  • Asked what Council should do for business growth, Franke said she supports the Economic Development Strategy and wants simpler approvals, lower barriers and better access to City programs for small businesses, which she calls the economic backbone of the city.
  • She has been pushing for a Small Business concierge after hearing from businesses caught in the 'Permit Olympics' chasing permits for months just to open their doors.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“Supporting London’s small businesses, which are the economic backbone of our city, through simpler approvals, lower barriers and better access to City programs.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Franke backs a streamlined climate plan focused on transit, cycling infrastructure and trees.

  • Asked which climate plan elements she would prioritize, Franke said staff are writing a new streamlined Climate Action Plan, and she is generally supportive of transit, cycling infrastructure and trees as environmental priorities.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“I would need to see the new plan in order to say what I would prioritize, however in general I am very supportive of transit, cycling infrastructure and trees as environmental priorities.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

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.

Franke supports the nurse/police team and COAST team to intervene before situations escalate, with enforcement when safety is threatened.

  • Supportive of the nurse/police team and the COAST team
  • Intervene before situations escalate
  • Maintain appropriate emergency and enforcement responses when there is an immediate threat to safety
“I am supportive of the nurse / police team and the COAST team - who intervene before situations escalate, while maintaining appropriate emergency and enforcement responses when there is an immediate threat to safety.”

(a few sentences)

Source: Downtown London BIA — 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Survey Responses (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Franke: nonprofits are on the front lines of the homelessness, environmental and poverty crises.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q11: The nonprofit sector's role & what success looks like.
“The nonprofit sector is a pivotal part of the fabric of our community. It offers solutions and supports to our most complex problems, often at a fraction of the cost of business or government.”

(a few sentences)

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

Confidence:High

Think we’ve got this wrong?

Active transportation

Can I walk and bike safely around town?

Franke would make downtown easier to reach without a car: expand transit, improve walking/cycling connections, safer pedestrian streets.

  • Focus on making downtown easier to reach without a car
  • Expand reliable transit, improve walking and cycling connections
  • Make downtown streets safer for pedestrians; accessibility doesn't have to mean driving
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Instead I would focus on making downtown easier to reach without a car. I'd expand reliable transit, improve walking and cycling connections, and make downtown streets safer for pedestrians. I want downtown to be accessible, but accessibility doesn't have to mean driving and parking.”

Source: Downtown London BIA — 2026 Municipal Election Candidate Survey Responses (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

Confidence:High

Arts & culture

Does the candidate value what makes this place feel alive?

Franke would strengthen the Community Arts Investment Program and fund festivals and public art outside downtown.

  • Asked what role arts and culture should play, Franke said she would strengthen the Community Arts Investment Program and invest in festivals, cultural programming and public art outside the downtown core so residents across London can participate.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“I’d support the following: -Strengthen programs like the Community Arts Investment Program -Invest in festivals, cultural programming and public art outside the downtown core, ensuring residents across London can participate.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Skylar Franke, Ward 11)

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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