Skip to main content

← Councillor Ward 9

Luke Thomas

Candidate for Councillor Ward 9

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?

Thomas: faster approvals, density along major corridors and transit routes, a mix of rentals, townhomes, apartments and affordable housing.

  • Faster and more predictable approvals
  • Appropriate density along major corridors and transit routes
  • Mix of housing: rentals, townhomes, apartments, affordable housing; coordinate growth with infrastructure
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would support faster and more predictable approvals, appropriate density along major corridors and transit routes, and a mix of housing including rentals, townhomes, apartments and affordable housing. We shouldn't build housing first and then try to catch up with infrastructure.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

Confidence:High

Taxes & spending

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

Thomas: growth should pay its fair share via development charges — existing taxpayers shouldn't carry costs of new development.

  • Growth should pay its fair share through development charges and growth-related funding
  • Existing taxpayers should not carry costs that result from new development
  • Consider full lifecycle costs; maintain what the city already owns
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“Growth should pay its fair share through appropriate development charges and other growth-related funding. Existing taxpayers should not carry costs that primarily result from new development.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

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?

Thomas: more frequent, reliable transit to employment areas — service for early-morning, evening and shift workers, not just 9-to-5.

  • More frequent and reliable transit to major employment areas
  • Service for early-morning, evening and shift workers, not just 9-to-5
  • Work with employers on corridors and shift patterns; strengthen intercity bus, rail, air links
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“I would support more frequent and reliable transit to major employment areas, including service that works for early-morning, evening and shift workers—not just traditional 9-to-5 schedules.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

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.

Thomas: 'treat nonprofits as partners from the beginning not after decisions are made.'

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q9: Ensuring nonprofits are included in decision-making.
“I will treat nonprofits as partners from the beginning not after decisions are made. Structured input. A seat at the table. A councillor who shows up. I am committed to being a more active and accessible partner with Pillar and the sector than Ward 9 has had.”

(several paragraphs)

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

Confidence:High

Thomas wants Council to publicly track Downtown Plan actions completed, outstanding and what they achieved.

  • Asked which elements of the new Downtown Plan he would prioritize, Thomas said Council must execute the plan and clearly communicate what actions have been completed, what remains outstanding and what those investments are achieving.
“Council should clearly communicate what actions have been completed, what remains outstanding and what those investments are achieving. We have a plan. Now we need to execute it.”

(a few sentences)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

Confidence:High

Thomas: multi-year funding tied to outcomes; work with Pillar to make it the norm.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q8: Support multi-year funding & longer-term partnerships (Yes/No + why).
“Yes — Multi-year funding and longer-term partnerships give organizations the stability they need to plan and deliver better outcomes. I will work with Pillar to make this the norm rather than the exception. I will also prioritize accountability so that public dollars produce results for residents.”

(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?

Roads & infrastructure

Will the things I use every day actually get fixed?

Thomas backs development charges so existing taxpayers don't carry costs of new development.

  • Asked how he would pay for growth fairly, Thomas said growth should pay its fair share through appropriate development charges and other growth-related funding, and existing taxpayers should not carry costs from new development.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“Growth should pay its fair share through appropriate development charges and other growth-related funding. Existing taxpayers should not carry costs that primarily result from new development.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

Confidence:High

Economy

Will our main streets and local jobs thrive?

Thomas: growth isn't just attracting the next large employer — small businesses, entrepreneurs, local companies and graduates must thrive.

  • Predictable approvals, strong infrastructure, available employment lands, efficient transportation
  • Connect post-secondary institutions with local employers through co-ops and internships
  • Keep more graduates in London; help small businesses succeed and local companies expand
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Economic growth isn't just about attracting the next large employer. It's about creating an environment where small businesses can succeed, entrepreneurs can take risks, local companies can expand and graduates can build their careers here.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 Candidate Survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

Confidence:High

Environment

Is the candidate protecting the nature we live in?

Thomas would focus the climate plan on resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure like stormwater and tree canopy.

  • Asked which Climate Emergency Action Plan elements he would prioritize, Thomas said he would focus on the practical side: sustainable and resilient infrastructure such as better stormwater management, tree canopy, efficient municipal buildings and infrastructure built for extreme weather.
  • He said these investments must make financial sense, weighing upfront costs against long-term savings without placing unnecessary costs on taxpayers.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“I would focus on the practical side of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, particularly building sustainable and resilient infrastructure that benefits Londoners today and into the future.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

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.

Thomas: growing demand around addiction, mental health and housing; cut red tape.

  • Pillar Nonprofit Network 2026 candidate survey — Q6: Biggest challenges facing the nonprofit sector & actions candidates would support.
“The biggest challenges are unstable year-to-year funding, rising costs, growing demand (especially around addiction, mental health and housing), and administrative burden. I will work actively with Pillar throughout my term to address these. I support multi-year funding tied to outcomes, reducing red tape and treating nonprofits as true partners in planning. After 12 years with the same councillor, Ward 9 and the sector deserve a more engaged partner at City Hall.”

(several paragraphs)

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

Confidence:High

Thomas wants City action on housing stability, homelessness prevention, supportive housing and bylaw enforcement.

  • Asked what actions he would support on homelessness versus crime and disorder, Thomas said the City should focus on housing stability, homelessness prevention, supportive housing, bylaw enforcement and clean, maintained public spaces.
  • He said mental health and addictions treatment are primarily provincial responsibilities, and police should focus on violence, property crime and enforcement.
“The City should focus on housing stability, homelessness prevention, supportive housing, bylaw enforcement and clean, maintained public spaces.”

(one sentence)

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

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?

Thomas would first maintain and modernize existing cultural facilities and address venue capacity needs.

  • Asked what cultural infrastructure should be prioritized, Thomas said the first focus should be maintaining and modernizing existing facilities while addressing capacity needs for venues, performing arts, festivals, sports and community programming.
  • He said major investments should have a clear public benefit and leverage provincial, federal and private funding before committing significant municipal dollars.
Show their words & source (one sentence)
“During the next Council term, I would focus first on maintaining and modernizing existing facilities while addressing capacity needs for venues, performing arts, festivals, sports and community programming.”

Source: London Chamber of Commerce — 2026 candidate survey (Luke Thomas, Ward 9)

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?

Candidates and members of the public can both report a correction. Every one is logged and answered, and corrections about a candidate’s own positions get priority.

Report a correction about this page →