Funding for homeless drop-in services at Ark Aid Street Mission will continue to flow, despite the ward councillor putting up an intense fight to halt it. "The people on our streets matter, but so do the lives of the people in Old East Village,” she said. “Residents and taxpayers and law-abiding citizens have had enough of everything being about the unsheltered and the drug addicted. “This is not . . . a good policy decision.” (Apr 2025)
Integrity Commissioner tosses out recent complaints about Councillor Stevenson’s social media posts
“Based on results, the social media has been effective,” she said. “We got a 7-7 failure on the SafeSpace (funding extension) vote, and we had a 7-7 failure on funding the encampment strategy. Both of those I created a bit of a social media campaign leading up to the vote.” Stevenson expressed a sense of vindication to CTV News, “This has given me approval to continue doing what I'm doing, advocating on the issues that matter to the residents -- these public safety issues.” (Aug 2024)
The finding recommends suspending Stevenson’s pay for 30 days, saying she refuses “to acknowledge any need for change.” “I won’t stop doing my job as councillor. The residents are suffering and as their representative, I will be their voice,” she said. “Everything I have ever said is respectful and reasonable.” (Dec 2024)
They go over tweets about the London Abused Women's Centre, Safe Space, ANOVA and others. They also debate sex work, homelessness plans, encampments, her integrity commissioner reports and more. (Apr 2024)
London councillor's transparency concerns with homelessness plan rebuffed by committee
In a quarterly update last month, city staff said three highly supportive housing projects [including 644-646 Huron], totalling 211 units, had been endorsed by members of the strategy and accountability table. "We do not know how many members are in this committee, nor which of the 70 organizations that make up the (response) are represented. We do not know what the vote count was or if any concerns were expressed during that endorsement process." "I feel very uncomfortable receiving a report telling me lots of people know about and endorse things happening in our community that matter to neighbourhoods, and their city councillor is not afforded even a confidential briefing," she said. (May 2025)
‘The words should not be changed’: Altered lyrics sung during national anthem at council meeting
At a meeting on April 1, a singer said the words “Our home on native land,” instead of the lyrics “Our home and native land.” Stevenson stated it is the third time the anthem has been changed over the past two years. "I mentioned it to the mayor and the city manager in October 2023 and again in October 2024, that the words of the national anthem are set out in legislation, and it needs to be [honoured] in an official council ceremony,” (Apr 2025)
City councillor says encampment response falls short and comes too late
A city councillor said she’s concerned the city is encouraging homeless encampments rather than finding more permanent solutions. Stevenson said she would rather see recovery focused programs implemented in London. “To bring me the summer encampment strategy in June is not enough time to have a serious conversation about it. We were brought the winter response in November and December. That’s just not okay.” (Apr 2024)
A majority of city politicians voted Tuesday to formally reprimand their colleague, Ward 4 Coun. Susan StevensonSusan Stevenson on her reprimand, being 'a voice for the people' "There are differences of opinion on what it means to truly help people, who and what are vulnerable and what it means....I have more support by far than people who disagree with what I’ve done." (Dec 2023)
'How did this happen?' Politicians ask about big cash spent on housing software city isn't using
There are many unanswered questions about the software project, said Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, who is an accountant and prides herself on championing fiscal responsibility. "The public perception on this is not a good one," she said. "We have a duty to the public to figure out, How did this happen? Where else is it happening? How do we a quick check to make sure there isn't anything else and how can we put practices into place that this doesn't happen again?" The fact that council hasn't been updated on the project is "unacceptable," (May 2023)
Councillor loses bid to quash homeless drop-in services at Ark Aid
Safe Space London staves off attempt at council to cut over $300,000 in funding
“The services that we were told would be provided cannot, will not be provided and we have agencies who are ready and willing to offer those services and more right now,” said Stevenson. The Ward 4 councillor suggested the money be diverted to the Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addictions and Mental Health Services and the Salvation Army Centre of Hope. (Apr 2023)
Safe Space London 'disappointed' city won't extend funding for beds for sex workers
Councillor Susan Stevenson, who represents the ward that includes OEV, said funding for Safe Space was a temporary measure for the winter, and extending it would mean an over-saturation of social agencies in her ward. "It was temporary funding, it was a temporary response. I'm asking as the ward councillor that the commitment to it being temporary be honoured and that we allow this agency to find another location and another funding source," said Stevenson (May 2024)
Committee approves ‘cold weather response’ for 120 overnight beds
Some committee members, including Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson, suggested possibly using the funds from the recently cancelled homeless hub at My Sisters’ Place and the Lighthouse Inn to cover the remaining $1.2 million. “It is heartbreaking that it is November 21st and people on the streets don’t know whether there’s going to be shelter beds or not,” Stevenson said. (Nov 2023)
Huge housing, office development pitched around 100 Kellogg Lane
Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson applauded the scale of investment and development around the site, calling it an “incredible entertainment complex” and saying the proposal would be “a real boost” for businesses and the neighbourhood’s appeal. Due to the scale of the development, she’s eager to hear from area residents, predicting there will be concerns about traffic and congestion. “Dundas is going to go from two lanes both ways to one lane each way (with BRT). . . . We have a lot of no-left-turns in a lot of places. We’re going to have U-turns at lights. This is going to be a big adjustment,” she said. “Having some vision and foresight and thinking things through proactively is going to be critical for me.” (Jul 2023)