The Matt Brown Podcast

Graham Henderson, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce joins me to discuss how big investments in Music Arts and Culture can make our local economy stronger while at the same time making London a great place to live. He’s studied this for years and has "walked his talk". In Toronto, he developed a Music Arts and Culture Strategy that has been implemented in large Cities around the world. He argues that London needs to do more so we get more, and he explains why he thinks city council is not doing enough to get us where we need to be.

Presently, a small but important portion of the Medway Trail system is in question. Residents from the Attawandaron Neighbourhood (a neighbourhood in Northwest London, just off Wonderland Road) attended a planning committee meeting last week and lobbied for the Type 3 trail (an accessible trail) that is planned for the City property behind their homes and abutting Medway Valley be stopped. Remarkably the planning committee agreed with them and voted unanimously (5 - 0) to pause construction and possibly cancel the pathway altogether. the recommendation goes to council on Tuesday, August 26th for debate and decision. Although the neighbours had the opportunity to share their perspective with the Planning and Environment Committee, no one was able to provide the decades long history of this project or express their concerns from an accessibility lens. Jay Menard, the immediate past chair of the council appointed committee set up to provide them with advice about accessibility issues, joins me on the podcast with the hope that his perspective is heard before city council makes their final decision.

Jim Graham is a business owner, community volunteer, commercial pilot and he is the founding and immediate past chair of the board of directors for Airshow London which was established as a not for profit organization in 2015. You'll learn some interesting history, fun facts, how they kept the show going during the pandemic, what in store this year as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary.

Chris Moss, the Executive Director of London Cares joins us to share information about the organization she leads and how London Cares works with other Community Partners to address London's Homelessness Crisis. Listen for "Housing is Healthcare". Please reach out and let me know what you think: TheMattBrownPodcast@gmail.com Thanks for listening!