The Morning Show with Devon Peacock

London’s municipal election season officially begins Friday as candidates can start filing for the fall vote, raising questions about whether turnout and participation will improve from 2022. Mayor Josh Morgan joins the show to discuss development charge relief, advocacy to the province on recycling and addiction services, ongoing firefighter contract talks and a unique moment as the Cincinnati Bengals announced a draft pick from Joe Kool’s in London. We also hear from Ark Aid Street Mission about proposed bridge funding for agencies supporting people experiencing homelessness and what still needs to happen next. Eldon House is set to begin a major restoration project running through the summer, with details on what the work will involve. And Air Canada is expanding comfort in the skies, introducing lie-flat seating on smaller aircraft for the first time in Canada.

We start with a look at new research ranking London as one of the worst cities in Canada for pollen allergies, with expert insight into why the region continues to struggle. From there, we cover a new Ontario requirement that will see high school students pass a financial literacy test to graduate. We then turn to national politics, where Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing back against U.S. trade complaints, arguing Canada is not at fault. Locally, we hear about a new Humane Society program aimed at reducing pet surrenders, as hundreds of animals have already been given up this year. We also check in on the impact of this year’s Radiothon, which raised more than $275,000 for children’s health care, and wrap up with a look at why experts say using emojis at work may not always be the best idea.