What To Know For October 4, 2024…

Here’s what to know for today;

• New speaker of the house voted in: After a day of debates, Liberal MP Greg Fergus has been voted in as the new Speaker of the House of Commons. Fergus is the first Black Canadian to ever hold the position, making history. Fergus represents the National Capital Region Quebec, which is a riding of Hull-Aylmer. In international controversy, the previous Speaker, Anthony Rota resigned last week in lue of his actions, where he invited a veteran Nazi into Parliament Hill during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenski. Fergus went up against seven other candidates gunning for the position including Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau were present during the  speeches, but PC Leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet were not in attendance. Fergus said he’s feeling nervous but optimistic about the position. He will receive a $92,000 salary raise on top of the $194,600 base rate MP’s receive. Fergus was ceremoniously “dragged” out of his chair by Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.

• City picks up bulk of the tab at Budweiser Gardens: City politicians are concerned over the economics report Budweiser Gardens has conducted, but not released. The city plans on taking ownership of the area in 30 years, but it might cost London taxpayers over $100 million during this period. Sam Trosow of Ward 6 requested to see a KPMG report from the building but has been told the report is confidential. Parts of the report Trosow could see said that the city could receive approximately $53 million in revenue over the next 30 years. Back in May, the city committed $26.7 million to the $33 million needed in renovations, but would like to know what a return would look like before any construction begins. Renovations would be done in two phases, first working on event spaces, dressing rooms, food, and suite areas costing the city $9 million. Phase two will be upgrading the “back of the house” costing the city $17 million. There was no provision in the original agreement for upgrades.

• The plumpest pumpkin has been awarded at this year’s Pumpkinfest: Port Elgin’s annual Pumpkinfest was underway over the weekend, and it sure didn’t disappoint this year. John Butler of St. Thomas took home first place with the “plumpest pumpkin” award. Butler grew an astonishing 1,596.5 lb pumpkin from seeds he received from a man in Alaska. John Matesa came in second place with a 1,513.5 lb pumpkin. The largest pumpkin ever recorded at the festival was a whopping 1,999.5 lbs. Giant pumpkins typically need 93 square meters of space to grow and typically growers tend to four plants per season. Butler also took home prizes for largest tomato, and sunflower. 

• Summer-like weather will continue, but not for long: As temperatures rise to the high 20’s these next few days, a shift in temperature is expected just around the corner. In relation to the record breaking highs we have been receiving, Saturday and Sunday are expected to be a high of 10 and 13 degrees. This is unseasonably low as temperatures average around 17 degrees. In 1971, London set an October 4th record of 27.2 degrees.

• Road closure: Dundas St from Highbury Ave. to Hale St. will be closed until Thursday afternoon. Colonel Talbot Rd. and Southdale Rd. W. remains closed until Thursday for roundabout work. Hyde Park Rd. from Oxford to Riverside Dr. will be reducing lanes until October 20, due to road work.

Categorised in: Middays

This post was written by gring