Episode 5 of London Right Now landed on Thanksgiving weekend with three stories from London and Elgin County: St. Thomas cutting building permit fees for apartment projects, Fanshawe College landing a training contract with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and Porter Airlines adding more flights out of London International Airport.
St. Thomas cuts permit fees for apartment buildings
St. Thomas is lowering building permit fees for apartment projects. It's a small lever, but fees are one of the many costs that get baked into rents and purchase prices, so anything that trims them makes new rental construction easier to justify.
It wasn't the only St. Thomas housing news this month. A few days after the episode aired, the federal and provincial governments announced up to $19.6 million for the city in exchange for reducing development charges on new homes (CTV News London).
What it means for buyers: St. Thomas keeps growing alongside the new industrial development at Yarmouth Yards. If you're weighing St. Thomas against south London on price and commute, it deserves a spot on the shortlist. Search homes for sale or ask me how the two compare right now.
Fanshawe College will train RCAF aircraft technicians
The Royal Canadian Air Force has partnered with Fanshawe College on a four-year, $34.4-million contract. Fanshawe's Norton Wolf School of Aerospace, Information & Defence Technologies will deliver aircraft maintenance, avionics and structural repair training to up to 282 RCAF students a year, starting in January 2027 (Fanshawe College announcement).
The classes themselves run at CFB Borden, but it's another vote of confidence in London's aerospace programs. Put it next to the rocket facility announced for the London airport (covered in our October episode) and aviation is becoming a real part of London's economic story.
Porter adds more flights from London
Porter Airlines announced its first London routes in August: seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Cancún and Montego Bay starting this November and December. On October 6, it followed up with five new year-round domestic routes for spring 2027: Halifax, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montréal (Saint-Hubert) starting April 12, and Edmonton starting May 6 (Travel Market Report).
What it means for homeowners: More direct flights make London an easier choice for people who travel for work or have family across the country. It's one more reason London keeps showing up on relocation shortlists, and one less reason to drive the 401 to Pearson.
Thinking about buying or selling in London or St. Thomas?
I'm Craig Powell, a REALTOR® with Team Glasser Real Estate Brokerage Inc. If you're curious what your home is worth in today's market, request a free, no-pressure home evaluation. Buying? Start with my buyer resources or get in touch.
New episodes of London Right Now come out every week on YouTube. Have a local story I should cover? Leave a comment on the video.
