City council voted unanimously on January 27 to spend the next month establishing regulations for a potential food truck program in London. The motion came after Mayor Matt Brown and Ward 7 councillor Josh Morgan proposed on January 20 that city staff work on reviving a proposal to allow trucks in the city. They also asked that city staff work on a pilot program for this summer.

OK. What’s the problem?

According to the London Free Press (LFP), about 60 downtown restaurants and retailers met on January 23 and penned a letter to city council, expressing their concerns over allowing food trucks in the city.

Their main concerns, they wrote in the letter, are the location of the trucks, the fees the trucks will be charged and “the current lack of consultation with [the restaurant] industry, the city planning and finance departments and landowners themselves.”

The restaurants pointed out that the trucks would have unfair advantages as they would not have to pay rent, taxes and various others fees. They said they were already struggling and did not have the workforce to compete with trucks. Other concerns include trash disposal and the lack of parking space downtown.

So, what does city council propose?

It’s too early to tell since city council just voted on the motion to look into allowing trucks. However, Matt Brown and Morgan suggested in their letter that the city restrict food trucks from operating too close to restaurants, schools, residential areas and at special events.

So, what’s next?

City council will spend the next month establishing regulations for the potential program. They will then vote on whether to have a pilot program this summer or not. The date suggested for that motion is February 18.

Who’s for and who’s against food trucks?

Again, it’s too early to tell. City council – including two members who voted against last year’s proposal – did vote 15-0 in support of establishing regulations. That could be a sign that most members will be in favour of allowing trucks in the city.

What happened last time?

City council voted in May of last year 8–6 against allowing food trucks. Bill Armstrong, Harold Usher, Bud Polhill, Stephen Orser, Dale Henderson, Paul Van Meerbergen, Joe Swan and Sandy White voted against the motion. Matt Brown, Denise Brown, Joe Fontana, Judy Bryant, Nancy Branscombe and Paul Hubert supported it.

Joni Baechler was absent.

Do other cities have food trucks?

Yes. Food trucks are allowed in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, Kingston and Montreal, just to name a few.

But I swear I’ve seen food trucks in London before!

That’s possible. Food trucks in the city are allowed to operate on private properties and at special events. City council will look at the possibility of allowing trucks to operate in public places, such as on the streets.

I think food trucks are a great/terrible idea. How do I voice my opinion?

Your best bet would be to send your councillor an email. You can find his or her email at london.ca/city-hall/city-council.