Mayoral hopeful Joe Swan has released his platform for the municipal election and the focus is squarely on jobs and the economy.

The councillor laid out a seven-point jobs plan, saying in a statement, "I am committed to creating a better London by harnessing the power of small business entrepreneurship and supporting men and women who have the vision, passion and determination to spark their ideas to life."

His plan, which would draw from the $10 million economic development fund that is already part of the city's budget, includes:

  1. $5 million in start-up capital for growth-ready business
  2. $2 million for the mayor's export and trade initiative
  3. $1.5 million for 21st century industries
  4. A 'jobs now' program for London's youth
  5. Cultural ambassador program to promote business expansion
  6. Web marketing strategy for 'homepreneurs'
  7. Matching funds for tourism destination marketing

Swan says "Rather than try to find one company to bring 500 jobs, encourage 500 small companies to create lots more jobs...It is a new way forward of economic development, it focuses on local retention and expansion."

But not everyone is inspired by Swan's plan, with some wondering where the ideas have been while he chaired the Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee for the last four years.

Mayoral candidate Paul Cheng says "These are tinkering points, they are not world-class building ideas. Nothing is measured. City hall gives away millions but we never get a report to say what we got in return."

Candidate Arnon Kaplansky adds, "I don't think this is the way to create jobs. The way to create jobs is to make it easier for business people who actually create jobs to create them."

But Swan is confident his platform is the kind of new thinking the city needs, "It has to be achievable. The big idea is having reliance on ourselves and growing our talent and our people."

Friday also marked the deadline for candidates to register for the municipal election, and Londoners have a deep field of 15 mayoral candidates to choose from come October.

For more on Swan's campaign visit: swanformayor.ca