Hundreds of Fanshawe’s staff and students gathered at the school’s newly named “Valour Court” Wednesday, to show gratitude to veterans at a Remembrance Day ceremony.

A new memorial in the courtyard outside D Building has been designated as a place of reflection to honour Canada’s service members. Fanshawe’s Poppy Project and Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemoration Program funded the memorial.

Several speakers at the ceremony asked attendees to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and veterans who fought in the military.

Reservist Andrew Malison, career consultant for Fanshawe’s military-connected students (Credit: Owen Schuller/ XFM News)

“I think of my father, who also served albeit in the British military. I think of everyone that has served, everyone that has given a part of themselves to our country or countries, and I do that with great gratitude,” said Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College.

The designation of Valour Court is the latest initiative related to making Fanshawe a military-connected school. 

Peter Devlin, Fanshawe President (Credit: Owen Schuller/ XFM News)

“Remembrance day is a very delicate topic. A strict focus on those who chose to serve and made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who continue to serve and make that sacrifice,” said reservist Andrew Malison, career consultant for Fanshawe’s military-connected students.

Terry Kelly, Juno Canadian award-winning music artist performed his heart-warming piece; A Pittance of Time and  Safe Home. 

Private Benjamin Gyorkos a student in the paramedic program, read the poem In Flanders Fields

Fanshawe TV live streamed the ceremony at: LIVE — Fanshawe TV

The Remembrance Day ceremonies began with a march from the Delta Armouries hotel on Dundas Street to the Cenotaph on Dufferin Street. Opening remarks started at 10:45 a.m., followed by O Canada, then the last post.

RCMP officers march down Dufferin Street after the ceremony on Nov, 11. Callum Contursi/XFM News. 

Despite the large crowds, one could hear a pin drop during the two minutes of silence.

Shawn Irvine from CTV News was the Master of Ceremony and Col. Right Reverend Nigel Shaw was the Parade Chaplain.

The Salvation Army Jubilee Brass conducted by bandmaster David Rosell and the Catholic Central Chamber Choir conducted by Shannon Swain provided the music for the ceremony.

The event finished with Mayor Josh Morgan, Police Chief Thai Truong and several other politicians and officials laying wreaths.

The parade, including motorists, cadets, veterans and RCMP officers marched back down Dufferin Street with bagpipes playing in the background.

Those who attended the ceremony took photos with the wreaths in front of the Cenotaph after the ceremony.

Performance of the Year, produced by London-based Orange Hat Film Production, premiered Nov. 7 at London’s Hyland Cinema. 172 guests turned out for the screening, which was followed by a Q & A with cast and crew. 

Fanshawe advanced film graduate Darryl Ayles directed and co-wrote the film alongside Tad Brock and Jamara Forbes. Performance of the Year follows the story of Olivia Billings, an aspiring actress navigating the pressures of an industry where one opportunity could change her career. 

People filing in before the screening of Performance Of The Year at the Hyland Cinema on November 7. Sloane Geofroy/Instagram

Ayles said he would return to film in London because the city is rich with rising talent and interesting architecture that offers a variety of settings.

“I’ve always made the joke that I consider London to be ‘Hollywood South’ as opposed to Toronto’s ‘Hollywood North,'” Ayles said.

Inspired by #MeToo

Inspired by the MeToo movement, the psychological thriller explores themes of power, vulnerability, and exploitation.

For Sloane Geofroy, who portrays Olivia, the character’s experiences were personally relatable.

“I can resonate with this so much. I am her,” Geofroy said.

Geofroy, an actor from Hamilton, said Olivia’s experiences reflect the challenges many performers face while pursuing careers in a competitive industry.

“So many of us artists and actors and everyone out there can resonate with Olivia and can resonate with how much rejection she feels on a daily basis,” she said.

Darryl Ayles and Sloane Geofroy in Performance of the Year (2026)
Photo by Devon King – © Orange Hat Film Productions

Preparing for the role involved extensive collaboration with Ayles. Geofroy said the two spent hours discussing the script, reviewing Olivia’s motivations and making adjustments to develop the character.

“For the most part, it was very creative and collaborative, which I really enjoy,” Geofroy said.

Although Geofroy travelled from Hamilton to London for filming, she said the experience allowed her to build meaningful relationships with the cast and crew.

Sloane Geofroy photographed with the Performance Of The Year poster at the Hyland Cinema on November, 7. Sloane Geofroy/Instagram

“I like to consider myself like an unofficial official member of the London film community,” she said.

Filmmaker and graphic designer Michael Doyle also contributed to the production, designing its movie poster and assisting with several aspects of filmmaking.

“This was the first time, I guess you could say, I designed a professional movie poster,” Doyle said.

The idea for the poster came while Doyle was watching an early version of the film with members of Orange Hat.

Doyle said seeing his design displayed in the Hyland Cinema lobby was surreal. The artwork was also featured on T-shirts and smaller promotional materials.

His involvement extended beyond graphic design. Doyle contributed to auditions, storyboarding, costumes, on-set work and advertising.

“That’s the case with independent films, man. Everybody has to wear multiple hats, you know?” Doyle said.

Doyle said the production had one of the largest crews he and his fellow filmmakers had worked with, demonstrating the collaboration required to bring an independent project to completion.

Michael Doyle posing in front of the Performance Of The Year poster at the Hyland Cinema on November, 7. Michael Doyle/Instagram

For Geofroy, the experience strengthened her connection to London’s filmmaking community. For Doyle, it provided an opportunity to develop his creative skills and see his work presented to an audience.

With more than 100 tickets sold for its Hyland Cinema premiere, Performance of the Year marked a milestone for the cast and crew.

For Ayles, the production also reinforced London’s potential as a filming destination.

His willingness to return to the city, combined with the contributions of actors and filmmakers from across southwestern Ontario, highlights the opportunities available to independent productions outside larger filmmaking centres.

Fanshawe Student Union saw hundreds at their biweekly breakfast program. the FSU breakfast program was reintroduced at the start of the 2026 fall term. Students pay an ancillary fee and everything is divided into the services provided for students.

Fanshawe’s student union has served nearly 1,000 breakfasts since September, when the group doubled the frequency of the breakfast program as part of a promise to tackle student food insecurity.

It has gotten so popular this year, that students sometimes arrive early on the biweekly breakfast program Tuesdays to wait for organizers to start setting up, said Shadé Dias, Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) president.

“Before even setting up, students were already sitting and waiting for breakfast. It shows there is a real need for it,” said Dias, whose presidential campaign last year included a platform of addressing food insecurity. “It’s very important because there’s a lot of students on campus that don’t have a meal because they don’t have a job. Especially coming into winter, we find students that don’t have a lot of money as the start of term in September.”

Several students walking away from the table with apples and yogurts Tuesday said they appreciated the convenient and free option, especially with costs of food being higher than normal.

“It’s important after a test,” said Alex Lam. “We need nutrients to fuel our brains.”

Previously, the breakfast program ran once a month, but Dias increased the frequency to every other Tuesday to meet more demand.

Shadé Dias, FSU president (Credit: Torey Joseph Legarrie)

She said she would consider adding more days if needed. “If there is more demand, I’m sure the organization will look into possibly revamping the operations of it.”

“Having a breakfast program is just a great way of connecting with students and letting them know that we are here to support them in whatever way,” said Dias.

Fanshawe students are not alone in experiencing food insecurity. Food bank use has been rising across the country in recent months.

FSU does student satisfaction surveys to touch base with students and make sure needs are met, she said.

“One of the feedbacks from last year, was to improve our presence in different college areas. We’re moving it from Forwell hall, and we’re going to be in Innovation Village just to boost visibility and let students know that we’re here for them, listening to them, and supporting them as this is a major concern.”

Through Fanshawe, students can get discounts with their student ID at different grocery stores including; Food Basics, Metro, Real Canadian Superstore, and BulkBarn.

The Outback Shack will send two dollars from every burger sold to United Way Elgin Middlesex. Bragging rights go to the restaurant that raises the most donations.

“It’s been steady, maybe because this establishment is located inside a school,” said Ayla McLeod, manager of the Outback Shack.

The fundraiser began in 2025 with 18 restaurants across London in hopes of supporting local businesses. That number increased to 26 restaurants in this year’s event.

“The more we were able to continue with this fundraiser, the more interest we’re going to be able to grow from different restaurants.” Juan Marulanda, marketing and communications co-ordinator for United Way Elgin Middlesex.

Ultimate Burger Battle flyer shown at Fanshawe’s main campus on Monday, November. 9. (Photo: Callum Contursi)

“The two major awards that are given out are the People’s Choice Award (voted on by the public), and the Ultimate Burger, which is chosen by the ambassadors we have,” Marulanda, said.

After the Ultimate Burger Battle concludes, United Way Elgin Middlesex hosts a closing ceremony.

The fundraiser runs from November 1. to November 30. across 26 restaurants around London.

But many students don’t know that they have access to a slew of free campus fitness activities, from dance classes to a golf simulator, as part of their student Fanshawe student card, said the school’s wellness director.

“We have a fitness centre with cardio equipment, free weights and machines, group fitness classes … yoga and spin. We have dance, a golf simulator and a rock wall,” said Tabitha Liston, fitness and wellness program director, describes the fitness opportunities available for students.

Lesson for golf simulator, rock wall and other activities are also available at no extra cost, she said.

Students can use Fanshawe’s golf simulator at no cost. (Photo: Owen Schuller)

Charles Landry, a first-year Fitness and Health Promotions student at Fanshawe College, stays active by weight lifting at the fitness centre.

Landry enjoys renting out the Golf Simulator, saying “it’s pretty sweet.” Landry highly recommends students around Fanshawe should book the simulator.

Daniel Thuss, a second-year journalism student at Fanshawe College, uses the gym two to three times a week for weightlifting and other workouts. Thuss says “the gym is massive and offers many great areas for workouts.”

Fanshawe fitness facilities see about 30,000 visitors a month, with Fanshawe’s gym fitness centre seeing the most students each month, at around 20,000 visits.

To learn more about the fitness programs and activities available to Fanshawe students, visit the Fanshawe Fitness Centre website: Fitness Centre | Fanshawe

But there was no need for alarm. The noise was part of Labatt Brewery’s planned siren and drill testing in partnership with the London Fire Department.

As the siren sounded, firefighters responded as if it were a real emergency dealing with hazardous materials.

“We are just training in the unlikely event of an emergency to make sure we’re prepared to handle that emergency,” said AJ Bratz, Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team co-ordinator for the fire department.

“It’s something Labatt does every five years make sure that they are safe for the community. Some of the processes … use what would be considered hazardous materials.”

Although London Fire Department had notified the public about the drill ahead of time, some people in the area said they were startled by the siren.

“I’m planning on being a future student at Fanshawe. I just wanted to take a look around. I have things in mind, but I haven’t decided. I thought of becoming

Hasan Alaliwat, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

a social worker, but when I went around I saw lots of interesting things, so it will make it more difficult for me to decide. But anyway I do have to decide to start my plan,” said Hasan Alaliwat, a who is new to London and Canada.

For other prospective students, the open house provided the opportunity to discover programs, while also

addressing the concerns about continuing education.

Sofia Sandoval, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

“I’m here to find a program that I like. I’m into arts and all that stuff. It’s a great open house; it changed my perspective on everything. I’m from Colombia and studied there. my biggest concern is having my diploma translate, but they helped me a lot here,” said Sofia Sandoval, a prospective student originally from Colombia.

Noela Mugisha, prospective student (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

Those that did know their post-secondary future came with questions and concerns for what this new chapter may bring.

“I just applied for the MRI rad tech program, so I’m really excited. The only kind of concern I have is commuting or doing residency because I do live an hour and a half away,” said Noela Mugisha, a prospective student.

Staff and volunteers helped make open house easier for prospective students by giving directions and guided tours around the school.

“I’m helping people get from place to place. It’s important for our prospective students to be able to navigate the College and be able to get the information that they want,” said Karen Bieger, CSRSIS at Fanshawe.

Karen Bieger, CSRSIS at Fanshawe College (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

Open houses are made to showcase the building and programs, while also building connections and relationships.

“It’s very important for us to do open houses because it allows us to show prospective students everything that we have on campus and everything that we have to offer.

Kate Traill, general arts and science program coordinator (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

The halls were filled with hands full of Fanshawe merchandise and program information sheets.

“Roughly, I would say down this hallway is pretty quiet but I have probably seen a good 300-400 students,” said Bieger.

“Probably around 100 or 200 people, there’s been a line-up at the table almost all day.” said Traill, when asked how many people she’s spoken to at her booth.

Booths were lined up for each program with teachers and current students to answer any questions prospects may have.

Hallway during open house (Credit: Samantha Luis/ XFM News)

“I’ve been here all day answering questions about the general arts and science program, and just trying to promote our program as a flexible way for students to try and meet different learning goals,” said Traill.

“I had a lot of questions today about prerequisite courses. A lot of questions about pathways and what courses they can take in our program and how they would transfer to university,” said Traill, when asked what her most asked questions were.

Fanshawe’s next open house will take place on Apr. 3, 2027 to align with the seasonal recruitment cycle, and give prospective students a spring look at the campus ahead of application deadlines.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign started Oct. 24, and appeared to be in full swing on campus Friday. XFM News asked wearers what it meant to them.

Daniel Thuss, second year journalism student. (Benjamin McFadden/XFM News)

As cadet corps and volunteers spanned out across the city, numerous shops on campus had donation boxes as part of this year’s campaign. In addition, the Legion, which is celebrating its 100th-anniversary, created an interactive history page on its website.

“I think wearing a poppy represents a part of our nation’s history… it’s important to recognize those who fought for the luxuries we have today,” said student Callum Contursi.

The London-area has a rich military history. Many residents are veterans or family members of veterans.

“My great-grandparents met during World War II. If it was not for them, I wouldn’t be here right now, said student Daniel Thuss.

Poppy donations go toward services and supports for Canadian vets.

The Legion encourages those who are wearing poppies, to show respect by placing the pins over their hearts. The organization asks that people disposed of damaged poppies in a respectful way.

Remembrance Day event

London Remembrance Day ceremonies will take place at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park on November 11, from 10:30 to 11:30, following a parade that will begin in front of the London Delta Armouries at 10 a.m., and end at the Cenotraph. The parade route is as follows:

• 10 a.m.- Assembly at London Delta Armouries.
• 10:30 a.m. – Parade marches east on Dundas St., up Waterloo and back down Dufferin towards the Cenoptah.

The Democrats’ strong showing in the 2026 U.S midterms could impact the direction of key policies, including U.S tariffs and trade measures. The transfer of power is leading to new opportunities for investments and businesses.

With Canada’s economy closely tied to the United States, the mid-term results are already affecting the stock market. The S&P/TSX Composite Index soared by 809.12 points (2.28%), to close at 36,341.40 on Nov. 4th.

Other notable stock gains include:

Photo Credit: Matt Johnson / CC

• Air Canada (AC.TO) is up 6.54%
• Colliers International Group Inc: up 8.01%
• WSP Global Inc: 5.37%
• FirstService Corp: 4.96%
• Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd: 3.30%

Sharmistha Nag, from the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business is cautious when asked about the changes in the market. 

She notes the importance of the Democrats now having control of both chambers of U.S. Congress – the House and Senate – for the rest of Republican President Donald Trump’s term. 

One area of concern for Nag is investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology. Following the Democrats’ win, the party shared plans to push for strict rules, enforcing safety standards and building stronger data center security.

Nag worries that “We may not see that AI boom given the restrictions that may be put in place.” Nag notes the potential restrictions will have impacts on Canadian investors, specifically those invested in technology.

The U.S midterms have created renewed hope and also uncertainty for investors.