By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Engagement – something Burlington talks a lot about – not something we see all that much of.
Mayor Meed Ward held budget information meetings in all six wards. Good on her for making the effort. She gave a solid 20-minute explanation of what the budget Council will be looking at in the days ahead.
On each occasion, she had the ward Councillor with her, several staff members (on a couple of occasions, there were as many staff members as citizens).
The public just isn’t showing up.
Last Saturday, more than 2,700 cities in the United States held rallies. These people are engaged. And they should be – the situation in the United States is desperate. The behaviour of the Trump government is hurting Canadians. There is the real potential for Canada to lose its automotive industry, which would mean the closing of both the Ford plant in Oakville and the operations in Oshawa.
The photo montage on the right is of the size of the crowds in different American cities. They were called No King event and they took place in 2,700 communities in the United States.
The budget projection at this point in Burlington is for a tax increase of 5.8% increase over last year.
Cumulatively, the increases over the term of the current city Council are more than 40% – a number that is not sustainable.
At what point do the people of Burlington demand more prudent financial stewardship?
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