By Jim Barnett
March 3rd, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Jim Barnett, a long time resident of Burlington delegated at Council yesterday. His opinion is well worth reading
Good morning, everyone.
The mayor’s preamble still contains instructions against any form of demonstration during the meeting. Is it because most of the demonstrations would be against the position of council and maybe embarrassing?
It sounds like Donald J. Trump signing an executive order limiting decent. Open dialogue, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly are the cornerstone of democracy. Limiting these freedoms are a limit on democracy. This issue needs to be revisited.
Jim Barnett
My last delegation was on the problems that I saw in the budget. I pointed out that salary increases were double that being granted in the private sector and the tabled tax increases were more than double the inflation in the general economy.
Added to this was the inclusion of the education levy, to make the increases appear less than what was actually taking place, which to some makes it a fraudulent presentation. The budget passed, with only councilor Kerns saying we can do better and voting against it. I hope the citizens remember this when they cast their ballots in the municipal election in the fall.
I am dismayed that council has been able to find a way to provide pool time for people outside of Burlington before looking after the needs of the people of Burlington, who were the primary contributors for pool construction and operation.
Some of you were party to designating the “phone booth” in downtown Burlington at a transportation hub that has led to the dramatic change in planning for Burlington that the vast majority do not like and has been a major contributor to the transportation gridlock in what was our fair city.
Now it appears that some of you believe the removal of development charges are good for the people of Burlington. In fact, the only beneficiaries of the proposal are land speculators, material suppliers and contractors. It would be beneficial if we knew who from this group contributed to the council member’s campaign. It would be helpful, and add to transparency if we knew who were lobbying council members in favor of this policy. Should the city lawyers be looking into this?
Eliminating development charges from new construction will reduce the selling price of the housing currently constructed. The current homeowners paid the development charges and now will lose that investment. This does not seem to be fair to me.
What it does do is make it easier for land speculators to maximize their profits on their speculation. This is not the business the city should be in.
I have paid for development charges on three houses in Burlington. Now some of you want me to pay the development charges for complete strangers. This is unfair.
I suggest that the forecasts for housing needs are in error. Colleges and universities are dramatically cutting back. The Trump meddling in the economy is slowing GDP growth. Yet it seems that council thinks that they can go forward like nothing has changed. There are too many signs that many things have changed and council has an obligation to plan for a more difficult future.
One of the main costs of housing is property taxes. Council says they want to encourage affordable housing but at the same time they are increasing taxes at record levels. You cannot have it both ways! It is particularly hard on the lower twenty five percent of income families who are forced to hard life style decisions, including going to food banks.
In my opinion, you need to spend your time concentrating on needs, cancelling or at least delaying wants until economic conditions improve. At the same time, you can cut back on the proliferation of newsletters and photo ops that look more like electioneering than communication.
Life is about choices. When I bought my first house on Cosburn Crescent, for the next two years there was no going on vacations as we had to furnish the house, buy drapes, do the landscaping and pave the driveway. It is time for council to start making some tough choices.
It is time to cut back on the size of municipal government. Departments that are there for growth can be downsized and those that are catering to wants can be eliminated.
It is time for council to start listening and dialoging with those that delegate such as Lynn Crosby, Gary Scobie, Tom Muir, David Barker, Joe Gaeton and Jim Thomson to name a few.
I offer three suggestions:
Our population is aging. We need to spend more time and money in this area. The forestry programs can be delayed.
Secondly, one of the Committee of the Whole meetings should be moved to the evening, say the third Monday of the month. At this meeting, any topic can be brought forward and dialogue would take place. It is time for council to get more involved with the people with more transparency.
Last, it is time for councilors to treat citizens like customers. It would keep them out of the do-do they are in today.
To conclude are some suggestions for affordable housing
- Tiny houses as part of the Bateman project.
- Basement apartments with lower fees with fewer restrictions with faster processing.
- Remove GST on two or more bedroom units renting for under $2000 per month
- Remove GST on housing under $500,000 per unit.
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Another Excellent Delegation! Thank you Jim.
Our mayor and council need to start listening and acting on the numerous Residents’ Delegating before our mayor and council in Burlington.
I often think that our mayor and council choose to “Live in a Bubble”.
During his delegation Jim has said a lot of things that are not only important to me but to other Burlington taxpayers. Thank you Jim.
The Mayor seems to be constantly on a shopping spree to buy pretty things – like a shopaholic she can’t seem to control herself. For the benefit of the many, who don’t need or want all the pretty things, she needs to come to her senses and stop this nonsense. As do the councillors who support her in this.
It is Time For A Change in leadership and some council seats.
Excellent suggestions .Let’s whose campaign embraces most of them.
Thank you, Mr. Barnett, for the honourable mention – it’s very much appreciated.
I would also suggest adding Eric Stern to the list, as his contributions to the discussion are equally worthy of recognition.
More broadly, I think a good starting point for councillors would be something simple but meaningful: acknowledging receipt of emails from residents. Even a brief confirmation goes a long way toward demonstrating respect and accountability. When there is no response or acknowledgement of any kind, it can leave residents feeling invisible – and that should never be the outcome of civic engagement.
And I fully support the idea of moving Committee of the Whole meetings to the evening. Greater accessibility strengthens transparency and public engagement – which ultimately benefits both Council and the community.
Thank you again for raising these important points.
Enough is enough.
This media outlet clearly leans left, and Canadians are getting tired of the constant Trump Derangement Syndrome dominating the narrative. How about focusing on Canadian politics for a change? The issues that actually affect our lives, our paychecks, our communities, and our future—rather than endlessly obsessing over what’s happening south of the border as a convenient distraction.
Barnett is absolutely right. Canadians are fed up with runaway government spending and never‑ending tax increases coming from every level of government. Families are struggling, small businesses are squeezed, and yet the solution from Ottawa, the provinces, and municipalities always seems to be the same: spend more, tax more, and explain less.
It’s time for a serious reset.
Governments need to remember a fundamental truth: they are elected public servants. Their role is not to dictate, moralize, or rule from on high—it is to carry out the will of the people. Accountability, fiscal responsibility, and transparency are not “right‑wing talking points”; they are basic democratic principles.
Canadians don’t want distractions.
Canadians don’t want excuses.
Canadians want leadership that focuses here at home, respects taxpayers, and understands that public money is not an unlimited slush fund.
Realign with the people—or expect the people to realign you.
Editor’s note: Are you suggesting that Donald Trump is not a part of Canadian politics? Wow!
We agree with this well thought out commentary
Couldn’t have said this any better! Great presentation from Mr. Barnett!