By Pepper Parr
May 28th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
A Mayor has one vote at Council meetings.
If there is an initiative a Mayor wants to proceed with, they have to convince the other members of Council to vote for the idea.
Rory Nisan doesn’t appear to understand that. In an Instagram reel Nisan explains how he will get things done, apparently all by himself.
Lot of learning to be done.
We think Nisan now understands where HST dollars go. During a Standing Committee, Nisan actually asked the Chief Financial Officer: “Who gets the HST dollars.”
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I am taxpayer and I for one know the basics about filing Municipal HST returns. I would expect councillors to know it as well.
First of all, what Nisan was asking was whether HST goes back into the General Revenue account or whether it can be targeted to other projects/vote and items. It is a legitimate question. Do you know the answer, Pepper?
Secondly, I’m quite sure that Mr. Nisan is well aware that he can not solely and without support initiate any city infrastructure project. Indeed, he is one of the champions of relinquishing Strong Mayor Powers (SMP) and has been far stronger in his voiced opposition lately than “we all know where I stand” Kearns. His declaration that he would introduce additional traffic lanes where needed is a campaign platform plank – an intent – and is no more absurd that any of the platform promises of Kearns.
Finally, your comment on Nisan’s RSVP requirement for his Campaign Kick-Off is silly. He posted the general invitation on social media and is asking for responses so that he might judge space, food and seating requirements. It is a common and prudent thing to do. Fundamentally, it is no different than Kearns who asked that attendees at her Kick-Off register first.
Perhaps, it is not Nisan but you who has a lot to learn. You certainly have a ways to go to get to balanced reporting.