 By Gazette Staff
March 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 2 resident and businessman Brad Harness announced to that he is running in the 2026 municipal election to become the next Ward 2 Councillor for Burlington and Halton.
“Coun. Lisa Kearns has done a great job representing Ward 2. She is now running for mayor. I hope to be the choice of Ward 2 voters to represent them on city and regional council,” say Harness.
 Brad Harness: He will be holding a series of neighbourhood meetings during his campaign. “I grew up here – and I live in Ward 2, and my business is located here. It matters to me in what direction our city goes, and for me, it’s important that council be responsive to the majority wishes of city residents and taxpayers.”
Harness was born in Toronto and grew up in Burlington. He graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Social Sciences and from Sheridan College with a diploma in business management. After completing his education, he began a long career as a naval officer, having an interest in serving his country. Upon retiring from the Navy, he began his publishing business and has spent the past three decades as a journalist. He has covered municipal and regional politics in more than 30 Ontario municipalities and brings that knowledge of ‘other ways to do things’ to Burlington and Halton councils.
Brad is married to Hong Chen, a retired high school teacher. The couple have three married sons (working in police, transportation, and health care) and four grandchildren. He has been involved in political work at the municipal, provincial and federal levels in the past. His company has been involved in community news, local publications, internet websites, as well as in rental properties and investments.
Brad has sat on boards of directors for businesses, volunteer groups, and condo corporations.
Brad’s hobbies include painting, music, sailing and staying fit. He has volunteered in minor sports (baseball and soccer), the United Way, the Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research, the Rotary Club, and local heritage projects.
Brad has already started making his way around Ward 2, and will be doing his best to reach all homes. He wants to learn firsthand the priorities of Ward 2 residents and businesses and represent those priorities on council. He will be holding a series of neighbourhood meetings during his campaign.
“So far, I can say that the priorities of Ward 2 are: having more predictability regarding property tax increases, transportation issues (traffic and transit), maintaining lower building heights, and having a more accessible city hall.”
 By Gazette Staff
March 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns Burlington Ward 2 Councillor, Lisa Kearns will make an announcement regarding her intentions to run, and in which capacity, in the Oct. 26 municipal elections.
Kearns was first elected to Burlington City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 serving the residents of Ward 2 with distinction and strong community support.
Kearns holds an Honours B.A. in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and has also obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors designation.
 Councillor on a walking tour of her ward. Known for her many community engagement programs such as downtown walking tours, town halls, safety forums, and regular ward information sessions, Kearns also recently visited Ghana at the invitation of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ “Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women In Local Leadership” program.
Kearns serves on the City’s Audit committee, Halton Services Police Board, Burlington Public Library Board, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Downtown Business Association, and the United Way Cabinet.
Her council priorities are focused on community engagement, climate resiliency, local business support, and complete communities.
Questions will be taken at the event. Opportunities for one-on-one interviews will also be available.
This media release was embargoed until Tuesday March 24th, 2026 at 11:30am.
 By Pepper Parr
March 24th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith told BurlingtonToday that he intends to run for City Council again. It will be his third term if he is re-elected, which is almost a certainty. He might even be acclaimed,
 Galbraith also serves as Deputy Mayor for Business and Red Tape Reduction.
Gailbraith is a small businessman who operated a gymnasium and began accumulating pieces of land close to the gym before he found himself selected as the candidate for ward 1 in a nomination meeting that had 13 candidates.
He entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Emshi Developments Inc., a Burlington based firm specializing in commercial plazas and residential buildings. Notable projects in their portfolio include the Fairview Medical Arts Centre, Brantview Plaza, and the Burloak Common developments. Emshi owns a small plaza to the west of the Galbraith properties.
 Galbraith owns A, C and D. Emshi owns A. B is a garage that may or may not be part of the MOU. That property ownership puts him in a Conflict of Interest which Galbraith declares each time developments close to his holdings are on an agenda.
Declaring the conflict and not taking part in the voting is all Galbraith has to do. He doesn’t take part in the discussions related to property that is close to his holdings.
Galbraith has done nothing illegal.
However, when there are developments that do require a Council member to speak up for the residents in the ward, they, in effect have no representation.
That is the issue before Galbraith. He will say that he can represent the views of the residents of the ward on all the issues.
That just isn’t true. Nor is it what the democratic process is all about.
 Galbraith owns the two lots south of the land Indwell is expected to develop. He also owns the gymnasium (the white graphic in the center) The public has every right to know what Galbraith thinks about the Indwell development that is going to be developed on three lots to the immediate north of the two lots Galbraith owns on Waterdown Road. At this point the development isn’t controversial – it is certainly different and a welcome addition to the very affordable housing the city needs.
Should, and I say this very delicately because I have no reason to suspect there will be any issues with the Indwell development, but if there are Galbraith can’t talk about what is being done.
Galbraith in effect, has a hobble on what he can say. A council member who is limited on what he can say on an issue in the ward he represents should not be a member of Council.
Kelven Galbraith is a decent person; personable and honest; he once said he thought he would like to be Mayor.
I had lunch with Galbraith (he picked up the bill), and I asked if he had given any serious thought to running for Mayor this time around. His response was that he was comfortable with Mayor Meed Ward and would not run against her.
Galbraith has voted with the Mayor on just about every issue.
 The list of candidates was very long – Ward 1 citizens went for Kelven Galbraith – few outside the ward knew who he was. There are some people in Ward 1 who are not that keen on the Councillor, but one would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of people who don’t want him as their Council member.
This is the issue the residents of Ward 1 face. It is something they have to deal with. The 13 people who sought the nomination in 2018 proved the interest is there. Now is the time for it to come to the surface.
By Pepper Parr
March 21st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The first solid clue that there was going to be a race for the office of Mayor of Burlington next October was when Mayor Meed Ward totally ignored any mention of Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns during the Chamber of Commerce State of the City occasion at the Convention Centre.
 Lisa Kearns is working the room at the State of the City event.  Kearns, decked out in clothing appropriate for a Mayor was networking the room.
There were signs that the two women were going to have a go at it during council meetings. Close to catfights on occasion.
Kearns is good with numbers; she understands finance. Meed Ward has never understood numbers. During her recent town hall-style meetings, she made a point of having Councillor Sharman beside her to explain what the numbers meant
During those town hall-type meetings, Kearns had the cheek to show up and ask questions. Something that appeared to startle the Mayor.
 Photo ops appear to be political coinage in Burlington. Enough of them can actually get you elected. Citizens seem content with that. Is Kearns going to run for the Office of Mayor? Probably. She will announce when she is ready to announce. In the meantime, she will serve as a ward Councillor and probably continue with the photo ops.
When asked if she would be running for Mayor Meed Ward demurred and said she didn’t have anything to say at the time. Is she “considering her options”? Could be – there aren’t that many options available to her.
 Marianne Meed Ward was just a citizen when this picture was taken. She went on to serve as a Councillor for two terms and was elected Mayor in 2018. Will Meed Ward wait until she has a clearer sense as to which way the wind is blowing – and if the prospects look weak bow out saying she is leaving the city in better shape than it was when she was elected Mayor in 2018?
Meed Ward was first elected as a city Councillor for Ward 2 in 2010. She was a brilliant Councillor – she taught her fellow Councillors to understand what the words transparency and accountability meant.
Councillors Craven, Lancaster and Sharman made her life very difficult for the two terms she served as a member of Council.
When the Chain of office was draped around her neck during the swearing-in – we began to see a different Marianne Meed Ward. Power does reveal.
Meed Ward still has her supporters, but not as many as she had in 2028.
The 2022 COVID election almost didn’t count. The public was in a close to survival mode; wearing masks, which Meed Ward didn’t think were necessary at first.
 When it became clear that the virus was airborne, Marianne Meed Ward began to wear a mask. When it became clear that the virus was airborne, she began to wear a mask.
People stayed home, went out only if they had to.
If there is to be a contested election for Mayor we will see just what Meed Ward is made of.
.
By Raymond Blake
March 14th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
In times of crisis, Canada has a long tradition of leaders who manage to add to the national fabric with a vital narrative. Mark Carney is the latest.
The best remembered speeches in Canadian history have come at moments of crisis and uncertainty, when prime ministers capture the public’s imagination through carefully crafted performative speech acts, inviting citizens and the world to see Canada in a particular light.
 The speeches become a part of the national fabric, influencing how Canadians perceive and understand themselves. These moments are important to the country over the long term. They give rise to collective emotions of pride, reassurance, and loyalty, and over time, the narratives embedded in those speeches become a part of the national fabric, influencing how Canadians perceive and understand themselves.
Such defining rhetorical moments are relatively rare in Canadian history, as I note in my recent book, Canada’s Prime Ministers and the Shaping of a National Identity.
Mark Carney had such a moment on the global stage in Davos at the World Economic Forum.
Carney crafted his speech at a moment when many Canadians feel they are living through an existential crisis with the country under assault from the United States and amidst great stirrings of disunity, particularly in Quebec and Alberta.
But Canadians have felt this kind of anxiety about global instability and national unity many times before.
A historic Cold War call
In 1948, for instance, Canada was a restless nation. It was coming out of the Great Depression and six years of war. The world was fast descending into the Cold War.
 Former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, In September of that year, William Lyon Mackenzie King, prime minister at the time, was in Paris addressing the United Nations. He warned against a world divided by the great powers and called for genuine international co-operation. “The good of each is bound up in the good of all,” he asserted.
The speech was a hit. King was interrupted twice by applause and received “a resounding ovation as he returned to his seat,” the press reported.
His remarks were described as “the first moral call” of a new world order based on the emerging liberal internationalism and multilateralism of the day, according to a report in The Globe and Mail.
Accordingly, King went home and continued to build a new identity around social security.
National unity has been the first duty of prime ministers, and they understand that what they say matters greatly.
In their speeches they attempt to build a national story, evoke a shared identity, and convey to Canadians and others what Canada is and what it aspires to be. Their speeches are crafted to be both meaningful and motivational and are meant to steer citizens to seeing the nation itself in specific ways.
King was performing Canada’s emerging role as a moral middle power in a divided world. Carney accomplished the same at Davos in front of political, cultural and financial elites in a speech widely judged to be brilliant, inspiring, and confident.
Like King and every prime minister since, Carney knows that national unity is sustained by narratives and stories.
Since his decisive win as Liberal leader, Carney has seized the political context shaped by Donald Trump, framing a narrative of Canada around unmistakable threat and resolve.
 Prime Minister Mark Carney with United States President Donald Trump in the Oval Office “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us,” Carney said back in April 2025. The language was blunt by Canadian standards. But it reflected a public mood increasingly shaped by anxiety and anger.
Carney has positioned himself as the credible manager with the steady hand to guide Canada through turbulent times.
His highly publicized visits to China, Qatar, Davos, India, Japan and Australia have reinforced the themes.
In Beijing, Carney spoke openly about the emergence of a new world order and made a trade deal that emphasizes co-operation in what he sees as a divided and fragmented global environment. Later in Qatar, he acknowledged that the world has fundamentally changed and securing new trade partnerships and investments are necessary to reduce Canada’s reliance on any single country.
Davos, however, was the centrepiece and Carney played to a Canadian audience even if few Canadians were physically present in the theatre where he spoke.
It was in Quebec City two days later that he would speak to the nation, delivering a speech titled “Building Canada” that all prime ministers have routinely given as their call to national unity. The venue – the Citadelle of Quebec next to the Plains of Abraham – was the wrong one, though, angering some politicians and commentators but pleasing many.
 Prime Minister Carney speaking at the Citadelle of Quebec/ The crest of the Royal 22nd Regiment carved in wood above the door. The location was very significant. Location is never neutral in politics, particularly in a country as regionally and historically complex as Canada.
The Plains of Abraham are a place of defeat for French-Canadians, a reminder of a lost nation. It’s where the French were forced to surrender Quebec to the British in 1759 in the Battle of Quebec, leading to the fall of New France. It was the start of English domination over French-speaking people in North America.
Carney’s Canada story in Quebec City was one of solidarity, generosity, caring and “how we look out for each other and ensure that no child, no family, no one is left behind” as the nation responds to moments of genuine uncertainty.
The Plains of Abraham, he said, are “where Canada began to make its founding choice of accommodation over assimilation,” reframing the British conquest as the start of a partnership.
Across Quebec intellectual and political circles, the reaction was immediate.
“Perhaps Mr. Carney wasn’t paying attention in his history classes, or maybe the history he learned doesn’t quite align with reality,” journalist and political commentator Chantal Hébert told Radio-Canada.
“Mr. Carney’s speech can only lead to the independence of Quebec,” Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said.
The plains are now part of Battlefields Park, which has served as a backdrop for official visits and cabinet retreats. But not for formal speeches by prime ministers. They are sensitive to its status in Quebec history.
Carney was in Quebec City for a cabinet meeting when he delivered his speech at the Citadelle. He described Canada as a nation unlike any other: “a beacon – an example to a world at sea.”
He talked about diversity as a strength, rights and freedoms as fundamental. How Canada was built by partnership over domination, compromise over division. Like so many of his predecessors, Carney quoted George-Étienne Cartier’s depiction of “different races” living not in conflict but in co-operation, “great families beside each other.”
Carney acknowledged that Canada did not have a straight path to accommodation and inclusion. He mentioned the Acadian deportation and the historic Durham Report, with its push for French assimilation. But he noted the resilience of the French, and how “progress came through tension, compromise, and sometimes failure.”
Each generation of Canadians, he said, “has built a modern, progressive, liberal state that embraces the values of caring and sharing, of equity and fairness for all.”
How Canada can put Carney’s Davos speech into action
Giving life to the Carney vision for Canada
What makes a good leader in Canada today?
It’s not the first time a prime minister has miscalculated the significance of the Plains of Abraham.
In 2009, Stephen Harper was keen on promoting a better understanding of Canada’s history. A re-enactment of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham was planned for the 250th-anniversary. Harper cancelled it after members of the Bloc Québécois and Parti-Québécois and others objected.
New or not, voters like the message
Broadly speaking, Carney’s talk of Canada has reassured many Canadians. A Leger poll taken after both speeches shows growing support for his narrative. In Quebec, support jumped four percentage points for the Liberals and nine per cent for Carney as the best choice for prime minister compared with late last year.
Both speeches contain little that has not been spoken of by earlier prime ministers. They all tell Canadians their country is an example to the world. Carney continued that tradition at Davos, saying Canada “was among the first to hear the wake-up call” of the dangers presented by Trump without naming him.
 We do not know how Mark Carney’s prime ministership will unfold or where his narrative of Canada will lead. But it is clear that the country has a prime minister who understands how to use national stories to respond to the needs and anxieties of the nation. The Davos speech tapped into what many Canadians want for their country in a disruptive world: bold leadership. Carney declared Canada will lead in building a better world. He situated Canada on the side of good, bringing to the world “the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules” that will lead it to a better place.
In that moment, a prime minister commanded global attention and spoke with confidence on Canadians’ behalf. For that, many of them cheered.
We do not know how Mark Carney’s prime ministership will unfold or where his narrative of Canada will lead. But it is clear that the country has a prime minister who understands how to use national stories to respond to the needs and anxieties of the nation. His challenge will be to build a national story that is not simply built on anger and resentment toward the United States.
Raymond Blake is professor of history at the University of Regina and winner of the 2025 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing from the Writers’ Trust of Canada.
 By Pepper Parr
March 12th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Inadvertent, she claims?
Mayor Meed Ward told Burlington Today that “after the information had been released, it was determined that there was a breach of privilege, and the posts were removed.
Mayor Meed Ward said after the realization that privilege had been broken, she reached out to the Integrity Commissioner.
“I reached out to the integrity commissioner myself to have a conversation about this,” she told BurlingtonToday.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: “Inadvertent.” “I can’t speak to any other process that might be underway with this, but certainly I take all of this very very seriously, and notwithstanding, it was inadvertent.
“We want to make sure that we learn and take whatever steps to make sure that this does not happen.”
 Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte has been very quiet on the mess the Mayor has gotten herself into. Was the information Ward 4 Shawna Stole heard in a CLOSED session of Council and made public shortly after “inadvertent” That mistake cost Stotle five days’ pay.
The current Integrity Commissioner has been fair in the past.
Let’s see what comes out of this.
As for inadvertent, who is Meed Ward kidding? She got the information out because she saw it as something to keep her in the news. And she is certainly in the news on this one.
This falls into the “the dog ate my homework excuse.
By Gazette Staff
March 12th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ontario NDP is accepting applications for its 14-week Summer Youth Leadership Internship Program that gives young Ontarians aged 18 to 25 hands-on experience with organizing, campaigning, and working with communities across the province.
The program runs from May 10 to August 14, 2026 and includes 12 full-time paid internship positions.
 Interns will probably get to work some of the time with party leader Marit Stiles. She is the Leader of the Opposition in the Ontario Legislature. “We’re looking for young people with a spark,” said Janelle Brady, Ontario NDP President. “We know that young people across our province are organizing and doing the grassroots work to drive change. They care deeply about their communities and want to step up. We know that together, we can make change happen, and that is exactly why we launched this program.”
The internship program helps build the next generation of organizers and leaders by giving them practical experience in campaigns, community outreach, fundraising, and communications.
 The interns may not get to campaign, but they will learn all about campaigning. The New Democrats are the best there is when it comes to boots on the ground. Interns will work alongside experienced organizers, attend training sessions led by political strategists and communications professionals, and gain hands-on experience in campaign organizing and community outreach. Participants will also be paired with mentors and supported by a network of political, labour, and community organizing leaders.
The program includes dedicated placements to address the under-representation of many communities in political spaces, with positions reserved for Indigenous, Black, and Muslim youth. Remaining positions are open to all eligible applicants, with priority given to regional Ontario candidates and those from equity-seeking backgrounds.
Applications close March 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Applicants must be Ontario residents aged 18 to 25 who are eligible to work in Canada.
To apply or learn more, visit ONDPSip.ca.
By Pepper Parr
March 9th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
During a Special Meeting of Council last week, Mayor Meed Ward set out her schedule for the weeks ahead saying:
“I have a couple of items for folks, lots of opportunities for public engagement with me on a variety of issues.
“First number of Town Halls that are coming up.
“March 10, town hall at the Alton Community Center with Councillor Bentivegna.
“March, 25 the Town Hall will be at the new Appleby branch library with Councillor Sharman
“April. 28 the Mayor’s Town Hall with Councillor Galbraith at La Salle Pavilion.
“We will be talking about the state of the city, as well as any questions that you have. I know traffic will be top of mind, public Safety always is an issue. Development Charges may come up. I’m happy to chat with you about that too, whatever is on your mind. We’ll share a little bit about what’s happening across the city, as well as some Ward and Regional-specific matters.
 Councillor Galbraith  Councillor Sharman  Councillor Bentivegna What the Mayor is doing is showing the city the four people who control city Council. The four council member votes can push through whatever they want. And with a municipal election taking place in late October, control of council is nice to have.
Mayor Meed Ward added: “I also have my drop ins. These are no appointment necessary. I come to you in the community.
March 26 Robert Bateman Community Center, 11:30 till 1:30 just come by and tell me what’s on your mind.
April 30, drop in at the Burlington Center Mall, 11:30 till 1:30 these are always really well attended, and I appreciate the opportunity to chat with folks.
The spring Telephone Town Hall is scheduled for April 14, 7:00 to 8:30 where you can get your questions answered from the comfort of your own living room.
 On April 15 the Key to the City ceremony will take place at La Salle pavilion.
You can register a nomination on the city website. If you know a resident who is deserving of extra honour in the city, please recommend them and fill out that form.
And finally, the last Mayor’s Speaker series of the year is on April 21st at the Burlington Performing Arts Center from 6:00 to 8:30 with a focus on community wellbeing and safety.
By Pepper Parr
March 5th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Council spent more than half an hour talking about the rules that will apply to what can and cannot be done by a candidate once they declare they are going to be a candidate for city council.
A distinction was being made about the difference between declaring and actually filing nomination papers.
 Blake Hurley: A City resource? The concern was around social media and the use of city resources. The City Solicitor is considered a City resource.
What became clear was that every member of the current Council expects to run again, with the exception being Rory Nisan being absent.
Thus, the only difference we will see next council will be a new member for ward 2, because it is clear that Lisa Kearns will run for Mayor and either Kearns or Meed Ward will end up Mayor.
 The time has come for Angelo to retire.  Stolte said she would be a two term councilor. What happened to that statement? Many were hoping for a few more changes to clear out some of the dead wood; wards 4 and six could use a shake-up.
There is a potential candidate for Ward 6 – that person is thinking it through.
There is a candidate for the Ward 2 seat that Kearns will vacate. He is expected to declare in the near future.
 Sharman could get away with putting up signs on developer owned property and take a holiday and still get elected. He may well be acclaimed. A reader sent us a graphic that explains where Sharman stands.
Galbraith in Ward 1 is a shoo-in – there is no one out there with the profile Galbraith has – despite the very real future conflicts of interest concerns.
By Pepper Parr
February 22, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Meed Ward issues a joint statement. Released Sunday afternoon.
Is this how you curry the Millcroft vote?
 
 11,002 people live in Millcroft, where the median age is 46 and the average individual income is $207,638. Previously published:
Bentivegna gets his statement out.
 By Pepper Parr
February 12th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Nathan Erskine Smith(Nate) is on his way to his next political adventure.
He is determined to become a significant political figure – becoming Premier of Ontario suits him just fine.
And goodness knows, Ontario desperately needs a new Premier. Doug Ford has boasted that he can and will run for a fourth term of office.
 Is Nate the man to beat Doug?
And should he manage to do that, what kind of a Premier would he become?
His political path up to this point has been bumpy.
He was Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities in former Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet.
He was Minister of Housing under the first government Mark Carney formed, but less than a year later, Nate was out.
Not much in the way of cabinet-level experience.
Nate has found a path that could get him to the point where he becomes the leader of the provincial Liberal Party.
When he held an online organizational meeting of the people who believed in him Wednesday night, he got, a surprise to him, 400 people who were ready to first make him the Liberal candidate for Scarborough West and then work to make him leader of the party and then campaign across the province to make him Premier of the province in the next provincial election.
Doug Ford is not going to make it easy for him.
Is Nathan Erskine Smith a great campaigner – not particularly.
Is he a nice guy – certainly believes he can make a difference.
 Nate Erskine Smith speaking to Burlington Liberals. Lisa Mayeski does the intro. What Ontario doesn’t know is – what kind of Ontario would he deliver?
The province is in a mess. Setting aside all the scandal that surrounds Doug Ford, and that is a stretch, there are very serious problems in every sector. The automotive sector is being decimated, health is in a shambles, education isn’t getting the financial support it needs.
Housing is not being built, workers are being laid off by the thousands and few people have any money to spend. Those who do have income that is disposable are keeping it in their bank accounts.
But the current Premier is able to sign a contract with an Austrian company to completely redesign Ontario Place and make it a carnival.
 Nathan Erskine Smith speaking in the House of Commons He killed the Science Centre.
All the public get to see is a man who comes up with one loopy idea after another. The tunnel beneath Highway 401 is something he is still spending money on; all while he awaits the delivery of an RCMP report on whether or not criminal charges can be laid on his scandals.
The Ford family created Ford Nation, which the majority of people in the province are prepared to live with.
The creation of Team Nate is the first step in creating the kind of momentum that leads to winning election campaigns.
What Ontario needs is a leader with the ideas and at least some charisma to catch the public’s attention at a time when nothing seems to be going right.
Is Nathan Erskine Smith that person?
Related news story:
Nate speaks to 400 people who are on his Team
By Pepper Parr
February 6th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
There are times when you need a scorecard to understand who is going to run for office – the why is rarely explained.
 Doly decided Ottawa was nicer than Toronto. House of Commons appealed to her. Doly Begum, who was Deputy Leader of the provincial New Democratic Party.
She had a very close working relationship with Leader of the Opposition Maris Stiles.
Begum was the member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) representing Scarborough Southwest for the Ontario New Democratic Party from 2018 to 2026, serving as a deputy leader of the Ontario NDP from 2022 to 2026, until she resigned her seat to run as a Liberal in the federal seat in that constituency.
 Bill Blair will become a High Commissioner. Doly saw a better offer and decided to run for the federal seat Scarborough West) that was going to be vacant when Bill Blair, a former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair is made High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is the title used for what is essentially an Ambassador.
A by-election would have to be called to replace Dolly in the Scarborough West federal seat.
 Becoming Premier of Ontario appeals to Nate. Nathan Erskine Smith, (Nate) is currently the MP for Beaches East York had run for the leadership of the provincial Liberal Party. He was beaten by Bonnie Crombie. While leader of the provincial Liberals Bonnie couldn’t get herself elected and turned out to be less than what the Liberals wanted as a leader. She resigned. The provincial Liberals now needed a new leader.
Nate had run for the job before and was keen on running again; he wasn’t doing all that well as a federal Liberal.
Nate, was in the first federal Cabinet formed by Mark Carney when he was made Liberal Leader. When Carney called the federal election in 2025 and won, he dropped Nate from Cabinet.
The Nate nose was very much out of joint. He thought he had a very strong relationship with Carney.
By running for the Scarborough West provincial seat, that would make him a member of the provincial party (assuming he wins) and lining him up for another run at the provincial party leadership which would make Nate Premier of the province – should he win.
Nate isn’t the only person looking for a different arrangement of the seats in the House of Commons.
 Prime Minister Mark Carney is betting that he can pull of getting a majority government. Mark Carney is just one seat short of having a majority. A majority would mean the federal Liberals would not have to constantly worry about a federal election being called.
 Chrystia Feeeland: It is what it is. Chrystia Freeland resigned (had to) making her University Rosedale seat due for a by election.
These by-elections are expensive – but that isn’t a concern to the politicians looking for the most comfortable seat in the House of Commons or at Queen’s Park.
Am I being cynical here? I’m a journalist – we are supposed to be cynical.
And the public should rise up on its hind legs and start biting some bums.
There are likely going to be a few other by-elections. There are people Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to move out of his government and bring in people a little younger and more in tune with what he is setting out to do with the country.
With a majority government, he rids himself of Pierre Poilievre who by now should realize that his political future is stalled for at least the next seven years
 By Pepper Parr
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Emily Brown, the Conservative Party candidate in the 2025 federal election, is the candidate of record for the Burlington constituency. That qualifies her as a member of the Party and the right to attend the Conservative Party conference taking place in Calgary this weekend.
 Burlington Conservatives loved her – just not enough of them. She will be one of several thousand people deciding if Pierre Poilievre should be kept on as party leader.
Poilievre was one of the reasons Brown was unable to defeat Karina Gould, the Burlington MP. With a different leader Brown may well have taken the constituency.
Karina Gould, of the Liberal Party, has 43,593 of 78,107 votes (55.81%).
Emily Brown, of the Conservative Party, is in second place with 31,666 votes (40.54%)
The Gazette would love to know how Brown votes in the leadership review.
By Gazette Staff
January 30th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The following statement was issued by Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary Confederation in the House of Commons. He should have bounced it off people who could have advised him to stay silent
 Perhaps someone could teach MP Hogan how to walk back a divisive statement. “I want to welcome Canadians coming from across the country to Calgary this weekend.
“While this should be an opportunity for Conservatives to focus on the issues that matter to Calgarians and Canadians, they’ll instead be spending their time debating a woman’s right to choose, the harmful and discriminatory practice of conversion therapy, and defunding CBC/Radio-Canada.
“It’s clear Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are doubling down on the same divisive, American-style politics Canadians rejected last spring.
“At this crucial time for our country, that’s not the serious leadership Canadians expect and deserve.”
The Gazette would suggest that this is not the time divisive comments from a Member of Parliament
“Mark Carney and our new Liberal government are relentlessly focused on delivering for Calgarians and all Canadians, by building our economy, protecting our communities and sovereignty, and empowering workers and businesses with more opportunities.”
By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
For those who may have missed what was going on at the Chamber of Commerce State of the City address given by Mayor Meed Ward last Friday, note that Meed Ward mentioned each member of Council, with Councillor Sharman getting several mentions – the exception being Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns.
Not a word about a Councillor who did more work on the budget than any other Council member. Kearns had three items that would have reduced spending by more than a million dollars; all were voted down..
Councillor Kearns shook every hand she could find during the Chamber of Commerce event. She has brought to the attention of city residents how little has been done on revising whatever there is in terms of a long-term vision for the city.
Her focus on safe streets has been consistent.
Given what Council set out to do in 2018 when they were first elected (re-elected in 2022) there isn’t that much to show for their efforts.
Kearns, for her part was working the Convention Centre room, reaching out to anyone who would give her a moment of their time.
One of the worst-kept secrets at city hall is that Kearns is expected to file papers as a candidate for the Office of Mayor.
The outcome of the 2026 municipal election will be pivotal for the city. Should she win, Kearns will make changes that are badly needed. If she loses, she will return to the private sector, where she should do very well.
Should the Mayor lose – well, no one has any idea where she will go. There are not a lot of openings at this point.
It will be a fierce election battle – something Burlington needs at this point.
By Gazette Staff
January 29th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
The Federal Conservatives meet in Calgary this weekend to debate policy and to vote on a review of Pierre Poilievre’s leadership.
It has been a bumpy past year for Poilievre.
 Pierre Poilievre in Ottawa He lost his seat in Ottawa during the federal election and had to find a safe seat in Alberta. He won the seat in Alberta’s Battle River—Crowfoot seat in a byelelction, but will not be running in that seat come the next federal election. The member who gave up the seat so that Poilievre could be returned to the House as leader of the Conservative Party has said that he will be running for that seat, which means Poilievre will have to find a new constituency to run in.
An awkward situation to be in, given that there could be any day, due to the current makeup of the House of Commons. The Liberals do not have a majority.
Poilievre is facing the first leadership review the party has held in 21 years.
The Toronto Star reports that: “The percentage of delegates who vote against triggering a race to replace Poilievre will lay bare just how much of the Conservative base views Poilievre as its ticket back to the prime minister’s office.
“If the number starts with an eight, you’re absolutely safe,” said Mitch Heimpel, a former Conservative staffer and vice-president of government relations at Texture Communications.
“If it starts with a five, you’re absolutely dead.
If it starts with a seven, you’re safe, but the party is restless.
If it starts with a six, that second number matters.”
By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Focus Burlington found its footing at their Beyond the Ballot event earlier this month.
 The attendance was decent given the weather. The next step is to look for candidates to run in the six city wards and and with some luck find a candidate for the office of Mayor.
In a note to the people who participated: Eric Stern, Stephen White said: “If you have ever considered running for office or know anyone who is interested, please join us on Thursday, February 26th, at Lions Hall at 7 pm to learn more about what’s involved.
In 2018, five of the people who were elected to office were first-time candidates. Two of the Council members had retired.
Change does happen. New leadership is out there – if you think you might be part of it – show up on the 25th.
By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
There are at least two and a possible third person running for City Council in 2026
Yesterday we reported that a tip from a usually reliable source had Lawson Hunter running for Ward 2.
That was not correct and we have apologized to Lawson Hunter for our error.
Brad Harness, publisher of the Burlington Independent is pulling together information and building a team that includes former members of what was once known as BRAG and is now operating at Focus Burlington.
The information that made its way to the Gazette reads:
 In 2018 Brad Harness was working to organize a new provincial party, hoping to field candidates in 36 ridings for the 2018 Ontario general election. The Consensus Ontario party he said would function differently from the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, the New Democrats and even the Green Party. They would instead identify priorities that voters want their provincial government to tackle. “It’s bottom-up representation.” said Harness Hi Eric & Steven,
This is a wonderful job you have done here. I like data, and I insist on public consultation – and councillors representing their constituents’ priorities.
I do hope city council reads this, takes it at face value (as helpful input from residents) rather than ignoring it.
This report will be very useful as I build my Ward 2 campaign and team. It certainly echoes what I have already heard from many people. Let’s meet in the next fortnight to discuss this report in detail.
Also, I want to give this space somehow (it is long) in the Independent so our readers can listen to their neighbours concerns. Often people are shy to speak out until they see others doing so.
Question: Eric, is there a way to do a similar survey focus on Burlington’s publicly-funded schools (English & French, Public & Catholic) to see what people are thinking?
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Isn’t this sweet.
 The trucking sector is said to have been one of the groups buying tickets to the last fundraiser. The lobbyists will be writing their cheques – just a cost of doing business. The Provincial Progressive Conservatives are reminding people to: “Save the date: The Premier’s big-ticket Leader’s Dinner is back on.”
DOUG FORD and the PCs scrapped the lucrative event — which brought in a record $6 million for party coffers — amid the Greenbelt scandal, but they’re bringing it back on November 19, the night before Ford’s birthday.
Perhaps the RCMP can add their forthcoming report (at least we hope so – it has been more than a year in the making) to the list of gifts that will be lavished upon Dougie.
By Pepper Parr
September 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The Provincial Liberals will be holding a convention to select a new leader.
With Bonnie Crombie no longer leading the provincial Liberal party there is public interest in who the next leader will be.
A number of names have been mentioned, including Jeff Lehman, former Mayor of Barrie, who announced this week that he would not be in the race.
Lehman was a centrist who had been organizing a bid to replace Crombie, but instead, he’s focusing on his daughter’s health.
 Gould was a political junkie at the age of 14 and went on to win her first election in 2015. An astute politician, her leadership aspirations have always been part of the plan. Lehman’s exit leaves a gap in the already-crowded leadership race, which includes names like NATE ERSKINE-SMITH, YVAN BAKER, NAVDEEP BAINS, KARINA GOULD, MARCO MENDOCINO, JOSH MATLOW, ANDREW BOOZARY, ROB CERJANEC, TED HSU, STEPHANIE BOWMAN and more.
Word on the street is that some high-profile organizers wasted no time in looking for another candidate to support, while some potential contenders are hoping to scoop them up.
There has been no word from Karina Gould, who is the MP for Burlington. Once a federal Cabinet Minister and also once a leadership candidate for the federal Liberals (Mark Carney won that race), there is room for a move.
Gould has made it clear she sees leadership as part of her future. Would running for the Burlington seat in the Legislature – (defeating Natalie Pierre wouldn’t be a problem) be a first step?.
 Gould defeated Mike Wallace in 2015 and has held the seat ever since. Could she defeat Doug Ford and become the Premier?
Both would be pluses for the province.
Does Gould take the risk – serve as the Premier for two terms and then take a run for the federal Liberal leadership?
She is still a very young woman. Could she do it? Will she do it?
All we know at this point is – Gould, unlike Lehman, hasn’t said she would not.
|
|
