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.
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If Lisa Kearns runs in the fall election, an important distinction will be whether she seeks the office as a traditional mayor – pre- Strong Mayor Powers (SMP) – or as the Head of Council (HOC) under the current legislation.
Traditionally, heads of council in Ontario (mayors, reeves, or wardens) participated in council meetings with an equal vote to every other member. Advancing priorities required building consensus among council colleagues.
The introduction of “special powers and duties of the head of council” fundamentally changed that role. These powers granted the HOC significant discretionary authority that can substantially redirect a municipality’s resources and priorities if exercised. As we have seen in extraordinary tax increases over the past 4 years.
The most consequential of these powers is the ability to formally propose the municipal budget. While Council may amend that budget, the HOC can veto those amendments – and that veto can only be overridden by a two-thirds (or supermajority) of Council. Supermajority voting allows the HOC to vote and is a creature of SMP and not found elsewhere.
Excited to hear that Councilor Kearns is thinking of running for Mayor, time for real change and fiscal responsibility and less woke signaling
How typical, petty, unprofessional, and pathetic.
More laughable behaviour from someone chanting about RESPECT every ten seconds.
Being a child of the turbulent 60’s and recognizing such horrible echoes of its deadly civil unrest with the things happening to our south, I am soul-sick and disgusted with the narrow, blatantly self-interested whining of our “Scarlet TinkerBell”. Has she no sense of perspective? No focus or clarion call beyond the transparent, political interests of her self? Shut up lady, sit down and watch this video.
If the Scarlet TinkerBell was not so shockingly, tediously transparent in what she does, her antics would be humorous. As it is, they just remain totally annoying – and boring. Truly boring.
I disagree with the Editor when he writes “should the Mayor lose – well, no one has any idea where she will go. There are not a lot of openings at this point.” Well, Madame Crombie has just officially made one and the timing could not be better for the Crusader of Elect Respect. They would have to sell tickets to the exchanges in the Leg. I would buy a seasons ticket without blinking.
Time for MMW to go!