Horizon 2050 - Shaping Burlington's Future: Why now - What's the Rush?

By Pepper Parr

October 13^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington is more than the Escarpment to the north and Lake Ontario to the south. The quality of life between the two is determined by the province and the municipal Council you elect.  Not much you can do at the provincial letter – other than defeating Doug Ford.  You can make a difference at the municipal level by making sure  City Council knows what you want.

A budget that has yet to be passed; a Council tha xxxx.

But enough time to tackle a Horizon 2050 – Shaping Burlington’s Future

Join us for an in-person engagement session to talk about Horizon 2050, a long-term plan to guide how our city will grow. We want your input to help us plan for a future ready, connected communities, and thriving City for generations to come.

There are four community sessions planned.

 Community Public Engagement Session #1

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 ;     7 – 8:30 p.m.

Haber Recreation Centre, Room 1 , 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr., Burlington, Ont.

Community Public Engagement Session #2

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025;  1:30 – 3 p.m.

Mountainside Recreation Centre, Room 2 , 2205 Mt Forest Dr., Burlington, Ont.

Community Public Engagement Session #3

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 ;    7 – 8:30 p.m.

Mountainside Recreation Centre, Room 2 , 2205 Mt Forest Dr., Burlington, Ont.

Community Public Engagement Session #4

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 ;  7 – 8:30 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

The process:

Horizon 2050 Survey closes December 2025

Design – early framework – December 2025 – January 2026

Draft review – Feedback and content testing – January – March 2026

Staff and Burlington City Council will use feedback to inform strategic decisions. What residents share will help the City better understand their values, needs and hopes for the community’s future. The framework of the plan is focused on areas that will support Burlington’s long-term success:

• Environmental and climate action
• Growth, planning and housing
• Transportation and digital infrastructure
• Inclusion, equity and participation for people of all ages
• Economic and cultural wellbeing
• Future generations
• Health and well-being for all generations
• Resilience and adaptability

Curt Benson came to Burlington from Halton Region to serve the the Commissioner of Planning and Development. As a planner he is as good as they get. When Mayor Meed Ward lost her first-hand-picked City Manager, Tim Commisso, she had to find a new CAO fast. Curt Benson ended up serving as CAO until the end of this term of office. Hopefully, he will guide the thinking and the public engagement and ensure it doesn’t become a political issues for a council that is now focused on getting reelected a little bit more than a year away.

Curt Benson, Chief Administration Officer:  “Horizon 2050 is about looking ahead — making sure the choices we make today set Burlington up for long-term success. It’s an opportunity to hear from residents, businesses, and staff about what matters most and how the City can continue to support a high quality of life as we grow and change.

The feedback we gather will help shape the next Strategic Plan and guide how we continue to plan, invest, and work together in the years ahead. It’s about building on our strengths and continuing to evolve in ways that serve our community well.