By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
This article has been edited for length and clarity.
The first delegator during a meeting that was full of surprises was Lawson Hunter who has been a resident of Burlington for over 30 years.
Lawson Hunter
“ I’m here to speak about what I perceive as sadly lacking and underfunded in the proposed 2026 budget. In 2019 this Council declared a climate emergency. You also made a promise to the residents of Burlington that the city would be net carbon neutral by 2050 . I am of an age where I most likely will not see 2050. I’m here to advocate on behalf of future generations, who I hope will not look back and ask, what were they thinking? Why did they not do more?
“I’m sure you’re immediately thinking about the list, EV chargers, free transit, geothermal heating at Skyway, solar panels on fire station five, LEED design of City View Park, transition of city fleet to electrification and integrated mobility plan, green building standards, protected bike lanes, etc.
“Even this budget document on page 12 highlights that what was done in 2025 the city is investing over $12 million and between 2015 and 2025 the city has invested $90 million in storm water management infrastructure. The City repeats its past accomplishments as new adventures in consultants, plans or staff reports, things that have barely taken place or aspirations that have little hope of being accomplished are presented as bold new initiatives, when in fact they are run of the mill.
“Must do items that keep the lights on the streets busy and are performative displays that lead to empty promises and systemic under achievements.
“I’m here to ask, what are you going to do in 2026 in this proposed budget?”
Lawson Hunter closed his delegation with: “In conclusion, I feel that I’ve made myself perfectly clear and will not take any questions. Thank you.”
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If he is really a potential Ward 2 candidate the fact that he will not take questions does not bode well for how he would act towards residents questions if elected.
Not at all. I thought that Mr. Hunter’s conclusion was a perfect response to the tired Council observation, too frequently made, “you were very clear and as a result I see no questions”. It highlights the fact that delegations are often not an inter-active process where a respectful exchange of ideas is possible but are frequently interrogations in which Councillors make unchallenged statements and self-serving assertions.
The council chamber is, in my experience and opinion, not a friendly place where engaged discourse is encouraged. It is a rigid and cold environment rife with procedural wrangling and studied, rehearsed rhetoric.
Unfortunate that Mr. Hunter is not running.
Well, the delegations of the last two days have definitely been interactive. If his motive was as you say then it reflects a child having a tantrum. What if council members did have questions? Very childish!
I beg to differ. “Interactive” to be clear, means the ability of those delegating to ask questions of councillors and staff.
That’s one definition
Another definition is councilors asking questions of a delegate. Something you, I believe, and others have criticized councilors for not doing enough of.
Do any Ontario municipalities allow delegates to ask questions of councilors? I think not.