By Staff
April 2nd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Traditionally, City Hall has not released background information on staff changes.
Today the City announced that Samantha Yew is the new City Clerk. Her appointment began on March 25, 2024.
Samantha Yew – City Clerk
Yew has served as the Manager of Committee Services and Deputy Clerk since joining the City in 2022. In December 2023, she assumed the role of Acting City Clerk.
Ms. Yew is an accomplished public servant with more than 10 years of experience in municipal government. Prior to joining Burlington, Ms. Yew worked as the Deputy Clerk for the Town of Aurora managing the Council secretariat division.
During her tenure with the City, Ms. Yew helped lead the successful delivery of the 2022 Burlington Municipal Election and the recruitment of members to the City’s more than 10 advisory and standing committees, including the new Pipeline to Permit standing committee. As Manager of Committee Services, she oversaw the administration of all City standing and advisory committee meetings, and worked to develop a new civic recognition program launching this spring.
As City Clerk, Ms. Yew will continue to lead City Council meetings; provide professional procedural and governance advice to the Mayor and Members of Council and City staff; facilitate accessible and inclusive opportunities for members of the public to interact with Council; build awareness and understanding of municipal government through civic education; maintain City records; manage the City’s response to freedom of information requests; and ensure fair and open municipal elections.
Mayor Meed Ward leaning to hear what the City Clerk has to say on a procedural matter.
Ms. Yew holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Certificate in Records and Information Management from the University of Toronto. She is also a member of the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.
Was this a council appointment or the mayor alone using strong mayor powers for her political benefit?
In the short time Samantha has been Acting Clerk we have seen an immense improvement in governance material availability that the former Clerk clearly stated was not available and met the statutes that dealt with it. It took far too long and a lot of banging our heads on a brick wall to get where we are now. Thank you for this appointment it hopefully will continue to improve requests and complaints being properly dealt with.