By Wayne Sloan
June 28th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The quiet departure of Hassaan Basit, the now -“former” CEO of the City of Burlington – might go unnoticed by some—but for those of us paying attention, it signals something far deeper and far more troubling: a city administration mired in mediocrity, marinated in apathy, and completely out of touch with the people it was elected or appointed to serve.
Let’s be clear—Basit’s legacy is not one of innovation or impact, but of glossy presentations and hollow words. His exit does not close a chapter; it simply reveals the stagnation that continues to fester within City Hall. The problem isn’t one individual—it’s the pervasive culture of weak leadership, bureaucratic indifference, and a stunning lack of accountability that infects the entire senior administration.
Planning that has spiraled out of control.
Residents see what’s happening—out-of-control spending, decaying infrastructure, gridlocked traffic that worsens by the week, irresponsible, relentless high-rise development everywhere in the city that threatens the very character and livability of our municipality …. the growing disconnect between residents and their so-called representatives. We see it because we live with it every single day.
Meanwhile, Council and the mayor seem oblivious or simply uninterested, locked in their echo chambers while the city’s planning spirals out of control.
They don’t listen. They don’t act. And when they do, it’s often with arrogance and ineptitude.
Hassaan Basit,
Basit’s exit is not a solution—it’s a symptom. And until there is a complete reckoning inside Burlington City Hall, we will continue to suffer the consequences of a government that is, at its core, unresponsive, unaware, and unfit for the responsibilities it carries.
Replacing Basit might be a starting point for “doing better” — “do better” because the people of Burlington deserve leadership that’s grounded in action, not optics.
And to the mayor specifically: you wanted the spotlight—now try leading like someone who’s earned it.
You’re on point Wayne. We need leadership not only in the Mayors office, but with all the council members too.
We need accountability for the citizens. If council holds territory riding meetings , they shouldn’t be fillers, because they have to hold them. Something good needs to come out of those meetings, and they need to be acted upon.
The Mayor and all council members need to stop pretending to have the best interests of the city and it citizens at heart. They don’t.
Infrastructure, excessive downtown traffic, non-stop building in the downtown core, taxes continue to rise, their pay continues to inflate, and the budgets need to be maintained. All the lies and hidden $$$ for projects that the resid of Burlington are on the hook for.
She is not getting my vote and neither is Paul Sharman.
CEO #3 since MMW has been Mayor. Does that say anything?
Actually, we’ll be working on CAO #4; Ridge, Commisso, Basit, New Person. Speaks volumes.
The city always sends out information or emails on a Friday afternoon. Usually these are sent out just after business hours.
The same thing is done to citizens of Burlington who are deemed to have done something that challenged the status quo.
I had great hopes that things might have changed when some of the “old guard” retired or left, that the toxic culture that existed would have gone with them.
I was totally wrong.
This attitude still prevails and if a citizen does not want to receive “a late Friday email” I would suggest they keep quiet and definitely not challenge the actions, or make any suggestions pertaining to the city.
Welcome to ” one of the best cities to live in Canada” and “a city where people, nature, and business thrive”.
Wayne, You have summed up the issues at Burlington City Hall perfectly!
Thank you.
Well said, Wayne.
We need new leadership in 2026. Without it, this will all continue ad nauseam. Can’t imagine who would want to come in and be the new city manager/CAO with strong mayor powers and what seems like a dysfunctional workplace – the exodus of senior staff continues and is telling. So is the fact they announced this on the Friday of a long weekend.
I hope Wayne runs for office!