Brad Harness – Candidate for Ward 2

BURLINGTON – Ward 2 resident and businessman Brad Harness is running in the 2026 municipal election to become the next Ward 2 councillor for Burlington and Halton.

“Councillor Lisa Kearns has done a great job representing Ward 2.  She is now running for mayor.  I hope to be the choice of Ward 2 voters to represent them on city and regional council,” says Harness.

“I grew up here – and I live in Ward 2, and my business is located here. It matters to me in what direction our city goes, and for me, it’s important that council be responsive to the majority wishes of city residents and taxpayers.”

Harness was born in Toronto and grew up in Burlington. He graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Social Sciences and from Sheridan College with a diploma in business management.  After completing his education, he began a long career as a naval officer, having an interest to serve his country.  Upon retiring from the navy, he began his publishing business and has spent the past three decades as a journalist.  He has covered municipal and regional politics in more than 30 Ontario municipalities and brings that knowledge of ‘other ways to do things’ to Burlington and Halton councils.

Brad is married to Hong Chen, a retired high school teacher. The couple have three married sons (working in police, transportation, and health care) and four grandchildren.  He has been involved in political work at the municipal, provincial and federal levels in the past. His company has been involved in community news, local publications, internet websites, as well as in rental properties and investments.

Brad has sat on boards of directors for businesses, volunteer groups, and condo corporations.

Brad’s hobbies include painting, music, sailing and staying fit.  He has volunteered in minor sports (baseball and soccer), the United Way, the Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research, the Rotary Club, and local heritage projects.

Brad has already started making his way around Ward 2, and will be doing his best to reach all homes.  He wants to learn firsthand the priorities of Ward 2 residents and businesses, and represent those priorities on council. He will be holding a series of neighbourhood meetings during his campaign.

“So far, I can say that the priorities of Ward 2 are: having more predictability regarding property tax increases, transportation issues (traffic and transit), maintaining lower building heights, and having a more accessible city hall.”