Lisa Kearns – Candidate for Mayor

I love this City, I’ve always loved this city. I knew one day that I would call Burlington home. I love its waterfront, its neighbourhoods, its rural charm, its energy – but most of all, I love its people. Because Burlington is more than a place. It is a community defined by compassion, resilience, and a quiet determination to look out for one another.

That’s what makes this moment so special to me.

Today, we are not just talking about the future – we are choosing how we shape it, together. And I believe it’s time to get back to basics. Back to leadership that is present, accountable, and grounded in the everyday lives of the people we serve. That’s the foundation. And when we get that right, everything else becomes possible.

Before I ever stepped into City Hall, I learned that the best decisions don’t come from the top down – they come from working side by side with people, earning trust, and building solutions that work.

I built a respected career bringing people together nationally, navigating complex challenges, driving down costs and turning ideas into action. And as your councillor, that’s exactly what I’ve done. I’ve shown up. I’ve listened. I’ve kept trust. I’ve asked the tough questions.

We’ve strengthened how our city engages with residents but we’re losing momentum. We’ve advanced responsible conversations around growth and housing – but were losing grasp on what’s important to us. We must never grow complacent in making every decision thoughtful, fact-based, and built for the long term.

I bring another perspective that matters – unmatched real-world corporate experience that shapes how I approach every tax dollar spent. Budgets aren’t just numbers on a page – they are priorities. They are the hard choices. Hard choices everyone is making these days. And they must reflect discipline, accountability, and respect for the people facing a tax bill. Fiscal responsibility means making sure that growth today doesn’t become a burden tomorrow. It means delivering real proven value that makes your life better, not just promises and not the desire of the day.

What people want is not complicated. People want a city that is welcoming, safe, and filled with opportunity. A city where you can enjoy your neighbourhood with pride, where families feel secure, and where we take care of the spaces we all share.

Here’s what I know. The next chapter of Burlington won’t be defined by one decision or one issue. It will be D E F I N E D by how we lead.

And I believe that we need to lead from out in the community with transparency and accountability.

Leadership should look like this: Listening to every voice from every corner of the City. Every neighbourhood, every business, every community. Because leadership isn’t about standing above people. It’s about standing with them. That is why I am stepping forward. I am declaring my intention to run as your next mayor. I’m intending to run for mayor because Burlington deserves leadership that is ready on day one. Leadership that understands both the complexity of our challenges and the strength of our community. Leadership that knows this city – not just in policy, but in practice.

I see this city’s next chapter. We are not starting from scratch—we are building on a strong foundation. The challenge ahead is to carry that momentum forward while protecting the quality of life that defines our city. A city that grows with purpose. A city that protects what we love while embracing what’s to come. A city that leads with integrity, compassion, and confidence. And encompassing that, I see us. A community that Stands By. A community that cares. A community that, when we come together, is capable of extraordinary things.

My mayorship will not be about one person. It’ll be about all of us. It’s about a City that listens to what matters. A City that understands the tough times we are in. A City that responds. A City that works — with you, for you, every single day. And if we commit to that… If we lead with heart, with discipline, and with purpose… Then I know, not hope, but know – that the absolute best days of Burlington are still ahead of us.

Let’s get to work.

And let’s build the next chapter of the city we love, together.