Keith Demoe has lived downtown for 13 years and is running in the 2022 municipal election for the office of Ward 2 councillor. His website is now live at www.keithdemoe.ca and he has plans for a number of videos on various topics.
Keith described himself to me as “very direct” and a “transparency kind of guy,” with a background in data and business intelligence. He was an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) auditor so is big on standardizing processes and transparency. He has some interesting ideas for decision intelligence that he hopes to pilot in the ward. The strengths he would bring to the council chambers include being sure that people know the facts, championing and getting buy-in on issues, finding common ground, fixing the problem, and being credible.
Keith sees the most important priorities for the incoming council as residential development and affordability. He hears different needs from homeowners, renters, and condominium owners. During our conversation, it was clear that Keith understands the challenge people have getting into the housing market in Burlington and he supports intensification in areas that can handle the infrastructure required. Rather than a “no development” approach, he wants to see a City of Burlington plan in place to solve the issues, with more negotiations among the various parties involved to accommodate population growth in a way that works well for everyone. We “need to prepare for all the people who are going to move into the region.” He commented on the small number of rental units included in the development applications now in the pipeline.
He is hearing about affordability, the environment, and transit from residents. To reach solutions, he wants to look at all the facts. For example, does it make sense to go electric here? He would use technology to find out how constituents feel about different topics. Keith gave a number of examples showing he understands the various levels of government responsibilities and has ideas to improve what he sees as disconnects in some areas.
Keith Demoe, Lisa Kearns, and Tim O’Brien are the candidates for councillor in Ward 2.
