Lisa Kearns lives in Ward 2 and is running in the 2022 municipal election for the office of Ward 2 councillor. She is the incumbent, elected in 2018 with 39.77% of the vote and five opponents. Her website is lisakearnsward2.com.
Responsible growth is a key priority city-wide and in Ward 2. Lisa is committed to work toward a fair and balanced Ontario Land Tribunal, if not abolishment all together. During the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in August, she was part of the delegation that met with the Attorney General to talk about the need for an efficient and fair system, with localized control. She noted that Burlington can accommodate the population growth targets within identified transit areas and in rejuvenated plazas. When asked about council not making a decision within the development timelines required, she noted the need for comments from external agencies and additional hiring being done in planning and building.
Lisa is proud of the engagement she’s initiated in Ward 2, including monthly updates, newsletters, walking tours, and hybrid meetings. I asked her what types of engagement are working and what needs work. She noted that the flip of delegations to the beginning of council meetings, rather than making delegates wait for the item to come up later in the meeting, is an improvement. She noted that they “can always do better on diversity.” Familiar with the delegation and meeting process, Lisa feels that her honours degree in political science, her experience in corporate environments, and her knowledge of many stakeholder groups are assets.
She committed to a Lobbyist Registry in 2018 and has posted her registry since 2019. On the city’s website, www.burlington.ca, nine individuals are listed representing a variety of organizations. Five on the list lobbied only Councillor Kearns, meeting to resolve issues or consult about specific Ward 2 properties.
Her website lists a variety of roles on local boards and committees and regional committees, part of the responsibilities expected of a council member. She described the work involved and expressed her commitment to continue working hard for the community, visibly and behind the scenes.
Knowing that five members of the 2018–2022 council were new to council, I asked Lisa what she had learned during this term of office. She is involved as an independent director of Burlington’s Food Bank, and has been working on a centralized food security program at the regional level. She is proud of the Bunchberry Farms project at Ghent and Brant, which is a new program delivering food weekly. She noted the PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for Elders) program has piloted in Ward 2 and that she has been collaborative with Councillor Paul Sharman on this program as it aims for expansion toward full-wraparound support so seniors can age in place in affordable housing.
I asked about transit and Lisa is confident that there can be further improvements made. So far, she is pleased that ridership was increasing just before COVID-19, and that linear routes have replaced mapping that she described as a “bowl of spaghetti.” Free transit for seniors is in place and the city and region are working on transportation for high school students.
Lisa is well-spoken and came across as caring about a wide range of local and regional issues. She thinks that proven leadership is critical in the upcoming term of office.
Keith Demoe, Lisa Kearns, and Tim O’Brien are the candidates for councillor in Ward 2.
Correction/Update: this article has been changed to correctly characterize Councillor Kearns’ involvement in the PACE program. Apologies for any inconvenience.
