By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After living in Burlington since 1972 and spending many years in the city volunteering and running a small business, Tony Brecknock decided to run for Ward 3 councillor in the city’s upcoming municipal election.
Brecknock has been active in politics for 12 years, serving on the boards of directors of two provincial parties and as a campaign manager for a municipal candidate and two Halton District School Board (HDSB) trustees.
Brecknock said that his background in business, communications, and community leadership will aid him as a councillor.
“[My background] taught me the importance of bringing stakeholders together to listen and solve problems,” Brecknock said.
Brecknock said that his experience as a manager and owner of several businesses will help the city achieve a more balanced budget.
“We will save money through efficiencies,” he said. “The nice-to-haves will not outweigh balancing a budget. I will vote that any increase will be tied to the cost of living.” Brecknock said that he will “prioritize value for Ward 3 residents” and limit pressure on property taxes.
Brecknock prides himself on his “transparency and accountability” and said that he includes his personal phone number on correspondence to ensure residents are able to hear back from him.
Brecknock said that council needs to focus on these same values.
“Too many times have I heard stories of a council that simply did not reply,” he said. “Taxes have increased by over 40%, services are cut or non-existent, and there is a shortage of affordable housing. I am disappointed in the intensification in established neighbourhoods and especially the disregard for our green spaces.”
Brecknock said that Ward 3 residents are most concerned about affordability, taxes, growth, infrastructure, traffic, neighbourhood safety, and the environment.
He has vowed to preserve Ward 3’s green spaces, parks, escarpment, waterways, and rural character while also supporting growth and development where it is necessary.
“I will ensure future development is environmentally responsible and sustainable for
generations to come, including limiting human impact through special sanctuary areas,” Brecknock said.
Brecknock also wants to reduce barriers to “affordable growth” by eliminating development fees for non-profit and affordable housing projects. He said that this will help increase housing supply and community accessibility.
“We need to incentivize and streamline policies to intensify on the edges of the established
neighbourhoods, where the existing access points and thoroughfares are, not within them,” Brecknock said.
He said that increased police visibility is needed to address rising property crime and vehicle theft, and pledged support for neighbourhood watch programs across Ward 3.
Brecknock wants to encourage more community-based and non-profit spaces near residential areas and transit routes to expand access to “affordable, quality child care options.”
Brecknock has also promised to push for improvements to public transit and traffic safety.
“[I want to] increase cheaper, more frequent, and electrified public transit that reaches further into neighbourhoods,” Brecknock said. “[I will] support practical traffic-calming measures, safer intersections, marked pedestrian crosswalks, and improved senior-friendly safety protocols to protect residents and enhance quality of life.”
Brecknock said that Ward 3 needs improvements to stormwater management and has promised to address “crumbling infrastructure on pathways and roadways.”
“[I will] work to provide service amenities across the various neighbourhoods regardless of their density,” Brecknock said.
To find out more about Burlington’s election on October 26, click here.
