By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For Chris Bouchard, running for Burlington City Council in Ward 6 is rooted in a belief that local government should be more accessible to the people it serves. Having grown up in Burlington and experienced the pressures of working life and a family business, Bouchard says he understands the financial challenges many residents face and wants to help bridge the gap between the community and City Hall.
Bouchard moved to Burlington from Quebec when he was 8 years old, after his father accepted a career opportunity that brought the family to the city. As the middle child with an older brother and younger sister, he grew up experiencing the same concerns many families face when establishing themselves in a new community.
He attended Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School before studying sociology and psychology at McMaster University. Over the years, he has worked in different industries, including retail and sales, and built lasting relationships in Burlington. Some of his closest friendships date back to elementary school, giving him a longstanding connection to the community he now hopes to represent.
“It’s surreal, right? But it’s fun,” Bouchard said, reflecting on growing up alongside friends, watching them build careers and families, and eventually seeing their children grow up together.
In this episode of Pages of Me Podcast: Election Edition, part of the Beyond the Campaign series, Bouchard discussed how his family’s business experiences shaped his understanding of financial insecurity, why he believes councillors must be more responsive to residents, and what he sees as barriers to local decision making.
Bouchard said watching his parents navigate the challenges of running businesses gave him an appreciation for the financial pressures that can exist behind the scenes, even when people appear to be doing well.
“A lot of people are treading water,” he said, describing families who continue to smile and carry on while worrying about cash flow and making ends meet.
He believes those pressures extend beyond business owners to people working in construction, sales, education, and other industries. While wages may increase incrementally, he said, the cost of living continues to rise, leaving many households struggling to keep up.
For Bouchard, those experiences inform the way he approaches public service. He wants residents to feel that their concerns are understood and that their elected representatives are working toward practical solutions, rather than simply repeating existing rules and procedures.
“How do I connect with you on that human level?” he said, describing the importance of understanding residents’ experiences before trying to solve their problems.
Bouchard believes city councillors have a responsibility to act as a direct connection between residents and municipal government. He said many people have limited time to attend council meetings or navigate municipal processes, making it important for their representatives to communicate with them and bring their concerns forward.
“Our main, prime responsibility is to serve you, the people,” Bouchard said.
He also emphasized that municipal representation is a full-time responsibility, one that extends beyond formal council meetings to community events, conversations with residents, and responding to concerns. In his view, being accessible means more than making a campaign promise — it means understanding the responsibilities that come with the position.
When asked what barrier he would eliminate for Burlington families if given the opportunity, Bouchard pointed to the relationship between elected municipal officials and the Ontario Land Tribunal.
He cited decisions involving the proposed expansion of Nelson Aggregate Co. and development at Millcroft Golf Course as examples of local issues where the tribunal’s authority has raised questions about the influence residents and elected representatives have over decisions affecting their communities.
Bouchard questioned why an unelected provincial tribunal can overturn or supersede local decisions, arguing that municipal representatives should have a stronger voice in determining how Burlington develops.
His concerns centre on local accountability and the ability of residents to influence decisions that affect their neighbourhoods. He believes communities should have meaningful opportunities to express their views and participate in decisions about their future.
Beyond development and municipal governance, Bouchard also spoke about the importance of listening to people with different opinions. He said growing up in Burlington and the values instilled by his parents taught him to consider what others might be experiencing before making assumptions about them.
“You don’t know what kind of day the other person’s had,” he said.
Bouchard acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable, particularly when residents have different priorities or understand municipal rules differently. He pointed to conversations about electric scooters as an example of how conflicting opinions and misinformation can complicate community discussions.
For him, the goal is not to agree with everyone, but to listen carefully enough to identify common concerns and opportunities to move forward.
He believes building stronger connections between residents and local government begins with treating people respectfully, understanding their circumstances, and ensuring they have meaningful opportunities to participate.
Watch the full interview with Chris Bouchard on Pages of Me Podcast: Election Edition on the Burlington Local-News.ca YouTube channel or below.
