By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For Rowen Fraser, running for Ward 6 councillor in Burlington is about bringing overlooked issues to the forefront, creating more meaningful opportunities for residents to be heard, and encouraging a more transparent and accountable approach to local government.
In an episode of Pages of Me Podcast’s “Beyond the Campaign” series, recorded before recent campaign events, Fraser discussed the experiences that shaped his values, his concerns about public engagement at City Hall, and his vision for Burlington’s future.
Fraser described having two very different childhood experiences. He spent most of his time with his single mother, who worked multiple jobs and raised him in a household where frugality, home-cooked meals, and strong moral values were part of everyday life. His father, by contrast, was extremely wealthy, exposing him to a different lifestyle on weekends.
“My mom was the bigger influence on my end game morality,” Fraser said, reflecting on the person he became.
With much of his extended family living in Burlington, Fraser said the city has long been an important part of his life. Now, as a candidate, he wants to ensure residents across Ward 6 feel connected to the decisions being made on their behalf.
One of his central concerns is the disconnect between residents and City Hall, particularly for people who are working hard but still struggling with the rising cost of living.
Fraser said he understands those pressures firsthand, noting that homeownership remains difficult even for people earning what might once have been considered a comfortable income.
“I feel like there are a lot of challenges that we have today that some of the people that are in more comfortable positions may not have had when they were going through this stage of their life,” he said.
He believes the city needs to rethink how it consults residents on important decisions. Fraser criticized public meetings that rely on lengthy presentations followed by brief question periods, arguing that these formats can prevent meaningful discussion and allow difficult questions to go unanswered.
Instead, he wants to introduce a more collaborative approach inspired by Indigenous community engagement practices, where participants gather in a circle and have an opportunity to speak and feel heard.
“Instead of me standing on a stage and telling people how it’s going to be, we’re going to all sit in a circle, and we’re going to decide together what the future looks like in Burlington,” Fraser said.
On development, Fraser believes Burlington must balance residents’ desire to preserve the city’s character with the reality that population growth and intensification will continue.
He supports encouraging investment and business development, while recognizing that the city cannot remain as it once was. Rather than relying on promises that may not be realistic, he wants leaders to have more honest conversations with residents about what is possible.
Fraser also believes Burlington should explore housing options such as row housing and stacked townhouses, rather than relying on additional high-rises in the downtown core. He said making the city more accessible to families and prospective homeowners should remain a priority.
For Fraser, effective representation begins with listening, but he believes that listening must be followed by action.
“If you say, ‘Green space in my neighbourhood is very important,’ I’m going to go look up what the green space is in your neighbourhood, how it’s being affected by current projects, how I can preserve it,” he said.
He acknowledged that no government can meet every request, given the competing needs of residents, but argued that elected officials have a responsibility to communicate honestly about the decisions they make and the outcomes people can expect.
“Every single voice matters,” Fraser said, describing transparency, accountability, and justice as important parts of his platform.
His priorities also include improving pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly along side roads in North Burlington, where he said residents have raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure. Fraser pointed to No. 1 Side Road as an example of an area where walking can be difficult and potentially unsafe, adding that residents have been asking for improvements for years. He also raised concerns about snow clearing and the challenges posed by e-scooters.
Fraser said he wants Ward 6 residents to feel comfortable approaching him, even when they are frustrated or disagree with him. He believes productive conversations are possible when residents feel they can express their concerns without being judged.
Asked to describe the season of life he is experiencing during the campaign, Fraser called it his “post-fighting era.” He said he has traditionally been someone who fights every battle that comes his way, but is learning to approach criticism differently while remaining focused on helping the community.
That approach will be tested as the campaign continues. Weeks after the podcast recording, Fraser was removed from a Burlington mayoral debate, an incident that brought additional attention to his campaign.
Throughout the interview, however, Fraser returned to the importance of listening, honest communication, and addressing issues he believes have been overlooked.
“I just want to be a part of a government that works for the people who elected it,” he said.
Watch the full episode with Rowen Fraser in the Beyond the Campaign series through Pages of Me Podcast below or on the Burlington Local-News.ca YouTube channel.
