By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A crowd gathered at civic square outside Burlington City Hall Tuesday morning as Ward 2 City Councillor Lisa Kearns officially announced her intention to run for mayor in the October 2026 municipal election, setting the stage for a potential challenge against incumbent Marianne Meed Ward, who was recently named Canada’s 2025 Municipal World Mayor of the Year.
“I love this city, I’ve always loved this city,” Kearns told supporters and media, describing Burlington as “more than a place, it’s a community defined by compassion, resilience, and a quiet determination to look out for one another.” Her announcement emphasized a return to what she called grounded leadership, saying, “Today, we are not just talking about the future, we are choosing how we shape it together, and I believe it’s time to get back to basics, to leadership that is present, accountable, and grounded in the everyday lives of the people we serve.”
Kearns, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, highlighted her track record of community engagement and collaboration, pointing to her experience bringing people together and navigating complex challenges. “Before I ever stepped into City Hall, I learned that the best decisions don’t come from the top down, they come from working side by side with people, earning trust and building solutions that work,” she said, adding that during her time on council she has “shown up, listened, built trust, and asked the tough questions.”
When Kearns was asked what her connection to diverse communities and the diverse population here in Burlington is, if any, she spoke candidly about representation and inclusion, noting that more work is needed to support diverse communities: “I don’t think we’re doing enough for all of our diverse communities, I’d like to see a Pride parade properly happening here in our core, in the heart of our city, I’d like to see more of a Black History Month and more of our Black community members. We’ve done a lot for our Indigenous community, which we’re very proud of. We’re starting to see more for our Latin community with two Latin festivals, but I’d certainly like to see a lot more of those underrepresented groups being part of our community in a much stronger way.”
Her platform messaging focused heavily on fiscal responsibility and community-driven decision making, with Kearns noting, “Budgets aren’t just numbers on a page, they are priorities, they are the hard decisions that everyone is making these days, and they must respect discipline, accountability, and respect for the people facing a tax bill.” She also addressed broader concerns about the city’s direction, stating, “We’ve strengthened our city’s engagement with residents, but we’re losing momentum, we’re losing grasp on what’s important to us in the conversation around growth and housing.”
Kearns framed her campaign as a collective effort rather than an individual pursuit, telling the crowd, “My mayorship will not be about one person, it’ll be about all of us,” and ending her speech with a note of optimism: “I know, not hope, I know that the best days of Burlington are still ahead of us.”
When asked about the timing of her decision, Kearns pointed to growing concerns among residents, saying the city is ready for change and acknowledging the pressures many are facing, particularly in the face of rising costs.
“Crushing tax bills are very difficult for families to absorb. I know the anxiety of a tax bill sitting on your kitchen table, and we need to be done with the frills and make sure our investments are solid, grounded in what the people need,” Kearns said.
Despite the announcement, Kearns indicated she will not answer detailed campaign questions until May 1, 2026, the opening date for municipal election candidates to file their nomination papers, creating a temporary gap in clarity about her full platform.
Fellow city councillor Paul Sharman responded to the news by encouraging civic participation while confirming he has no plans to enter the mayoral race. “I encourage anyone who wants to run for office to do so,” Sharman said.
READ MORE: Thinking of Running For Office?
Kearns enters the race with an extensive resume that includes service on the Halton Police Services Board, Burlington Public Library Board, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Downtown Business Association, and the United Way Cabinet, along with a recent international role through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Women in Local Leadership program in Ghana.
As the 2026 election approaches, her campaign signals what could become a closely watched contest over the future direction of Burlington, with leadership style, affordability, and community inclusion emerging as key themes in the months ahead.
