By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As Burlington’s municipal election campaign gains momentum, residents are hearing candidates discuss issues such as housing, taxes, traffic, and development. But beyond policy and campaign promises, who are the people asking for their vote?
That question is the driving force behind Pages of Me: Election Edition, a podcast series that explores the personal experiences, values and defining moments that have shaped Burlington’s municipal candidates.
In episode one of Pages of Me: Election Edition, Ward 3 Councillor and mayoral candidate Rory Nisan sat down to discuss family, leadership, public service, and his vision for Burlington’s future.
For Nisan, Burlington is more than the city where he serves as deputy mayor and city councillor. It is home.
He grew up in Brant Hills, has served on city council for eight years and has spent the last four years as deputy mayor. Today, he is also raising his own family in the city he hopes to lead as mayor.
When asked about his upbringing and how it continues to influence his leadership style, his answer came quickly.
“I grew up in a really fantastic house,” Nisan said.
His parents were both psychotherapists, and he credits them with creating a supportive environment that encouraged him to follow his own path.
“They really wanted me to be myself and have the capacity to find my own way in the world and to be supportive of whatever route I took,” he said.
Those early lessons continue to shape the way he approaches leadership.
According to Nisan, fairness is one of the most important principles in a democratic society.
“I believe that having a fairer society is one of the most important aspects of a good democracy and a good country and a good city,” he said. “I’m always looking for that fairness and to make sure that everyone gets equal treatment here in our city.”
Much of that philosophy is tied to how he views Burlington’s future.
During the conversation, Nisan pointed to landmarks such as Spencer Smith Park and Lowville Park as examples of how long-term thinking can benefit future generations. He argued that many of Burlington’s greatest assets exist today because previous leaders made intentional decisions decades ago.
“We have a strong base to build on,” he said. “It’s not too late for us to really invest in our future and make sure that our boys have an amazing future here in Burlington.”
One of the more personal moments in the interview came when Nisan was asked what challenge had taught him more than any of his successes.
Nisan reflected on his previous career in the Canadian Foreign Service, where he spent 11 years working with the hope of making a difference on an international scale. Eventually, he reached what he described as an inflection point. He had to decide whether to continue working within a large system or pursue a more direct role in creating change.
“I came to the conclusion that it was the politicians that really made the difference…Change is always best done in your own community. That’s where you can be most impactful, he said.”
When asked what people misunderstand about him, he said he believes some residents assume politicians are not always giving their best effort.
“I certainly am always doing my best for the community,” he said. “I came to it because I wanted to make that change.”
He then shared an analogy that may best summarize how he approaches politics.
According to Nisan, politicians are often driven by three competing forces: ego, interests and values.
“I try to make my values bubble the biggest,” he said.
He believes effective leadership happens when personal values align with the values of the community. At the same time, he acknowledges that politics can easily become dominated by ambition and personal interests, especially during an election campaign.
“It’s very hard to make sure you’re not deceiving people, that you are being honest with people and that you’re promoting your values more than your interests through a campaign,” he said.
Near the end of the interview, Nisan was asked what chapter or era of life he believes he is currently writing. Laughing, he admitted he is not a Taylor Swift fan and joked that if life were a trilogy, he is now in the second book.
His goal for this chapter is straightforward.
“My goal is to continue to make a difference in the world; the narrative of this book is about a person trying to help others,” he said.
Whether voters agree with his vision or not, this conversation offered a glimpse beyond campaign messaging and into the values that have shaped the person asking Burlington residents for their vote.
For Nisan, the future of Burlington comes back to a simple idea.
“If we can get our house in order fiscally, then we can invest in the quality of life that we all deserve,” he said. “That’s where it all starts.”
To watch the full episode of the Pages of Me podcast, click here to go to the Burlington Local News YouTube channel or watch below.
