Campaign Action

Municipal Election Momentum

Update on what’s happening in your

Lisa Kearns Mayoral Campaign

Dear neighbours and supporters,

It’s been a minute since I checked in! Our campaign has been so busy, I’ve barely had time to sit down and reflect on the past month of activity. I’m grateful to everyone we have met along the way. From the thoughtful conversations at the door to my team of dedicated volunteers to my friends and family who have been supportive since day one. It truly takes a village to create a campaign we all can be proud of to showcase our vision for Burlington during this next chapter. We have visited thousands of doors and have received so many pledged votes and lawn sign requests! Thank you.

The response on the data centre has been powerful, and it speaks volumes about how deeply people care about this community, no matter where they stand on the issue. If there was ever any doubt, it’s clear: people want to know whats happening in their City. The council meeting of July 21 was the longest of this term and delivered a significant number of people who spoke to council, wrote in, tuned in from home and even delivered a Petition – Support evidence-based planning for data centres in Burlington, Ontario.

After getting in front of the story of the proposed data centre to be located on South Service Drive (the old Tucker’s Marketplace property), I took meaningful steps to open up the dialogue on this very timely issue. This issue is not happening in a silo, municipalities across the province and country are being faced with tough decisions regarding this relatively new type of development – one that our current framework does not fully account for. As Ward 2 Councillor, I voted in support of the motion for an Interim Control Bylaw to go into effect regarding all data centre proposals, that would freeze development for one year so that staff could conduct the proper studies to better understand the short and long-term impacts of these types of industrial properties. My motion failed 2-5. One of my platform pillars is responsible growth – that means to support a proposed development – value for the city of Burlington needs to be demonstrated withing the planning process. I also understand that many residents feel that City Hall is not working for them and not listening. To repair our relationship with constituents, we need to be transparent, honest and empathetic. We saw countless citizens take time from their busy lives to delegate on this topic at the July 21 meeting, and I want you to know that it is a valuable contribution to civic life and I thank each and every one of you for sharing your perspective.

Meanwhile, both Oakville and Mississagua have made significant decisions.

Mississauga enacted a one-to-two-year municipal moratorium on new large-scale AI and hyperscale data centres in July 2026. This temporary freeze follows a contentious 220,000-square-foot data centre proposal by Prologis in the Meadowvale Business Park, allowing the city time to study resource and environmental impacts.

Oakville enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centres in August 2026, becoming the first municipality in Ontario to freeze such developments. The town implemented an Interim Control By-law to pause facilities while staff study local impacts, including high power consumption, noise, vibration, and emissions.

         Statement regarding Burlington, following the vote is below, where we go from here is that the Data Centre will proceed and Staff will provide preliminary reports in December 2026 with an expected review of the planning policies in late 2027.

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 Campaign Recap

Recently, I started things off by attending the Breakfast at The Bistro at the Seniors’ Centre and will enjoy another breakfast there tomorrow and look forward to speaking with many of Burlington’s older adults who enjoyed a breakfast served by our very own Burlington Lions Club and community groups. I also got to celebrate our amazing Filipino community at the Taste of Philippines event. Then off to the Ukrainian Hall downtown for their Garage Sale.  The power of community was in full display as I  met with the Burlington Hyundai team for their Stampede Community Friends & Family Event, where Hockey Canada and PWHL Toronto Sceptres star, Renata Fast, was doing a meet and greet in her hometown. I also visited residents at Christopher Terrace Retirement Living for their Social Hour where they asked great questions about my corporate background and family.

I also had the opportunity to attend the Love, Jayne Volunteer Appreciation event. Love, Jayne is a is a tribute to the remarkable spirit of Jayne Hounslow, a young girl whose heart overflowed with kindness and generosity. Her family and loved ones turned grief into a movement. At this event, we celebrated the incredible community that continues to turn kindness into lasting impact. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, donors, and supporters, the foundation raised over $360,000, creating meaningful camp experiences and opportunities for children to learn, grow, and belong. Jayne’s legacy lives on in every moment of joy and connection made possible by this community.

All of this has made me so grateful to live, work, and raise a family in Burlington. It’s truly special to see the community come together in so many ways.

Campaign Engagement

I have taken the Community Update format, that has been used across Ward 2 for nearly 8 years, and brought it to Tansley Woods Community Centre. The update presented on a number of issues concerning North Burlington residents and businesses, as well as some city-wide topics. The question and answer period at the end was engaging and insightful.

Conversations around the development of the Millcroft lands, traffic, transit and mobility, taxes, finding efficiencies, government transparency and creating a City Hall that works for all residents, were lively and respectful. I hope all who attended walked away with a better sense of who I am, what I’m about, and how I will guide Burlington into its best chapter yet! I plan to do this in various other communities around the city in the coming months. Rural Burlington, I look forward to seeing you soon! Stay tuned for details.

Did you know, Burlington Council also sits as a Halton Region representative, I had the pleaseure of attending Pride Halton in Milton.

Halton Region and the City of Burlington must continue our commitment to inclusivity in our civic spaces, where people can feel safe, accepted and valued.

“Each year our community shows up with more heart, more energy and more pride. As we prepare for our fourth celebration in 2026, we are excited to grow the parade, expand Pride in the Park, and create even more opportunities for people to feel seen, valued and connected. The momentum continues, and we invite everyone to be part of making this our biggest year yet.” — Melanie Tremills, Executive Director

There have also been countless other amazing events, festivals, and historic commemorative days across the city. To all involved, thank you for your hard work, dedication and service to your community! Please say hello if we are enjoying the same events, the City has prohibited any candidate or volunteers from wearing campaign shirts, having a table, sharing informaiton or participating in ANY event on City property during an event.

Here is an overview of events over the next couple weeks, please google or visit the City calendar / page.

Lisa Kearns’ Campaign Youth Council

Lisa Kearns’ Youth-led Council continues to accept new members ages 14 to 25.

Email them at lisacouncilyouth@gmail.com or reach out via Instagram @lisakearns4mayoryouth

This is an opportunity to inform my campaign about the real issues faced by our city’s youth. There is a place for everyone here in Burlington. I continue to be so impressed with how interested our youth community is with local politics – especially as the level of government that impacts resident’s lives so closely. Share this with your kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbours & friends!

Podcast Updates

30 with Karen and Justin hosted me on their podcast after a chance connection at the No Frills cart return! Have a listen to learn a little more about me as the person behind the public role. Join us on a journey from my upbringing, education, corporate and community leadership. LISTEN HERE.

I joined the podcast Pages of Me, Election Edition with Kezia Royer-Burkett to help voters connect with people behind the campaigns through a thoughtful community focussed conversation. Stay tuned for the release mid August!

It was especially meaningful to have an office/campaign intern join to observe and hear the responses firsthand, here is what Diyana had to say:

“It was a great opportunity to attend the podcast taping with Lisa and get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating meaningful conversations. I found it interesting to see the preparation and collaboration that goes into producing a podcast, while gaining a deeper understanding of the values and ideas that continue to shape Lisa’s campaign. I also learned more about important topics affecting our community and appreciated seeing how conversations like these can raise awareness, encourage engagement, and bring people together.”

Volunteer Connection and Community Event

To my outstanding volunteers! You have been amazing, and I could not do this without you! From knocking on doors, to helping with events, to behind the scenes work that keeps this engine running smooth! We have been getting lots of steps in at the doors and have been meeting people where they are with community tables and visiting events. Thank you

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, spend time with friends while getting in a walk or a social catch-up, expand or develop new skills, collect student volunteer hours, and so on. We gather the last Tuesday of each month to connect, listen, and share. Come meet and connect with others, and feel free to bring friends or neighbours too. Community is all about showing up for each other.

The first event at Sunshine Doughnuts was a terrific success. Sign up for the August 25th FREE Volunteer Connection Event! Location TBC.

Volunteer spotlight: Thank you to A & C who shared the campaign with visitors to the Garage Sale fundraiser for Tyrsa Ukrainian Dance School at the Ukrainian Hall – even with a basketball injury rolled ankle, A was still an enthusiastic help and earned community involvement hours! If canvassing isn’t for you, there are more table opportunities available!

Are You on the Voters’ List?

“Being registered on the Voters’ List makes in-person voting faster and ensures you receive a Voter Information Letter, needed if voting online. The letter also advises which candidates you can vote for and directs you to your in-person voting locations.

To confirm if you are on the Voters’ List and/or make changes to your information, please visit Register to Vote up to Aug. 12, 2026. After this date, you can be added to the Voters’ List by visiting the Service Burlington counter on the first floor of City Hall, 426 Brant St. during business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) up to Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m.

You can also add or change your information on the Voters’ List by visiting your voting location on Voting Day, Oct. 26, 2026.”— Burlington 2026 Vote

Here’s what I’m excited about:

• The next newsletter will be expanding on the Campaign Pillars:

  • Responsible Growth, Integrated Mobility, Strengthen Local Economy, Real Value for your Taxes, Safe Neighbourhoods and Reset City Hall

• Full Platform Release happening August 22 as we look to Burlington’s next chapter!

• Setting up a brick & mortar campaign office – Location under review

• At your doors from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and over the weekends, let’s keep the momentum going!

• In person – how about your neighbourhood or building? Email LisaKearnsWard2@Gmail.com

In gratitude, Lisa