City Council is the governing body for the City of Burlington with seven members elected by the residents of Burlington for a four-year term of office through the municipal election process. The seven members of City Council include the mayor and six councillors representing each of the city's six wards.
Council conducts its business using the Standing Committee system. The City has five Standing Committees that offer policy and operational recommendations to City Council on an ongoing basis. Council decisions require support from a majority of the members present at a meeting. Council must have at least four members present to conduct its business.
While all City Council members are involved with the resolution of city-wide issues, councillors are directly responsible for ensuring that the issues concerning the residents in each of their six wards are voiced. City Council members are actively involved in a number of boards and committees. The mayor and councillors are members of Halton Regional Council where they have direct input to decision-making related to the delivery of services and programs for Halton Region.
Members of City Council meet for regularly scheduled council and committee meetings. See our calendar for upcoming meeting dates and times. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are open to the general public.
Brief summaries are provided below for the Role of the Mayor and the Role of a Ward Councillor.
Role of Mayor
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH) guide is the source of this shortened description of the role of mayor as the head of council:
- to act as the municipality's chief executive officer;
- to preside over council meetings such that business is carried out both efficiently and effectively;
- to provide leadership to council;
- to provide information/recommendations to council on policies, practices, procedures, to ensure transparency and accountability;
- to represent the municipality at official functions; and
- to participate as a member of council for the Region of Halton.
Role of Ward Councillor
This abbreviated description for the role of ward councillor is based on the guide published by MAH:
- to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;
- to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
- to determine which services the municipality provides;
- to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;
- to ensure that administrative policies and practices are in place to implement the decisions of council;
- to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality; and
- to participate as a member of council for Halton Region.