The Oakville Record
Portrait of Rob Burton

Rob Burton

Mayor · seen 2010-12-06 to 2026-09-28 · served 2006–2010, 2010–2014, 2014–2018, 2018–2022, 2022–2026

374substantive motions movedof 412 meetings the minutes record them at
14procedural motions movedcounted separately, and never added to the above
10substantive motions secondedseconding is often a seat convention, not agreement
18meetings recorded absentof 412 they were on the record for
9–5recorded votes, for–againstrecorded votes are rare and a skewed sample

Vote count and office as published by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2022 municipal election results (Open Government Licence – Ontario). Everything else on this page is read from Oakville’s own minutes.

In their own words, via the Town

Rob Burton became Oakville's 45th mayor in 2006. Mayor Burton's vision is to make and keep Oakville, a vibrant and livable community for all. He leads urban planning to control growth to conserve the character of Oakville's stable established neighbourhoods by directing intensification to well planned growth nodes and corridors. He keeps debt and tax increases low, protects green space and the environment, and creates innovative community facilities to meet community needs. He serves on the boards of the Oakville Municipal Development Corporation and Oakville Enterprises, both of which he created to generate new, non-tax revenue for Town improvements. Prior to public office, Mayor Burton capped his career as a businessman, director, and producer in journalism, film, and television by creating the YTV network. He holds a Master of Science degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Mayor Burton has led creation of groundbreaking initiatives that protect the built and natural environment in Halton and Oakville, as well as the community's health, safety, and well being. These include the Oakville and Halton Natural Heritage Systems, the Town Energy Management Plan, the Health Protection Air Quality By-law, the land use official plans Livable Oakville and Sustainable Halton, as well as the Oakville Climate Change Adaptation Plan, the Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan, and the Community Safety and Well Being Plan. Mayor Burton chairs the Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt. Environmental Defence Canada calls him the greenest mayor in Canada. He has served as Chair of Halton Region's Police Services Board and was a director of the Downtown Oakville BIA, Halton Community Housing Corporation, and Halton Healthcare Services. Mayor Burton is also a member of the Compact of Mayors. He created and leads the Ontario Auto Mayors and the Canadian Nuclear Technology Mayors Association. He is an avid supporter of local sports, arts, and charitable organizations across Oakville, with special dedication to causes promoting protection of women and children and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As published by Oakville.

How they voted, where it was recorded (14)

Council August 11, 2025
That this item be referred to staff to adjust what was previously approved.
Against · 7–7 · Lost
Council September 16, 2024
That the general prohibition be lifted, in a limited fashion to allow identified sports (to be determined) on only specific types of roads and at certain times of day (to be determined) at the participants own risk…
Against · 8–6 · Carried
Planning and Development Council January 22, 2024
1. In support of the Housing Accelerator Fund Application, as advised by Minister Fraser with due regard for heritage conservation and infrastructure capacity and servicing: Planning and Development Council Minutes…
For · 11–4 · Carried
Council September 18, 2023
That the continued implementation of the Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program be considered as part of the 2024 Budget and prioritized along with other known budget pressures.
Against · 4–10 · Lost
Planning and Development Council June 12, 2023
That this item be referred back to staff to seek additional research from other jurisdictions, identify options for definitions that recognize the difference between warehouses and distribution centres in terms…
For · 12–3 · Carried
Special Planning and Development Council May 19, 2023
That the information in item 4.1 from the May 15, 2023 Planning and Development Council meeting be received. For (7): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Grant, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lishchyna, Councillor…
For · 7–6 · Carried
Planning and Development Council May 15, 2023
Planning and Development Council Minutes May 15, 2023 That this item be
Against · 9–6 · Carried
Council February 27, 2023
That $45,000 be added to increase the annual Councillor community outreach and professional development as discussed at the budget committee meeting.
For · 7–8 · Lost
Council February 27, 2023
The Mayor called the vote on the main motion to approve the recommendations of the Budget Committee meetings of January 17, 2023, January 24, 2023, January 26, 2023, February 14, 2023, February 16, 2023 and…
For · 8–7 · Carried
Planning and Development Council June 27, 2022
1. That the revised Site Plan application, File No.: SP.1601.028/01 to allow the construction of three warehouse buildings be approved, subject to the conditions in Appendix “A” contained within the June 14, Planning…
For · 8–2 · Carried
Council January 31, 2022
That Oakville Council provide a contribution in the amount of $10,000 to the joint legal challenge of Bill 21. For (7): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Grant, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Parmar, Councillor…
For · 5–6 · Carried
Council September 28, 2021
That Council proceed with Option 1 as presented in the confidential staff report dated September 14, 2021 from the Legal Department.
For · 7–5 · Carried
Council May 25, 2021
WHEREAS, the Government of Ontario is planning to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Ontario’s gas-fired power plants by more than 300% by 2030 and by 500% or more by 2040, reversing more than 40% of the GHG…
For · 11–1 · Carried
Council April 26, 2021
That Section 14.1(2) of the Procedure By-law be waived to allow consideration of the following Notice of Motion this evening: Whereas the April 29, 2019 decision made by Oakville Council regarding the Former Brantwood…
Against · 5–7 · Lost

Meetings the minutes record them as absent from (18)

CouncilNovember 24, 2025
Planning and Development CouncilOctober 15, 2024
CouncilAugust 13, 2024
CouncilApril 29, 2024
Planning and Development CouncilApril 22, 2024
Planning and Development CouncilMarch 4, 2024
Planning and Development CouncilFebruary 5, 2024
Planning and Development CouncilJune 26, 2023
CouncilJune 19, 2023
Budget CommitteeFebruary 14, 2023
Special Planning and Development CouncilFebruary 7, 2023
Planning and Development CouncilApril 4, 2022
Site Plan Committee MeetingAugust 13, 2019
Site Plan Committee MeetingOctober 17, 2017
Site Plan Committee MeetingJuly 12, 2016
CouncilJuly 20, 2015
South Central Public Lands Study SubcommitteeDecember 4, 2012
inZone Council Sub-committeeDecember 3, 2012

Substantive motions moved (showing the 40 most recent of 374)

That town staff investigate options for partnering with the Oakville Symphony to present a concert at 16 Mile Arena in 2027 to celebrate the Oakville Symphony’s 60th anniversary.
Council, September 28, 2026 · Carried
WHEREAS the Town of Oakville places a high value on the conservation of cultural heritage resources as a fundamental component of community identity, sustainability, and complete community building; AND WHEREAS Oakville has a long-standing tradition of conserving cultural heritage through designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, heritage conservation districts, municipal grant programs, and act
Planning and Development Council, May 19, 2026 · Carried
That Council reconsider the following vote from its February 23, 2026, Council Meeting: Main Motion, as amended That Council not approve the relocation of the Town of Oakville’s Canada Day celebration to Coronation Park in 2026. That staff report back to Council on options for alternative locations or arrangements for Canada Day this year And that the Town of Oakville’s Canada Day celebration for
Council, March 30, 2026 · Carried
That Council reconsider the following vote from its February 23, 2026, Council Meeting: Main Motion, as amended 1. That Council not approve the relocation of the Town of Oakville’s Canada Day celebration to Coronation Park in 2026. 2. That staff report back to Council on options for alternative locations or arrangements for Canada Day this year 3. And that the Town of Oakville’s Canada Day celebra
Council, March 30, 2026 · Carried
WHEREAS the acute care system is facing significant capacity challenges, particularly in the Ontario Health Central Region, as demand driven by a growing and aging population continue to outpace hospital beds and resources; AND WHEREAS in Halton Region, the population aged 75 and over is expected to double over the next 20 years, and the overall population is projected to grow to approximately 1.1
Council, October 6, 2025 · Carried
That Staff perform additional consultation with the public in the form of a survey with questions that include restricting signs to private property. That staff engage with Ontario Municipalities who have restricted election signs to private property and discuss their experience with election sign restrictions and the public’s feedback. That staff continue to monitor for legal cases that involve t
Council, January 27, 2025 · Carried
Council Minutes - January 27, 2025 1. That Staff perform additional consultation with the public in the form of a survey with questions that include restricting signs to private property. 2. That staff engage with Ontario Municipalities who have restricted election signs to private property and discuss their experience with election sign restrictions and the public’s feedback. 3. That staff contin
Council, January 27, 2025 · Carried
That the presentations from delegations regarding the 2025 operating and capital budget be received.
Budget Committee, November 14, 2024 · Carried
Budget Committee Minutes November 14, 2024 That the presentations from delegations regarding the 2025 operating and capital budget be received.
Budget Committee, November 14, 2024 · Carried
That this item be referred to staff to expand the information about the benefit of green financing of infrastructure for the future.
Budget Committee, November 12, 2024 · Carried
That the staff report titled Regional Review – Transfer of Economic Development Services to the Town be received.
Budget Committee, October 22, 2024 · Carried
That comments from the public with respect to the town-initiated Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments (File No. 42.15.62 and 42.15.63), be received. That Official Plan Amendment By-laws 2024-051 and 2024-052 as provided as Appendices A and B provided in report Public Meeting and Recommendation Report – Town-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments – Four Units As-of-Ri
Planning and Development Council, May 6, 2024 · Carried
That comments from the public with respect to the town-initiated Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-law Amendments (File No. 42.15.62 and 42.15.63), be received. 2. That Official Plan Amendment By-laws 2024-051 and 2024-052 as provided as Appendices A and B provided in report Public Meeting and Recommendation Report – Town-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments Four Units As-of-R
Planning and Development Council, May 6, 2024 · Carried
3. That Zoning By-law Amendments 2024-053, 2024-054, 2024- 055 and 2024-056, as provided as Appendices C, D, E and F, provided in report Public Meeting and Recommendation Report – Town-initiated Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments – Four Units As-of-Right and Sheridan College Housing Area (File No. 42.15.62 and 42.15.63), dated April 23, 2024, be refused. For (14): Mayor Burton, Councillor
Planning and Development Council, May 6, 2024 · Carried
That the staff report titled “Public Meeting Report – Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment – Midtown Oakville Urban Growth Centre (File No. 42.15.59) – April 22, 2024” from the Planning Services Department be received. That comments from Council and the public with respect to the draft Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment to implement the findings of the Midtown Oakville Growth Area Review (Fi
Planning and Development Council, April 22, 2024 · Carried
1. That the staff report titled “Public Meeting Report – Town- initiated Official Plan Amendment – Midtown Oakville Urban Growth Centre (File No. 42.15.59) – April 22, 2024” from the Planning Services Department be received. 2. That comments from Council and the public with respect to the draft Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment to implement the findings of the Midtown Oakville Growth Area Rev
Planning and Development Council, April 22, 2024 · Carried
That staff be directed to bring forward a zoning by-law amendment permitting 4 storeys within 800m of Sheridan College for Council’s consideration within 90 days of the passing of this resolution.
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
That staff be directed to bring forward a zoning by-law amendment for Sheridan College that will bring zoning regulations into alignment with the Town’s Official Plan.
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
That the Mayor respond to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities’ office with any update to the Housing Accelerator Fund application including the appropriate resolutions of Council by January 24, 2024.
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
1. In support of the Housing Accelerator Fund Application, as advised by Minister Fraser with due regard for heritage conservation and infrastructure capacity and servicing: Planning and Development Council Minutes January 22, 2024 a. That staff be directed to bring forward a zoning by-law amendment to permit 4 units per property, as-of-right for Council’s consideration within 90 days of the passi
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried
b. That staff be directed to bring forward a zoning by-law amendment permitting 4 storeys within 800m of Sheridan College for Council’s consideration within 90 days of the passing of this resolution. For (15): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Duddeck, Councillor Elgar, Councillor Gittings, Councillor Grant, Councillor Haslett-Theall, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lish
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
c. That staff be directed to bring forward a zoning by-law amendment for Sheridan College that will bring zoning regulations into alignment with the Town’s Official Plan. For (15): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Duddeck, Councillor Elgar, Councillor Gittings, Councillor Grant, Councillor Haslett-Theall, Councillor Knoll, Councillor Lishchyna, Councillor Longo, Coun
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
d. That staff engage with the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities as soon as possible on the Ministry’s support for inclusion of a ‘gentle density strategy’ in our Housing Accelerator application. Developing and prioritizing a gentle density strategy would include: identifying a criterion to assess commercial properties near residential communities suitable for conversion to mixed-
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
2. That the Mayor respond to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities’ office with any update to the Housing Accelerator Fund application including the appropriate resolutions of Council by January 24, 2024. For (15): Mayor Burton, Councillor Adams, Councillor Chisholm, Councillor Duddeck, Councillor Elgar, Councillor Gittings, Councillor Grant, Councillor Haslett-Theall, Councillor
Planning and Development Council, January 22, 2024 · Carried Unanimously
WHEREAS, Ontario's measures to reduce housing prices by reducing municipal infrastructure cost recoveries have proven to be expensive, ineffective and inefficient. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: THAT, the Council of the Town of Oakville calls on Ontario to replace all of Ontario’s measures that reduce municipal infrastructure cost recoveries with measures to be created in consultation with growth munic
Council, October 23, 2023 · Carried Unanimously
THAT the following motion passed at the October 20, 2023 meeting of OBCM be endorsed: WHEREAS the Building Faster Fund (BFF) was announced on August 21, 2023, to commit $1.2 billion over three years to support housing-enabling infrastructure and other related costs that support community growth to municipalities that reach at least 80 per cent of their annual housing targets; AND WHEREAS OBCM sees
Council, October 23, 2023 · Carried Unanimously
THAT the following motion passed at the October 20, 2023 meeting of OBCM be endorsed: Whereas in Ontario, there has been a 112% increase in auto thefts over the past five years with thefts rising 49% in 2022 alone according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC); Whereas thieves and criminal networks have specifically targeted Ontario’s biggest cities. In a 5 year span from 2014 - 2021 auto theft
Council, October 23, 2023 · Carried Unanimously
That the capital funding of $6,000,000 for the Downtown Cultural Hub be considered during the 2024 budget process including the following elements: Programming and detailed design for the replacement of the Central Library on the former Post Office site. Refreshing the existing feasibility study for a new performing arts centre and new feasibility studies for a waterfront park and parking opportun
Budget Committee, September 6, 2023 · Carried
1. That the capital funding of $6,000,000 for the Downtown Cultural Hub be considered during the 2024 budget process including the following elements: a. Programming and detailed design for the replacement of the Central Library on the former Post Office site. Budget Committee Minutes - September 6, 2023 b. Refreshing the existing feasibility study for a new performing arts centre and new feasibil
Budget Committee, September 6, 2023 · Carried
That the motion made by Councillor Haslett-Theall regarding a request for a transit report be
Budget Committee, February 21, 2023 · Deferred
That the presentations from delegations regarding the 2023 operating and capital budget be received.
Budget Committee, February 16, 2023 · Carried
That the proposed 2023 capital budget and forecast for project 54212301 Capital Lease for Charging Infrastructure be amended to budget $4.2 million in 2023 and $45.8 million over 2023-2032, funded from the capital reserve for the Energy Infrastructure Contract (EIC) capital lease payments. That the 2024-2032 operating impacts for capital project 54212301 Capital Lease for Charging Infrastructure b
Budget Committee, January 24, 2023 · Carried
2023 Budget Committee Minutes - January 24, 2023 1. That the proposed 2023 capital budget and forecast for project 54212301 Capital Lease for Charging Infrastructure be amended to budget $4.2 million in 2023 and $45.8 million over 2023-2032, funded from the capital reserve for the Energy Infrastructure Contract (EIC) capital lease payments. 2. That the 2024-2032 operating impacts for capital proje
Budget Committee, January 24, 2023 · Carried
That the rates and fees established in the rates and fees schedule attached as Appendix A to the January 10, 2023 report from the Finance Department be reviewed for implementation on March 1, 2023. That By-law 2023-003, a by-law to provide for the establishment of fees to be charged in the processing of applications made in respect of planning matters, subject to Supplemental Notes, and to repeal
Budget Committee, January 17, 2023 · Carried
That the overview presentation on the 2023 operating and capital budgets be received.
Budget Committee, January 17, 2023 · Carried
That the staff report dated January 10, 2023, entitled Reserves and Reserve Funds from the Finance department, be received.
Budget Committee, January 17, 2023 · Carried
That this item be referred to staff to address the comments and concerns received from Council and the public. Moved by Councillor O'Meara That the
Planning and Development Council, December 5, 2022 · Lost
WHEREAS the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020 (“Bill 215”), which received Royal Assent on November 30, 2020, removed powers of municipalities to prohibit or regulate noise in connection with the delivery of goods to certain businesses including retail establishments, restaurants including cafes and bars, hotels and motels and goods distribution facilities; WHEREAS the purpose of Bill 215 was to enab
Council, August 9, 2022 · Carried
WHEREAS the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020 (“Bill 215”), which received Royal Assent on November 30, 2020, removed powers of municipalities to prohibit or regulate noise in connection with the delivery of goods to certain businesses including retail establishments, restaurants including cafes and bars, hotels and motels and goods distribution facilities; WHEREAS the purpose of Bill 215 was to enab
Council, July 12, 2022 · Carried
WHEREAS the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020 (“Bill 215”), which received Royal Assent on November 30, 2020, removed powers of municipalities to prohibit or regulate noise in connection with the delivery of goods to certain businesses including retail establishments, restaurants including cafes and bars, hotels and motels and goods distribution facilities; WHEREAS the purpose of Bill 215 was to enab
Council, July 12, 2022 · Carried

In the record

394meetings recorded presentthe minutes record presence, not a rate
2conflicts of interest declareda member saying they should not vote on a matter
19,949votes in 2022Mayor, incumbent
Council September 19, 2016
with respect to the Deer Run Avenue Emergency Access Laneway Class Environmental Assessment Study, Item 5 on the Community Services Committee Agenda of September 12, 2016, as he is a resident on…
Council June 23, 2014
with respect to Item 4 of the Administrative Services Committee meeting of June 16, 2014 - 2015 Remuneration for Elected Officials, as the report included the compensation for the position of Mayor

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