Re-elect

Dave Burton

for Mayor of Highlands East

How to Vote

The 2026 Municipal Election is taking place using phone/internet voting. For more information on how to vote, please visit the Municipality's website.

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If you have problems voting from home, help can be provided at the Municipal Office. If you need a ride, please contact me and I will make arrangements to get you there.

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Integrity, Ethics, Experience

It has been my honour to serve as your reeve and now mayor of Highlands East. I have prided myself on conducting Highlands East's business professionally and ethically. My focus has been on improving the lives of everyone in Highlands East. This is reflected in our community's desirability and growth over my term as mayor. We have a big decision to make over the next term, and this will require a seasoned, well-experienced person in this office.I appreciate your questions and your suggestions. I care about our Lake Health, Water Quality, and having a Doctor for our Wilberforce Clinic and Pharmacy.

My Experience

5-time Warden in Haliburton County
Chair for the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus
President of Ontario Good Roads

These positions have given me experience working at all levels of government.As your Mayor, I have heard your concerns about health care and brought in the Haliburton County Paramedic Program, the Tory Hill Ambulance Base, and public access defibrillators. With my councillors and municipal staff team, we opened the Wilberforce Pharmacy with Dental Service. As Chair of EORN, I helped bring improved Internet and Cellular service to our municipality.Alongside our great municipal staff and my fellow councillors, we have brought in over $20 million in Grants and funding over the years.You have seen me stand up for our common goals over the years. I have fought for our community through action and by working with various groups and on initiatives like:

Haliburton County Community Paramedic Program
The Septic Reinspection Program
Protecting our Lakes and Water Quality
The Shoreline Protection Initiative

Committees of Council

One of the decisions I was involved in was the establishment of the committees of council and they proved to be a real shot in the arm for Highlands East, with each of the councillors working with community committee members to provide valuable feedback and recommendations to the Highlands East Council. This provided an excellent citizen-led initiative and a solid foundation for us to build on. I would like to restart this in Highlands East.

Jobs and Housing

Currently, I am working with various groups to bring in additional housing, a light industrial park, and jobs with training for all of us in Highlands East.

Continued broadband improvements

We have improved broadband connectivity throughout the municipality, but I know that there is still a lot of work to be done. During this period, I served on the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), helping better connect our community to the rest of the world. The EORN committee helped spearhead high-speed internet projects by raising over $213 million, which is being spent to improve internet access in Eastern Ontario. As a direct result of this funding, Rogers is expanding into our area bringing better high-speed internet options to residents across Highlands East.

Closing the cell gap

We are also improving our cellular service, with over $300 million being spent in Eastern Ontario, including Highlands East, through the private-public partnership forged through the EORN programs. We are continuing to support this initiative as additional cellular carriers bring their networks to Highlands East. This will improve our cellular connections so we can all enjoy better connectivity and communications.

Improving EV infrastructure

I chaired Good Roads for over 8 years, benefiting Highlands East. We are now looking to bring connectivity and electric-vehicle charging stations to Highlands East over the next 4 years. We have received many compliments from tourists; we have been told that Highlands East has some of the best roads in Ontario's cottage country. Now it's time to focus on our trails so ATVs, Bikers, Snowmobilers, Geocachers, and hikers can enjoy the beautiful scenery in Highlands East.

Unprecedented times

Over my term as mayor, we have had 4 states of emergency, including COVID-19, which has taken up much of my time and helped keep the community safe. My experience has played an important role in guiding the council's work as we meet the challenges we have faced together.

Ready for what comes next

Looking ahead, we have many challenges as we continue to grow as a community. The population of Highlands East has continued to grow, and new home builds and renovations have reached record levels. This is where experience is needed to guide the community toward a shared, successful future: growth with a vision, not growth for growth’s sake. I am working out the details of a new housing project for Highlands East, including an industrial park to bring additional jobs to the community while preserving Highlands East's unique identity.

Re-elect me for Mayor of Highlands East

I would like the honor of being your mayor for another 4 years, and I would appreciate your support.