Morden Mayor Brandon Burley announced his sudden resignation last week, and it was learned Friday he was stepping aside in order to take on a new role in provincial politics.
Manitoba premier-designate Wab Kinew announcement of the 11 members of his transition advisory team included Burley. The team’s role will be to provide advice and assistance to Kinew during the transition period.
Burley said it was a difficult decision to make, but that this was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“I’m headed out with the city in a good spot and with the opportunity to do some more good … so service for me is not done yet,” he said.
“The City of Morden now has a very stable organization. It’s in a position now where it is a good one,” Burley added. “I know I leave it in very capable hands with council. There’s some great candidates for leadership, and the city staff I would put up against any in the province.”
Burley steps aside after five years in office. He was first elected in the fall of 2018 and then was re-elected by acclamation last fall.
A statement from the City of Morden heralded Burley’s time in office as a transformative era and a period of progress for the city.
“Under Mayor Burley’s leadership, Morden has experienced unprecedented transformation and significant growth, emerging as a beacon of progress in the region,” stated the news release. “His unwavering commitment to the city and his visionary approach have played a pivotal role in shaping Morden’s future.”
Burley went on to note that his resignation also comes from a place of personal reflection, particularly related to his family.
“I have come to recognize the significant responsibility I have towards my family’s own transformational growth years,” he said.
“I love municipal government,” Burley continued. “I had no idea when I got into this that I would meet the love of my life in this order of government. It’s the government closest to the people. You see the results of the work that you do.
“The time commitment becomes very difficult, though,” he said. “I’ve got four children in school now … and the fear is always that you’re not doing all these things well or to the fullest extent. The secondary fear is that when there is a sacrifice to be made, that’s coming off the kids.
“So that had already been a thought in the back of my mind all summer, and I was taking time for reflection. It is something that was already in play in my mind all summer.
“Then the opportunity to join this advisory council with the incoming premier was kind of an ‘aha’ moment where I realized this was an opportunity to continue to work with the region and for the city, work for all municipalities to represent their interests,” Burley said. “I hope one day to be involved again in municipal government, but right now my focus is my kids and family.”
Burley extended his appreciation to the city council for their continued support and friendship throughout his tenure, and he again stressed the future of the city is in capable hands.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing, of course, with issues ranging from the Morenet fallout to Burley taking heat for being an outspoken vaccination proponent during the pandemic. The bigger concern to him, though, especially early on, was almost wholesale turnover in the city administration.
“There were difficulties and challenges, obviously, but in terms of transformation and growth, council can be very proud of the work that’s been done,” Burley suggested.
“It’s a city that you can very easily be proud of leading, and it was my honor to lead it for five years,” he continued. “We had transitional challenges and some transformational challenges as well … but those were the challenges I enjoyed meeting the most.”
Pending confirmation of details, the city will initiate a by-election process to fill the vacancy created by the mayor’s resignation as well as to fill the council seat recently vacated by Florian Lassnig, who is moving out of the area.
As for Burley, he’s looking forward to getting to work in his new role.
“It’s an interesting opportunity. I think it is clear that the government wants to build bridges, and they want to build trust … and I’m excited about it.
“I’ve gotten to know Wab Kinew over the last number of years. I admire his life story; someone who has made the most of his opportunity for a second chance … it certainly resonated with me as someone who came from a background with mental illness,” Burley noted. “I’ve also gotten to respect him as an individual who is capable of nuanced conversation and who is willing to listen and to build bridges rather than dig fox holes.
“For him to come out this early and signal that he wants to be a premier for all Manitobans I think is going to resonate very well, and I’m happy to help advise him on how he can do that most effectively.”
