Marianne Meed Ward


Marianne Meed Ward is an American-born Canadian politician and journalist. Meed Ward was elected as mayor of Burlington, Ontario in the 2018 municipal election. Meed Ward is the first female mayor of Burlington since Marry Munro in 1978.
Meed Ward was sworn in as mayor of Burlington on December 3, 2018.

Career in politics

Meed Ward first entered politics by running for Ward 1 councillor in the 2006 municipal election losing to Rick Craven. In 2007, Meed Ward ran as the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for Burlington, coming second to PC candidate Joyce Savoline by only 1824 votes, and receiving 37.81% of the vote. After 2007 Meed Ward returned to journalism, before deciding to run for election municipally. After moving to downtown Burlington Meed Ward ran for municipal council again in 2010, defeating incumbent Peter Thoem. She was re-elected in 2014, before running in 2018 for mayor, and defeating incumbent Rick Goldring.

Career in media

Meed Ward worked for Faith Today magazine from 1989, becoming managing editor in 1996. She resigned her position in February 1999 following a 'change in direction' at the magazine. She launched her own communications business, Meed Ward Media, providing writing, editorial, consulting or teaching services to a range of clients including Chatelaine, Vision TV, Ryerson University, Tyndale College, CHCH TV, Crossroads Communications, and the Toronto Sun where she served as a weekly columnist covering faith and ethics, and later covering the 905 area of the Greater Toronto Area. She stood down from the position to contest the 2010 election.

2018 Municipal Election

Meed Ward was up against two-term incumbent Rick Goldring. Meed Ward campaigned on stopping overdevelopment in Burlington, specifically downtown. She had also campaigned on addressing traffic congestion, flood risk, protecting the cities tree canopy, tax reform and building trust between the community and council. Meed Ward won the 2018 municipal election with 23,360 votes and receiving 46.04% of the vote.

Personal life

Born in Greeley, Colorado to a Canadian father and American mother Meed Ward grew up in Kingston, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario before moving to Ottawa, Ontario where she earned a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University in 1989. Meed Ward currently resides in Burlington with her husband Peter and their three children Miranda, Nick and Alexandra.