Gary Aikema

Meet Gary

I’m Gary Aikema. I was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1952, growing up in a Christian household in Burlington.

As a young man, I worked in landscaping, farming and construction while attending school. I graduated from Mohawk College’s Industrial Management program in 1972 and went on to work at Tridon in Burlington and Firestone in Hamilton.

I quickly realized an office job wasn’t for me, so in 1973 I started my own construction company. In 1979, I registered with the Ontario New Home Warranty Program and began building homes throughout Burlington and Flamborough.

I married my dear wife, Corinne, in 1974. Sadly, she passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) 15 years ago. Together, we were blessed with six children, and today I’m the proud grandfather of 16 grandchildren, most of whom live in Ward 13.

I moved to Waterdown in 1981, then to a hobby farm in Carlisle in 1986. In 1996, we moved to Safari Road, and in 2001, to Westover, where I continue to live today.

For more than 45 years, Flamborough has been my home. I’ve built homes here, raised my family here, farmed here and watched our community grow and change. It’s a community I know well and care deeply about.

At this stage of my life, why would I get involved in running for City Council?

I’m not a career politician. I’m a longtime resident, businessman, builder and community member who believes it’s time to put my experience to work for Ward 13.

I’m running because I believe we can fix the basics, spend taxpayers’ money more wisely and make sure our rural communities have a strong voice at City Hall.“