 By Staff
January 29, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Speaking before the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy earlier this month Mayor Meed Ward laid out the development numbers for Burlington,
She said:
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was one of three members of Council appearing before the the Legislative Standing Committee. “We have over 40,000 units in our development pipeline. Our target is only 29,000, but we’re not going to stop at that; we’ll keep building as long as people need a home.
“There are 7,500 at the tribunal;
“2,770 are waiting for the development industry to come in and apply for a site plan;
“7,972 are under review—that is the municipal permit process—and 3,940 have already been approved.
“We’re just waiting for developers to come in and get a permit. Why aren’t they? That would be a really good question for you to ask them.
“Another 18,541 are in the pre-application stage. That’s the hope-and-a-dream stage, where somebody owns a piece of property and they come in and they say, “I might want to do something with it. What can I do?”
 A development on Waterdown Road in the western side of the city that has appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a decision. “Many of those —not all, but many of those do turn into a permit, but that’s where it starts.”
Later in the day Meed Ward spoke about why development application are at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Asked by Mr. Matthew Rae. a member of the Legislative Committee: “Is it true that the city of Burlington is appealing a lot of those? Did they send them, or with their support, to the tribunal?”
 “ Ms. Marianne Meed Ward: “No, actually. Those are appealed often by the developer for the time it takes to develop applications. As Councillor Sharman said earlier, we’re not doing greenfield development in Burlington. It’s highly complex infill development: major, 30-storey, five, six, seven towers in one area. The kind of review that is required doesn’t happen within the 120 days. Often, the information we need from the applicant, we don’t even get within the 120 days. And there is no recognition or change between that and a much smaller two semi-detached units. It’s 120 days, that’s it, and shortened very recently.
“We get appealed for non-decision because developers want to get their name in the queue early. That is why they’re going there, because often we get—they told us, “We want to continue working with you to get an answer, but we need to get our spot at the OLT, so we’re not going to wait another three or four months for you to get the decision that is probably the right one. We’re going to put our name into the OLT.” Well, that stops everything, and that just adds another two years to the time frame for getting an approval because of the delays at the tribunal, because of the de novo changes, that you reset back, where everything starts at the very beginning again as if there had been no review.
“So all of our work, that happens at a local level, it’s gone, and it starts all over again with experts and submissions. And one tribunal person, not elected, appointed by the government, makes that decision.”
By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Parm Gill, the Conservative member of the provincial legislature has resigned and announced that he will run for the Milton federal seat.
 Parm Gill decides the House of Commons is a safer place than Queen’s Par,k – chooses to leave the Ford government. Has Gill come to the conclusion that the Ford government is toast and has decided to look for greener grass?
Political pundits think the riding might be a good place for Provincial Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie to run for office. The Premier has six months to call a by-election – that would result in a summer election in Milton.
The Milton constituency includes some of the northern part of Burlington.
Bonnie Crombie shouldn’t expect anything in the way of support from Milton Mayor Gord Krantz – he is as blue blooded a Tory is as they come.
 Is Bonnie Crombie eyeing the seat in Milton that will become available? Crombie could sweet talk Krantz into being neutral – he has done that in the past.
Milton has a solid federal candidate in Adam van Koeverden – he and Crombie would be very capable campaigners.
Could be interesting – something to keep an eye on while we wait for Crombie to decide what she wants to do.
Wherever she runs – she has to win – it has to be a solid win,
By Pepper Parr
January 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
First in a series
In August 2022 Public Service Canada published a lengthy report on Flood Insurance and Relocation.
The Executive Summary of the report set out four subject areas that were focus points
Executive Summary
A Task Force to Explore Insurance Solutions
A Shared Evidence-Basis for Decision-Making
Key Findings of the Task Force
Living with Water
In August of 2014 the City experienced a devastating flood in the eastern part of the City.
 In April of 2019 Burlington declared a Climate Emergency.
By 2024 most of the world had come to the realization that we were dealing with a crisis and that not everyone was on board.
The report set out, to some degree, what water means to Canadians. Four out of the five Great Lakes lie between the United States and Canada. They are Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario; the only Great Lake that does not border Canada is Lake Michigan.
The foreseeable future suggests that Canadians must learn to live with water. Yet, the country cannot do this at the expense of safety, fiscal responsibility, or equity.
It is clear from this work that flood insurance solutions for high-risk areas can be designed to meet the Public Policy Objectives; however, each model examined contains trade-offs that must be balanced. It is also apparent that given the amount of flood risk in Canada, none of the insurance models can provide affordable insurance and also be financially self-sufficient, at least in the short term. Even over a longer-term (25 year) transition to risk-based pricing, financial sustainability will continue to be challenged by inflation, significant asset concentration in flood-prone areas, and long-term climate change pressures.
 The Canada United States border is shown as a thin red line Consequently, to live with water, Canada will require more than an insurance solution to address its flood risk landscape. Insurance must be deployed in conjunction with information, investments and incentives at all levels that are designed to reduce flood risk. Such elements include: improved flood mapping and public awareness of flood risk, risk reduction by all stakeholders, improved land-use planning, and climate-resilient built and natural infrastructure. In addition, for an insurance solution to be successful, recovery funding provided to residential properties for flooding though FPT disaster financing programs would need to cease or be restructured to avoid undermining the insurance system. This is an important step towards aligning responsibilities for flood risk.
The findings in this report are meant to provide governments with the foundation to understand the different policy levers and key considerations to be factored into decision-making, and to ensure that any insurance solution strives to effectively meet the defined policy objectives and serve all Canadians impacted by flooding. Particularly, it is important to consider policy options that account for the populations that are disproportionately affected by floods and have lower levels of resiliency to cope with them.
Continuing to advance this work will require coordination and commitment from each stakeholder to exercise their jurisdictional role and develop a way forward for implementation. The collective challenge will be to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good, thereby preventing the implementation of a solution that could nonetheless dramatically improve upon the status quo for Canadians who remain at high risk and who continue to experience tremendous loss from ever-increasing flood events. A new approach to flood insurance will not solve all vulnerability to flooding. However, with a strong stakeholder commitment and decisive action, it could play an important role in empowering Canadians to adapt to flood risk, and building disaster resilience across our nation.
. In recent years, the gap between insured losses and total economic losses has also widened significantly. In 2020, this “protection gap” widened to a record $231 billion worldwide, with around 75% of potential global losses from natural disasters remaining insured with insufficient coverageFootnote 7. The consequences of this are already being experienced across Canada, where disaster costs have risen dramatically in recent years. Before 1995, only three disasters in Canadian history exceeded $500 million (2014 dollars), but from 2013 to 2017, Canada had disaster losses totaling $16.4 billion. Prior to 2009, insured losses from catastrophic severe weather averaged $400 million per year; since then, the annual average has reached $1.4 billion.
 The 2014 flood centered on the creeks that were not built to handle the flow of water: The trajectory of disaster trends poses significant risks to the health and well-being of Canadians, the economy, and the natural environment. Governments and other stakeholders must continue to work together to address the growing impacts of disasters. In 2019, the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) governments approved the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030 (EM Strategy), which provides a long-term, strategic vision for emergency management in Canada that is aligned with the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Emergency Management Strategy seeks to guide federal, provincial, and territorial governments and their respective EM partners (including but not limited to: Indigenous peoples, municipalities, communities, volunteer and non-governmental organizations, the private sector, critical infrastructure owners and operators, academia, and volunteers) to build resilience through five priority areas for action:
Enhance whole-of-society collaboration and governance to strengthen resilience;
Improve understanding of disaster risks in all sectors of society;
Increase focus on whole-of-society disaster prevention and mitigation activities;
Enhance disaster response capacity and coordination and foster the development of new capabilities; and
Strengthen recovery efforts by building back better to minimize the impacts of future disasters.
Priority 3 includes as a priority outcome that “FPT governments assist in the development of options for sharing the financial risk of disasters”, which could include “engag[ing] the private sector to develop an affordable private flood insurance model for the entire population, including clear incentives for mitigation of flood risks”.
 Flooding – up front and very personal. In Canada, recent efforts to reduce disaster risk have focused in large part on flooding, given that it is the country’s most common and costly natural disaster. Flooding has caused approximately $1.5 billion in damage to households, property and infrastructure in Canada annually in recent years (approximately $700 million in insured losses and $800 million in uninsured losses), with residential property owners bearing approximately 75% of uninsured losses each. Several million homes in Canada are vulnerable to flooding, and many cannot access adequate insurance to protect themselves. These households must rely on their own resources or limited post-disaster financial assistance from governments or not-for-profit groups to recover from flooding events, which do not fully compensate for all financial losses.
The report runs to 117 pages. The Gazette will cover the fundamentals in a four part series.
 The golf course came first and included an infrastructure to manage the flooding. An additional 98 homes threatens the capacity of the infrastructure. To tighten the focus from a Canada wide viewpoint to a local issue we will frequently turn to the problem the people in the Millcroft community face. That community was built around a golf course that included an infrastructure that was designed to manage the flow of water.
A developer purchased the golf course and then filed an application to build an additional 98 homes that would, in the minds of many in the community damage the infrastructure and result in serious flooding.
They opposed the expansion of additional housing, city council chose not to accept the development proposal and an appeal was filed with the Ontario Land Tribunal.
 By Staff
January 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The number of Canadians ending their lives through medically assisted death (MAID) has grown at a speed that outpaces every other nation in the world.
The Investigative Journalism Bureau, a non-profit newsroom based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Toronto Star report that assisted deaths accounted for four per cent of all deaths in Canada in 2022 — up from one per cent in 2017, the first full year the legislation was in place. The number of MAID deaths quadrupled during that time. In 2022, the total number hit 13,000 nationwide — a 31 per cent jump from the previous year.
As Canada is poised to expand eligibility criteria under medical assistance in dying (MAID) legislation, data from all 11 countries where the controversial end-of-life treatment exists shows Canada is the fastest-growing adopter in history, an analysis by the Investigative Journalism Bureau and the Toronto Star has found.
Some experts see the rapid growth as a human rights triumph that allows Canadians to make their own choice about when they wish to die with the full support of the state and their doctors. Others fear that failures in the health-care system and social safety net may be contributing to the surge.
“It’s kind of like my mind’s little Holy Grail,” he said of the government’s promise of accessing a physician-assisted death. “I’ve always been living my life with one foot out the door.”
 Jeff Kirby, Dalhousie University The Toronto Star reported that “Jeff Kirby, a professor emeritus in the department of bioethics at Dalhousie University in Halifax, was a member of the federal expert panel tasked by the government in 2021 with drafting safeguards for the expansion of MAID into mental health.
“While he isn’t opposed to the idea, he stepped down from the panel prior to its final report in May 2022, saying safeguards suggested by experts ought to be legally entrenched rather than simply guidance.
“He remains fearful that the new rules welcoming mental health patients to seek MAID lack the rigour and protection to prevent tragedy.
“I really think that Canada as a whole will have lost if it proceeds to March 2024 with no changes,” he says. “I think we have lost a chance to adequately protect members of vulnerable, disadvantaged social groups in a way that we should have.”
Related video:
Senate hearings on MAID
By Staff
January 27th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Do the federal Conservatives in Burlington know something the rest of us don’t know?
They have put their members on notice – nominations for the Tory candidate will take place in the near future.
Here is the notice they published:
 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BURLINGTON’S NOMINATION PROCESS!
Early Connections: Are you interested in voting in the nomination or representing our Riding? Make sure you are an active Conservative Party Member and get involved with our Riding Association early. This way, you’ll be well-informed, have participated and will be ready for the Nomination announcement.
Just this past year our Association planned and held 13 events for Members and Non-Members.
Nomination Applicants: Members who meet the criteria and have been engaged can apply to be a candidate. Some may have already applied.
Those wishing to seek the nomination are able to campaign by selling memberships to those they know or meet.
Approved Nomination Applicants will receive a Membership List after the Close and only then will they be able to reach out to Members by phone, email and door knocking. Using a list ahead of approval may lead to disqualification.
NO APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
That only happens when the Riding Closes.
Announcement Time: The Conservative Party will issue a Closing Notice to every active CPC member in our Burlington Riding, when they decide the time is right. Two weeks after that notice is given, the Riding will CLOSE.
Use of Membership List: Only Nomination Applicants who are approved by the Party when the Riding Closes, will be given a Riding Membership List with permission to contact those members, as per 8) a) of the ‘Rules & Procedures for Candidate Nomination’:
- If an Applicant is approved to contest the Nomination, the Executive Director or their designate must provide a copy of the list of current members to the Applicant current as of the date of the Closing Notice.
When the Riding is Closed: If at the Close of nominations there is only one approved Contestant, that person will be acclaimed as the Candidate. If there are two or more approved Contestants, then there will be a Nomination Vote at a Nomination Meeting.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Burlington Conservative Association
With the notice out time to take a look at who the potential candidates are.
 The people running the Brown campaign let their candida t be positioned as a gun advocate. Had they let her speak she could have corrected that.  We will see the same face – hopefully the message will reveal the real person – she isn’t the gun advocate – a hobbyist – nothing more. Expect to see Emily Brown seeking the nomination. She was the candidate last time around. Unfortunately the people directing the campaign let Brown be positioned as a gun advocate. She is a member of a gun club and is quite a marksman – for her it was a hobby that she enjoyed and was good at.
The public never really got to see the woman who happens to have a lot going for her as an academic and a business person. Her campaign didn’t benefit from the Conservative Party decision to literally hide their candidates – no debates, no interviews – just photographs of an attractive woman.
Expect to see others come out of the woods to put their name forward.
By Staff
January 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Something that has been needed for some time.
 In a collaborative effort, the Halton District School Board (HDSB), Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) and the Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (HCAHT) will host a joint information session on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, to raise awareness about sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Halton community.
The session will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St. S, Milton).
The session will uncover the realities of sex trafficking and exploitation and provide insight into who is at risk, digital and cyber security considerations, warning signs and how to keep our children and youth safe. The information session is open to all members of the Halton community, and child minding will be provided at no cost for children aged four and above. Those interested in attending can register online.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and connect with representatives from local organizations SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women. The event will also be attended by survivors of sex trafficking and their families, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the direct effects sex trafficking has on the individual and their community.
 Jennifer Fowler, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton District School Board. “Sex-trafficking crimes are on the rise and Halton is no exception. We believe that education and collaboration are key to addressing and combating sex-trafficking in our community,” said Jennifer Fowler, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton District School Board. “By working together we hope to raise awareness and take meaningful action to facilitate early and appropriate intervention.”
“By raising awareness and understanding of sex trafficking, we empower our students, educators, and families with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to the warning signs,” said Anthony Cordeiro, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton Catholic District School Board. “This information session is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to foster safe school communities.”
“We strive to inform and equip the Halton community with tools and resources to combat human trafficking. Through events like this, we hope to build awareness and foster a resilient community.” – Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (HCAHT)
 By Staff
January 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This appeared in Burlington Together, a Facebook page that helps people looking fr information and help solving problems. It is a friendly place – the focus is on the Together.
This bird house us a delight – all that colour.
I’d like to see a picture with birds enjoying a snack.
 Will the birds use it?
 By Staff
January 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The CBC’s hit television show DRAGONS’ DEN is hosting open auditions in Toronto, looking for the next big ‘thing’ in Canadian business!
 Entrepreneurs from across the country have a fresh chance to enter DRAGONS’ DEN in a bid to score some high-powered financial backing for their business ventures.
DRAGONS’ DEN gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls – the Dragons. Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment – from the Dragons’ own pockets!
OPEN AUDITIONS
CBC Toronto (25 John St.)
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 10am – 5pm
Interested applicants can apply here: http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions
On Thursday February 8th, they will be hosting Dragons’ Den market. This is a chance to meet entrepreneurs who have previously been on the show.
 By Staff
January 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Thousands of people are amateur photographers – when your cell phone is a camera it is so easy to capture an image.
For some, and Terry Wilson, an administrative assistant at the Region of Halton is one of these people with a passion for photography. She is excited about winning her first photo contest.
The Bronte BIA asked area residents to submit photographs taken over a three day period.
This is what she submitted:
Wilson has a good eye. Nice composition
By Staff
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
This is going to be an offer hard to take a pass on.
The Beer Store is pleased to announce the launch of its partnership with DoorDash Canada.
 DoorDash’s leading on-demand delivery service will serve customers across Ontario from over 280 store locations. This partnership will serve as another great convenience channel for Beer Store customers across the province, providing great value on cold beer every day.
“Our goal is to provide customers with more access to our products, serve their occasions, and deliver products to their door on time,” said Roy Benin, President & CEO of The Beer Store. “The Beer Store is the most convenient place to buy beer in Ontario, offering great value on a wide selection of beers available.”
In the last few years, The Beer Store has expanded delivery across the province, allowing customers access to pack sizes and menu offerings exclusively found at The Beer Store. Through this partnership, customers can access all pack sizes carried by TBS, such as singles, 12s and 24s, and a wide assortment of beer flavours, types, and styles through the DoorDash app or website.
 The Beer Store successfully launched with 50 stores on DoorDash in December, delivering beer to customers throughout the holiday season. Expanding its reach, TBS has since added over 230 more locations earlier this month.
“We’re thrilled to partner with The Beer Store, providing Ontarians with the ease of having their favourite local and international beers delivered straight to their doorstep,” said Shilpa Arora, General Manager at DoorDash Canada. “This service not only enhances convenience in Ontario but also underscores our commitment to responsibility through industry-leading safety features in alcohol delivery.”
To celebrate the launch, a $0 delivery fee promotion will be available to customers from Jan 22 to Feb 8, with no order minimum required.*
Embracing social responsibility as a shared core value, both The Beer Store and DoorDash prioritize safe alcohol delivery. Dashers in Ontario are Smart Serve-certified, ensuring responsible alcohol delivery to customers aged 19 and over in accordance with the AGCO’s guidelines. For instance, Dashers are prompted to cancel an alcohol delivery if the recipient fails to produce a valid ID, appears intoxicated, or attempts to purchase for a minor.
To learn more about The Beer Store’s hours or ways of shopping online, please visit our website at www.thebeerstore.ca.
We are checking on the delivery prices after the free delivery period.
 By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It certainly is a photo op that we are proud to publish.
On January 23, 2024, Karina Gould welcomed her daughter Taya.
 Taya “Welcome, Taya! Alberto, Oliver, and I are overjoyed to introduce the newest member of our family. She arrived January 23rd. I am grateful to say that both baby and I are happy and healthy.
“I can’t say thank you enough to the amazing Burlington & Area Midwives, Lucia, Erica and Rachel, who ensured a safe pregnancy and delivery. As well as the nursing team at the maternal and child health unit at Joseph Brant Hospital. We are so fortunate to have such outstanding people working in our health teams in Burlington.
“I will be spending the next little while with my family but look forward to resuming my duties as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons in August.
“I will continue my work, on a reduced schedule, as the Member of Parliament for Burlington, serving my constituents and working remotely to vote in the House and participate in caucus and cabinet meetings. My constituency office remains open and operating like normal to serve constituents.
“Thank you to all who have sent kind words and good wishes throughout my pregnancy and the arrival of my new baby.“
 By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Progress – I guess.
Those washrooms in the John Street Transit Terminal – the ones the public no longer has access to?
We reached out to the ward Councillor – Lisa Kearns. She doesn’t want to talk to us – said we wrote something she didn’t like.
We then got in touch with the city communications department and asked them why there was no public access to what were public washrooms in a public building.
 That plastic door with the barrier tape would have required a work order to authorize the installation. Who asked for that door to be put in place? It took two days to get a response. I sent the communications specialist the questions I had and waited. She got back to me and said she needed more time – there was some confusion is as to just how much time they needed.
But today – Thursday before 2:00 pm there has been no response from the city communications people.
Jimmy Sissons, the person who asked us to look into why the washrooms were closed to the public, bumped into City Manager Tim Commisso who said he was aware of the problem, had read the story in the Gazette and would look into it.
There it stands.
We want to know who made the decision to make what were public washrooms – For Staff Only?
What authority did they have to make that decision?
A plastic door leading to the washrooms area was installed. That kind of work doesn’t get done without a work order being issued – so there is a paper trail
I don’t think they really want to tell us – they are now looking for a way to get the story behind them – and ideally make what were public washrooms fully public again.
The latest from the Communications people:
Exxx was covering for me while I was out of the office. I’m back so I’ve picked this up.
The best person to answer your questions is out of the office until Monday. I will connect with her to try to get you the information you’re looking for.
It’s called accountability people.
Related news story:
How do things like this happen?
 By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Five hockey players who were part of Team Canada’s 2018 squad that won gold at the world junior hockey championship have been invited to the London, Ontario police station where they will be arrested and charged with criminal offences.
It will be more than the five men before the Courts when the trials take place. A public that has tolerated the behaviour that took place in 2018 will also be on trial. There will be all kinds of media coverage.
 It appears that it is going to take a painful trial that could destroy the lives of five fine athletes to bring an end to sexual violence, A large part of society has been prepared to put up with sexual assault and intimate partner violence. However we have, hopefully, arrived at the point where a tough criminal trial will give this practice the attention it needs and hopefully get to the point where behaviours change
A Halton Regional Police Deputy Chief told Burlington City Council during a virtual Council meeting that whenever he writes in his blog about sexual assault and intimate partner abuse his readership drops,
People know these things happen – but far too many people take the “boys will be boys” attitude or “she must have done something”.
The London Police have said they will hold a news conference in early February about their investigation.
“We understand that there is significant public interest in relation to a sexual assault investigation dating back to 2018,” They got that right.
The five hockey players have known for some time that there was likely to be a day of reckoning. Their actual arrest, finger printing and mug shots being taken will be the first painful steps,
When the matter first came to public attention Hockey Canada blew the credibility they had right out of the water when they used funds that came from fees families paid for their children to play hockey in leagues across the country as a piggy bank to pay a 3.2 million dollar settlement to the victim who felt she could engage in consensual sex with one hockey player but not the other hockey players were brought into the hotel room during what was clearly a raucous event that became a “Debbie does Dallas” evening.
 After a lot of bobbing and weaving by the Hockey Canada Board to avoid going public, solid newspaper investigative journalism brought the facts to the surface.
The federal government put a freeze on their funding; major sponsors withdrew their financial support.
It was messy, eventually the Hockey Canada Board was replaced and the London police, who had stopped investigating, took another look
Hopefully the trial will be another step in getting to the point where sexual assault and intimate partner violence are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Those who perpetrate this kind of behaviour will get the professional help they need to change their behaviour,
And if that doesn’t work then put them in jail again and again and again if that is what it takes.
Intimate partner violence is hidden because many people are just not prepared to talk about it – to approach someone and ask if they need help and if necessary talk to the police isn’t the way thew public behaves. You are expected to mind your own business.
The Halton Region Police Service has a top notch team that know how to handle these situations. They are there to help.
Pascale St-Onge, the minister of Canadian Heritage, the level of government that oversees sports, said she was happy to see the case progress.
“It’s very satisfying to see that the case continues to evolve,” said St-Onge. “We’ve been all waiting for a long time to hear about the consequences and what the next steps are. So we’re going to follow what’s happening in court and with the police and the ongoing investigations.
“But I think it’s a strong message also to send to the victims of sexual violence that it’s worth pushing forward and coming forward. And I again, want to salute the courage of the person who came forward.”
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
If I were a local artist – I would be ticked at this notice. Less than ten days to put together an application that offers $20,000 for the first phase of a Call for Artists and $150,000 for the second phase.
And if I were a citizen who kept an eye on what the City administration does I’d be less than pleased to learn that there will be public art in the renovation/upgrade to Civic Square that the public has not heard about.
Here is what the Call for Artists is about,
 A rendering of what Civic Square is today. Request for Expressions of Interest, Public Art Plan (Phase 1), Civic Square Renewal
Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024
Phase 1 Budget: $20,000
Phase 2 Budget: $150,000
Application Package: Civic Square Application Package (PDF)
Online Application: Civic Square Public Art Plan Online Application Form
 The yellow borders are instructive. The yellow box right centre is the new 400 Brant Kitchen and Bar which is not part of the Civic Square renew.. The push into part of James Street is where there is supposed to be public art in front of each building on the north and south sides of James Street. The City of Burlington invites professional artists and artist-led teams to submit credentials and expressions of interest to create a Public Art Plan for the Civic Square Renewal project. The selected artist(s) will work directly with the City’s design and architecture teams to develop a Public Art Plan for integrated, permanent public artwork(s) to be installed in Civic Square. Please note, Phase 1 of this project is for a Public Art Plan (preliminary design concept) only and does not include the engineering, fabrication, or installation of the artwork.
By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
He could have been one of the best city managers Burlington ever had but after two attempts to land the job Scott Stewart accepted the job of CAO for the City of Guelph.
In an announcement to Guelph Staff today he said:
 Scott Stewart to retire as City of Guelph CAO. He would have been the best city manager Burlington would ever have if they had hired him. “Later today, I will formally announce that, after 38 fulfilling years as a civil servant – and nine years with the City of Guelph! – I plan to retire this summer. I’m looking forward to completing my five-year term as CAO, and my last day with the City will be on July 22, 2024.
“This announcement will go out in a news release shortly; it was important that you heard the news directly from me. There will be more to come in the months ahead about transition planning and the recruitment process for our next CAO, so I’ll be sure to share more detailed information about the next steps with you as they come.
“It’s going to take me a little while to find the words to properly express how much my time with the City of Guelph has meant to me, both personally and professionally, so I’ll save that sappy stuff for closer to my last day.
“For now, though, I’ll leave you with this:
“Serving as CAO, and working with all of you, has been the highlight of my career. While I’m excited for this next chapter of my life, I know I’ll miss being a part of this organization, and I look forward to cheering you all on from the sidelines.”
As we get closer to the day he turns in his parking spot we will reminisce about Scott Stewart and his days as a municipal bureaucrat.
 By Staff
January 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
 Water levels in watershed creeks will rise significantly during the weekend. Caution around the edges of creeks – especially with children. Snow eventually melts and that water works its way south through the creeks and ravines of the city.
Conservation Halton has issued a media release – it follows.
Conservation Halton advises that Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) Surface Water Monitoring Centre (SWMC) are forecasting up to 25mm of rain starting today into Friday afternoon. Daytime high temperatures around 5°C are also expected over the same period. In addition to the forecasted rainfall, melting snow and frozen ground conditions will increase runoff and contribute to elevated water levels in rivers and streams within our jurisdiction.
Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however, fast flowing water and flooding of low-lying areas, natural floodplains, and areas with poor drainage may be expected, along with localized ice break-up.
 Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Any ice-covered bodies of water are considered unsafe. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and cold water temperatures, combined with slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
 Grindstone Creek further west is also part of the watershed network that is constantly monitored. Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety message as conditions warrant.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through Saturday January 27, 2024.
For further information or questions regarding this message contact:
By Staff
January 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton International Airport keeps adding destinations to the locations the several airlines that include Hamilton in their routes
 PLAY, a low-cost airline operating flights between Iceland and Europe, announced today it has added Split, Croatia to its summer schedule.
The first flight with PLAY to Split will be on May 28, and it will operate once a week, every Tuesday, over the summer.
From John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Canadian passengers can fly to Split one way starting at $359.
Travel for this new route will be facilitated through Split Airport in Croatia.
Some creative thinking coming from these smaller airlines who are finding niche opportunities that ake surprisingly low prices.
Keep an eye on what they are doing in Hamilton. The Chamber of Commerce describes Hamilton International as Burlington’s airport.
It keeps you off the QEW when you have to drive into the Pearson airport.
 By Staff
January 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The critical acclaim was very good – now Burlingtonians will get a chance to decide for themselves.
 William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy As You Like It seems like a bizarre choice for inclusion in an experimental theatre festival. That’s only the first of many surprises to be found in Cliff Cardinal’s radical interpolation of the Bard’s classic story. This timeless tale of mistaken identities, gentle ruses, banishment, and forgiveness takes on an entirely new meaning in the daring new retelling that the Toronto Star calls “sly, funny and charming.
What is a fairly long run for a Community Studio event suggests that BPAC Executive Director thinks this event will become popular.
We will see what we can do to cover the opening performance and get back to you.
Dates & Times
Wed Jan 31, 2024 at 2pm
Wed Jan 31, 2024 at 7:30pm
Thu Feb 1, 2024 at 7:30pm
Fri Feb 2, 2024 at 7:30pm
Sat Feb 3, 2024 at 2pm
Sat Feb 3, 2024 at 7:30pm
Sun Feb 4, 2024 at 2pm
Venue
Community Studio Theatre
Ticket Prices
Regular: $49.50 (All-in)
Member: $44.50 (All-in)
By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The issue is urban flooding.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance (“MGA”) makes that point very clear when they oppose the Millcroft Golf Course development application. MGA spokesperson Daintry Klein the spokesperson, has said in the past that MGA is not against development just don’t do it at the expense of the storm water management system that is in place.
Urban flooding is the most common type of flooding in Ontario caused by loss of greenspace, inadequate or aging stormwater infrastructure and climate change. It results in drainage systems becoming overwhelmed and is not to be confused with riverine flooding.
A community built around a golf course. Developer wants to add to the community by building on part of the golf course. The Millcroft Golf Course was designed and originally zoned as permanent open space to mitigate this type of flooding according to the engineering approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs in 1986.
Argo development, a partner in Millcroft Greens has applied to rezone the golf course and build luxury homes on this greenspace completely reversing its intended design and purpose.
Klein adds: “To date, the Province has not responded to the requests by the City and the Region (Sept 26 and Oct 18/23) to stop the development application by Millcroft Greens before the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for March.
“Given that the Province continues to ignore the information available to it, including the Auditor General’s report on Climate Change Adaptation and Reducing Urban Flood Risk dated November 2022, it’s not surprising. The report could get in the way of Ford’s habit of favouring developers.
“It is ironic”, said Klein,” that Argo benefited from a Minister’s Zoning Order in Brampton with little input from the municipality, but now that Burlington’s public safety is at risk after a full review by the City, the Minister of Municipal Affairs is silent.”
The Millcroft Greenspace Alliance (“MGA”) has Party status at the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal where they can ensure that the extensive research the group has done is properly presented.
It is unusual for a community group to get Party status. Klein sees this is as the place where the City can be held accountable for their unanimous opposition when the discussions become confidential.
 Daintry Klein, MGA spokes person Klein points out that MGA, is the only community group challenging the stormwater issues. Conservation Halton does not concern itself with urban flooding and has not put forward a witness statement to the Tribunal.
The City, for its part sets out how the developer could improve their application to potentially gain acceptance at the Tribunal.
“Despite MAD, (Millcroft Against Development) collecting and sharing information with the City of Burlington and Conservation Halton, none of this information has been submitted to the OLT”, said Klein.
She adds: “We have heard the City say in the past, after they have lost at the OLT, that “they did their best”.
MGA has communicated to the Mayor their concern that pertinent information has been omitted in the City’s position and that the community deserves full disclosure to the OLT of the situation here in Millcroft.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance has hired a hydrogeological expert and an experienced environmental lawyer who was previously successful at the OLT opposing a Nelson Aggregates application.
The MGA hydro-geological expert has submitted a comprehensive witness statement including details that the City and CH choose to ignore.
For more information, www.millcroftgreenspacealliance.ca
Related news stories:
What flooding in Millcroft looks like
By Milos Kavalocker
January 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
How an Attorney Can Help You Avoid Harsh Penalties
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An attorney can also help you avoid conviction by negotiating for leniency with the prosecutor and fighting charges to have them dropped completely.
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 Speeding and stunt driving are serious issues – the fines are high, you can be sent to jail. A lawyer with experience in this field is critical. Don’t Let a Stunt Driving Charge Ruin Your Life
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 Those roadside DUI tests can be contested – experienced lawyers can often find a flaw in a police officers testimony. Don’t Let a DUI Charge Ruin Your Life
Arrest and conviction of DUI can result in life-changing legal consequences that will remain with you for years to come, including financial fines, lost license suspension and increased car insurance rates – not to mention potential professional ramifications that may adversely impact your career or personal relationships.
DUI convictions appear on your criminal record and may become available to law enforcement, employers, schools and any other entity conducting background checks. A conviction will also have an adverse impact on your reputation and may impede efforts to rent a home or secure credit.
Once stopped by an officer, it may be tempting to try and explain your side of the story directly; however, it would be prudent to remain silent until you have an attorney present. An experienced legal representative could potentially help protect you by arguing that the officer misinterpreted or failed to follow proper procedure during your arrest and thus may help avoid lengthy jail terms and penalties for you.
Don’t Let a Traffic Ticket Ruin Your Life
Just about any traffic violation can have serious repercussions for your insurance rates and lead to license suspension and jail time, whether it’s just one minor infraction or multiple speeding tickets issued against you. Therefore, it is imperative that you fight these violations head on in order to reduce insurance rates and save money in the process.
 Experienced lawyers keep up to date on the changes that take place in Courtroom decisions and appeals. Many tickets issued by police officers are issued on the basis of subjective judgment by an officer that a driver violated the law, so in order to challenge such tickets successfully it may be beneficial to use eyewitness statements, diagrams depicting where the vehicle was relative to an officer, and other evidence against their observations.
An attorney with experience and a solid understanding of the Ontario Highways Act and the Criminal Code can help you avoid unnecessary penalties, save money on insurance premiums, keep your record clean, and possibly help avoid losing your license altogether. In serious cases, an attorney may even help to avoid criminal records altogether.
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