 By Staff
March 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Correction: The figure of $281,481.62 should have been $28,481.62
The City has been ordered to pay costs in the amount of $17,088.97 plus interest, to the Applicant/Appellant, which in this case is National Homes, who are in the process of developing the property at 2100 Brant that will, upon completion, be a 233 town house development.
 The site used to be a hay field. The developer has named the property Tyandaga Heights The city got hit because way back in 2017 National Homes made an application for amendments to both the Official Plan and the zoning on the property.
Marianne Meed Ward, who was then the Council member for Ward 2, voted against the National Homes development.
National Homes took the city to LPAT (Local Planning Act Tribunal) for failing to make a decision within the required time frame.
They eventually resolved their differences at Pre-Hearing Conferences and signed Minutes of Settlement on November 20, 2018.
In October citizens had chosen a new Mayor and a significantly different Council – with just the one hold-over from the previous Council.
The inaugural meeting for the new City Council, with Meed Ward as Mayor, took place on December 4, 2018.
On December 17, 2018, the new Council held an in-camera meeting and decided to back out of the Minutes of Settlement.
We now know that the city decided to resile (which is lawyer speak for abandoning a position or a course of action) in that CLOSED meeting.
The National Homes people were ticked off and asked LPAT to award them costs of $28,481.62. They got $17,088.97.
That CLOSED meeting must have been a doozy – five of the seven people were brand new Councillors with precious little experience in matters like this. Meed Ward knew what she was doing, Councillor Sharman would have been opposed – for the others – they may have left the room scratching their heads.
Several days before they had gone along with the Mayor on the firing of James Ridge, the then city manager. Ridge certainly knew what was coming: days before he had told colleagues that if Meed Ward was elected he was toast.
The surprising part of that was – anyone who knew how to read tea leaves would have known that Meed Ward was what the public wanted.
Not as many feel the same way today.
 By Pepper Parr
March 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It started out with;
Direct the Chief Financial Officer to implement a 2021 COVID-19 property tax deferral pre-authorized payment plan (by application) and report on the status as part of the ongoing monthly financial COVID-19 updates
Council approved property tax relief measures in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance included extended property tax due dates, waived penalty and interest on outstanding property tax from April to August 31 and a pre-authorized payment plan to pay remaining 2020 taxes between the months of August and December 2020.
Most taxpayers continued to pay on time, while some had difficulties.
Provincial and Federal governments continue to provide residents and businesses financial assistance programs relating to COVID-19.
The Ontario government declared a Provincial COVID-19 state of emergency January 12, 2021 effective January 14, 2021, ending on February 14, 2021. The current Provincial and Public Health measures may produce a continued financial hardship for some Burlington residents and business in 2021.
Here is what Council decided to do.
 They created an application-based deferral program consisting of pre-authorized monthly withdrawals to defer payment from our regularly scheduled due dates. It would apply to all property classes (residential and non-residential) to be fair and equitable.
Balance can include any unpaid installments from March 1, 2020 and all of 2021 taxes
Taxes will be paid in full by December 1, 2021
Penalty/interest will be suspended for the duration of the deferral
Withdrawal start date chosen by the property owner.
Financial impact to the city is dependent on the number of applications and total tax payments deferred. It amounts to a shift in cash flow of property tax revenues to later in the year. The city will not collect penalty/interest revenue for months that taxes are deferred.
Taxes levied on behalf of the Region and school boards would still be paid on the normal schedule.
Eligibility criteria
 Property taxes must be current prior to the pandemic (March 1, 2020)2
Property owners would need to attest that they are experiencing financial hardship directly related to COVID-19
The expectation is that property owners with tenants should be passing on the deferral arrangement.
 By Staff
March 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Parks and Recreation people, despite feeling like a yoyo – open, closed, then open again only to be closed once more have set out a program that they hope will take on a life of its own
 There will be a summer – what it will be like is almost a guess at this point in time. •Adult / Older Adult Programs: Gradual return to more in person programming including the operation of the Seniors’ Centre and other locations like Tansley Woods, Haber and potentially Brant Hills. Mainway auditorium (group fitness and indoor pickleball) to remain closed for necessary capital renewal work.
•Tyandaga Golf to open early spring, weather dependent. General golf offerings with potential for smaller / modified league play. Tournaments not considered at this time.
•Summer Camps looking to be scaled back due to restrictions and facility availability and offered at City locations including Haber Recreation Centre. Development of more park pop up and play activities around the city.
•Student Theatre continues to operate various levels of programming & camps with potential use of both Student Theatre and BPAC.
•Teen Tour Band resuming in-person practices and supporting any local events. Not looking to do any travel over the summer months.
•Pools to be open including Nelson, Mountainside and LaSalle outdoor locations offering a variety of recreational swim opportunities and partnered clubs with limited swimming lesson programming.
By Pepper Parr
March 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
One last look at Councillor salaries.
In an earlier report we gave data on the city side of the pay package.
The complete pay package for the seven members of Council who are also Regional Councillors is set out below.
Set out below is the full remuneration along with an explanation as to why Councillors Sharman and Bentivegna get less than the others.
Both are over 65. The reduction is due to benefits dropping off at 65, to which Councillor Sharman asks:
” is that fair?”
To be fair, this Council has worked hard. There are times when they put in twelve hours days in back-to-back in public sessions and then have to get to their desks and catch up on the paper work.
This is not a cushy job.
 These were the swearing-in-night smiles
 By Staff
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
City hall is going to get a new look – you won’t recognize the ground floor when they are finished.
Take the 33 second flyby to see what the end result is expected to look like – there will of course be changes to the design concept.
Members of Council who saw the details this morning loved the idea.
There is a lot more work to be done – but the plan is to get started late this summer or in the fall and get the work done in phases.
The phrase ‘One Window’ was applied to the plans – but there are actually two windows – one for what is now Customer Service and the other is for Development. They aren’t windows but the place you go for services; pay parking tickets, get a document commissioned, apply for a marriage license.
The idea is to make the space much more customer friendly.
The plan is to have little pods – places where people can sit and talk; there will be small meetings rooms.
The public will not get much beyond the ground floor – staff will come to you on the ground floor.
 This is a rendering of what is being thought through. The building is badly in need of an upgrade. The last renovation was in 1985 – when, as Alan Magi explained, “we were using carbon paper and there was no such things as a fax machine, never mind the internet.
Jennifer Johnson is part of the design team – she did some very good work in ward 3 at the Brant Hills sports complex where wood surfaces gave the facility a warm feeling. The early view of city hall ground floor does not appear to have that soft, comfortable look – but this is just the early stage,
The traffic flow will be very different with the open area showing the lower level covered in part by a bridge.
The focus appears to be more digital – a modern, swift look.
There was a time when former ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster thought there should be a coffee shop on the ground floor. There once was a coffee shop on the Council Chamber level but it was never used – or at least not used enough for the people who operated the space gave it up.
 There will be a new Locust Street entrance, a new “grand entrance” that will come in off Civic Square. The development window will be on the left and the Service Burlington window on the right The building is never going to be a net zero carbon site – the building is far to old.
There has been zip community engagement to this point. We heard the usual – there will be an engagement plan but no detail. It looks as if this is going to be a done deal with a ribbon cutting the day the “grands entrance” is officially used for the first time.
Councillor Sharman said that his impression of City Hall when he walked in for the first time in 2010 was that of a WWII building.
He added that the city will upgrade what they have until it is clear the building has reached the end of its life cycle. “We aren’t going to look into spending $50 million on a new city hall.
Right now 28% of the ground floor space is for public use while 72% of the space is for staff. That will shift to a 50 – 50 share when the upgrade is completed.
There will be several phases.
Phase 1 will be the work done on the development services area and the Citizen services area.
 Phase 2  Phase 3
 By Staff
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
An additional vaccination site has been added: Joseph Brant Hospital.
The five locations are:
 Vaccines being delivered to the Milton location • Gellert Community Centre, 10241 Eighth Line, Georgetown
• St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre, 1280 Dundas Street, Oakville
• Compass Point Bible Church, 1500 Kerns Road, Burlington
• First Ontario Arts Centre Milton, 1010 Main Street East, Milton
• Joseph Brant Hospital, 1245 Lakeshore Road, Burlington (located at the hospital’s Pandemic Response Unit (PRU), which can be accessed through the South Tower Main Entrance off Lakeshore Road)
Registration for vaccinations anywhere in Halton is at THIS location.
Registration at this point is for those over 80 ONLY.
Vaccines have been delivered to the Halton locations. Just days before people can get vaccinated.
Related news stories:
Full role out plan
 By Pepper Parr
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Once the decision is made to settle on just what the tax rate for a year is going to be the politicians get to justify it.
Each brings their own perspective and point of view to the decision that has been made and want to ensure that their constituents are aware of the work they did and why they deserve their vote at the next election.
Burlington has a seven member Council.
In this article I want to focus on the role Councillors Stolte, Nisan and Mayor Meed Ward played in producing the tax rate.
The 4.14% increase is the city’s portion of the taxes collected and used to pay the bills and ensure that there are reserves in place to protect when there is a financial failure. That number is what matters to the people who pay the taxes.
The tax payment you send the city happens to include the tax rate set by the Region for their expenses and the tax rate the Boards of education set to keep the schools operating. The city collects all the money and sends the Regional levy to the Region and the school board levies to the school boards.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan – served as Chair of the Committee that debated the city budget The debating and bickering that takes place to arrive at a tax rate takes place at a Standing Committee. This year that committee was chaired by ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan. Mr. Nisan did not cover himself with glory while doing the task; he was difficult, less than fair to some of the Council members and tended to be authoritarian while doing the work.
He was acrimonious, discourteous and rude at times when the job of chair calls for a deft, mature understanding of the wishes of each Council member, drawing them out and letting a consensus come out of it all.
On far too many occasions it was clear that Nisan did not understand the numbers – he would say “that is nice to know” when it was actually essential that the Chair have a solid grip on what each number meant.
 Chief Financial Officer Joan Ford; always ready willing and able to mentor members of Council Burlington has a Chief Financial Officer, Joan Ford, who bends over backwards to explain what can at times be arcane and difficult to understand. She is always ready, willing and able to mentor the Chair – Nisan didn’t appreciate or take advantage of what was available to him.
Mr. Nisan has shown a preference for aligning himself with the Mayor and championing her wishes and aspirations rather than creating a path of his own. It is hard to be certain just what Rory Nisan does stand for.
Like every other member of Council he will have to stand for re-election in 2022. He doesn’t have a lot of time to let his constituents know and see who he really is and what he wants to get done. Other than wanting to be the Mayor’s choice for Deputy Mayor – it is hard to point to something that has made a difference. There was a splash pad set up in his ward – but that idea was put in motion by his predecessor.
The Mayor said at the beginning of the budget proceedings that the 4.99% increase budget Staff brought in was not going to fly – her target was 3.99% and she fought hard to get that number.
She didn’t have the support of enough of her council members to make it happen – some found the drive for that 3.99% was misplaced and that the purpose of the budget was to serve the needs of the citizens and not the aspirations of a politician.
Meed Ward, to her credit, realized the 3.99% was not going to happen. “The goal is not going to be met,” she said; “let it go” and she did, adding that there is no shame in aiming high.
The Mayor said on numerous occasions that her objective was to “leave more money in the pockets of the tax payers”. The words had a populist tinge.
 Took positions that challenged what others were advocating; kept pushing for more transparency. Councillor Stolte was the star of the budget debates – she consistently, but respectfully, challenged the views of her colleagues and questioned the Clerk on several of the decisions he made.
Saying:
“My comments in regard to whether or not to endorse the 2021 Operating Budget will be highlighted in two components today.
“In regard to the tax rate that we have landed on, I believe it is the result of a great deal of hard work by our Finance Department and this Council, and a great deal of effort to balance the needs of the community with solid financial stewardship and protection of City assets.
“There is still a great deal of work to be done within the City of Burlington to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and the financial inefficiencies that are inherent in an overly bureaucratic organization, but we have begun to see some positive changes in this regard and I look forward to the citizens of Burlington reaping the financial savings from these improvements in the future.
“The second component of my comments is in regard to the PROCESS involved when staff and Council are tasked to determine the priorities, sacrifices and compromises necessary to manage a city budget.
“It was mentioned earlier today that I had brought forward a Staff direction in March of 2020 that was unanimously supported by Council. It stated to:
“Direct the Chief Financial Officer to plan a Council Workshop in June of 2020 with the subject matter of “Vision to Focus – Budget 2021”. The purpose being to allow staff and Council the opportunity to collaborate on high level priorities, values and vision leading into the 2021 budget process in an effort to concentrate the focus and priorities of Council.”
“Comments may be made that this plan was impacted due to COVID-19 but in hindsight, the 2021 budget still needed to be dealt with and the need to collaborate with Council on focus and priorities, at the start of that process, still should have happened.
“I am disappointed that another Budget cycle was completed without the benefit of a more collaborative Staff/Council process at the outset and I appeal to our City Manager to commit to ensuring that this process improvement is implemented for the next Budget cycle for 2022.
“Curiously, as we endeavored to land this Budget, further process and best practice challenges came to light.
“When we began this term of Council in early 2019 we were oriented to understand that we would receive recommendations from staff in regard to agenda items that needed to be discussed in private, behind closed doors.
“Over the last two years the regular practice has been for Council to receive advice that we “need” to move into Closed Session and this recommendation is always accepted by Council without debate, as merely a point of procedure.
“During the 2021 Operating Budget process I presented an amendment which became the topic of much debate with the City Clerk and City Manager’s Office.
“It was recommended by staff that this amendment be discussed in private, behind closed doors.
“I challenged this recommendation and it quickly came to light that this was a very rare occurrence for a Closed Meeting recommendation to be questioned by Council and I was informed that it was inappropriate for a Councillor to question a staff recommendation of this nature.
“This is not how the municipal democratic process works … Staff’s role is to make their best professional recommendation and our role on Council is to assess this recommendation and concur or contest based on whether or not we believe the recommendation represents the best interests of the residents of Burlington.
“Ultimately, the decision on the Budget item was in the hands of Council, where it should be…but the process involved in this discussion was what was of concern.”
Stolte’s comments have the potential to bring about a change in the way council meetings are managed. The doors need to be open as much as possible.
This Council worked very hard to produce a budget that met the needs of the tax payers and at the same time underlined the goals they had when they sought election to city Council.
There are lessons in the budget experience for every member of Council; hopefully they will take the time to reflect on what took place and learn from both the mistakes and the successes.
This council was supported by a well-tuned finance department who met every challenge put to them and then some.
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
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Together is planning to kick off a GROW A ROW program again this Spring.
Starting April/May, they are looking to build on the great success this program had last year in sharing fresh produce with the Burlington Food Bank.
They are looking for a volunteer Garden Coordinator for the Burlington Food Bank if you are interested in helping out, send an email to info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca.
By Pepper Parr
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
With the vaccination registration system created by the Regional Public Health Unit up and running very efficiently -many have registered and know when they are going to get their first dose AND their second dose; every one now waits for the vaccine to actually arrive.
 This is what we are being protected against – a virus that has challenged the scientists. A tremendous amount of work has gone into getting us to where we are – and this is just the beginning.
Burlington released data yesterday on how the roll out is expected to take place.
The graph below is small and not that easy to read – we pass along what we get – you can now determine what the plan is and where you fit in.
Following the simple rules and exercising some patience will get us all to the point where we are vaccinated and moving along to some state of normalcy.
Pandemics are a little like the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup – these things don’t happen very often and you don’t fully appreciate what has taken place until it is over.
 This is the status of the vaccination roll out for Burlington as of March 3rd.
 By Pepper Parr
March 3rd 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is now official.
Council voted for a tax levy of $182,276,388 which will mean a 4.14% increase in the 2020 city portion of the tax bill.
 Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna votes against the budget.
That budget will mean an additional $18.99 per 100,000 of assessment value/
It was a tough budget; the toughest this council has had to deal with.
The COVID issues muddied up almost everything.
Mayor Mead Ward was gracious in her comments about the role each member of Council played in landing the budget.
By Staff
March 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
What city Councillors get paid has been the topic of some discussion.
For the record what they are paid by the City is set out below. Council members also get a paycheck from the Region.
(a) each member of council in respect of his or her services as a member of the council or any other body, including a local board,to which the member has been appointed by council or on which the member holds office by virtue of being a member of council;(b) each member of council in respect of his or her services as an officer or employee of the municipality or other body described in clause (a); and(c) each person, other than a member of council, appointed by the municipality to serve as a member of any body, including a local board, in respect of his or her services as a member of the body. 2001, c.25, s.284(1). As required by Section 284 (2), City of Burlington By-law 129-2006 was passed authorizing the attached remuneration and expenses (Appendix A). In 2020, each Councilor had a budget of $10,000 to cover expenditures such as meetings, printing, mileage, newsletters, postage, professional development, telephones and advertising. In 2020, the Mayor had a budget of $31,087 to cover similar expenditures to those listed above, excluding the costs of leasing a vehicle for business use.
This is the city portion of the pay check. Sharman and Bentivegna have different circumstances When this item was put before council it was treated as a consent item. Not one word from members of Council.
By Pepper Parr
March 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
It is easy to complain. However, when the job is well done the people who did the job have to be recognized.
And this morning the Gazette wants to recognize the superb job the Public Health unit in Halton has done with the COVID vaccine registration procedure they put in place and opened up this morning.
 Dr Hamidah Meghani decided no to rely on the province and went ahead and created a vaccination registration program for Halton. She made the right decision. It works. It works. It is a little complex and some people may need some help if they are not computer literate.
Make sure you have your OHIP card – they need that number.
You get to choose the date you want – if that date is full they will give you the closest date they have. You get to choose the time you want.
You can choose any one of the four locations in the Region.
Read the questions they ask carefully. If you get something wrong – they point out where you made the mistake and you get to correct it.
When you’re done – you print it out. The document you print gives you the date you are to attend and the date for the second shot.
It works.
Thank the people at the Region for a job well done. The province is still working on a registration system. Halton decided that the province might be late so went ahead and created their own.
I’ll let you know how my jab in the arm goes when it is my turn.
Again, a job well done folks.
By Pepper Parr
March 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
After a marathon Statutory meeting that had 58 plus delegations who wanted to be heard, Council will be back at the table for a meeting that will include the setting of the tax rate for 2021.
Health, Safety and Well Being are on the agenda. Staff at city hall were surveyed.
One graph tells just how things are going.
By Staff
March 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The online booking system for residents over 80 to book an appointment for a vaccine shot launches today.
To make your appointment click HERE. Read the instructions they give you carefully. Read the balance of this article before you go to register. The link to register is also at the bottom of this article.
Starting Wednesday March 3, Halton residents who are 80 years of age and older can book their appointment to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic.
To support residents 80 years of age and older who require transportation, Halton Region has been working with Specialized Local Municipal Transit service providers and Private Transportation (taxi) services to ensure residents can conveniently request and arrange free transportation to and from Regional clinics if required.
“Vaccinating those most at risk of complications from COVID-19 is critical,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “If you know someone who is 80 years of age or older and may need assistance accessing information or booking their online appointment, please reach out to them to assist. While we continue to vaccinate priority groups, I am urging everyone to keep staying home except for essential purposes, avoiding social gatherings and preparing to be vaccinated when it is your turn.”
Residents who are not currently 80 years of age and older, please do not call 311 or visit the online booking system to ensure eligible residents have access.
Appointments will be available for clinic sites in the City of Burlington, Town of Oakville, Town of Milton and Town of Halton Hills. Free transportation options will be available for all eligible residents if required. Halton’s Vaccination Clinics are not open to the public and are available by appointment only.
There will be no walk-in appointments.
To make your appointment click HERE. Follow the instructions
By Staff
March 2nd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is joining the rest of the Region and communities in close proximity – they are getting rid of the need to get permission to hold a tag day.
 Organizations will still be able to hold tag days – they just won’t need permission from the city to do so.
They will have to get permission from the property owners –ie, LCBO and Supermarket locations, which tend to have the kind of traffic that makes the tag day successful
The volume of Tag Day requests has significantly declined over the last few years.
In 2020, the City of Burlington issued 15 letters of permission; compared to 33 letters of permission in 2019 and 33 in 2018. Historically the numbers have been higher:
2017: 39
2014: 49
2012:111
 In 2013, a similar report recommending discontinuation of the tag day program was provided to Council and they chose not to discontinue the program at that time. If a decision is made to discontinue, the Licensing section would advise charities that moving forward in 2021, Tag Days would now be managed strictly by the property and business owners.
This goes to City Council where it will be approved – from that day forward (allow 20 days for people to file objections) and all the taggers have to do is get permission from the locations.
By Pepper Parr
March 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Beth Martin oversees the Burlington Together Facebook page.
That organization has been a significant supporter of the Burlington Food Bank – they call her their secret treasure.
 Beth Martin – recipient of Rotary Paul Harris Award and founder of |Burlington Together She is a recent recipient of Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow award.
Burlington Together is currently assembling Activity Kits that will be distributed through the Burlington Food Bank, Wellington Square and Community Living Burlington.
Martin wanted to add tooth brushes and tooth paste to the package. She is currently looking for donations of toothbrushes and toothpaste, if anyone is able to donate.
The Activity Kits contain art supplies, books, activities for different age groups.
This round the kits will also contain hygiene items: body wash, shampoo and deodorant.
The activity kits are sponsored through a grant with TD Bank allowing them to create 500 kits to share in the community.
 
While Food is critical to a household – so is finding things for the kids to do when they are not able to get out as much as they would like.
Burlington Together is also planning to kick off GROW A ROW again this Spring. Starting April/May, they are looking to build on the great success this program had last year in sharing fresh produce with the Burlington Food Bank.
We are looking for a volunteer Garden Coordinator for the Burlington Food Bank if you are interested in helping us out, send an email to info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca.
 By Staff
March 1st, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Some good news
The online booking system for residents over 80 to book an appointment for a vaccine shot is set to launch on Wednesday.
Starting Wednesday March 3, Halton residents who are 80 years of age and older can book their appointment to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at a Halton Region COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic.
“Getting our most vulnerable residents vaccinated as quickly as possible is our top priority”, said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Our clinics are ready and our online booking system is set to open for appointment bookings on March 3.
Our ability to vaccinate our community is dependent on supply from the Federal Government and direction from the Province on who to prioritize for vaccination.
To support residents 80 years of age and older who require transportation, Halton Region has been working with Specialized Local Municipal Transit service providers and Private Transportation (taxi) services to ensure residents can conveniently request and arrange free transportation to and from Regional clinics if required.
“Vaccinating those most at risk of complications from COVID-19 is critical,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “If you know someone who is 80 years of age or older and may need assistance accessing information or booking their online appointment, please reach out to them to assist. While we continue to vaccinate priority groups, I am urging everyone to keep staying home except for essential purposes, avoiding social gatherings and preparing to be vaccinated when it is your turn.”
Quick Facts:
- On Wednesday March 3, eligible Halton residents, who are 80 years of age or older, or someone on their behalf, will be able to go online to book an appointment via halton.ca/COVIDvaccines or Halton’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic webpage.
- Halton residents can call 311 if they require booking support. Please only call 311 if you are unable to book online to ensure those residents requiring support can be assisted.
- There will be appointments available to book for every resident who is 80 years of age and older during March and April. All appointments are contingent on the availability of vaccine supply.
- Residents who are not currently 80 years of age and older, please do not call 311 or visit the online booking system to ensure eligible residents have access.
- Appointments will be available for clinic sites in the City of Burlington, Town of Oakville, Town of Milton and Town of Halton Hills. Free transportation options will be available for all eligible residents if required. Halton’s Vaccination Clinics are not open to the public and are available by appointment. There will be no walk-in appointments.
Halton continues to vaccinate priority populations as identified by the Province and with vaccine supplies currently available. As of Friday, February 26, 28,622 doses have been administered in Halton to priority populations. Mobile teams of Public Health and Paramedic Services staff continue to administer vaccinations to long-term care and retirement home residents.
Halton Healthcare continues to operate the COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for prioritized health care workers, essential caregivers and staff of long-term care and retirement homes and adults receiving chronic home care.
To get the latest information on Halton Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program including who is currently eligible, transportation options and how to book an appointment, please visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines. Halton Region’s website is being updated as the program progresses, and residents are asked to check this page regularly for the latest information.
By Pepper Parr
March 2, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Does anyone know why this is happening?
 The site once had a gas station on it; it is believed that the Tim Horton’s people were looking at the site as a head office – that didn’t fly. Are there plans for something on the property – other than expanding Emma’s – what else could they do with it?
In the lot to the immediate east of Emma’s, which is still closed and available if you want to rent the space, there is a bulldozer pushing huge boulders over the edge.
It would appear that the shore line is being protected from any erosion.
The Conservation authority has jurisdiction over this site.
Does anyone know why the concern over possible erosion?
By Pepper Parr
March 2, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
I think many people have been so focused on what was proposed in the way of tall towers in the downtown core that we may not have been able to see what has been built and where the advantages are for the average person.
Took a walking tour to see how the three major developments were coming along.
 The Gallery – opposite city hall will begin to appear above the street level soon. The Gallery, that’s the one being built across the street from city hall, is still not much more than a hole in the ground. Four levels of parking – so they have some distance to go.
 The Nautique – the ADI development on LAkeshore at Martha is still a hole in the ground. The ADI development on Lakeshore at Martha is also a hole in the ground – not as deep as the one opposite city hall. ADI is said to be going down seven levels.
The interesting one is Bridgewater – that still isn’t complete but there are people living in some of the units. There weren’t a lot of hurrahs for this development and it had its share of problems getting to the point where construction could begin.
Something that will be called The Pearle will hold an opening event in the not too distant future. More on that in a future story.
The plus for the people of Burlington is the space.
There is a large public area; some of which will be a restaurant but much of the space from Lakeshore Road right through to the edge of the water will be public. And it will be splendiferous when it is complete and open.
The pictures tell the story.
 The south side of Lakeshore is no longer a construction site. Some work still underway and there are people living in some of the units. The sidewalk has a certain spaciousness to it.  There is an opening that becomes a plaza that runs clear through to the lake – with stairs that take people to the water’s edge. This is all public space  Walking through the public space – you get to an outdoor area that will be commercial area – where the reflecting pool exists. All kinds of room – it will become the place to be and the place to be seen.  The picture was taken from close to the top of the stairs that will lead down to the edge of the lake. All the space between the two buildings will be public.
 There are three levels of steps leading to the edge of the lake. They are steep – several sets of rails will have to be put in place. The stairs will be a great place for people to just sit and enjoy the view.  Ramps have been placed on the east side making thee location totally accessible and safe. Emma’s can be seen to the east.
When open and operational it will be a wonderful place; despite all the troubles with an idea that was first put before the public more than 20 years ago, while Walter Mulkewhich was Mayor. At that time the condo on the east side was going to be 30 storeys – it was to be a legacy site.
By Pepper Parr
March 2, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week we did a piece on some research the MoH for Halton Region mentioned to members of Regional Council which she said at the time she found very startling and concerned that if the data was correct and the situation we are in was mis-handled a third wave was a possibility.
And that that third wave would not be like the first and second wave; it would spread more quickly and more people would succumb to the virus.
We did a short piece with a graph that set out what Dr Hamidah Meghani was talking about. In this article we are able to show you some of the supporting evidence . It is chilling.
The data does not mean anything is going to happen, it does, we believe, point to what could happen if we are not very careful.
 The supermarkets are doing everything they can to educate the public. Wear the mask – keep your distance. It does make a difference. Reference is made to three COVID-19 VOC have been identified, including:
PANGO lineage B.1.1.7: first detected in the United Kingdom in September, 2020;
PANGO lineage B.1.351: first detected in South Africa in October, 2020; and
PANGO lineage P.1: first detected in Brazil in January, 2021.
As of February 15, 2021, Ontario has confirmed a total of 319 COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC) cases; the vast majority (96.9%; 309/319) are PANGO lineage B.1.1.7.
COVID-19 VOC cases have been confirmed in 15/34 (44.1%) public health units across 6/7 (85.7%) geographic regions (i.e., no VOC cases have been identified in the North West region).
The Central East region accounts for 80.3% (256/319) of COVID-19 VOC cases in the province, in part due to a large outbreak in a long-term care home in Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
The majority (81.2%; 259/319) of confirmed VOC cases are linked to outbreaks or close contact with a confirmed case.
A total of 38 fatalities have been reported (case fatality: 11.9%); all have occurred among those 60 years of age or older.
 Where did the person with the new virus pick it up? Close contacts and an outbreak. How do we combat that?
 Number of confirmed COVID-19 VOC cases by PANGO lineage, severity, and outcome: Ontario, December 1, 2020 to February 15, 2021(We believe the word EVER should have been Never)
 Number of fatalities among confirmed COVID-19 VOC cases by PANGO lineage and age group: Ontario, December 1, 2020 to February 15, 2021. It is the older people who are dying.
 Number of confirmed COVID-19 VOC cases by PANGO lineage and likely source of acquisition: Ontario, December 1, 2020 to February 15, 2021 This data has determined what the province decided to do and what is continuing to do. Take care of the elderly and when the vaccine arrive inoculate the older people and hope that we can get enough people inoculated before the variants work themselves into the general population.
It is truly a race against time.
We may have wasted much of what we had.
Related article
The MoH was startled.
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