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December 20th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
The darkest day is close at hand. The Winter Solstice will be celebrated, recognized and maybe even understood on the 21st. The people in Lowville have celebrated this event for the past ten years. It is an experience worth having. Click here for details
December 20th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
Just who are the people who serve as volunteers with the Halton-Hamilton United Way. They come from a number of sources. Some are from the corporate sector; a bank or a large corporation will second a staff member to the United Way as an opportunity to widen their experience – and come away with an understand as to how a community works to take care of those who need help.  Jenna Baird – a United Way volunteer sponsored by the City of Hamilton Jenna Baird, was a volunteer from the City of Hamilton. She saw a posting on the Hamilton city web site asking if there were people who would be interested in being a United Way volunteer. They would remain on the city payroll but show up for work at whatever task the United Way gave them.  United Way Plane Pull 2023 We first met Jenna at the Airplane Pull – and yes she was on that rope pulling with the others. We asked Jenna to talk about her experience: “Working at a non-profit United Way Hamilton Halton, is different than working in the private sector and the public service. Everyone here has a drive to help others and put forth the effort to achieve their goals. Everyone helps one another on different projects or discussing ideas. “I’ve had a positive experience with my time at UWHH, from attending fundraising events (like the Plane Pull), collecting donations at a municipal compost day or raising awareness at a school or farmer’s market. It’s all very different from my regular position. “I wish that more people knew about 211 and how much information is available to assist people. If people contact 211 either by phone or online, they can find local resources to assist with a variety of topics regardless where they are in the Province. https://211ontario.ca/ “I’ve enjoyed working at UWHH, and believe in the positive impact that UWHH has, so much so that I’ve volunteered to be on the Community Impact Cabinet https://www.uwhh.ca/investments/
December 20th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
There is a lot of chatter about who the next leader of the Federal Liberal Party should be. There are polls suggesting that Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland have good numbers from a recent reliable poll. But Justin Trudeau made it clear that he has another election in him  Justin Trudeau & Terry DiMonte’s held their Annual Holiday Chat. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau & Terry DiMonte’s, a retired broadcaster, held their Annual Holiday Chat. It runs for about an hour – worth the time to see where the PM is coming from and his views on the job he has been doing. It wasn’t a hard hitting interview; it was a conversation between two men who have known each other for years. It wasn’t a puff piece either. Click HERE Worth the time.
December 20th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
Communicating is more than two people talking at each other. It requires some listening as well. Anne and Dave Marsden have been frequent delegators at City Hall who have found that they are not being heard and have run into hurdles on a number of cases when they want to make a point.  City Manager Tim Commisso along with City Solicitor Blake Hurley will meet with Ann and Dave Marsden in an attempt to resolve a number of issues – one being the diverting of their email to the Office of the City Clerk instead of the person the email was addressed to.
The Gazette was recently informed that Anne and Dave Marsden have been advised that City Manager Tim Commisso, City Solicitor Blake Hurley and interim Executive Director Human Resources Ms Evfremidis, are prepared to meet with them by end of January, 2024.
Resolution would mean avoiding an expensive Ombudsman complaint. The Marsdens are asking the city, as an act of good faith, to end, before the New Year, the practice admitted by Clerk Kevin Arjoon in August of 2023, of having all their emails to staff and council diverted to the Clerk’s office for their actioning of a response.
December 19, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario sees a record increase in the value of property inventory with $42 billion in new assessments
The assessed value of more than 5.6 million properties in Ontario is now estimated to be approximately $3.14 trillion. MPAC summarized these changes in the annual assessment rolls that were delivered to Ontario’s 444 municipalities last week. Across Ontario, 10 municipalities accounted for more than 44 per cent of new property value. Toronto led the way for another year at $9.93 billion, followed by Ottawa at $3.37 billion. Vaughan, Oakville and Brampton rounded out the top five. Important: The MPAC property assessment is not the same as your tax rate. The tax rate is based on the class of property and what its assessment is. The Gazette will be doing an article on how the assessment and the tax rate are worked out.
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2024 – 2025 BCC Board of Directors. The Chamber Board meets approximately 6-8 times per year with additional board subcommittee participation. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce board of directors is appointed annually at the Annual General meeting. The directors shall hold office for a term of one year to a maximum of six terms. While all nominations will be considered, the Committee is particularly interested in receiving nominations of senior-level individuals who bring board experience, current/prior engagement with the Burlington Chamber Community, and who would be representative of the following attributes: Financial, IT, Large and Small Business and Corporate Communications. If you are interested in being a Burlington Chamber of Commerce board member and be part of a progressive, results-oriented and fiscally responsible Board of Directors – we wish to hear from you. Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we encourage applications from all designated group members. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive membership, board and staff that reflects the Burlington community. Please complete your Application Form by no later than January 12, 2024, and email your resume and/or cover letter to info@burlingtonchamber.com for the Committee’s consideration.
While all nominations will be considered, the Committee is particularly interested in receiving nominations of senior-level individuals who bring board experience, current/prior engagement with the Burlington Chamber Community, and who would be representative of the following attributes: Financial, IT, Large and Small Business and Corporate Communications. If you are interested in being a Burlington Chamber of Commerce board member and be part of a progressive, results-oriented and fiscally responsible Board of Directors – we wish to hear from you. Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we encourage applications from all designated group members. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive membership, board and staff that reflects the Burlington community. Please complete your Application Form by no later than January 12, 2024, and email your resume and/or cover letter to info@burlingtonchamber.com for the Committee’s consideration.
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
There is no cure It was a blunt statement, that hit hard is as I reads it on a Facebook page. Russ Campbell had been struggling for the past 2 years, dealing with an aggressive form of bladder cancer “that has now spread outside my bladder.” “Unfortunately, there is no cure and, given my age and other health issues, any further treatment is high risk and if successful would only add a few months to my life expectancy. “My plan is to make the best of the time I do have and what will be will be. For the most part, life has been good and I have very few regrets so don’t feel sorry for me – I don’t. “But do do the things that are important to you NOW, today if possible, and don’t put them off to some distant date.”  Russell G. Campbell with his wife, Denise and his grandson Kia. Things are tough for Russ – but he doesn’t see it that way. He knows what is going to happen and he is prepared. Russ was born in Jamaica, moved to Canada with his parents and settled in Burlington. Says with a chuckle that he “married the girl next door”. Russ finished high school and went to work – soon realized that he needed more in the way of an education and took accounting courses at night and earned a CGA – Certified General Accountant. I crossed his path when I read the blog that he wrote. Russ was a strong conservative and I was looking for someone to bring a small c conservative viewpoint to the Gazette. He wrote a few columns and reminded me that “I don’t think you were all that happy with me and I decided I would stick to the blog I was writing.” We kept in touch. Russ doesn’t have much time for the conservatism he is seeing south of the border. He doesn’t have the energy he would like to have – but he can still start cooking some of the meals – when he gets tired Denise takes over. Cancer has been a part of the family for a long time. Denise had cancer on three occasions – each time she was able to overcome the disease. We are going to stay with Russ as he completes his journey. ” I know I am going to die and I’m prepared”, he said. “I will miss the people in my life.” The family unit is 13 people strong: two sons and their children. He doesn’t have very much in the way of stamina – but the courage that gets him through a day is remarkable. Stoic.
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
In a year marked by surges in inflation, economic pressures, heightened poverty rates, and escalating mental health challenges, many in our community are grappling with increased needs this holiday season.  RBC Team part of the Helping Hand project. United Way Halton & Hamilton’s (UWHH) Holiday Helping Hand program brought together 14 local social service agencies, working collectively to make the season brighter for those in need. United Way successfully engaged community members in volunteer opportunities, fulfilled holiday wish lists, and gathered essential items such as toys, clothing, and non- perishable food items for individuals and families facing challenges.  Brad Park: President and CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “This past holiday season posed unprecedented challenges for many families and individuals in our community,” emphasized Brad Park, President and CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “The weight of economic challenges, housing and food insecurity, and mental health struggles have deepened the need in our community, putting our agency partners under significant strain.” Thanks to generous community members, UWHH supported 12 holiday projects that included over 105 volunteer opportunities through the Holiday Helping Hand program. Community members rallied together to help fill volunteer opportunities such as sorting and packing community food bags for Food For Life Halton & Hamilton and stuffing holiday stockings for Community Living Burlington. Over 112 families and individuals across Burlington, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton, and Oakville were sponsored through the program, ensuring they received the support they needed during the holidays. The program supports community members from young families with infants, to single elderly individuals, and all ages in between, including community members living with disabilities and newcomers.  OPP Toy Drive, was held at Toys R Us on Hamilton Mountain. This year’s toy drive raised over $32,500 worth of toys. One of the volunteer opportunities for this year, the OPP Toy Drive, was held at Toys R Us on Hamilton Mountain. The OPP mobile command center was on-site, encouraging the community to fill it with toys in support of United Way’s Holiday Helping Hand program. This year’s toy drive raised over $32,500 worth of toys. Energetic volunteers collected toys and added them to the cruiser, urging shoppers to purchase toys for families in need. Toys will be distributed to children across Hamilton & Halton. “This year’s program was a tremendous success, thanks to the support of our generous community members. Their contributions not only supported the most vulnerable but also assisted our agency partners in meeting the growing demand,” said Brad Park. “We are immensely grateful for the dedication and compassion shown by our community volunteers. This program would not be possible without them.” As a community, it is critical that we acknowledge that the need for social services remains urgent. Over 68% of the 106 United Way-supported programs have reported a substantial surge in demand, underscoring the pressing nature of the challenges faced by our community members. The fact that nearly half of United Way-supported programs currently maintain waitlists highlights the ongoing struggle for individuals and families seeking crucial support.  With the gifts put together – the task now is to deliver them.
For every $4 you donate, an additional $1 will be added to your gift by generous community members and organizations. This amplifies your impact, addressing local challenges, supporting families, and empowering individuals in Halton & Hamilton. Please visit us online to learn more and to donate, www.uwhh.ca. About United Way Halton & Hamilton United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) is committed to leading measurable, impactful change by identifying the most challenging issues in our community, and bringing together people and resources to address those issues. We connect volunteers with local needs, and offer training and operational support to local charities. Along with our network of partners and experts, UWHH conducts research and works with key stakeholders to generate support for the not-for- profit sector. Each dollar raised is invested right back into the community to address the long- term recovery of its vital social safety net. Last year, UWHH helped 143,562 residents across Halton and Hamilton, who relied on 106 United Way-supported programs for life changing services.
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be operate as follows:
To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777.  Levels of transit service Burlington Transit will operate as scheduled over the holidays:
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For real-time bus information and schedules, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.  Downtown Transit Terminal, at 430 John St. Schedule for the Downtown Transit Terminal, at 430 John St:
The Specialized Dispatch is open Wednesday, Dec. 27 – Friday, 29, and Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, and reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles. Halton Court Services Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will operate as follows: • Monday, Dec. 25 – Wednesday, Dec. 27 – closed • Thursday, Dec. 28 – Friday, Dec. 29 – open, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 – closed On days when the court administration counter is open, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at www.paytickets.ca. Parking Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage after 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays, including Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1, 2024. NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays. Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. If you have family and friends staying with you that require street parking, please visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions to register for a parking exemption. Please note: parking exemptions are not valid during declared snow events, to assist with snow removal. Please make an online reservation using Park Pass to visit Lowville Park on weekends. Reservations are free and available in three-hour time slots. Recreation Programs and Facilities Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you over the holiday:
Phone and email service are closed Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1, 2024. Between Dec. 27 – 29, phone and email service hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Dec. 31, the hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cogeco Skating at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond Residents are encouraged to call the ice conditions hotline at 905-335-7738, ext. 8587 before leaving their house, to make sure the pond is open. The free skate lending program at the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond is available Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., and Fridays, from 5 to 10 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays, PA days and holiday school breaks, it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Free skating – Check the link to schedules Tim Hortons Free Skating Thanks to Tim Hortons, Burlington residents can enjoy another holiday season of free skating, from Dec. 23, 2023, to Jan. 6, 2024. A reservation is not needed. Skating is first come, first served until capacity is reached. For dates and locations, visit burlington.ca/timsfreeskate. Drop-In Recreation Programs Swimming, skating, fitness and other drop-in program times vary over the holiday period. Drop in or reserve in advance. For schedules, visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay. Play Equipment Lending Library Holiday ice and gym rentals Outdoor Fun
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
When a $30,000 donation to local food banks is announced – people listen. This donation represents Sylvite’s third consecutive year helping communities meet the challenges they face. The donation will be distributed directly to the communities where Sylvite operates. Each branch will select preferred local food banks, guaranteeing that the contribution directly supports neighbors in need.  In 1983, Hugh Loomans, B.S.A. ’76, purchased Sylvite, a fertilizer distribution business focused primarily on agricultural products, from Alex Henry and Don Rutherford OAC ‘51. Today the company has four divisions: agri services for direct to farmer sales; wholesale agricultural supply; transportation and logistic services across North America; and an industrial chemical division. Now Cassandra is shadowing her father in his role as Sylvite President and CEO. Hugh Loomans, President and CEO of Sylvite, expressed the company’s dedication to making a meaningful impact, sharing, “in our role within the agriculture supply chain, we believe it’s our responsibility to help feed the communities we serve. Supporting the 15 communities where we operate is not just a duty—it’s a privilege. And by doing so, we’re planting seeds for a stronger, more resilient community.” Sylvite is in the business of transporting, warehousing and distribution for the agriculture supply chain.  Sylvite warehouse on Corporate Drive “In a year that saw a 40% rise in visits to Hamilton food banks, with an astonishing 34% of users being completely new to the emergency food network, the demand for assistance can’t be ignored,” highlights Radhika Subramanyan, CEO of Hamilton Food Share. “As we observe a growing need to provide for families in Hamilton, contributions like Sylvite’s are essential—they enhance our capacity, allowing us to meet these challenges head-on.” Emphasizing the vital role of local food banks, Robin Bailey, Executive Director of the Burlington Food Bank, stressed, “As the need for food support continues to rise, it’s essential for local businesses to take action. Even full-time, employed families are grappling with providing the basics. Sylvite’s continued support is rooted in the understanding that every contribution plays a vital role in ensuring food security for those encountering difficulties in our communities.” Sylvite continues to uphold its commitment to the belief that collaborative efforts are vital for fostering positive change within the communities where we operate.
December 19th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
New research from Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute indicates a winemaker’s label signature can supercharge sales and impart value to consumers.  And we thought sniffing the wine was how you learned where the value was! And we thought sniffing the wine was how you learned where the value was!  Brock Professor of Marketing and Consumer Psychology Antonia Mantonakis Brock Professor of Marketing and Consumer Psychology Antonia Mantonakis and University of Ottawa’s Keri Kettle recently published “Look for the Signature: Using Personal Signatures as Extrinsic Cues Promotes Identity-Congruent Behaviour” in the Journal of Business Research. Understanding that humans use signatures when committing themselves to significant obligations such as marriages or mortgages, Mantonakis and Kettle explored whether that same perceived value is reflected in consumer products boasting a signature. The researchers conducted a series of seven studies that looked at how adding a personal signature to in-store signage and product labels affects product evaluations and sales, and examined the identities, affiliations, causal relationships and associations (or disassociations) between consumers and products. “It is an exciting area of study that can be a windfall for businesses, especially winemakers, marketers, advocacy groups and even curious or savvy shoppers,” said Mantonakis. “One of the great factors we found was that businesses needed a strong understanding of their target audiences when making the decision about whether or not to include a signature on their product.” The studies involved monitoring wine sales that highlighted a winemaker signature and sales of the same bottle of wine without the signature. Results demonstrated the presence of a signature can boost sales as much as 500 per cent if an Ontarian is purchasing an Ontario wine.  Taylor MaGee, of Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, examines a wine bottle label. Moreover, bottles of wine with a signature were found to have a higher value in terms of quality compared to the same bottle of wine without a signature. “The signature has its limits though,” Mantonakis said. “While we might see that a signature on a bottle of Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine can drive retail sales for local consumers in Ontario and create positive value associations between consumer and product, it won’t happen for everyone, especially those who are travelling here from elsewhere and may not have a shared identity of being ‘from Ontario.’” The results of the studies help define the relationship between consumers, the value associated with a signature, awareness of product and how a signature can establish or modify value of a product. “Ultimately, our research indicates the effect of adding personal signatures depends more on the identity of the target consumers rather than the identity of the signer,” Mantonakis said, adding businesses should first consider their audience before introducing a signature to any label.
December 18th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON This article came from Canadian Press release; it was written by Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, St. Albert Gazette It was spotted by a Burlington Gazette reader who has been following the discussion in our comments section related to the dissatisfaction many have with the current City Council. Our point here is that community news from our perspective is community being a part of the process. Our hats are off to the reader who passed this along. Are there ways – other than elections to remove members of a municipal Council? The Alberta government dismissed the City of Chestermere’s mayor, half of its councillors, and all three chief administrative officers on Dec. 4. Though rare, the decision wasn’t without precedent. But what exactly does an elected official have to do for the province to step in and remove them? Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said in his decision such interventions should be reserved for cases where the public interest isn’t being served and the municipal government isn’t functioning. In the case of Chestermere, council was dysfunctionally divided. Some felt bullied by the mayor and fellow councillors, councillors irregularly took on administrative tasks, audited financial statements were filed late, and staffers who objected to requests from the mayor or council were reportedly fired, according to a report from a consultant hired by the provincial government.  Burlington City Council minutes before the last Council meeting of the year was adjourned. Look hard for the happy faces. The “irregular, improper and improvident” behaviour of elected officials that costs them their position often comes down to infighting, conflicts of interest, and shockingly bad decision making. told, 62 employees left the organization during the time the city was under review. In 1999, the minister of Municipal Affairs fired the entire 10-member council of the Municipal District of McKenzie. The move was called unprecedented at the time, and the minister cited allegations of mismanagement and infighting as reasons for his unusual intervention. The dismissal of the council followed only four years after council was first granted local autonomy and control over its spending. Prior to 1995, the M.D. of McKenzie had been an improvement district, managed directly by a municipal affairs administrator with a local elected council acting as an advisory board. Now known as MacKenzie County — “the largest county in Canada” — the sprawling area in Northern Alberta includes La Crete, Fort Vermillion, and Zama City. Once council was handed control over its affairs, regional disputes quickly disrupted the administration. “Seldom, if ever, can we recall any situation which parallels that which we found in the M.D. of Mackenzie,” a report commissioned by the provincial government concluded. The report found the council had interfered with administrative decisions, exercised poor leadership, voted in blocs to further one region’s interests, and let ethnic, cultural, and religious differences interfere in decision-making. Members from Mennonite communities in the southern part of the county held half the seats on council, and there were complaints money was disproportionately being spent in the south. Former councillor Bill Fedeyko told the Edmonton Journal members of the council were paying themselves handsomely to attend meetings, hiked taxes, and unjustifiably fired the director of utilities, leading to a pricey settlement.  The feud’s on Burlington City Council have yet to reach the level of the Hatfields and McCoys – still three years left in their term of office. “The biggest thing was that council just couldn’t get along. The bickering was so bad it was just like the Hatfields and the McCoys,” he said. Former municipal affairs minister Danielle Larivee fired three of five Thorhild County councillors in 2016 when they refused to hire a chief administrative officer (CAO) with experience. Municipal affairs had provided a short list of approved administrators for the county to choose from to fill the CAO position. Council instead hired former Conservative MP Brian Storseth, who Larivee said didn’t have the skills or experience needed to do the job. Why was the government sending Thorhild County a vetted list of administrators in the first place? The previous CAO hired by council, at cost of $151,000 per year, also had no qualifications or experience, was a friend of two councillors, and was connected to a group lobbying the council. Poor hiring choices eventually forced the government to intervene but concerns over the performance of council went back years, with 20 per cent of the county’s residents petitioning for an inquiry in 2014. A government-commissioned inspection of council turned up vitriolic and threatening emails, with councillors challenging each other to “settle conflicts outside.” This infighting also contributed to confusing and, at times, contradictory motions being passed.  The demolition failure at Bateman hasn’t been blamed on a janitor – Ministry of Labour is still investigating. Before the councillors were removed, government officials had to step in when the contract to demolish a school was given to a county janitor, who planned to dispose of hazardous materials in an open burn-pit. Not satisfied with how local reporters at the Redwater Review were covering its affairs, council spent $58,000 to bring in the Westlock News. “Elected officials should not use the power of the public purse as a means to control a free media,” the investigators admonished. Alberta introduced The Recall Act in 2022, which allows petitioners to recall MLAs, municipal officials, and school trustees. To recall an official, petitioners need to get 40 per cent of eligible voters in a municipality to sign on within 18 months of an election. The Act was used for the first time this summer in the Village of Ryley to remove Mayor Nik Lee. During Lee’s tenure, the budget 2022 budget jumped from $1.7 million to over $3 million. Lee also charged the village $5,000 for attending meetings in the first two months of 2023. Lee had previously been removed from council in 2021 after being disqualified for not paying his municipal taxes.
December 17th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
Publishing a greeting, a wishing of good health and good fortune is not uncommon. Years ago, I saw a float in the Christmas parade that I’ve never forgotten and want to use that picture again to express my greeting to our readers.  We sometimes lose sight of what the Season is about.
December 16th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
The last meeting of City Council was a reflection of how the year went – not all that well and at several points no one really knew what was going on and wondering – who is running this gong show. It was a Council meeting – these are chaired by the Mayor who traditionally wears the Chain of Office. Mayor Meed Ward was wearing red – but no chain of Office – because she wasn’t in the Council Chamber. The meeting got a late start which was an hour and a half after the scheduled time. There was one delegation in the Council Chamber – waiting to speak. About an hour and a quarter after the scheduled 9:30 am start the delegator was taken to a different location on the ground floor of city hall where she would do her delegation virtually – even though she was in the building. In that hour and a half before the meeting was called to order the A/V technicians were moving from desk to desk around the horse shoe – fiddling with microphones.  Mayor Meed Ward chairing the last 2023 meeting of Council. It did not all that well. At one point Mayor Meed Ward said there were technical problems. Councillors Kearns, Stolte and a little later Councillor Galbraith were gathered around a monitor giggling away at something no one else could see. City Manager Tim Commisso would wander in and out of the Council Chamber. The meeting was eventually called to order, the national anthem was played – but we couldn’t hear the music. When the delegator had completed her delegation she returned to the Council Chamber – except for the Deputy Clerk and the Committee Clerk there wasn’t a single person in the Council Chamber. The City Manager is always in the Chamber when a Council meeting is taking place. There was no public explanation at the time is as to what was going on. There have been problems with the software that handles the web cast – it seemed to have problems every meeting. Quite why the city hasn’t assigned someone to look at the software being used and doing the fixes that are needed is something people can only complain about. City Council did not end the year on a high note. Related news story.
December 16th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
 Joe Gaetan As I see it, there are two great advantages to zoom meetings. One, you do not have to leave your home. Two, you can avoid the hassle of driving, commuting and parking, and the time taken to and fro, from home to work. The “piece de resistance” to zooming is you can attend in your jammies or take a bathroom break while not missing a thing. Hopefully doing so with both the mic muted and the camera turned off. However according to a peer reviewed study conducted by Stanford University, zooming for hours- on-end comes with zoom fatigue and psychological consequences. Following are the four causes of zoom fatigue: 1 Excessive Eye Contact. Zoomers experience an unnatural amount of eye contact during zoom meetings as “everyone is looking at everyone all the time”. This is in contrast to traditional meetings where there are different things to focus upon. 2 Constantly Seeing Yourself. While some people may enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror, the study points out that, “it is unnatural to see yourself at all times when speaking to another person”. 3 Reduction Of Mobility. Unless you’re sitting on a treadmill while zooming, zoom calls “unnaturally reduce people’s mobility by forcing them to stay within a certain field of view”. But not, if you zoom-attend with your cell phone. Cell zooming allows you to take a walkabout, or nature break. Hopefully Fido or Felix is not annoyed by you invading their space. 4 Higher Cognitive Load. According to the study, people should be concerned about this as, “natural nonverbal cues such as gestures and body language are difficult to interpret during video calls which means the brain has to work harder to send and receive signals. Council as the adjourn for the last meeting of 2023 – all by Zoom Is there a case for zoom calls, YES. Should they be used all the time, NO. Is zooming abused by some organizations or attendees, PROBABLY. What about elected people, should they zoom, WITHIN REASON, and if they ask you if they can “zoom meet you” when campaigning for your vote. Source: Search Engine Journal, Matt G Southern Feb 27,2021, www.searchenginejournal.com
December 15th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
The Greater Toronto Area isn’t exactly known for being an affordable place to buy a home, and Burlington is no exception. But an upcoming condo development is looking to bring more affordability to the area. Planned for 490 Plains Road East, NORTHSHORE is a mid-size condo development from National Homes, rising eight storeys in height and bringing 153 new residential units to the Aldershot area. Plains Road has seen a revitalization of sorts in recent years, thanks in large part to its proximity to the GO train and its accessibility to both the waterfront and downtown. But with the average home in Burlington selling for over $1M — and the average condo going for roughly $725K — prices aren’t exactly affordable for many would-be buyers. Enter: National Homes, who are hopeful that the upcoming NORTHSHORE project can help bridge the gap by offerings one-bedroom units starting at $499,990.
As is to be expected, prices will vary from unit to unit, depending on size, number of bedrooms, features, and the like, but Pantalone says about 70% of the condos at NORTHSHORE will be less than $700K — markedly below the average Burlington condo price. Although there’s certainly demand for it, units at this price point are often difficult to pull off, due to high land costs all across the GTA. “Unless someone has owned the land for a long time and is sitting on land holdings, then yes, I could see it, but to come into the market today and to buy land, and be able to come out of that price point, I think will be challenging,” Pantalone added. National Homes acquired the Plains Road East property — currently occupied by a one-storey commercial plaza — more than five years ago, when prices were significantly lower than in today’s market. Now with the plans complete for their sleek, modern build, they’re ready to get the ball rolling with pre-construction sales launching in the spring. Those who do buy at NORTHSHORE will have access to a slew of amenities, including a large fitness room, a party room, a kids’ play area, and a co-working space, to accommodate those who work remotely. Outside, there will be a parkette, and up on the roof, a large terrace overlooking the Burlington Golf Course and Lake Ontario. “We have unobstructed views to the south, which is going to be beautiful,” Pantalone said. On the ground floor of the development will be some retail space, which Pantalone says they plan to lease to services that will benefit the building’s residents, like a coffee shop. With its more accessible prices, Pantalone hopes that NORTHSHORE will be able to provide housing to older homeowners looking to downsize and first-time buyers alike. “We’re looking at the first-time homebuyer that has lived in Burlington their whole life and doesn’t want to commute or doesn’t want to leave the community that they grew up in, and now has an opportunity to buy at an affordable price.”
December 16th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
On July 1st of this year the province gave many Mayors the right to use what were called Strong Mayor powers. A Mayor does not have to use these powers, which are pretty blunt. To date Mayor Meed Ward has used the powers on 13 occasions. Numbers 4 to 8 are set out below. Numbers 1 to 3 were published earlier – a link to them is set out below. Four, five and six have the Mayor passing the bylaws – this is what a City Council does, with Strong Mayor powers a Mayor can declare a bylaw is passed – the one proviso is that the Mayor must inform the public in writing. The two decisions that raise concerns are seven and eight. They turn the Standing Committee structure the city had on its head. For those involved in what takes place at city hall – pay attention.
Decision # 4  No one saw this coming. What was a victory signal the night Marianne Meed Ward was elected Mayor morphed into something few expected. Mayoral decision Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001, I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby approve the following by-laws passed at the Burlington City Council meeting of September 26, 2023 in accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001: • All by-laws enacted under Motion to Approve By-laws (Council Agenda item 21) Dated at Burlington, this 26th day of September 2023. Decision # 5 Mayoral decision Decision # 6 Mayoral decision Decision # 7 Mayoral decision Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with subsection 226.6 of the Act, I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby establish a Committee of the Whole Committee of the Whole Community Planning, Regulation & Mobility a) Matters under the jurisdiction of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility including; Community Planning, Building, By-law Compliance, Transit, and Transportation departments; b) Public hearings pursuant to the Planning Act, RSO 1990, c. P.13, as amended; c) Matters arising from the following boards and advisory committees: Aldershot BIA Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services a) Matters under the jurisdiction of the Environment, Infrastructure and b) Matters arising from the following boards, committees and advisory committees: Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee (BMC) Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability a) Matters under the jurisdiction of the City Manager’s Office, Office of the City Clerk, Corporate Communications and Engagement, Strategy, Risk b) All public meetings under the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 27; c) Burlington Strategic Plan and Vision to Focus workplan; d) Matters arising from the following board and advisory committee: Burlington Hydro Electric Inc. (SHEi) II. Composition Ill. Reporting Budget Committee II. Composition Ill. Reporting Decision # 8 Mayoral decision Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act); and Effective January 1, 2024, in accordance with subsection 226.6 of the Act, I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby appoint the following Councillors as rotating chairs of Committee of the Whole and Budget Committee for remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Council as established by report MO-03-22: ** Chair changes are bolded, they align the Deputy Mayor of Strategy and Budgets portfolio to the Chair of Budget, with subsequent position changes to ensure equity.  What were Standing Committee chairs are now “section” chairs. Committee of the Whole
Committee of the Whole – Corporate Services Strategy Risk & Accountability Regular Agenda Budget Committee
 Mayor Meed Ward has decided she is going to do it all. Relayed news story:
December 16th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON
A new Christmas classic? An alternative take on a seasonal classic. You can decide for yourself. Joan didn’t do the re-write – it was written for Saturday Night Live, the TV show – she puts her own voice to the words.  Joan Krygsman My number one local music talent has put a really funny version of Santa Baby out there for all to enjoy. Treat yourself to hearing Joan Krygsman CLICK HERE
December 15th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON After years of unpredictability, the Canadian housing market may find some sense of normalcy in 2024. And with it, higher prices. According to Royal LePage’s Market Survey Forecast, the aggregate price of a home in Canada will reach $843,684 in Q4 2024, a 5.5% annual increase. At the same time, the median price of a single-family home will rise 6% year over year to $879,164, while the median price of a condo will jump 5% to $616,140. The forecast brings home prices back in line with the pandemic peak seen in Q1 2022. However, as the increase will have taken place gradually over nearly three years, it won’t deliver the same affordability shock as 2021’s price run up did. The majority of the price appreciation will be seen in the second half of 2024 — modest quarterly increases of less than 1% are expected in Q1 and Q2. Meanwhile, quarterly increases of 2.3% and 1.7% are forecast for Q3 and Q4, respectively.
Aggregate price forecast –Royal LePage graphic The prediction is based on the assumption that the Bank of Canada has finished raising interest rates, and will hold the key lending rate at its current 5% through the first half of next year. Royal Lepage expects will begin in the late summer or fall, pushing home prices up. While part of the market that will materialize in 2024 can be chalked up the the resumption of seasonal ebbs and flows — a winter hibernation, a springtime rush — there will also be what Phil Soper, the President and CEO of Royal LePage, calls the “great adjustment.” “In 2024, Canadians will adjust to the fact that we’re not going to see really low interest rates again anytime soon. Those 2% five-year mortgages [won’t return] maybe in most current people’s home buying lifetime,” Soper told STOREYS. “We don’t believe that a large cut to interest rates is necessary to get the market going again, because we believe that the biggest impediment to sales transactions right now is psychological, not structural. It’s not that people can’t transact, it’s that they believe that the home they’re buying will be cheaper tomorrow.” “But we believe that once there is even a small, call it a 25-basis-point reduction, in interest rates, that even the most conservative of buyers will realize that the rising rate environment is truly over, that it won’t sneak up on them again and depress home prices, and that home prices are likely to rise again.” With that acceptance, buyer’s pent-up demand will be unleashed. Amidst Canada’s worsening housing crisis, that demand will outweigh supply, putting upward pressure on prices. On a local level, Calgary is expected to see the greatest price appreciation of any major Canadian market for the second year running. The aggregate price of a home will increase 8% annually in Q4, to $711,612. The Greater Toronto Area is forecast to follow with a 6% annual increase, bringing the aggregate home price to $1,198,012 in Q4. Although Greater Vancouver will only see a 3% annual increase, the city’s aggregate home price of $1,281,732 will help it maintain its position as Canada’s most expensive market. Halifax, Regina, and Winnipeg are also expected to see prices rise 3% year over year in Q4, while Edmonton, Ottawa, and the Greater Montreal Area will experience annual price jumps of 4% to 5%. “It’s definitely a risk that a cut to interest rates will unleash an uncomfortably large amount of pent up demand,” Soper said. “But that’s why I believe the bank will be very modest and methodical in its cuts. “That should hopefully allow for a more gradual increase to normal transaction levels, and a return to mid-single-digit home price appreciation, which is a healthy long-term affordability level.”
December 15th, 2023 BURLINGTON, ON OPINION There is something just a little odd about how City Manager has been treated by City Council and how he has reacted to decision Council made about the job he does. Council hires just one person: the City Manager. The City Manager delegates the authority he has to other senior staff members. Earlier this year Council went into a CLOSED session and did a review of his performance. The only the public heard was a comment Tim Commisso made about feeling very humble with the way the review went adding that the job of City Manager for Burlington is one of the most satisfying in his career is as a municipal civil servant. Sometime after the review the public was told that Commisso was being given a salary increase – something in the order of an additional $60,000+ a year.  Tim Commisso accepted an invitation for a cup of coffee with newly elected Mayor Meed Ward and ended up accepting an appointment as interim City Manager that was confirmed by a basically newbie City Council. Councillor Sharman had worked with Commisso in the past.
What was very surprising was the announce weeks later from Tim Commisso that he was not going to seek an extension of his contract? Huh! He gets a substantial raise and weeks later says he won’t be sticking around for much longer. What brought about the change of heart?  Both Mayor Meed Ward and City Manager Tim Commisso went native as they danced through the streets of Itabashi in Japan. Somewhere along the way the relationship between the Mayor and the City Manager changed. Anyone with any senior executive responsibility would look askance at a situation like this. So far – no one is talking. In time the real story leaks out and we will pass it along when we get it. What we can say at this point in time is that this is not a healthy Human Resources situation 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.
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After considerable effort on their part they have managed to arrange a meeting with senior staff members.
The meeting is to try to resolve significant complaints affecting city and council transparency and accountability, with a financial impact of millions of public resources.
On December 12, 2023, MPAC – Municipal Property Assessment Corporation – delivered the 2023 assessment roll to municipalities across Ontario and shared insights on how Ontario’s property landscape changed this year.
Ontario’s property inventory grew by more than $42 billion through new construction and property improvements in 2023. Residential homes, including condominiums, accounted for more than $31 billion of this increase, while commercial and industrial properties contributed more than $6 billion, which is an increase of 31.5 per cent from 2022.
The Chamber Board meets approximately 6-8 times per year with additional board subcommittee participation. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce board of directors is appointed annually at the Annual General meeting. The directors shall hold office for a term of one year to a maximum of six terms.
It is not too late to make a difference. This year, we urge you to consider giving to United Way Halton & Hamilton. Whether you’ve been giving for years or are considering your first gift, now is the time to join this journey and create lasting change. And this year, your gift holds even more power with our Local Love Community Match.
“The demographic research that we did showed, obviously, a lack of supply in the market for more affordable product,” said Jason Pantalone, President and CEO of National Homes. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve been focusing on transit-oriented development at affordable price points, so when we saw this opportunity become available, we were intrigued.”
There was no detail on how this came about. Did the Mayor invite Tim in for coffee and tell him that he was going to get an additional 60 big ones each year? Did they send him an email? Did the Director of Human Resources advise him?
