 By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
She doesn’t tap dance and despite the view of some in the city she doesn’t walk on water but she does sing.
Few people know that Marianne Meed Ward was trained as an opera singer – you didn’t see that in the campaign literature did you?
She will not be appearing on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre but do look for her appearance in a future edition of Smart Car Coffee Confidential – the road show (literally) that James Burchill has been running on his web site and with Cogeco TV.
 She’s an opera singer – who knew? Last fall Burchill had all four Mayoralty candidates in his car – Meed Ward was miles ahead of the others in the way she came across. She does know media.
In a conversation over lunch Burchill and I talked about what he would do next and mention of Her Worship came up – “why not put her back in the car – she’s great media – your audience will love it”, I suggested.
Burchill, who knows a sharp angle when he sees one, followed the lead and put the following on his LinkedIn page.
Since the then Councillor (now Mayor of Burlington,) Marianne Meed Ward and I filmed her Smartcar Coffee Confidential episode, we’ve been repeatedly asked when we’d make good on our promise to get together and sing.
Remember, Marianne is a classically trained opera singer! I can just about carry a tune, so this should be interesting. Anyway, I’m pleased to announce the stars (and calendars) have aligned and we’re set to film our repeat performance in late July. So if you see my little black Smartcar roaming around Burlington, with the Mayor and I belting out show tunes (or maybe some Neil Young,) just know we’re having fun, and you’ll be able to catch Mayor Meed Ward’s repeat performance on Season 2 of the Smartcar Coffee Confidential – coming later this summer both online and Cogeco’s YourTV.
This will be a “must watch” event. Could it lead to a part in a Performing Arts Centre event?
If you want to watch Meed Ward’s election performance in the front seat of a very small car – CLICK HERE
 By Staff
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They are just taking care of business – their business not mine and they have nothing to do with PayPal, a service we use frequently.
We got the following
Greetings from PayPal Customer Support.
Please be advised that we will deactivate the access of your account/s in PayPal if we don’t hear any actions from you.
It’s usually pretty easy to take care of things like this. Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest purchases. You can verify your account at https://paypal.com/
These communication channels are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thank you for your time with us!
The PayPal Inc Customer Support Team
Now look at the address the message came from.
That is not the url for PayPal.
Remember that cardinal rule – If in doubt – don’t. In the world of the internet – be ever vigilant.
By Pepper Parr
July 2nd, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette got a note from a reader alerting us to plans on the part of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to advocate for the abolishing of the Local Planning Act Tribunal (LPAT), formerly the Ontario Municipal Board.
Meed Ward is part of the Large Urban Mayor’s Caucus of Ontario and is reported to be in talks with her colleagues there on bringing something forward. The Gazette is advised that: “To date, no motion has come before a Burlington committee or council.”
The Mayor’s office did say that she had “released a statement regarding the passing of the Province’s Bill 108 where she references her feelings towards the old Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) rules being reinstated under LPAT.
We asked a number of people what they thought of the move to lead the cry for the end of LPAT – got this from someone who has experienced with the Mayor who said: “MMW is putting herself in the front ranks of the Ford antagonists. We’ll see where that takes her and for how long.”
 Expect to see more of our Mayor traveling in different circles. Two things are happening. The Mayor would like to see an end to provincial involvement in municipal matters; she is in the process of building a profile beyond the boundaries of the city.
The breakout year for the Mayor will be 2026 or 2027. You heard it here first.
Stay tuned.
 By Staff
July 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
With nice weather it is one of the best ways to spend a day outdoors and enjoy what the Burlington waterfront has to offer – Celebrating Canada’s birthday at Spencer Smith Park
The Canadian Tire Burlington Store is the main sponsor.
Marking the nation’s 152nd anniversary of confederation, the City of Burlington’s Canada Day will officially kick off at 4 p.m. with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and remarks from special guests, including the Mayor of Itabashi, Burlington’s twin city, Mr. Takeshi Sakamoto.
 The day ends with a magnificent fire works display. The Citizenship Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the gazebo.
Entertainment on the main stage will include:
• Bharatham Academy of Indian Dance at 2:30 p.m.
• Opening ceremonies featuring Burlington Teen Tour Band and Japanese Taiko and Music Group at 4 p.m.
• White Pine Dancers at 5:30 p.m.
• Symphony on the Bay at 7 p.m.
• Guitarist Johannes Linstead at 8:30 p.m.
• Fireworks presented by BUNZL at 10 p.m.
Fun activities planned in the park include:
• Yoga by the Pier at 9 a.m.
• Canada Day 5k at 10 a.m.
• Citizenship Ceremony at 1 p.m.
 They are becoming Canadian citizens. The ceremony today will take place at the Gazebo. Numerous other event highlights include: stilt walkers, face painters, hair artists, giant inflatables, sampling booths, great food, vendors and lots of true Canadian spirit!
Free Canada Day Shuttle
Downtown parking is in high demand during this event. Residents are encouraged to consider other transportation options such as cycling, walking, car pooling or Burlington Transit.
A fully accessible, free shuttle service will run from 2 to 11 p.m. The shuttle will make stops at the Burlington GO Station (north side) and travel to the downtown bus terminal. Free bike parking will be available near the Waterfront Hotel for cyclists to secure their bikes.
For more information, visit burlington.ca/canadaday, follow @BurlEvents on Twitter or call the Festivals and Events Office at 905-335-7600, ext. 7422.
Other Canada Day Activities
The city’s outdoor pool locations are open for unlimited access to recreational swimming for only $4.40 per person; $3.05 after 5 p.m.
Hours for Canada Day are as follows:
• Nelson Pool – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• LaSalle Splash Park – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mountainside Pool 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All seven of the City’s spray pad locations are open and always free. For more information, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, believed to be a citizen of both Canada and the United States will tell you that: “We have so much to be thankful for in Canada. We have the greatest nation, the greatest people and now, the greatest basketball team! I look forward seeing everyone celebrate our country together in Burlington on Canada Day.”
 By Staff
July 1st, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The invitation says it all.
You can skip the dignitaries and tour the station. allow an hour – there is tonnes of stuff to see.
On Fairview just west of Brant – beside the Fire Station.
By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the sort of thing you can set your watch by – you just know it is going to happen.
 Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. These days he is boasting, deservedly, about the Region’s high credit rating. At least once a year, twice if he can squeeze in two of them, Regional Chair Gary Garr boasts about the Region’s credit rating. We have seen him boast that it was better than that of the United States – which isn’t hard to do these days.
This time Carr tells us that: “On June 13, 2019, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its top credit rating for Halton Region. Their research summary praises the Region’s strong leadership, fiscal policies and budgetary performance while confirming a stable outlook for the future.
“This is the second top credit rating we have earned this year, and both S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service have indicated a high level of confidence in our financial planning and decision-making,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “As we prepare to implement our new Strategic Business Plan, this distinction will allow us to support ongoing investments in infrastructure while ensuring top value for taxpayer dollars. We are proud to have earned this distinction yet again.”
 “Maintaining a top credit rating minimizes long-term infrastructure capital financing costs by providing Halton and its Local Municipalities with continued access to the best capital financing rates available. As a result, public funds go further when invested in Regional works—such as road, water and wastewater projects—that help improve essential services in the community.
“The research summary profiled the following credit strengths as the rationale for S&P’s decision:
 • very strong and well-diversified economy integrated within the GTA with consistent growth;
• very strong financial management with well-defined, prudent and conservative financial policies, well-documented financial plan and stable and well-qualified management team;
• very strong and stable budget performance, very low debt burden and very low contingent liabilities; and
• exceptional internal liquidity support, access to external liquidity for refinancing needs and very robust internal cash flow generation capability.
S&P also cites Halton’s track record of successfully implementing its budgets and strategic plans, and indicates they expect the Region will continue to make prudent fiscal decisions moving forward.
The Region has maintained top credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings (AAA) since 2002 and Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) since 1989—a successful track record of more than 30 years. Earning this distinction from both agencies each year is a key objective of Halton’s annual Budget and Business Plan.
 Regional Chair Gary Carr, Burlington then Mayor Rick Goldring and Councillors Blair Lancaster and John Taylor meeting with an audience of more than 600 people at the Mainway Recreation centre – on an evening when it rained. What many people don’t realize is that when a municipality has to go to the public markets for long term funds – the debenture is written by the Region – the municipalities ride the coat tails that Carr boasts about.
He has every reason to be proud. Carr has worked for decades to ensure that the Region is a safe place to live by ensuring the police have the funds they need to keep the streets safe and works even harder to ensure that the reserves at the municipal level are sound.
Carr doesn’t have any direct power over a municipal budget but if he sees it getting a little wobbly he will show up at a critical meeting.
 By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
There are loads of things to do on Canada Day – the Royal Botanical Garden wants you to come to your senses and literally “smell the roses” all 3,300 of the things in the RBG property.
The RBG is celebrating Canada Day weekend with a flourish of colour and asking visitors to “come to their senses” by experiencing roses in bloom, guided tours and live entertainment.
 Canadian shield rose  A little late, but worth the wait, RBG’s new Rose Garden is starting to show off some brilliant colour in Hendrie Park. With many hardy, disease resistant and re-blooming varieties surrounded by companion plants, there will be flowers in the garden all summer long. Beneath these beneficial plant pairings is a trickle irrigation system. Deep roots, combined with a consistently maintained layer of mulch, means less artificial watering which promotes an eco-friendly approach.
“RBG is thrilled to present the first full season of roses in this beautiful new garden,” said RBG Head of Horticulture, Jim Mack. “Much like our rejuvenated Rock Garden, the new Rose Garden embraces new designs and techniques that reflect a more modern, environmentally conscious approach to growing roses. One that people can implement in their home garden.”
 Rose garden layout Highlights of the garden include approximately 3, 300 roses displaying 300 different cultivated varieties, 4, 500 companion plants and many new enhancements to the garden landscape. This includes upgraded pathways, fences, gazebos and lighting as well as renovations to the Turner Pavilion Teahouse that overlooks the new garden. Education elements include an array of interpretive signs, including the “story of roses” display, teaching visitors about the history of roses.
 The Dreamboats: “They just ripped the whole place up! Their energy and level of fun was off the scale. The crowd reaction was phenomenal – we have not seen anything like it before. Weekend highlights include the Escarpment Train Exhibit in the historic Rock Garden, Bonsai Society Exhibit at RBG Centre, guided tours, and educational experiences at the Discovery Cart. Canada Day entertainment includes face painting by Picasso Painters and performances by The Dreamboats.
Royal Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in Canada, a National Historic Site, and registered charitable organization with a mandate to bring together people, plants and nature.
 You can’t cover the Royal Botanical Gardens in a single day. Maybe in a weekend. Weekend Schedule
June 29 to July 1
Saturday and Sunday
Bonsai Society Spring Exhibit
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; RBG Centre
Discover Alliums
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Guide Tour: Rock Garden
1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
11 a.m.; Rock Garden
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Escarpment Train Exhibit
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Discover Pollination
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Pollinator Power
11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Guided Tour: Come to Your Senses
1 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Sunday
Guided Tour: History of Hendrie Park Heritage Walk
11 a.m.; Hendrie Park
FREE Back to Nature Hike
10 a.m.; Rock Chapel Trailhead
Monday
Entertainment: Picasso Painters
(face painting)
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Rock Garden
Entertainment: The Dreamboats
(vocal quartet)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 By Pepper Parr
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Monday morning, Canada Day, all seven members of city council are going to start their day at 8:30 am for what one member called a “full court press”. Everyone has something they are expected to cover said one member of Council.
 At this point this Council is working as a group. Several describe the Mayor as “very political” but they appear to be comfortable with her approach.
Five of the seven are still getting their footing. We are seeing the strengths in some and the difficulty others are having getting a grip on the job they have.
 It was the highlight of their lives – the challenge is for them to make a real difference. They now have a city manager that they are all more than content with.
When you look at the comments they place on their Facebook pages – they are identical – word for word. Almost as if someone directed them what to say.
They are working quite well as a team but are still working out some of the plays. What we are not seeing is the rancour and the dismissiveness that was so prevalent in the previous council.
Time for a closer look at the individual council members and their performances. After the holidays.
–
 By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service warns the public about an increase in the number of shoulder surfing/distraction-style thefts in the region and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects.
On June 10, 2019 a victim was shopping at an LCBO in Burlington.
 
  Two suspects were in line behind the victim and managed to observe his personal identification number as he attempted to pay. After following the victim to the parking lot, they engaged him in conversation about dropping some cash while at the store. The male suspect then put the “found” money into the victim’s wallet and walked away.
The victim returned home later discovered his financial cards had been stolen and contacted police. The suspects immediately used the financial cards in Halton and Peel region to make cash advances and retail purchases. The loss is estimated to be $13,000.
Suspect One: Male, olive complexion, 30-35 years, 5’6-5’7, medium build, 180 lbs, black beard. Wearing a purple T-Shirt, jeans, tan baseball cap.
Suspect Two: Male, olive complexion, 35-40 years, 5’8-5’9, heavy build, 220 lbs, glasses. Wearing black pants, blue and white stripped T-Shirt, light blue baseball cap.
If you are able to identify the above two suspects or have any other information please contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Police are reminding the public to make efforts to protect their (PIN) Personal Identification Number for their financial cards when making payments at merchants and using Automated Teller Machines.
Several different suspects have been approaching victims in retail parking lots and using some method of distraction theft to engage the victim in conversation such as: returning money the victim allegedly dropped, looking for the hospital or some vehicle mechanical issue. The suspects then either pick pocket the victim’s financial cards or steal their wallets from their vehicles while the victim is distracted. When the theft is completed, the suspects then have the victim’s financial cards with the matching Personal Identification Number and proceed to make fraudulent purchases using the stolen financial cards.
Quality video cameras produce useful photographs – well worth the investment.
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Staff
June 27th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
You Have One Security Message From RBC Online Services Center said the email headline.
The message said:
You will need to download the attached document file to proceed with the review process.
Your attachments are saved to your computer in the default download location set by your browser. Open the file and follow the instructions to complete your renewal.
Thank you for your business and we welcome any feedback or questions you may have.
Best wishes,
Patrick Smith, Business Security Operator
There are thousands of people out there sending these phony message – we don’t deal with the Royal Bank so we knew it was a scam. But for those who do deal with the Royal – how do they know the message is phony?
Look very carefully at who the message was sent from:
That is not the Royal Bank.
Related news story:
City gets hit with a $500,000 + computer scam.
 By Pepper Parr
June 27, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Trevor Copp has been directing his take on various Shakespeare plays at the RBG Rock Garden for the past five years.
The plays are done outdoors and are skimpy when it comes to the stage set. The backdrops are usually trees bathed in different colours of light.
 Trevor Copp There is a certain whimsy to the way Copp takes to something Shakespeare wrote. His direction is something to watch – you see his cast coming to the script as they work through the rehearsal sessions.
 Claudia Spadafora will direct Twelfth Night at the RBG Rock Garden Shakespeare on the Rock veteran actor Claudia Spadafora will be taking the helm of this year’s production – ‘To be seen or not to be seen’.
Shipwrecked twins, a lovesick duke and a self-important servant walk the runway in the ultimate Miami 80s fashion showdown of desire. Shakespeare’s masterpiece of misdirected desire gets the Vogue culture makeover in this comedy classic.
What does all that mean? Here’s Claudia to let us in:
Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, packed with mistaken identity, romance, farce, and a spirit of rebellion to rival 1980s Miami Beach nightlife.
 Twelfth Night follows an ensemble cast of clowns and lovers alike, all attempting to navigate courtship, relationships, and a few actual ships. At its core, the play is about looking for a life partner and finding yourself instead, often in the darkest and most bewildering of places. Given this description, this version is inspired by one of the darkest and most bewildering places we can think of; a nightclub. This is a space where young people- not unlike the ones Shakespeare was writing- take chances, experiment with self-expression, and show a side of them self they may not reveal in the light of day.
We’ve all been there – or are there – so why not put Shakespeare’s characters there too?
Show will run August 13-31, Weeknights (no shows Saturday or Sundays) at 7pm.
Each performance will include a 20 minute intermission for audiences to enjoy the beautiful Rock Gardens free with their tickets.
CLICK HERE FOR TIX
By Pepper Parr
June 27th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Official Plan, one of the most misunderstood documents the city relies on – it is a dynamic document that is expected to react to changes taking place in the community and the wishes of the residents. The document is required to react to development proposals.
The Planning Act allows anyone with a development idea to approach the city’s Planning department and pitch them on making changes to the Official Plan and the zoning in place on a property.
The Planning department advises the developer but the developer still has the right to file an application which staff then have to issue a recommendation on that goes to city council for a yes or a no. And if the developer doesn’t like the response they get from city council they can appeal to the Local Planning Act Tribunal.
That’s the way the system works.
During 2018 the then city council approved a new city plan. Much of the public didn’t like the new plan – and it became the issue the October election was fought over.
A ward Councillor, Marianne Meed Ward, challenged the Mayor – won the Chain of office and set out to right what she thought was wrong.
The Regional government, which had to approve the new Official Plan chose not to approve what the city had submitted – so the plan had to be re-worked. The Region gave the new Mayor a gift telling her that the city could make other changes in the document – that they weren’t limited to fixing the few really minor problems the Region found.
That was all the new Mayor needed. She told the Planning department to get rid of the Grow BOLD approach they had taken to development and to re-work the plan.
How is that going so far?
Here is the time line and the numerous steps, hoops and hurdles that have to be dealt with.
 Completing the re-examination of the Official Plan that was approved by the city but not approved by the Region is rubbing up against the Interim Control Bylaw that is in place for a year. Getting a new plan is place is a serious challenge.  Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns told a constituents meeting last week that “Work is underway with our consultant based on the terms of reference presented on May 21st. The terms of reference were developed at a March 18th workshop; the Official Plan direction to conduct the study was given on February 7th.”
They have their marching orders and by now the Planning department knows where this council wants to go.
Let’s see how this works out.
By Pepper Parr
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The cheek, the nerve.
The man manages to get himself bounced out of his job – with a healthy settlement package in his wallet and all the costs of getting out of town paid for by the taxpayers – and maybe even a bit of a capital gain on the property he owned.
Then he tweets on how nice life is in his new home town.
The tweet is set out below – you might want to follow James Ridge and his experiences
 James Ridge and Penny Hersh had a contemptuous relationship. It looks as if it will continue even though Ridge is no longer on the reservation.  Being able to rent a bike for a short term need. While Ridge was in Burlington there was talk of putting together a deal to include Burlington in the Hamilton social bike operation where cycles could be rented at one point and dropped off at another location.
Hasn’t happened so far.
By Pepper Parr
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
 The development will be the first of the really high rise buildings in the downtown core. All the hubbub over what should be done with Civic Square is going to amount to a little less than a hill of beans once construction on The Gallery – the 24 storey development that has been approved for the north east corner of Brant and James.
The developer has applied for and been given Shoring and Excavation permits and expect to begin the demolition of the building sometime in the late summer.
The day the first back hoe digs into the existing structure could well be the beginning of a five year time frame for a continuous run of construction work on Brant Street.
 When completed the building will be the beginning of the change in the downtown core – until then it will be havoc for people who live and shop in the area. Imagine Sound of Music on a construction site. The proposed development for the south east corner of the intersection has been approved for 17 floors – the developers of that project want the same as The Gallery – 24 floors. They have appealed to the Local Planning Act Tribunal. Those who watch this process carefully can’t see any way for the city to hold the development at 17 floors – which is what most of the previous city council was prepared to live with.
 By Staff
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A nomination meeting to elect the New Democratic candidate for the 2019 federal election will be held:
Saturday, 13 July 2019, 2pm – 4pm
B&B Taps and Grill, 2020 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7R 4G8
The Grill is inside the Waterfront Hotel
Registration: 1:30pm – 2pm
Keynote Address: 2pm
Voting (if necessary): 3pm
 Lenaee Dupuis. Currently, the only confirmed nomination is Lenaee Dupuis. If no other nomination is confirmed, an election will not be necessary.
In addition to the nomination, we will also have the pleasure of having Terence Kernaghan, MPP London North Centre, to give a talk on the excitement of local campaigns.
In order to vote in a nomination election, you must:
1. Be a member in good standing with the NDP as of 30 days prior to the nomination meeting.
(14 June 2018)
2. Live in the provincial riding of Burlington.
Refreshments and light appetizers will be provided.
 By Ray Rivers
June 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
“In the end, Trudeau’s Carbon Tax takes money out of your pockets and puts it into the government’s coffers.” (Andrew Scheer – ‘A Real Plan’ – June 19, 2019)
It is disappointing to see a major political leader be so disingenuous. An error of omission? No it is a deliberate deception because he must know that the money from the federal carbon tax mostly ends up in people’s pockets, not the government coffers. The federal carbon tax is as revenue neutral as it gets.
 Andrew Scheer; Leader of the Opposition. And Andrew Scheer’s new “A Real Plan” is best described as taking Canada back to business as it used to be under former PM Stephen Harper. Indeed there are some decent ideas in the document. Still it is pretty much yesterday, highly partisan and was clearly intended for use during the upcoming federal election.
Climate change is only one part of the plan and there is speculation that this vague plan might even lead to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, rather than reductions. So it is comforting to see that Scheer has at least endorsed the current federal 30% emissions reduction target, which was originally penned by his former leader, Stephen Harper.
Scheer, in his preamble to his plan notes the contributions of previous Conservative governments to the environment. Though it is confusing to see Mr. Harper given credit for net declines of greenhouse gas emissions between 2007 and 2015. After all Ontario’s Doug Ford, who wasn’t even in office then, is claiming the rest of Canada has gone up by 3% since 2005 while Ontario fell by an impressive 22%. And that was because of McGuinty and Wynne, not Harper.
Scheer, along with those provincial Conservative premiers who now populate most provinces in the country, have shunned market based solutions (carbon taxation) and the role of individuals in fighting climate change. Instead they are looking to industry to do the heavy lifting by inventing and implementing some kind of green technology – which will magically reduce emissions.
The Conservatives have also dusted off an old Chretien Liberal homeowner energy saving program, cancelled by Harper. And there are subsidies and tax holidays and reductions promised, but no roadmap as to how all of these pieces will come together to meet Canada’s emissions target.
 Andrew Scheer Scheer has also suggested Canada might partly meet its emissions target by exporting natural gas to developing nations which are currently burning coal, although it is not clear that will be allowed under the Paris Agreement. And didn’t Mr. Harper scoff every time the Chretien Liberals raised the idea of international emissions credits in connection with the Kyoto Protocol?
Will tinkering around the edges be enough? Shouldn’t we be considering what gets produced in addition to how things are produced? For example, what about the necessary shift from petroleum to electric vehicles (EV)? With no carbon tax and no EV rebate how does Scheer motivate people to make the transition to more environmentally friendly transport? That is huge hole in his plan.
Carbon is intrinsic to fossil fuels. The only way to avoid GHG emissions from it is to avoid using the fossil fuels. Ultimately the petroleum industry will need to wind up operations and just plain shut down for the good of the planet. Finance Minister Morneau said as much, speaking frankly to industry captains at the Economic Club in Calgary just days after the Trudeau government had approved completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Now that takes guts. But not Andrew Scheer. He was elected from Saskatchewan and winding down the energy sector is not in his cards or part of his philosophy. But maybe he doesn’t get it or doesn’t want to get it. Maybe Kim Campbell had a point in her remarks about how some people still see the climate issue.
 Andrew Scheer Only days earlier, just ahead of the Trans Mountain announcement in fact, Parliament passed a motion declaring that Canada was facing a national climate emergency. This was inspired by the recent report that Canada is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world. And to bring the point home over 40 of Canada’s top scientists had projected Canadians will end up with 10 times as many deadly heat waves and twice as many extreme rainstorms.
Of course that was the day of the Raptors big party in Toronto, so Elizabeth May was the only party leader in the House. But still, the motion passed by a three to one majority, though Mr. Bernier’s People’s Party and the Conservatives voted against it. And that probably says all we need to know about Mr. Scheer and his ‘A Real Plan’.
But don’t take my word, just ask former PM Kim Campbell.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
A Real Plan – A Perspective – Increase Emission –
More Real Plan – Morneau – Climate Change Emergency
Doug Ford’s Claim – Kim Campbell –
By Staff
June 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
A little more help and the Regional Police should be able to close this file.
As a result of the news coverage media was able to give the police located and arrested and released. Formal charges are pending while the investigation continues.
 Two suspects approaching the Brant street doors of city hall  Two suspects walking away from the front door of the Brant Street entrance of city hall. The two suspects who were captured on video cameras outside city hall have yet to be located. Had the city installed high quality video cameras there would have been better visuals with which to identify the suspects.
The Halton Regional Police Service is appealing to the public to come forward with any information that would assist in determining the identity of person of interest #2.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Scott Feddema at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316 or the on-duty 3 District Staff Sergeant at 905-825-4777 ext. 2310.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Pepper Parr
June 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Well this isn’t good news.
L3 WESCAM, which currently operates three sites across the Greater Toronto Area, including two in Burlington, will be consolidating into one, 300,000-square-foot facility in Hamilton, in an effort to increase operational efficiency.
 Space will be available Q1 2021 L3 WESCAM is one of the premier high tech operations in North America – this is a class A operation with a great reputation producing a product that keeps the western world safe.
In a media release Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said: “We are sorry to see them go and wish them well in their new home. We are pleased that jobs are staying local within the region — approximately 800 jobs are currently on site at the Burlington location, which will be moved to Waterdown. As a result, no jobs are expected to be lost from the company.
“L3 WESCAM is also completing an expansion and consolidating its operations that should bring an additional 400 jobs to the region at the site at Highway 6 — this will increase its employee base to 1,200.
 Mayor will meet with the L3Wescam president to learn what went wrong. “I have scheduled a meeting with the L3 WESCAM president in two weeks to understand the rationale for their move, so that it can inform our strategy in business retention and attraction in the city. This move has been in the works for a number of years.
“Burlington will not be losing any tax revenue as the City’s vacant property tax rebate was removed in 2018. L3 WESCAM’s current lease in Burlington expires in 2020 and it is hoping to enter its new space in Q1 2021.
“While the Burlington property is not currently officially on the market, the City and Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) are actively seeking occupants to move in to the 122,000-square-foot facility. The space should be available in Q1 2021 and to lease in its entirety or divisible to fit multiple companies. Once the availability of the space is confirmed and the landlord officially lists it, BEDC and the City will fully promote the property to companies.
“A key focus of the recent Red Tape Red Carpet (RTRC) Task Force I launched this year is to ensure supports are available to retain and attract employers to Burlington. A major obstacle in this is that Burlington currently doesn’t have enough shovel-ready employment land that is unconstrained and available to be developed in an 18-24 month timeframe.
L3 Wescam also rents office space in the former Michael Lee Chin complex on Kerns Road.
The city has known for some time that they needed more space.
Anticipated recommendations from the RTRC Task Force will help ensure that our city does have more of that shovel-ready land and help reduce the timeframes and increase supports for businesses to get in the ground.”
The Gazette wants to know what happened to the land at Bronte Meadows that was being touted as a possible location for the new HQ2 that Amazon was going to set up.
International Harvester got away from us when they found a home in Hamilton.
In a recent Background piece the Gazette told of the successes Welland Ontario has experienced.
Some salesmanship is a tool the city and its economic development people don’t seem to have in their kit.
No word from L3 Wescam on why the move.
 Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development Corporation Anita Cassidy, Acting Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development Corporation explains that: “BEDC has been working with L3 WESCAM for a number of years through our business retention and growth services. Despite BEDC’s extensive efforts to retain L3 WESCAM, it has come down to a financial and business decision for the company to move outside of Burlington.
“L3 WESCAM’s continued growth nearby will create an opportunity for many Burlington residents to still work for the company while creating an opportunity to attract a new employer to the current 122,000-sq.-ft. site. While we are sad to see them go, BEDC is looking forward to working with the property owners to market the space and create new opportunities for Burlington residents to live and work locally.”
Related news story:
Welland has figured out how to make economic development work.
 By Pepper Parr
June 25th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
They came looking for a little bit more money and left with marching orders to do it all over again.
It was not a pleasant Standing Committee session for the people at Capital Works.
And it was a chance to get a good look at how this city council is likely to work going forward.
The request for additional funding was placed on the Consent agenda which is a list of agenda items that are thought to not require any debate.
 Rory Nisan with ward 3 constituents before he was elected Councillor. Ward 3 Councillor Nisan spotted something he didn’t like and asked that it be taken off the consent agenda and added to the regular agenda which was pretty full.
Little did anyone know that the item would consume hours of discussion.
Council realized that they had not had all that much in the way of a close look at what was proposed for Civic Square.
After the holding of the Walk Off the Earth tribute and the Burlassic park event that covered all six of the NBA Championship games that made the Toronto Raptors the league champions, Burlington began to see Civic Square as something more than a place for public gatherings – it was THE public space and needed more polish and an image boost.
Also, taking out trees when a Climate Crisis had been declared was a stretch.
After some discussion, led to a large degree by the Mayor with input on what should be in the space by Councilor Nisan, Council decided this was too important a matter for staff to decide.
They were sent back to their desks and told to rethink and work on possible options on how to use the provincial funding before it expires. The tender is not moving forward at this point.
The Staff recommendation was to approve the tender for the Civic Square Renewal that came in at 1,162,922.61
The city was going to have to borrow to complete the project which came in $250,000 over the allocated amount.
Council was being asked to approve a total project cost of $ 1,198,000 with the money coming from the following sources.
Capital Purposes Reserve Fund $294,100
Federal Gas Tax $265,000
Infrastructure Reserve Fund $130,000
Park Dedication Reserve Fund $118,900
Public Benefits Reserve Fund $50,000
Senior Government Funding $190,000
Tax Supported Debt $150,000
Total Project Financing $1,198,000
 A lot of work was done on the plans for a revitalized civic Square – much of it was done before and during the election campaign – and got lost. Now that city Council knows what staff had in mind – Council wants more input. The original Civic Square construction was completed in 1984. It had reached the end of its life cycle and no longer met the city’s 2016 Accessibility standards.
 Civic Square as it is today – used for staff events, other public events including some of thee Raptors NBA games. City Council wants something with more in the way of prestige. In the summer of 2018, the City was provided with a Provincial Downtown Main Street Revitalization Initiative grant. City Council approved use of the grant towards the renewal of Civic Square given its importance to civic life and its relationship with Brant Street. To receive this funding the project had to be completed by March 31, 2020; it became critical to build in the summer and early fall to meet the deadline.
The summer and fall of 2018 was the election time frame that delivered a new city council. The focus during that campaign was who the new Mayor was going to be – a period of time when things got a little nasty and no one saw Civic Square as an issue.
Given the significance of Civic Square, an extensive public engagement process was developed and implemented with the goal to involve the public in shaping the design decisions. Public engagement made it clear that residents supported the continued use of Civic Square for festivals, events and other public uses. Residents also asked the City to make Civic Square a greener space with healthy trees.
Planting trees in a multi-use urban setting such as Civic Square is problematic with vehicles and large numbers of people traveling over the root zones. This requires the use of new technologies to ensure the long-term health of the trees. To achieve a sustainable environment for trees, the project includes the use of large structural soil cells for tree planting. These structures have the added benefit of storing storm water which slows the impact on the storm sewer system. This construction method is considered a positive action to help fight climate change.
The timeline set out in the staff report made it clear that Capital Works was engaging the public as well as they could. It was the incumbents and the candidates who missed the issue.
The estimated project cost was $948,000 – the project budget grew to $1,198,000 – an overage of of $250,000.
Capital Works explained the overage with the following comments:
1. Higher than anticipated costs by tendering landscape construction in late spring (after most qualified contractors have a full work schedule).
2. Higher than anticipated costs to build the pavement foundation.
3. Higher than anticipated costs to build structural cells for healthy tree growth.
4. Additional cost to relocate fire hydrant for festival and events access.
5. Additional cost to replace end-of-life electrical cabinets at the edge of Civic Square and Brant Street (at the Queen’s Head driveway).
The people at Capital Works have tendered 18 projects to date in 2019. The total approved budget for these projects was $24.75 million. The total cost at award for these projects was $22.94 million, as awarded through Delegated Authority Reports.
In their report Capital Works argued that the positive variance of $1.81 million could be directed to the Civic Square project to make up the difference between Budget Total Cost and the Tender Award Total Cost.
Capital Works tendering is not a science, unexpected issues arise, there are surprises – look at the Pier experience and the plans to do something different with New Street.
Capital Works didn’t think there was all that big an issue. What they didn’t see coming was a council that was determined to do things differently. They wanted to be much more hands on and they weren’t about to let something as significant as Civic Square get determined by any staff group.
Expect the same kind of thinking to get put into play when construction begins to take place across the street from city hall.
The hubub over the matter of $250,000 wasn’t the real concern. Council would find a way around that – of prime concern was – what kind of a Civic Square is the city going to have. Councillor Nisan began to focus on the public art that was being proposed and wanted to know where the design came from and who made the decisions.
What started out as a Consent Agenda matter became an item that got significant discussion at one Standing Committee meeting and even more at a meeting days later when Staff were brought in to answer questions.
 Angela Paparizo, Manger of Cultural programs in conversation with Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. Angela Paparizo was pressed to explain who made the art decisions. Nisan didn’t like what he had seen so far – he was unaware that the city has a public art specialist on contract.
Capital Works had done its job of soliciting and sourcing public art; the consultant under contract was part of the process, the Manager of Cultural Programs Angela Paparizo did everything she was supposed to do.
None of that mattered – Council didn’t want to hand this one off to staff.
They were told to come back with other ideas to spend the provincial money.
Capital Works will scramble to see if they can come up with a project somewhere in the city that meets the Provincial Downtown Main Street Revitalization Initiative grant criteria.
The shade structure that was proposed will probably never see the light of day.
It might be some time before the public sees a renewed Civic Square – they had better get it right the first time – the public tends to get nasty when elected officials decide to be arts experts.
Related news stories:
Some public engagement did take place.
The plans were well known – Council was apparently asleep at the switch.
 By Jan Mowbray
June 24th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
What is a Green New Deal?
It isn’t a plank in the Green Party platform.
“The Green New Deal is an ambitious plan for how we can eliminate poverty and create millions of jobs while tackling the biggest threat of our time: climate change.”
 A small group of people gathered at the Gazebo last Friday afternoon to talk about a new deal needed to manage the changes in our climate. It involves massive public investment in clean energy, transit and climate adaptation work. But the vision is bigger than that: it’s about transforming our entire economy to be safer and more fair and give everyone a better life.
First proposed in the U.S., the Green New Deal is spreading around the world.”
 Participants put their idea on different coloured cards which became the focus for discussions. In Canada there are now 178 groups across the country, meeting together, as they did in Burlington last Saturday, to discuss ideas to address a common concern – our changing climate.
Led by Danny Carter, CEO of the Canadian Hemp Farmers Alliance, a group of people came together on Saturday to get information about the New Green Deal.
“In 2006, the Green New Deal Task Force created a Green New Deal; a plan for one hundred percent clean, renewable energy by 2030 utilizing a carbon tax, a jobs guarantee, free college, single-payer healthcare, and a focus on using public programs.
“A Green New Deal rests on two fundamental principles:
 Climate change as we know it now. • It must be based on knowledge and science and cut Canada’s emissions in half in 11 years.
• It must leave no one behind and create a better present and future for all of us.”
A Green New Deal must lift all of us together. How we address these problems needs to start at Canada’s beginning—the violent displacement of Indigenous peoples from the land—and build out from there.
Its grass roots at its best.The first Burlington meeting was small – they usually are – but they do grow. There wasn’t a politician in sight. That good be good or it could be bad.
There is more information available at:
https://canadians.org/greennewdeal
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/12/21/18144138/green-new-deal-alexandria-ocasio-cortez
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