 By Staff
October 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ready to get into that classroom Beginning school is a big step for children and parents/guardians, and the Halton District School Board (HDSB) wants to make that transition as smooth as possible. In October and November, the HDSB is hosting Calling All Three-Year Olds Kindergarten Open Houses in Acton, Georgetown, Burlington, Milton and Oakville for families to learn more about making the first school experience a happy one.
Future students and their families are invited to attend any of the following Kindergarten Open Houses, to be held between 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Acton: Tuesday, Oct. 17 – Robert Little Public School (41 School Ln.)
Georgetown: Tuesday, Oct. 24 – Ethel Gardiner Public School (14365 Danby Rd.)
Milton: Tuesday, Nov. 7 – Irma Coulson Public School (625 Sauve St.)
Burlington: Tuesday, Nov. 14 – Alexander’s Public School (2223 Sutton Dr.)
Oakville: Wednesday, Nov. 29 – Joshua Creek Public School (1450 Arrowhead Rd.)
At the Open House, students and parents/guardians will:
Registration for Kindergarten begins in January 2024 and will be conducted in-person or virtually through the school the child will attend. Children born in 2020 can start Kindergarten in September 2024.
Parents/guardians with questions about the Calling all Three-year Olds Kindergarten Open Houses can visit the Kindergarten webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Background resources
Kindergarten
Register My Child for School
nts are the property of the
 By Pepper Parr
October 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
The hiring of a new City Manager is pivotal for any municipality.
The current City Manager, Tim Commisso, is due to complete his work on January 10th, 2024, expect the Mayor to keep him on as an advisor for a period of time.
The City Manager, traditionally is the only person a City Council hires. He is put in place to run the administrative side of the City.
Every city manager has a style, an approach to the way they do things. During a short period of time Burlington went through two city managers: Jeff Fielding followed by James Ridge. The two men were total opposites – for those who worked with both – it was quite a ride.
It would be hard to find a policy, a service or a change that Jeff Fielding made that you could point to. James Ridge did his best to introduce newer approaches – the 2018 Council didn’t like much of what he attempted to do and made firing him their first order of business.
 Tim Commisso’s legacy will be radically different.
In the three or four months ahead of us Commisso will be up to his ears in working through the changes, some subtle, other much different, in the newest version of the Strategic Plan – the document that sets out to guide what gets done in a city.
Burlington is at a point where it is becoming a much different city.
Population growth between now and 2031 is going to sky rocket. All those new people will live, for the most part, in high rose towers.
They will need services and they will put a huge strain on the roads – traffic congestion is something they will complain about for decades.
Transit, which was a joke for the longest time, will become a vital service. The city has to get cars off the streets – a feat that will challenge everyone. Burlington today is married to cars – it will be a messy divorce.
Tax increases will upset many – the current Mayor is a spender, living with the belief that all those high rise towers will result in the money just rolling in – give the city a decade and there won’t be any financial problems.
Maybe, spending money that you don’t have and doing so with the belief that it is on the way is not the definition for fiscal prudence.
The fundamentals of finance are not the current Mayor’s strong point. Getting her way is something she has managed to do quite well. When she came into office she had a Council with five people who were newbies. They now know where the washrooms are and each has developed a style and a way of doing things. Not much in the way of collegiality with this lot.
Two of the five think the Chain of Office is something they might get to wear. Maybe.
 Which Brant Street do you want? You are going to get something close to what the graphic suggests.  Now that she has Strong Mayor powers Marianne Meed Ward doesn’t have to listen as much to the other members of Council on what can only be described as a fractious group of people serving as a City Council. They do nice nice talk talk during the public sessions – but there are struggles that are for the most part kept out of sight.
The budget that will be presented to the public later this year will have some input from Council – but it will be the Mayor’s Budget.
The City Manager that is hired might end up being what Mayor Meed Ward decides is best for the city
Burlington is going through massive changes with nowhere near enough engagement with the citizens.
Challenging times indeed.
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.
Mike Garcia
October 12th, 2012
BURLINGTON, ON
1Win App for Customers in Canada
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If you download the mobile app, you will have the option to experience what it is like to be at an actual casino. This possibility will be available to you. When 1Win customers check in to their accounts, they are presented with the choice to play either classic table games or video slots, both of which feature live dealers. The mobile casino offers over a thousand different games, some of which include poker, slot machines, card games, and others.
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Get the 1Win app here
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 By William Matt
October 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Could this be the result of how you handle dips in the level of a sidewalk? Do you have a sore lower back? Do you often walk your dog or child in your neighbourhood? There is a hidden back-killer that often hits a little harder on your lower left back muscles. I walk my dog many kilometres each day and I began to notice that my back only hurt after dog walks but not after being on my feet at work for hours walking around. The culprit, uneven surfaces on the sidewalk to accommodate driveways.
 That dip in the sidewalk was the source of my lower back pain – it might be something to think about when you are walking the dog. Sidewalks at driveways have had the curb lowered. This combined with the fact you want to keep your dog (or young child) on the inside, further away from the road. This leaves your position at the curb going up and down every driveway you pass. Walking on an uneven surface isn’t good for you, so you need to adapt where you pick to walk.
Pick your line. Making sure you walk on the continual flat part of the sidewalk instead of up downs that will eventually affect your back. You can often see where the driveway begins its pitch down, so stay to the inside of that line.
Keep your child or dog ahead of you instead of beside you and your back will thank you. Since adopting this new walking method, my slight pain in the muscles in my back have been feeling much better.
 By Staff
October 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Some shows aim to entertain. Some are designed to engage. Walking Through the Fire: Sultans of String in support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, presented during Secret Path Week on Sunday, October 22nd at 7pm at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (‘BPAC’), is that rare live performance experience that will do both.
 Sultans of String This year we bring the magic of collaboration to the stage with award-winning First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists from across Turtle Island joined by Billboard charting/6x CFMA winners Sultans of String, performing original Indigenous music along with beloved Tragically Hip covers like Fiddlers Green, Ahead By A Century, Courage and more! Walking Through the Fire is a musical multimedia experience unlike any other. From Métis fiddling to an East Coast Kitchen Party, rumba to rock, to the drumming of the Pacific Northwest, experience the beauty and diversity of music from Turtle Island with Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk of the Métis Fiddler Quartet, Ojibwe/Finnish Singer-Songwriter Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), Coast Tsm’syen Singer-Songwriter Shannon Thunderbird, as well as virtual guests joining in on the big screen, including Elder and poet Dr. Duke Redbird, the Northern Cree pow wow group, Kendra Tagoona, Tracy Sarazin and Hamilton’s own Tom Wilson!
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre was the first performing arts centre in Canada to create a Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy Space inside a public venue. Legacy Spaces are safe, welcoming places where conversations and education about Indigenous history — and our collective journey towards reconciliation — are encouraged and supported.
 A full force performer Gord Downie left a mark on anyone who heard him sing. Each year, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre programming reflects this commitment to reconciliation, particularly during Secret Path Week. This week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack and takes place annually from October 17-22 marking the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world. Now in its sixth year, this concert series provides a fundraising opportunity meant to aid in our collective reconciliation journey to promote awareness, education, and thoughtful action around Canada’s true history.
“When Gord Downie took time in his final days to shine a light on the need for reconciliation with Canada’s First Peoples, he left us all with an important job. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre was the first performing arts centre in Canada to install a Legacy Space in its venue, and BPAC is proud to produce and present LEGACY once again this year, supporting our partners at the Downie-Wenjack Fund and hosting an evening of storytelling and song that will stay with you, long after the curtain has closed,” said BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox.
The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund is part of iconic Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie’s legacy and embodies his commitment to improving the lives of First Peoples. The goal of the fund is to continue the conversation that began with Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story, and to honour Gord Downie’s call to action to “do something.”
Fire can be destructive, as we have seen with the unprecedented forest fires still burning in Canada. But what we see right afterward is interesting, as collaborating Indigenous art director Mark Rutledge explains, referencing the title and cover art of Walking Through the Fire. “You’ll see the burnt-out husks of trees and the ash and the charcoal on the landscape. But fireweed is the first plant after a forest fire that emerges, and you’ll see rivers and fields of magenta within the barren landscape, and those nutrients are going back into the soil for the next generation of trees and flowers and regrowth.”
There is fear instilled within the very notion of fire because it can be so destructive, not just to the landscape, but to the lives of people.
 Gord Downie But what lies beyond fear that holds people back from achieving what they want to achieve? “The other side of fear is growth and potential with collaboration between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people,” Mark continues. “When we drop the word reconciliation on people, there’s a large group of people who don’t understand what that means. And when you don’t understand something, you are fearful of it. But if we go through the same experience together, we walk through that fire together, and we come out together on the other end and have that unified experience together, that’s the power in this album.”
Together these artists are making a safe, creative space where new connections can be dreamed of – not in the Western way of thinking and problematizing – but instead a deeper sharing and understanding, with music being the common ground to help cultures connect and understand each other. “We are opening doors for each other, as Indigenous peoples, as settler peoples. This project is about creating connections and spaces to learn from each other” explains collaborator Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, violist with Métis Fiddler Quartet.
Nine-time Grammy-nominated Northern Cree and community organizers in Kettle and Stony Point welcomed Sultans of String to their annual powwow for one of these collaborations. Steve Wood, drummer and singer, explains, “When you’re collaborating with mainstream music, it shows that we can work together to bring out the very best in who we are as human beings, and we can bring out something very beautiful.”
A central theme running through Walking Through the Fire is the need for the whole truth of Residential Schools and the Indigenous experience to be told long before reconciliation can possibly take place. Grammy-nominated Elder and poet Dr. Duke Redbird, who in many ways provided the initial inspiration for this project, explains, “The place that we have to start is with truth. Reconciliation will come sometime way in the future, perhaps, but right now, truth is where we need to begin the journey with each other.”
Sultans violinist Chris McKhool, who was recently awarded the Dr. Duke Redbird Lifetime Achievement Award by Redbird and JAYU Arts for Human Rights for working to amplify these truths through collaborations, says, “This country has a history that has been ignored, distorted, twisted to suit colonialist goals of destroying a people. We are so fortunate for the opportunity to work with Indigenous artists, sharing their stories, their experiences, and their lives with us, so we can continue our work of learning about the history of residential schools, genocide, and intergenerational impacts of colonization. Music has a special capacity for healing, connecting, and expressing truth.”
The Honourable Murray Sinclair, former chair of the TRC, said, “The very fact that you’re doing this tells me that you believe in the validity of our language, you believe in the validity of our art and our music, and that you want to help to bring it out. And that’s really what’s important: for people to have faith that we can do this.” Sinclair also spoke about the importance of using Indigenous languages so these do not become lost. The recording and concert feature lyrics in Dene, Inuktitut, Sm’algyax, Cree, and Michif.
 Walking through Fire Sultans of String is a fiercely independent band that has always tried to lift up those around them and has exposed many of their collaborators and special guests to new audiences at their shows, including at JUNOfest, NYC’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club, Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, and London’s Trafalgar Square. Led by Queen’s Diamond Jubilee recipient McKhool, they have collaborated with orchestras across North America and have played live on CBC’s Canada Live, BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and SiriusXM in Washington. They have recorded and performed with such diverse luminaries as Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Richard Bona, Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Benoit Bourque, and Béla Fleck. Their work during the pandemic on The Refuge Project amplified the voices of new immigrants and refugees, earning them CFMAs and Best Musical Film at the Cannes World workshops and community engagement events. BPAC is also a rental facility, working with local community groups, promoters, dance competitions, corporate events and more.
About the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund:
 Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.
WALKING THROUGH THE FIRE
Indigenous Collaborations
featuring Sultans of String & Friends
Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 at 7pm
Tickets $39.50 (all-in)
The full schedule of BPAC Presents events is here:
By Staff
October 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development will release of INCOME, INEQUALITY, & POVERTY – the second report in the Our Halton 2023 information series.
 The Our Halton series uses 2021 Census data to highlight the changing socio-demographic characteristics of Halton Region.
This will be virtual event taking place on Thursday October 12 from 1:00pm
The report will be available on the CDH website and a link to the report will be sent to all registrants prior to the October 12 event.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 12, 2023
1:00PM – 2:30PM
Via ZOOM
Register Today!
 By Pepper Parr
October 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are at all concerned with what is going to happen with the Quarry – be prepared to be patient – very very patient.
At an Ontario Land Tribunal this morning we heard that the lawyers were talking about a 60 – yes 60 day hearing.
 One wanted to set a date now so that people could block out the dates.
And if what we heard today is any example – it is going to be bloody.
The lawyer representing Nelson Aggregates it one tough cookie and knows how to work the rules.
The Member (which is the title that the OLT person hearing the arguments and making the final decision is given) could have been a little stronger in the way he handled the lawyers. Some of the back and forth was almost as good as a decent boxing match.
The City had a Notice of Motion that it expected to have heard today – but a technicality got in the way and the hearing of that Motion got moved back to March 7th.
By Staff
October 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
During the first half of 2023, buyers had to be quick to snatch up homes amidst historically low inventory environments. This heightened competition allowed major markets to rebound closer to pre-pandemic sales and prices, however, inventory concerns were significant.
As interest rates continued to climb in the summer, buyer urgency softened. When the Bank of Canada announced its second and third rate hikes of 2023, a sense of economic uncertainty was created among buyers that slowed down sales and price growth. The silver lining to this buyer slowdown has been the build-up of inventory which has in turn led to more balanced market conditions.
With more homes to choose from and prices starting to flatten out, will buyers return to the market as energetically as in the spring? To find out how the current real estate climate has affected buyers’ outlooks, we surveyed over 1,600 Zoocasa readers on their housing preferences and real estate plans and broke those answers down by generation.
More Canadians Are Delaying Buying a Home Due to Economic Conditions
  Homebuyers have undoubtedly been impacted by inflation and our survey respondents demonstrate that with 62.1% saying they have delayed buying a home and the largest reasons for that are rising interest rates (29.4%) and high home prices (27.9%). Renters in particular, with nearly 50% being Millennials, have faced difficulties in entering the housing market. 81.1% of survey respondents who are renters say they have delayed buying a home, and of those, the majority cite high home prices as the reason.
Even across generations delaying buying a home has been a hurdle: 67% of Millennials, 69% of Gen X, and 46% of Baby Boomers responded that they have delayed buying a home. For Millennials and Baby Boomers, the largest reason was because of rising interest rates, while Gen X largely cited high home prices as the reason.
Despite this, demand is still there and 65.9% of respondents said they are looking to buy a home in the near future, with Gen Z and Millennials resoundingly answering yes at 80% and 75% respectively. It’s likely that we won’t see those buyers enter the market until interest rates start to drop, which many expect will happen in the middle of 2024, as 66.5% of respondents said they plan to wait a year or longer to buy a home. That sentiment was echoed pretty evenly across generations with 69% of Baby Boomers, 64% of Gen X and 65% of Millennials planning to wait a year or longer.
The top three types of homes buyers plan to buy are permanent homes (46.1%), smaller home/downsizing (16.4%), and investment properties (13.7%). Only 11.6% of respondents said they were planning on buying a starter home, suggesting that the majority of first-time buyers are shifting towards longer-term property types.
In fact, 48% of first-time buyers surveyed, which largely consists of Gen Z, Millenials and Gen X, responded that they were looking to buy a permanent home, compared with just 27.1% who said they planned to buy a starter home. First-time buyers were pretty split when it came to the type of home they preferred to buy with 31.7% preferring a condo apartment, 29.7% preferring a detached home, and 23.2% preferring a townhouse. This contrasts with Baby Boomers, who at 57% largely prefer to buy a detached home with the major goal being to downsize.
 As unaffordability is a major concern, buyers are becoming more flexible about where they will live with 38.3% of respondents saying they would consider moving to another city in order to afford a home and 26.1% saying they would move to either another city or another province in order to buy a home. Gen X was the most flexible, with 31% responding that they would consider moving to another city or province in order to buy a home, compared with 26% of Millennials and 22% of Baby Boomers. 45% of Baby Boomers would not consider moving to another city or province to afford a home, the largest percentage of respondents.
Nearly Half of Millennials Will Receive Financial Assistance to Buy a Home
 Out of all survey respondents, only 30.7% said they have or will have to receive financial assistance from relatives in order to buy a home. That number jumps up quite significantly when looking at just Millennials, with 46% saying that they have or will have to receive financial assistance from relatives in order to buy a home.
Just 28% of Gen X and 10% of Baby Boomers said they have or will have to receive financial assistance from relatives in order to buy a home. Despite this economic gap, Gen Z and Millennials’ outlook on the market is more positive than their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts.
30% of Gen Z and 24% of Millennials rank current housing prices as affordable, while only 15% of Gen X and 13% of Baby Boomers ranked current housing conditions as affordable. The majority of Gen X respondents ranked current housing affordability as not at all affordable and the majority of Baby Boomers ranked current housing affordability as in the middle/neutral.
Only 5% of Baby Boomers and 8% of Gen X agreed that the average Canadian could afford to buy a home, compared with 22% of Gen Z and 14% of Millennials. On the other side of the spectrum, Gen X and Baby Boomers were more united. 49% of Gen X and 41% of Baby Boomers strongly disagreed that the average Canadian could afford to buy a home, while 14% of Gen Z and 29% of Millennials strongly disagreed.
The younger generations’ optimism could also be felt in their response to whether they felt now is a good time to buy or not. 42% of Gen Z and 30% of Millennials think now is a good time to buy, with only 22% of Gen X and 20% of Baby Boomers agreeing. Gen X and Baby Boomers largely think now is not a good time to buy, at 47% and 46% respectively.
 Naturally, growing up in different economic climates has impacted the way homebuyers view the real estate market. More than any other generation, 15% of Baby Boomers think it was easiest to buy a home 50+ years ago, compared to just 3% of Gen Z and 7% of Millennials. Gen Z and Millennials largely think it was easiest to buy a home 10 years ago at 45% and 36% respectively, and the majority of Gen X and Baby Boomers, on the other hand, think it was easiest to buy a home 20 years ago at 38% and 23% respectively.
If you’re like our readers and are thinking about entering the market in the near future, give us a call! We can help you prepare and plan for your future real estate goals.
By Staff
October 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance, a local community association, is appealing to the Doug Ford government to honour its commitment(1) to prevent all building on floodplains by voiding a developer’s application to build homes on zoned open space designated for flood protection in Burlington.
 At issue is an application from local developer Argo Development Corporation (under the name Millcroft Greens), to build on portions of the existing open space currently occupied by the Millcroft Golf Course and which have been designated as floodplain lands by Conservation Halton. This area of the golf course forms an integral part of the Millcroft stormwater mitigation infrastructure, which is critical to the collection and drainage of stormwater throughout the community.
 The design was ahead of its time. “This design was ahead of its time and now with Climate Change, experts are recommending the integration of green infrastructure with traditional structures”, says Daintry Klein, President of Millcroft Greenspace Alliance. Ms. Klein references an Official Plan Amendment (No. 117) which was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on February 27, 1986. The plan states “these lands [Millcroft Golf Course] will remain as permanent open space, since portions of these lands contain creek features which are part of the stormwater management system for the Community”
The developer has appealed to the OLT (Ontario Land Tribunal) which favours developers “97 per cent of the time” according to The Hamilton Spectator.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance supports the City of Burlington Council unanimous opposition to the proposal and resolution to request the province issue an MZO (Minister’s Zoning Order). This MZO would immediately halt the costly and time consuming effort for the City of Burlington, its residents and the Province. It would also exclude these designated lands from development and honour Premier Ford’s commitment not to build on floodplain lands.
Local residents have come together to protect their homes and the homes and businesses of their neighbours downstream from future flooding crises like the one that devastated Burlington in August 2014.
One of the unfortunate aspects of the fight the community is underwriting with their donations is that there are two organizations. For reasons that have never been clear the two cannot find a way to merge and become a common cause. Egos appear to have gotten in the way.
By Staff
October 11th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We are well into fall and there is that chill in the air.
For many that means looking into what the options are for going south – with no assurances that the weather will be what you were expecting.
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Hamilton International) has unveiled its 2023/24 Winter Program featuring many getaway options, including popular sunny destinations in the United States, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, low-cost connections into Europe with direct flights between Hamilton and Reykjavík, Iceland, along with continued access into Western Canada.
 Play Air is a recent addition to airlines that have chosen to make Hamilton a destination airport. The Adventure Starts Here! officially takes effect in November with services operated by WestJet, Lynx Air, PLAY, and seasonal airline partners, Air Transat and Sunwing.
“This winter, travellers can start their journey from Hamilton International and enjoy direct flights and easy connections to destinations across Canada, the sunny south, and internationally,” says Cole Horncastle, Executive Managing Director of Hamilton International.
“WestJet has affirmed its long-standing commitment to Hamilton, introducing several popular sun destinations in addition to its established domestic service to/from its Calgary hub.
 Lynx is fairly new to Hamilton International Air. Lynx Air will continue its ultra-affordable flights to Calgary and Vancouver, while PLAY continues to offer low-cost flights to Iceland and onward to Europe. Our seasonal partners, Air Transat and Sunwing, return and join WestJet in offering a range of sunny getaways.
The variety of destinations served by multiple air carriers this winter, combined with the ease and convenience of travelling through Hamilton International, make it an ideal option for vacationers and sun seekers.”
2023/24 Winter Program Highlights:
- WestJet will offer service to popular sun destinations with new flights to Orlando, Tampa, Cancun, and Punta Cana, while continuing to provide non-stop connectivity to Western Canada with service between Hamilton and Calgary.
- Lynx will continue to provide ultra-affordable domestic flights to Calgary and offer travellers a convenient connection to Vancouver with its through-flight service.
- Low-cost, direct flights between Hamilton and Iceland will continue with PLAY, providing seamless connections to over 30 iconic destinations across Europe including Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Frankfurt.
- Air Transat returns to Hamilton International with service to Cayo Coco, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, and Cancun.
- Sunwing resumes service to Cayo Coco, Holguin, Varadero, Punta Cana, and Cancun from Hamilton International.
 Cancun – a destination that is a direct flight from the Hamilton International Airport. Travellers can also take advantage of Hamilton International’s new online reservation system to secure their Airport parking spot in advance. Parking reservations are available for booking now at parking.flyhamilton.ca.
By Pepper Parr
October 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Marit Stiles, NDP Leader of the Opposition did what she has been doing on the Doug Ford Greenbelt land swaps file– asking tough questions.
In a media event this afternoon she said she expects the “members of his government to fully comply with the RCMP about what exactly happened here.
 Marit Stiles, NDP Leader of the Opposition “That includes ensuring that government emails, political staff, emails, phone records, including personal phone records of the premier because we know that he uses his personal devices for government business must be preserved.
“I want the government to give us the same assurance and the premier himself. The Auditor General has confirmed that they are looking into the Ford conservatives overuse of MZO’s .”
Stiles wants the government to suspend those deals and and suspend the Ontario Place deal as well because there are many similar questions around the nature of that deal.
“I really hope we get the answers we need. Ontarians deserve so much better than this. And certainly, they deserve a government that can restore trust and integrity to the province of Ontario. The first question comes from Richard Souther, City News who asked:
“If the investigators find any wrongdoing as regards the Premier’s office, any connection to the Premier’s office, what do you think should happen?”
Stiles: “ I don’t want to determine the outcome of the investigation but it’s very serious. We know that and certainly the integrity commissioners reports on his investigation of the Auditor General’s reports seem to indicate they really are a direct indictment of the premier and his role in his office.
“In the meantime, I don’t want the premier to use this as a way to hide from us to our questions on behalf of the people of Ontario in the legislature. I want him to actually answer our questions and the questions of Ontarians. I could see very well using this as an excuse not to respond to the questions that we have and I don’t think that is an excuse. I expect him to be completely transparent with the people of this province,
Souther: “The premier has previously said that nothing criminal went on here that he had no direct knowledge of what went on. Do you take him at his word for that.
Stiles: “You know, I wish, I could I wish I could but simply defies belief. The Premier mandated these changes be made. He directs everything from the top. I think it defies belief that the Premier and his staff did not have direct knowledge of all of this, but we will see, I don’t want to predetermine the outcome whether or not anything criminal took place. “I’ve used words like corruption and collusion and I do believe this goes right to the top.”
A second question from Alan Hale at Queen’s Park Today.
“Let’s assume for the moment that there is some sort of prosecution comes up eventually. Do you think that the that the attorney general should be recusing himself or appointing a special prosecutor or anything like that to keep him at arm’s length away from any institution that might come?
Stiles: “I think that the Attorney General will have to address that question. I think the Attorney General would have to decide whether or not it’s appropriate to recuse himself.
“I find it shameful that other government ministers have not stepped forward to solve this problem. i We have a government in complete disarray. They know what needs to take place it’s not enough to simply put your head in the sand or, or pretend it’s not happening and you know, that game. It’s not acceptable.
Unfortunately, there were no other media taking part in the event.
Later in the day Stiles added to the Premier’s grief announcing that , the office of the Auditor General has confirmed they are investigating the Ford Conservatives’ process for selecting and approving Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs).
“I am pleased to see the Auditor General launch an audit into the way Ford’s government selects and approves MZOs in this province, and I welcome the eventual report that will help shine light on this process.
“With Ford’s Greenbelt grab, we’ve seen a troubling pattern of corruption and preferential treatment for well-connected land speculators. People have questions about whether that pattern extends to other decisions – such as urban boundaries and this government’s frequent use of MZOs.
The Ontario NDP are committed to answering these questions and bringing ethics and transparency back to Queen’s Park.”
 By Pepper Parr
October 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The other shoe just dropped.
The Toronto Star just reported that the RCMP is launching a Criminal Investigation into Premier Doug Ford’s $8.28-billion Greenbelt land swap scandal.
In what the Star calls “another stunning setback for Ford’s embattled Progressive Conservatives” , the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s “sensitive and international investigations” team is formally on the case.
 Ontario Premier Doug Ford “Following a referral from the Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP ‘O’ Division’s Sensitive and International Investigations (SII) unit has now launched an investigation into allegations associated to the decision from the province of Ontario to open parts of the Greenbelt for development,” the RCMP said in a statement Tuesday.
“While we recognize that this investigation is of significant interest to Canadians, the RCMP has a duty to protect the integrity of the investigations that it carries out, in order to ensure that the process leads to a fair and proper outcome. Therefore, no further updates will be provided at this time.”
By Staff
October 10th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Between rising interest rates, sliding supply, and increasing demand, home prices have spent the last three years on a rollercoaster.
In the early days of the pandemic, historically low interest rates, tight supply, and high levels of demand sent home prices soaring across Canada.
But, after reaching a record-high in early 2022, prices began to tumble as the Bank of Canada started raising interest rates. When the BoC paused this spring, they rose once more.
The price rollercoaster of the last three years spurred Zoocasa to examine how much property prices have changed since the summer of 2020. In a new report, the real estate agency analyzed average home prices in 19 cities and regions from August 2020, 2021, and 2022, and compared them to prices for the same month in 2023.
 While some locales have seen a slight declines over the last year or two, home prices across the country are higher in 2023 than they were during the first summer of the pandemic. As the report notes, buyers who purchased property in 2020 have seen the greatest appreciation.
As of August 2023, the national average home price was $750,100 — a negligible $2,900 increase from a year ago, but a $179,100 jump from the summer of 2020.
On a local level, the most significant growth has been seen in the Greater Toronto Area. In August 2020, the average home price in the GTA was $860,700; in August 2023, it was $1,113,900, a $280,700 increase. Over the last two years, prices have risen by $118,600.
The region with the greatest increase over the last year, though, is Halifax-Dartmouth. Since August 2022, prices have jumped $46,200 to $530,900. In 2020, the average home price was $344,500.
Like Toronto, Vancouver, Barrie and District, and Victoria have also seen prices rise by over $200,000 since 2020.
In Vancouver, the average home price in August 2023 was $1,208,400, a $261,800 increase since August 2020. In Barrie and District, prices have risen from $571,700 to $818,000 over the last three years.
Despite a $218,500 jump from August 2020 to August 2023, Victoria has seen the largest decline over the last year, with prices falling $18,400 since August 2022.
Winnipeg, Barrie and District, Regina, and Edmonton have also experienced price drops over the last year, ranging from just $300 in the former to $14,800 in the latter, while Regina has seen prices dip $1,100 since 2021.
Like Victoria, the aforementioned cities have still seen significant price growth since 2020 — the smallest of which was Edmonton, at $25,400 — despite the recent declines.
 However, with buyers increasingly cautious in the face of high interest rates, dwindling affordability, and a looming recession, further depreciation may be on the horizon. In some cities, including Toronto and Vancouver, price declines have begun once more.
By Pepper Parr
October 9th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Good folks in the Millcroft community are ready to bombard the politicians with email requests to support the city request for a MZ0 – a Ministerial Zoning Order.
 If they get what they are asking for it will be one of those Zap! You’re done or a wave of a Magic Wand.
It would mean an immediate end to the application for a decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal.
With a stroke of a pen, the Minister can instantly override any chance of appeal of land use planning.
The City is requesting a Minister’s Zoning Order (“MZO”) to protect and preserve the existing uses of Areas A to D and to facilitate appropriate residential development in Area E.
Email from constituents matters – they read what you write but they do count what comes in and they note if what they are getting is the same thing from everyone.
The view taken by constituent offices is: if you don’t care enough to write your own letter then why should we bother paying you all that much attention.
 Millcroft Aganst Development has provided some tips and suggests. But make a point of making it personal – make a mention of the impact this will have on YOUR home and the larger community.
Do that – and you have their attention – and you might have your Zap! Moment.
The community is served by two Conservative MPP’S who support our cause. Everyone can be involved so please forward this email to friends and family>An email should go to:
Premier,
Hon. Paul Calandra,
Hon. Doug Downey, make sure you put KC at the end of the Downey email. He’s pleased is as punch with the Kings Council designation he gave himself.
Hon. Parm Gill
Send your email to the following addresses:
Premier@ontario.ca”>Premier@ontario.ca; minister.mah@ontario.ca; attorneygeneral@ontario.ca; minister.mrtr@ontario.ca;
cc. effie.triantafilopoulos@pc.ola.org; Natalie.Pierre@pc.ola.org
By Pepper Parr
October 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The Tim Commisso story –
On September 18th, City Manager Tim Commisso said at the opening of a city Council Workshop :
 Tim Commisso during a Standing Committee meeting in September “It’s about how precious land is in this community for making things happen. The Burlington Land Partnership was a bit of an experiment, but I think it’s held its own and we are going to be looking coming back to council to say, you know, this model isn’t necessarily right for us now, but we do think it’s time to really put some, ideally permanent funding in place.
“It is not a Municipal Development Corporation. And I want to really be clear about that, because it doesn’t have the same structure and all of that.
“So today what you’re going to see is the work that’s been done.”
He tells Council that sometime in November they will be presented with a prioritized list of the properties the city might want to look at.
He is still very much in the game
Commisso also said “community engagement is our priority”
During the September 18th Workshop Tim Commisso was all in: he was in philosophically, intellectually and emotionally committed. This was work he believed was vital if Burlington was going to manage the huge population growth it was required to accept and had committed to carrying out.
On September 28th, ten days later, the city announced that Tim Commisso’s salary was to be increased from $252,486.00 to $315,499.00 effective September 10th.
The salary increase would have been discussed at some length. We are not sure if Commisso had an agent that negotiated the increase or if he was simply told that his salary was now going to be $315,495,00 – when it was $252,486.00
It is hard to imagine that Commisso would have accepted the increase and then 24 days later (October 3rd),decide he no longer wanted to be the City Manager.
Something happened between the salary increase and the announcement that he no longer wanted to be City Manager.
The public tax money pays these people and they have a right to know why.
We believe that on October 3rd, Commisso informed the Mayor that he was not going to seek a renewal of his contract.
We believe that on October 4th Commisso informed Council members, in a CLOSED session, that he was not going to seek a renewal of his contract.
Included in the Addendum of the Agenda for the October 4th Environmental Infrastructure and Community Services Standing Committee meeting that had both a long list of items that were to be discussed in a CLOSED session and an Addendum to the Agenda with the following:
Confidential verbal update regarding an HR matter.
Note: this item was added to the agenda on October 3, 2023 and requires a 2/3 vote of Council to waive section 36.2 of the Procedure By-law
Pursuant to Section 239(2)(a) of the Municipal Act, personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
While there is no one at City hall who can or is prepared to comment on this item it now appears that this was the occasion when Tim Commisso would have informed the members of Council of his intention to not seek a renewal of his five year contract.
While we are not certain that Commisso was the “identifiable individual” that is our belief.
 Kwab Ako-Adjei The “identifiable person” may have been Kwab Ako-Adjei: Director, Corporate Communications & Engagement There could have been two people on the Agenda – both Commisso and Kwab Ako-Adjei
We were advised by a reliable source that the email address we had for Kwab Ako-Adjei: Director, Corporate Communications & Engagement was no longer valid. We tested it and found tat it was no longer valid
When we asked two councillors and two city staff people for comment on whether or not Kwab was still with the city there was no response.
We had also picked up a news tip about a whistle blower who wanted to make comments he could support about the Director of Communications and Engagement.
We suspect there is a connection between the status of the Director of Communications and the notice Commisso gave Councillors during the closed session.
On October 6th Commisso announces a desire to be closer to family in Thunder Bay. Commisso recently purchased and moved into a condominium in Burlington.
Tim Commisso does not tends to make hasty decisions. He considers the options and consults with others widely.
After accepting the salary increase on September 10th, why did he then decide he wanted to get out of the municipal administrative management business on October 3rd – three weeks later?
It would appear that Commisso had made up his mind to move on and that he was doing the responsible thing, – which is very much in character for Commisso, and giving Council four months’ notice.
What is troubling, and very reflective of the view Commisso has of transparency and engagement; he doesn’t walk the talk.
He has on a number of occasions said that his experience as the City Manager for Burlington has been the most meaningful for him in his 42 years of experience is as a municipal bureaucrat.
That is not something he could say about his 12 years as the City Manager in Thunder Bay, but that is another story the Gazette has not yet had an opportunity to finish researching and then telling.
Had Commisso chosen to use the city channels of communication or use his own Facebook page to speak directly to the citizens of the city he could have, in less than five minutes, let the public see and experience their City Manager talking to them – which is what engagement is all about
That unfortunately is not his style.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Tim Commisso is leaving as city manager under his own steam and a time table that gives City Council the time it will need to find a replacement. Kwab Ako-Adjei: appears to have already left, just not under his own steam.
 The timeline suggests that the public does not have the full story and given the way both this Council and the City manager view transparency and accountability we may never know what really happened.
What we do know is that Mayor Meed Ward now has Strong Mayor powers and she can hire whoever she wants; she can move staff around, bring new people in or send others on to a life of retirement.
Stand By for the follow up
 By Staff
October 8th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The following comes from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
 Who doesn’t love a good political argument, preferably over good food? Some of us may even have grown up in households where loud political debate was (is?) the default communication mode.
But increasingly, it’s not just political perspectives that clash. Frequently, the truth itself is up for debate—and heated rhetoric can decimate friendships and divide families. Those who celebrate Thanksgiving may be dreading the awkward dinner table conversations this year.
How do we avoid that tense standoff or shouting match while still using the opportunity to reconnect and talk to family members about important issues? How can we, as progressives, have those conversations without sounding preachy and turning off potential allies? There’s an important key to doing so—and that’s to think like an organizer.
Research shows that people trust their close friends and family members when trying to figure out fact from fiction. That’s a vital role we can all play for the people in our life.
Approaching these conversations with a sense of genuine curiosity can avert the tense standoff scenario and help you find common ground you didn’t know existed. Organizers listen more than they talk—and that’s a good thing.
 We had this kind of behaviour well before Covid – just imagine what it is like now? That angry uncle might also have fear of job loss or housing unaffordability. Maybe that cousin has been growing afraid of the increasingly erratic weather on our burning planet but has been convinced that something other than fossil fuels are to blame—or maybe they feel utterly defeated at the prospect of things ever improving. Perhaps your mom is upset about the unpredictable or unstable future for her kids or grandkids.
Even if they’re taking out that anger on people who aren’t actually responsible, it’s worth listening, even when they’re misguided, because it’s how we can identify if there’s any common ground to work from—and there often is.
Here’s a starting point: despite rising prices, workers aren’t getting their fair share. No matter how hard we work or the sacrifices we make, the cost of living is rising faster than we can keep up. Everyone—even that uncle—can see that.
Behind all the bluster, the reality is that Canada is home to multiple misinformation campaigns, led by certain politicians and extreme right organizations that feeds an ongoing suspicion that the real reason things are so difficult and unpredictable is because of whoever the scapegoat of the moment is—trans folks, migrants, Muslims, woke students, whatever. There is an entire class of people whose purpose is redirecting people’s anger away from the actual source of the problem and towards scapegoats—to hell with the very real and sometimes life-threatening consequences.
To get to a place where we can find common ground, we need to identify who’s really benefiting from inequality: the actual elites. It starts with a more careful assessment of 1) who’s really taking far more than their fair share, and 2) who’s being vilified as the “real” problem and sacrificed by cynical power brokers as collateral damage.
On schools and pronouns
Maybe you have a family member who is critical of the public school system. We can all see there’s plenty of room for improvement! Schools are underfunded, classrooms are crowded, educators are unsupported, and some of the most vulnerable kids aren’t being as well-served as all kids should be. We want a well-resourced system that works for everyone. So why are pronouns suddenly the problem we need to address?
On the carbon tax
Anger about the carbon tax might actually be about the cost of living. But is the carbon tax the main driver of that—especially since Canadians get rebates for that tax? Grocery store CEOs are raking in massive profits—is it really the fault of the person stocking shelves at barely over minimum wage?
On the high cost of housing
Housing prices—for new purchases, mortgage carrying, and rent—are at or near all-time highs, and private sector “solutions” have been a disaster. Are newcomers to Canada, who are also struggling to find affordable housing, make a decent living and put food on the table, really the culprit? No. Is it high time for governments to step up? Yes.
On extreme weather
Talking about the weather used to be something everyone could agree on, but not necessarily anymore. The weather is getting more and more erratic—from summer becoming a “fire season” in much of the country to ice storms knocking out electricity grids in the colder months, there’s a lot to worry about. We can all see what’s happening in front of us, but there are still climate change deniers in our midst. Can we imagine a world where we manage to both address the climate crisis while also making the world more just? That’s something we must all take part in—because avoiding the harsh reality about climate change won’t make those forest fires disappear.
On health care
Our health care system—one of Canadians’ most prized pieces of public infrastructure—is falling apart under the weight of decades of cuts and austerity. The pandemic just exposed the reality of under-investing in the system. More and more of us are realizing that things aren’t working, as we see family members or loved ones wait for care. Those concerns are real and legitimate—but the solution is not to increase privatized care. We need to demonstrate—and we have the evidence—why that’s not the case. Creating private health care services via the back door only siphons needed resources in the public health care system. Remember that question we raised earlier about elites? Private health care lets the rich get to the front of the line while the rest of us wait. That undermines Canada’s vision of universal health care.
Reach across our differences
 Our youth face the biggest challenges with little in the way of support. As progressives, we need to be able to offer a vision of the world that isn’t just compelling—it’s irresistible. We need to understand that the anger that folks are feeling out there (and around the Thanksgiving table) is based on real issues—even if the target of that anger is, to put it charitably, misplaced.
That misdirection is often fed by politicians, capitalists, and the well-funded propagandists whose job is to keep the working majority squabbling amongst ourselves. Not only do we need to have a compelling vision of what victory looks like, we need to be able to map out how to get there—otherwise we’re just (pumpkin) pie-in-the-sky dreaming.
Of course, everyone has the right to draw boundaries—with family members or others—around conversations like this. Nobody has to participate in them. But as progressives, we also have a responsibility to try to move the needle a little bit towards justice. If we don’t, our opponents are happy to do their own organizing—at the Thanksgiving table, and beyond.
By Pepper Parr
October 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Maybe the $63,000 payroll bump wasn’t enough. Or had he had enough?
Never got to know the man.
 Tim Commisso – how long has he been thinking about this? Earlier today Burlington City Manager Tim Commisso announced his intention to not seek a renewal of his 5-year contract as City Manager. Tim was appointed City Manager effective July 1, 2019 and was Interim City Manager since January 2019.
Once she was elected Mayor Marianne Meed Ward knew she had to find a new City Manager – she was about to get the five new members of Council to go along with bringing him in as an Interim.
He convinced himself that he could work with Meed Ward – and on much of the work she was able to make it work.
Somewhere along the way the wheels fell of and he came to the conclusion there were roses that needed some smelling.
No word on “why” he chose this time to bail out – does he know something about the budget that is coming from her and couldn’t stomach it?
 Sheila Jones: Currently an Executive Director – without a doubt the strongest player on the Commisso team. During Tim’s as City Manager he led made some first class hires and promoted people who have and will continue to serve the City.
Look for Sheila Jones to be asked to serve as an Interim if Tim wants to turn in his keys and his parking spot and take a break.
Commisso said he would stick around and help in a seamless transition – his comments were pure boiler plate – wants more time with his family.
The Mayor took the same route – same something acceptable and pull the team together to get past this.
They will need some time to get their story together.
By Felix Sherman
October 6th. 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
While many narratives celebrate Ontario’s lush landscapes and rich cultural background, there’s an emerging storyline that remains less explored. This story line is shown through the rapid rise of digital gaming in its local communities. From immersive multiplayer experiences to the thrills of slots online, Ontario is embracing this new frontier. Hence, signalling an intriguing shift in its entertainment ecosystem.
The Role of Community Centers and Social Clubs
 The modern gaming environments includes casinos you can attend and sites you can log into with friends and enjoy games of chance. In the heart of Ontario’s tight-knit communities, digital gaming is making space that’s hard to ignore. Community centres and social clubs, traditionally hubs for local gatherings and events, are now becoming arenas where digital gaming thrives. It’s not just about individual experiences, it’s also about collective enjoyment, friendly competitions and shared moments. This digital revolution is not limited by age. The younger generation leans towards action-packed games or team-based adventures. By doing this, they embrace the adrenaline that these platforms offer. Meanwhile, the older generation, though initially hesitant, finds comfort in strategy games and classics. What’s more beautiful than watching these generations come together. Each of them brings their unique perspective and approach. Through gaming, Ontario’s communities are finding new ways to bond, communicate and understand one another.
Niche Game Themes and Ontario Culture
 Much of Canadian history involves historic battles – today the two countries have economies and defence systems that are tightly linked. This province with its rich history and diverse culture, has become a muse for game developers. Many popular online games now echo themes inspired by Ontario’s heritage, be it the majestic Great Lakes or tales from its Indigenous communities. These thematic touches not only enhance game play, but also deepen the connection players feel to their province. Meanwhile, local gaming tournaments are on the rise. What once were simple neighbourhood challenges are now blossoming into major events. Whether held in community halls or streamed online, these tournaments foster friendship, competitiveness and pride. Imagine a game inspired by Toronto’s iconic skyline or a strategy game set in the historical War of 1812. These aren’t just games, they’re stories, memories and echoes of a community’s shared history. Through tournaments and culturally resonant themes, digital gaming in Ontario is becoming more than entertainment.
The Tech-Savvy Ontarian
 Digital gaming has grown in sophistication and speed due to the exceptionally good internet connections. The tech landscape is evolving at a fast pace in Ontario, and with it, the accessibility to digital gaming grows. Modern devices, from smartphones to tablets have become powerful gaming machines. For the everyday Ontarian, this means games are just a tap away. High-speed internet has bridged gaps, hence, ensuring even those in remote areas can dive into the gaming world. And as technology becomes more user-friendly, both young and old are finding it easier to explore, play, and connect. The blend of cutting-edge tech and an eager audience has made Ontario a fertile ground for the digital gaming revolution.
Sustainable Gaming
 Ontario stands at the forefront of responsible digital gaming, while embracing measures to ensure both safety and sustainability. With the passage of Bill C-218 in 2021, the stage was set for provinces to dive into a regulated betting and casino arena. And by April 2022, Ontario took the lead by introducing its legal online gambling framework. Under the watchful eye of iGaming Ontario (iGO), each operator must earn their license from AGCO.
Ontario’s commitment doesn’t end there. Age restrictions reinforce the province’s attitude on responsible gaming, thus requiring players to be at least 19 years old. As this industry grows, its regulated structure promises not just entertainment, but also an economic boost.
 By Staff
October 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
For the past month we have received notices from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) on when the QEW Burlington Skyway Bridge would be open and when it would not be open.
Far too often the information provided was confusing – nevertheless sent out and all too often revised.
Telephone calls for clarification were responded to a day or two later – even though the telephone number provided was labelled “for media”.
We eventually gave up – we found there was a voice at MTO but nothing behind it.
 Bridge open this weekend At no time did MTO ever explain why the lanes were closed – it appeared to have something to do with expansion joints.
The latest, and we pass this along to you with some trepidation – is that:
There will not be a closure of Niagara-bound traffic lanes on the QEW Burlington Skyway this weekend.
The QEW Burlington Skyway will remain open during this Thanksgiving long weekend.
Travellers can always visit http://511on.ca/ or @511Ontario for updates on work and traffic impacts.
 By Staff
October 6th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
 Nicole Dolson The Burlington Fine Arts Association is once again bringing its free public art exhibit from the annual juried exhibition “The Artist’s Mark” to the Hub at the Burlington Centre
The event will run from October 14 – 22 during mall hours. The exhibit highlights the best art that Burlington Artists have created in the year.
The Fine Arts Association is one of a number of guilds that operate out of the Art Gallery of Burlington.
 Fine Arts Association going over art that will be displayed at a public event taking place at the Burlington Centre.
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