Are Forest Fires in the Region something we should be preparing for?

By Pepper Parr

July 28th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Is this scene something that we will see in Burlington? Anywhere within the Region for that matter.

We have the forests, we have been getting more than enough rain – but is there a plan in place to fight a fire in the event that lightning strikes and flames start?
Fire departments are local matters – there are agreements in place for the fire departments to support each other.

Has the Burlington fire department have a plan to get to and extinguish a fire should one start in the Escarpment where all that lush forest we have exists.

Is there a group at the Region looking at a plan should a fire start?

Are there communities that now need to begin thinking what they would do should there be a fire that gets out of control.

Saying that can’t happen here is the equivalent to burying your head in the sane.

This is the time to be asking the questions and hopefully hearing that there are plans and then getting some

The Regional government always publishes detailed instructions to the public when there are West Nile reports; they do the same with excessive heat warnings.

This might be an occasion to think about how the public is going to be informed about the changes that have to be made given the new environment we have to deal with.

It is going to be with us for decades.

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Provincial audits of municipal development charges - civic planners aren't going to win this round. Province wants to raid the reserves before the Mayor does

By Staff

July 27th, 2027,

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Ontario has selected a third party to audit the finances of six municipalities as part of its ongoing work to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, a target that looks is as if it is not going to be met.

Following a competitive procurement process, Ernst & Young LLP has been retained to examine the finances of the City of Toronto, Peel Region, Mississauga, Caledon, Brampton, and Newmarket. The first phase of the audits is expected to conclude around the end of 2023.

In making the announcement the province said: “The audits will help provide a clear and shared understanding of the impacts of changes to development-related fees and charges included in the More Homes Built Faster Act.

In response to recommendations from the Housing Affordability Task Force, and to make housing available to people who need it most, Ontario is eliminating development-related charges on affordable housing units and has also eliminated charges on non-profit housing units.

Development charges for family-friendly purpose-built rentals were also reduced by up to 25 per cent, in order to spur the construction of this much-needed type of housing. Development charges can continue to be levied on most market housing. The impacts of these changes will be a central area of focus for the audits.

Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“This next step in the audit process is a critical part of our work to rein in the soaring cost of housing across Ontario, particularly when it comes to affordable, non-profit and family-friendly purpose-built rental housing,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“We want to ensure development-related charges and fees are being used in a manner that supports increased housing supply and critical housing-related infrastructure, but which does not unduly raise the cost of finding a home for hardworking Ontarians.”

Lessons learned from these audits will inform future provincial policies and programs supporting long-term municipal financial sustainability and housing-related infrastructure investments.

Development charges are typically levied by municipalities on new homes in order to pay for the cost of roads, water and wastewater facilities, and other infrastructure.

However, the Housing Affordability Task Force found these charges, which have increased in some municipalities by as much as 900 per cent in less than 20 years, are a significant part of the reason housing costs have increased in many parts of the province and concluded they could create “a disincentive to build housing that is more affordable.” The province’s changes balance these concerns by leaving development-related charges in place for most types of housing while prioritizing their reduction or elimination for affordable, non-profit and family-friendly purpose-built rental housing.

Quick Facts
The third-party audits will examine the impact of More Homes Built Faster Act on municipal finances, provided they meet or exceed their provincial housing targets, as well as municipal financial management practices.

A September 2022 study by the Altus Group found municipal fees added $116,900 to the cost of an average single-family home in the Greater Toronto Area in 2022, and around $100,000 to the cost of an average condo in the City of Toronto.

Province-wide, municipalities have reported development charge reserves of nearly $9 billion at the end of 2021.

Ontario has made significant progress in tackling the housing supply crisis with a range of innovative actions to increase housing supply. In 2022, housing starts in the province surpassed 96,000 – the second-highest number since 1988 and 30 per cent higher than the annual average for the past 20 years. All true – but the target was for 150,000 new homes.

Related news stories:

Municipal Sector not meeting the pledges they made to build new housing.

 

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Local Cadet Hones Leadership Skills: Grzybowski,

By Staff

July 27th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Victoria Grzybowski is a Petty Officer Second Class of 65 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Iron Duke, located in Burlington She is also a staff cadet at Connaught Cadet Training Center near Ottawa, Ont where she is on an Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor course this summer.

Grzybowski said: “It’s a great summer experience to be a teenager placed in a position of leadership, being responsible for managing over 30 of your fellow cadets.

Grzybowski is platoon staff responsible for the safety and supervision of their cadets ensuring their cadets make it to meals on time, checking bunks, resolving small issues between cadets, and ensuring they are all having a good and fun summer.

Petty Officer Second Class Victoria Grzybowski (middle with clipboard) from 65 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Iron Duke informs Cadet (left, right) Bardia Jamalifar, Sergeant James Murdoch and Cadet Lilirose Guilmetle about their schedule for the day. Photo credit: Petty Officer First Class Isabelle Georgeadis, Cadet Correspondent

She describes summer training as an “awesome experience” that helps her overcome different barriers and make new friends.
“Cadets has helped me come out of my shell,” and learn new skills and has given her unique opportunities. The program is “ important for youth and teaches you things that you wouldn’t get the chance to learn anywhere else. “

The Cadet Program is open to all youth between the ages of 12-18 years old who get to develop confidence and who form lasting friendships and engage in their communities while promoting physical fitness, healthy living, and fostering an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. If you are ready for the challenge, visit www.canada.ca/join-cadets.

 

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The size of City Council is already on the minds of this Council. Would Mayor Meed Ward make it an election issue in 2026 ?

By Pepper Parr

July 27th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

How did the idea of a bigger city council end up on the table?

It started with the report on the post-election review of what took place and any lessons learned.

We did learn that the turnout was as bad as it could get and that the city spent $598,190.00 up from $495,543 in 2018

Part of the report included a section on ward boundaries changes.

The last ward boundary review for the City of Burlington took place in 2004/2005 with implementation for the 2006 municipal election. After review six ward boundaries were redrawn and seven-member council composition was maintained. Despite the growth and development in the City, ward boundaries have not changed since then.

There have been calls to redraw or change the boundaries of Wards 1 & 2 to include the neighbourhood of Mapleview in Ward 2.

City Clerk Kevin Arjoon will be looking for additional funding.

Spot boundary changes are not feasible and require a wholesome approach of reviewing the boundaries of all wards. Key to the ward boundary review is ensuring extensive public consultation throughout the process leading up to passing of any by-laws to re-draw any existing ward boundaries.

Any by-law establishing new boundaries must be in force before January 1 of the election year which would be January of 2026
.
The by-law establishing new ward boundaries may be appealed to LPAT, and in order for the boundaries to be permanent, the notices of appeal must be withdrawn, or the Tribunal must have issued an order to affirm or amend the by-law before January 1 of the election year.

Sufficient lead time is required to be factored into any ward boundary review timeline. Staff recommends a ward boundary review to ensure that the division of wards in the City reflects widely adopted principles of effective representation.

Staff are recommending that committee/Council direct them to prepare a preliminary report. If there are additional items or aspects that need review, the direction should be amended to reflect these additions. Some municipalities have delayed undertaking their ward boundary review, due to the Regional reviews that are in progress by the Province.

In planning for the 2026 election, the team hopes to streamline processes and find efficiencies where possible, however, the planned budget must consider inflationary cost impacts and additional costs for any new initiatives undertaken.

Should the team receive direction to prepare the preliminary ward boundaries review report for Q1 2024, any costs associated will be covered by the current operating budget. Pending the approval of the proposed report in Q1 2024, staff will work with Finance to build a business case based on approved scope for the proposed ward boundary review, and municipal comparators.

Source of Funding
The source of funding for the election is the reserve fund with an annual contribution of $160,000. The Election Team will work with Finance and ensure due diligence to put forth a business case if it is determined that an increase in the contribution is required.

That was what Staff put on the table. The Mayor had a bigger idea. Why stop at looking at the ward boundaries – could we not also look at the size of Council.

Mayor Meed Ward: “I thought it might be good to ask this question in public.”

Meed Ward said: “I thought it might be good to ask this question in public and with counsel just to see where folks heads are at and I’m wondering if the boundary review would also be an opportunity to review Council size and if that’s contemplated as part of this review and if not, whether committee would like to review Council size as part of this conversation.

City Clerk Kevin Arjoon followed saying: “That is why we put that recommendation in there – seeking direction. So if there’s anything you want us to look at that may be a little off the drawing of the lines, now’s the time to let us know so that we can start to work on that and start to conceptualize that build – this conversation is timely.
Meed Ward then said: “I am very interested in that being at least part of the discussion we have with the community. If it requires an amendment to the report, I’m happy to insert the words and a review of council size and see where the conversation goes. So I will move that and then see what my colleagues think about that.

Councillor Stolte who had her own ideas on what a future city council might look like thanked the mayor for “bringing that up. I think that’s a great idea. Would it also be able to include wording that might indicate a new format? We have had conversations in the past about counsellors at large and other options that that might be available. Would we need to have something like that in there or does Council size kind of encompass all of that?

“Yes”, said the Mayor, “I’m open to a completely holistic conversation with the community. I think that we owe ourselves that. I would look to the clerk to determine how specific you want us to be. Maybe it’s including Council size and composition, if that’s a word that captures, how Council is constituted or some other word if you can. Council size and governance. I don’t know I’m open but if we can have another word in there, that would kind of signal we’re interested in the full range of options to come back. I’m in your hands on that and completely supportive of that.”

City Clerk Arjoon:I think the conversation we just had is just fine. And I think in the end the governance model could be put into the review as well.

Counsellor Sharman: How much are we opening up here ?

Councillor Sharman followed with: “My only question with this. I think it should be evaluated and I think it’s good to review. But the question is the process for that review could be quite significant, quite a bit more than what we’re looking at right now. That require additional resources, a different timeframe.

“How much are we opening up here and what can we look at and what would we be expecting because the public aspect would probably be quite important and not what was envisaged in the report. Maybe Kevin, that’d be a question for you.

Clerk Arjoon responds with: “We have a bit of time so I think the one worry would have is on the staff side and the timing in terms of the deadlines.

“I think we have to have the boundary set before the election year. And then there’s also the appeal process too. So we’ll take that into consideration when we bring that report back in Q1 2024 But we need some direction now for some preliminary research and maybe some preliminary engagement before we brought back sort of preliminary report as well.

So I think that’s just where we’re coming from as well – resources. We’re working on that in the background for sure. In terms of the resourcing for the ward boundary review, and then staffing resources in the clerk’s office. So we are working on that and we’re mindful of that as well.

Chair Galbraith: “Okay, sounds good – seeing no further questions

I’ll just read it into the record.
“Receive and file report regarding the 2022 municipal election review, and direct the office of the city clerk to prepare a report on a potential city of Burlington Ward boundary review for consideration. The report should include timelines, a proposed budget scope and a review of council size and governance model by Q1 2024.

“Any questions or comments? Seeing none, I will now call the vote – reminder to raise your hands – all those in favour. And any opposed? Seeing none that carries.”

And what does it all mean?

Get ready for the amount of work this is going to involve and how this council will tie itself in knots getting to the point where anything gets changed – unless of course the province comes in and does to the Region of Halton what it just did to the Region of Peel.

 When this got to Council – there were no delegations.

The public is still asleep at the wheel.

Part 1 of the series

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Update: Burlington Skyway Bridge Closure - no closure of Niagara-bound traffic on QEW Burlington Skyway this weekend

By Staff

July 27th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

There will not be a closure of Niagara-bound traffic lanes on the QEW Burlington Skyway this weekend as originally scheduled. This is due to recent weather affecting the necessary pre-work.

The next 12-hour closure is scheduled for August 11.

Advance signing and notification will be provided to motorists so they can plan an alternate route.

Travellers can visit http://511on.ca/ or @511Ontario for updates on work and traffic impacts.

Please note the QEW Burlington Skyway will remain open during the August long weekend.

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Burlington Chamber of Commerce - looking for leadership on Task Forces, Committees, and Event Ambassadors

By Staff

July 26th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce values the time and contributions of their member volunteers. The Chamber has numerous opportunities for members who would like to become more involved in supporting the Chamber team.

The following volunteer opportunities are available

Members of the commercial community gather at the Burlington Convention Centre to celebrate and recognize each other during the Chamber of Commerce Awards evening.

• Policy and Advocacy Committee
• Business Awards Task Force
• Women Leader & Allies Event Task force
• Event Ambassador
• New Member Recruitment
• Golf Tournament Task Force
• Event Support and Review

If you are already a member of an existing Task Force, Committee, or are an Event Ambassador, please complete the application form.

Link to the Application form is HERE

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WEATHER ADVISORY Rainfall amounts up to 30 mm are expected with higher amounts possible should thunderstorms develop

By Staff

July 26th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Date: July 26, 2023
Time: 7:40 P.M.

Conservation Halton advises that Environment Canada is tracking a storm system that will move through our jurisdiction starting early tonight. Rainfall amounts up to 30 mm are expected with higher amounts possible should thunderstorms develop. Hot and humid weather will continue over the next several days which may result in additional rainfall and thunderstorm activity both Thursday and Friday.

Some of the creeks that form in the Escarpment and flow through the city into Lake Ontario. The size of the flow builds up and is substantial when it gets to the Dundas Road

Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however fast flowing water and flooding of low-lying areas and natural floodplains may be expected.

Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.

Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement –Water Safety message as conditions warrant.

This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through Saturday July 29, 2023.

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More Greenbelt land slips into developer hands - 500 acres in June

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2027

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP said today that the Ford-connected developers snatched up more than 500 acres of previously-protected Greenbelt land as recently as June:

“In early June, while Ford’s Conservatives were in the Legislature claiming their Greenbelt Grab had nothing to do with their developer friends a big break, those same developers were busy snatching up hundreds of acres of Greenbelt land hand over fist, said Stiles who added:.

“It’s no wonder some of these Ford-connected developers have lawyer-ed up to try and avoid questions from Ontario’s Auditor General while she conducts a probe.

“Ontarians know these land deals have nothing to do with housing and everything to do with a select few Conservative insiders getting even richer after the government abruptly changed its policy in their favour. Report after report shows that our province has the land and resources to build affordable housing now without having to tear up the Greenbelt to reward a handful of developers and create even more sprawl.”

“As if these insider backroom dealings weren’t enough, the 524 acres in question were all part of one of the most ecologically important areas in all of Canada. The Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve is irreplaceable, and Ford’s Conservatives are giving it away to their friends to pave over. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner and Auditor General are currently probing the circumstances surrounding the Greenbelt sale, following requests from Stiles and the Official Opposition.

 

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Karina Gould sworn in as House Leader - a critical Cabinet Appointment

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Karina Gould reading the oaths during her swearing in as House Leader

Karina Gould MP for Burlington has been appointed the Government House leader She will be in charge of the party’s day-to-day business in the House of Commons of Canada , and usually conducts negotiations with other parties on the conduct of bills and debates.

They also argue points of order before the speaker of the House.

Gould, who announced yesterday that she is pregnant will be closer to home with this new portfolio.

The job is a demanding one, especially given that the government is a minority with an agreement with the New Democrats to support the government on supply bills.

Supply bills are the legislation that permits the government to spend money.

An appropriation act begins as a supply bill (sometimes referred to as a money bill). Once the bill is approved by Parliament and then granted royal assent, it becomes an appropriation act. The appropriation act is the vehicle through which expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund are authorized in order to pay for government programs and services.

The job calls for patience and an understanding of what the government wants to achieve. Good House Leaders keep governments alive. It is politics at its rawest within the House of Commons.

 

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Karina Gould: Big changes in her life

By Pepper Parr

July 26, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

As Karina Gould walked toward Rideau Hall with her son we learned that she is pregnant with a second child.

Rumours were that she would be named the House leader, a Cabinet portfolio that would keep her closer to home.

More when we see her being sworn in.

 

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What if Burlington had a larger city council?

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

We hear people saying: “I’m not interested in politics, it doesn’t matter to me”.  We shudder when we hear words like that.

Politics is the process of selecting the people who will make decisions on your behalf.  There are good politicians and there are those who are there for reasons of their own – they tend not to subscribe to the phrase: “We are here to serve.”

Being sworn in for their second term of office – Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte took part virtually, Covid19 kept her at home.

This citizen isn’t smiling. She one of the hundreds that were basically locked in their homes during the five days of heavy winter weather one year because streets were not cleared?

At the local level the politicians you elect will determine how often the snow is removed from the roads and sidewalks; how often the falling leaves will be collected; how many swimming pools there will be and how city property can be used.  Think Sound of Music and the benefits it brings to the city and how much noise they make.  Many people would like to see a smaller event with some events taking place elsewhere in the city.

The politicians make all those decisions on your behalf – and they do respond to pressure from the public.

All you have to do is let them know, in clear polite language please, that you are not happy – when enough of you do that – they will change.

What we currently have in Burlington is a group of seven people, SOME of whom will remove a comment someone makes on their Facebook page if they don’t like what is being said.

There are SOME who have convinced themselves that if they appear in enough photo ops they will be liked and loved.

Unfortunately, much of the population falls for that one and tend not to look at what the politician has to say and what they have done and the decisions they make.

Some of the members of Council hold regular ward meetings, other – not so much.

A photo op is a photo op – get as many as you can.

The Mayor who promotes herself is as a former journalist has yet to hold an open media event.  She doesn’t respond to questions the Gazette puts to her.

Burlington has a small city council – there was a time when there were 17 members.  Many, including the Mayor, are interested in looking into how the size of Council could be increased. It is not as simple as it sounds.

More tomorrow on how the size of city council could be changed; it is easier said than done, and how you can get what you think the city needs.

 

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Will Karina Gould get a promotion today?

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Today is the day we will learn what role Karina Gould will play in the Cabinet the Prime Minister announces later today.

Karina Gould in the House of Commons when President Obama was speaking to a joint session of the House and the Senate.

Gould is a mother, and the youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history, and described as a fierce advocate for her community. Born in 1986, she has been a politician since her first election in 2015. She studied at McGill University and at Oxford University.

There are numerous buttons that have to be pushed when forming a Cabinet.  Gender, ability, experience and energy level.

Performing is as a Cabinet Minister is a hard, time consuming job.  Gould has a young child and her family values call for her to be home.

Karina Gould with the Prime Minister wen she was sworn in as the Minister of families, children and social development.

Does the Prime Minister see her as ready for a front bench seat?  Ministry of Health is a possibility, but a long shot.

We may see the Prime Minister create new Ministries, or revise some of the current Ministries.

The top challenge for this government is the environment and Climate Change.  Where would Karina Gould fit into that frame?

Gould will know what her role is going to be; she will have met with the Prime Minister but the rules of the game are that you wait until the Prime Minister makes an announcement which is expected sometime before noon.

 

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The NEWS

 

“Around 500 newsrooms closed their doors across the country… and they will continue closing their doors…..The status quo is not working because the money is going to the tech giants.” Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez

By Ray Rivers

July 25th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

Is Canada’s news media under threat of extinction? Last year, Meta made more than US$23 billion in profit while Alphabet, Google’s parent company, made close to US$60 billion. Meanwhile news organizations, the vast majority being community based, are running out of cash. And even allowing for some new entrants into the business, the future for independent media is worrisome.

Both owned by the same corporation -they feed each other and control what you get in the way of information in a way that few understand.

Increasingly smaller generators of news content are not able to attract enough ad revenue to pay their staff. And to add insult to injury Google and Facebook news platforms don’t pay for the content they extract from the news providers and exhibit as their own. It’s a perfect way to make a profit. Lots of ad revenue, no serious competition and the content is free.

Some of the better known news outfits, like the Toronto Star or the Globe, have instituted paywalls. Some like CNN and the CBC keep their digital operations operating by cross subsidizing from their TV or other services. Some, like the Guardian, are begging for voluntary donations. And the rest are hanging on by a thread, laying off staff or shutting down completely.

Playing hardball with the federal government.

Buying subscriptions is a hard sell when there are a number of free news feeds around. And how many digital subscriptions can any busy middle class family afford and read? Polling indicates that 85 per cent of Canadians do not pay for online news subscriptions, and Canadians under the age of 64 usually check social media sites such as Facebook and Reddit first to get their news.

The federal government in 2021 introduced an income tax credit for subscribers of Canadian digital news organizations to help stem the bleeding. But, while a good idea in principle, it is too little and probably too late to make a difference. It is early days but this indirect subsidy is more like a small bandage on a large gaping wound, rather than a real solution.

Only online in the future ahead of us?

So this year the feds introduced the Online News Act. Based on pioneering Australian legislation, when fully implemented tech companies will be compelled, dragging and screaming, to make a deal and start paying for the content they get from news organizations like the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and the Burlington Gazette. The details are still being sorted.

Facebook and Google are not happy. They have announced that once the new law is implemented they will stop hosting Canadian news stories. Google is threatening to eliminate Canadian sources in its search function. And Facebook, playing hardball with the government, has already cut some subscribers off Canadian news content.

This is becoming a game of chicken. The feds, Quebec and BC have retaliated by cutting off the advertising they do with Facebook. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the new legislation could inject around $329 million to the Canadian news industry. But that would only be the case were big tech to cooperate.

And they have mostly in Australia, with Facebook coming back to the table and offering compensation contracts to news content suppliers. However, as Australia is finding, their law is not a panacea. Big tech is paying for content based on the bargaining power of the news organization, more for Rupert Murdock and less for the smaller outfits.

Will newspaper coin boxes disappear?

There are a number of other options which could be taken. For example, given the sheer size of the tech companies in the market place, there could be restrictions on their uncompetitive behaviour. Governments could increase their advertising budgets and only advertise with the news makers proper. Perhaps the techs could be taxed out of the news business, allowing news to return to news providers and the tax revenue used as a direct subsidy, perhaps on some per-readership level or other criterion.

Under the current law the tech companies essentially become the employers as well as clients for the small news creators. How long will it be until big tech also dictates what they should be reporting, and more ominously what shouldn’t? Already, big tech uses algorithms to dictate what appears in your e-news in-basket.

Canadians might want to think about better supporting our own national broadcaster, the CBC, rather than relying for news on the big tech transnationals. The CBC has its problems related to programming and identity – what it wants to be when it grows up – but since 1936 the CBC has been an anchor and standard for news broadcasting on our airways. It is worrisome that the recent string of Conservative Party of Canada leaders keep talking about mostly eliminating the CBC.

“Democracy Dies in Darkness” is the motto of the Washington Post, a major US paper with a history going back to 1877. That’s not nearly as old as the Globe and Mail which started operation in 1844 and was printed on the first cylinder press in Canada West,. And there is the Halifax Gazette which began in 1752. Free and accurate information is one of the most important pillars of democracy.

Ray Rivers, a Gazette Contributing Editor, writes regularly 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:

Australian On-Line –   Canada’s On-Line –   Digital Ad Revenue –  Shattered Mirror

Government Spending on Facebook –  Canadian News on Facebook

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That Holiday market initiative appears to have taken a pass on Burlington - good news

By Pepper Parr

July 25th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A posting by For the Love of Markets yesterday caught our eye.

“We have had some amazing vendor event this year, and more are yet to come! Some markets are already full – Apply today to be a part of our August, Fall & Winter 2023 event line-up!”

This was the group that brought the For the Love of Markets to Burlington in 2021.

Brian Dean

Peter John VanDyk and Brian Dean were pushing the event.  Dean who is the Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) who is responsible for helping local business people grow their business.  Some people wondered why Dean would be working with a group that was going to bring in vendors who would compete against local merchants during the best marketing time of the year.

The weather didn’t work in 2021 – high winds resulted in the closing of the event.

The following year the organization didn’t have the verve or the pizzazz that many expected and was poorly attended.

Meagan Madill,: a Rock Star

In a report to Council there was concern over what to do with the event.  When the organization and its leader Meagan Madill,  were introduced Mayor Meed Ward described her as a “Rock Star”.

There was some discussion of tying into the Santa Claus parade but there was nothing firm.

It appears that For the Love of Markets has given up on Burlington – it is not listed on their 2023 vendor opportunities.

The event that took place in 2022 is listed,

 

 

No word from ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns. This one might be better left alone.

Related news stories:

Will the Holiday Market get another chance?

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Mayor puts her spin on the 535 Brant, 26 storey development - a snow job on the part of Her Worship

By Pepper Parr

July 25th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Mayor Meed Ward and ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns issued a joint statement late in the day.

It reads:

July 24, 2023 — The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has approved the application for a 26-storey residential apartment with 259 units and retail on the ground floor at 535-551 Brant Street.

The city’s vision for this area in our new Official Plan [2020] is a maximum 11 storeys, with 3 storeys along Brant street setback for the first 20 metres, to maintain the Main Street character. Our new OP directs the greatest heights and densities to the area surrounding the Burlington GO Station.

Rendering showing the development from the Brant Street side- public parking at the rear and the No Frills parking area to the left.

At the time the applications were filed with the City, the property was within the city’s Urban Growth Centre (“UGC”) and within the Mobility Hub area of the John Street Bus Terminal. UGCs and Mobility Hubs are among the areas intended to be the focus for accommodating intensification. These designations have now shifted to the Burlington GO station. However the Tribunal assessed this application in accordance with the UGC policies that were in place at the time of the application, as required by the Province’s amended approval of Regional Official Plan Amendment #48.

While the 2020 OP may assist the Tribunal in understanding the City’s vision for the Downtown, the Tribunal noted “it is not a determinative policy document” as it is currently under appeal.

In their ruling released July 19 the OLT found that the proposed development “respects the existing Brant Street character, the surrounding built form, and uses” and “is compatible with the neighbourhood area without any unacceptable impacts on existing or future development.”

You can read the OLT decision on the city’s webpage dedicated to this project here.

We know the community will be very disappointed in this decision, as we are. It fails to appreciate staff, council and the community’s vision for this area, and to direct the highest buildings to our GO station areas.

It underscores the challenges we face in implementing our vision for managing growth in the city. We will continue to face these challenges as long as the OLT can override local council desires as expressed in our Official Plan and related documents.

Rendering of the development from the John Street lane way with the No Frills parking space to the right.

We want to thank everyone who took time to share your feedback with us on this development. Although the overall outcome is not what we hoped for a number of changes were negotiated through the process. Staff are reviewing options to seek a review of this decision. We will let the community know when we know more.

This is a remarkable spin on what happened and a refusal to deal with the facts.  Add that to the rather damning statement made by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) that dealt wit the appeal that was made by Renimmob Properties:

The Tribunal finds that it would be an inexcusable error to evaluate and base its decision on the Applications using the policies or vision of the ineffectual and non- operative 2020 OP. The Applications are subject to, and must be evaluated against, the policies of the in-force COP.

The fact is that the Official Plan passed by Council is not in force – it has no impact on any application other than being what the city wants to do once the 2020 Official Plan gets through the 48 appeals at the OLT that are pending.

Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Lisa Kearns need to be honest with the voters.  They may not like what is taking place but the OLT is sticking to the facts and not the political dreams of the current Council.

In a phrase – they are snowing you

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Lease renewal is said to be the issue that brought about the decision to close the Queen's head

By Pepper Parr

July 24th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

A great pub, a fine crowd of regulars. Closing appears to be related to issues related to renewing the lease.

It was built in 1860, originally known as the Zimmerman House, built by the Zimmerman family as a first class resting place for the weary traveller.

By the late 1800’s it was known as the Queen’s Hotel,

She stood the test of time. The site is a prime location and will have a new tenant soon. The owner may already know who the new tenant is going to be.

By the mid 1900s it was known as the Sherwood, and later became the Queen’s Head Pub.

This is the second of some of the great watering holes in the city.  Before the pandemic took over the city Craig Craig Kowalchuk put Emmas Back Porch into bankruptcy and walked away from a business he had put a lot of time energy and his own money into.

He could see the writing on the wall.

Shortly after ward 2 Councillor named him a Local Legend and gave him the equivalent of a plaque

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Queen's Head to Close - September 16 last call

By Pepper Parr

July 24th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Here is a stunner for you.

One of the places downtown that is actually vibrant will close after more than twenty years of great customer service – the Queen’s Head Pub will close.

 

We are following up for more detail.

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“Wartime-Scale Effort” Needed As Several Ontario Cities Already Behind On Housing Goals - Burlington is one of them

By Staff
July 24th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON

In early 2022, the Government of Ontario very publicly pledged to build 1.5M new homes across the province by 2031.

Roughly a year-and-a-half in, many municipalities are already falling far behind the monthly targets that would indicate they’re keeping pace with overall housing goals.

Mike Moffatt

Economist and Assistant Professor at Ivey Business School Dr. Mike Moffatt has compiled recently-released data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation that shows a dozen cities already well off the necessary rate of production required to meet their provincially-imposed housing targets.

Moffatt’s data presents housing completions and units under construction in 29 Ontario cities between January 2022 and May 2023, as well as each figure as a percentage of the municipality’s 10-year goal.

And, while the 17-month timeframe puts Ontario 14% of the way through its 10-year target, 12 cities within the province are currently sitting under that 14% mark of progress toward their goal.

Based on the number of completions and units under construction, Burlington is just 4.4% of the way towards its goal of building some 29,000 new homes by 2031. Between January 2022 and May 2023, the city built just 333 new homes, and has fewer than 1,000 more currently under constriction.

Brampton is only slightly further along, at 5.4% of its goal, but it also has a higher overall target of 113,000 total homes. Ajax, meanwhile, is a meagre 6.3% of the way towards its goal of building 17,000 homes by 2031.

A Molinaro development in the west end of the city will eventually be completed.

Of the 12 Ontario cities that are falling behind the province’s overall pace — which also include Newmarket (8.0%), Guelph (8.7%), and St. Catharines (11.0%) — Mississauga has the highest housing target, at 120,000. As of May, it has completed just over 2,000 homes and has another 11,000 under construction, putting it 10.9% of the way towards its goal.

“We’re frustrated at the lack of progress across the province,” Moffatt, who is also the Founding Director of the PLACE Centre, told STOREYS. “The data really isn’t moving in the right direction.”

“It is certainly possible that the cities catch up — we are only 14% of the way through this 10-year period, so there is still time — but it’s going to take a wartime-scale effort. We need to start making pretty drastic changes in the province, especially in the 905 areas that are particularly lagging.”

In contrast to their suburban neighbours, some Ontario cities are making notable progress towards their goals.

Kingston is leading the way, having progressed 34.6% of the way towards its 8,000 housing target. Toronto, with its 285,000 housing goal, follows, at 29.9%. As of May, Toronto has completed more than 25,500 units, and has another 85,000 under construction. Vaughan (26.6%), Pickering (26.3%), and Brantford (25.0%) are also making good headway.

The best mid-sized Canadian city to live in may not have room for those who would like to move to Burlington.

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Has Burlington done well by the architects who design the high rise tower that exist and are planned?

By Pepper Parr

July 24th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

The city of Toronto now has a new Court House – it is a 17 floor structure with 73 courtrooms and a design that approaches the description stunning.

Colour dominates the entrance – doesn’t have the look of a Court House which was intentional.

It is a very good example of what architects can do when the get creative which begs the question: Is there any truly unique design in the buildings that are now under construction and will there be anything memorable in the 50 plus buildings that have to go up to accommodate the population growth that the city has to accommodate?

Are architects responsible to just the developers who pay their fees or do they have an obligation to the people who will live in the city for the 50, maybe 75 years the high rise towers will stand?

The social scientists and the architects know that people need space to live in and to keep their stuff in; storage space for linens, closets for clothing, a spot for the few tools that are kept in apartments.

What we are seeing now are units that are is as small is as 450 sq ft. There are very few three bedroom units and I doubt there isn’t one four bedroom unit being built.

Under construction on Guelph Line where the Black Bull was once located the building has taken the place of storage space that used to be part of where you lived.

What we do see are storage companies that will rent you space to put you bike in or your golf clubs during the winter. What used to be home, the place were are your stuff, was now a place where there are space limitations.

Burlington does have an Urban Design committee that gets to opine on the design of a development that is going through the application stage.  Without casting aspersions on the group – they are the same people that are designing the building that are before the Planning department.

The “Marilyns”, a pair of condos that have held their value and went for premium prices when they were first on the market. People wanted unique design.

There are examples of some fascination buildings in and around the GTA. The “Marilyns” in Mississauga with their curvy design sell at a premium because people want to live in distinct building and will pay extra for the privilege.

There was a developer who took a different approach to a series of building along the southern end of Woodbine where the race track used to be in the Toronto Beach commuity.

Some of his peers thought he was in the process of making an expensive mistake. The developer was described is as someone nearing the end of his career and wanted to do something that would be remember.

What has Burlington got coming its way?

While the ADI group has a well earned reputation related to some of their business practices – their designs are, to this writer some of the best we have seem. Their Nautique is good, their four storey condo on Guelph Line was very well done; their Link development on Dundas brought a much different look to a community that was boring at best.

Nick Carnicelli, principal of the Carriage Gate firm, has a thing about height. This project is his idea of what will be seen as the entrance to the city as you travel along Lakeshore Road from the east.

Carriage Gate has chosen to earn the reputation for the highest building – something that looms over the space it takes.

The two towers in the middle in the original design had curves that left the impression of a welcoming gate to the downtown core. For reasons unknown the design was changed.

The Molinaro Group had an exceptional design for three of the four corners at Ghent and Guelph Line. Towers on either side of Brant were originally designed to serve is as an entrance into the northern part of the downtown core – but for reason that were never clear they changed the design. An opportunity lost.

A rendering of how the high rise tower planned for Lakeshore and Brant on the north east side could look like – the vision was created by the city planning department. Owners of the property didn’t see it quite the same way.

They have a chance to make amends when it comes time to develop their holdings on Lakeshore Road between Brant and John Street. A rendering of what could be done on those lands appeared – turns out the rendering wasn’t prepared by the Molinaro people – someone in the city planning department had it done and put it out.

The Bridgewater development had a rough ride getting to the point where there were shovels in the ground.  When it opened it turned out to be well worth the wait.  It is a destination for pricey events.

The Molinaro’s were not impressed but decided at the time to make a comment.

The development in the east end _find out which it is – is mammoth. It will dwarf everything around it and unless all the residents use bicycles – the traffic jams will be something they will have to get used to dealing with.

The Bridgewater development was designed by the owners of the property – New Horizons was brought in to build it.

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Heritage Week will celebrate the city and its history - lots to do

By Staff

July 24th, 2023

BURLINGTON, ON

 

While July isn’t over yet, most people are looking forward to the next holiday weekend that begins August 5th.

MP Karina Gould: Is she in line for a different Cabinet role?

By that time many people expect the Prime Minister to have announced what his Cabinet is going to look like.  Will Burlington MP Karina Gould be moved to a new Ministry; she is currently the Minister of Families. Is she ready for a front bench seat?  We should know by the end of the week.

City Council will be sitting during part of August – traditionally the month is holiday time except for the few days they attend the AMO conference which this year is in London from the 20th to the 23rd.

The rest of us get to just enjoy the month and celebrate Burlington’s history during Heritage Week Aug. 5 to 12, 2023.

St. Luke’s Anglican Church built on land given to Joseph Brant

A sub-committee of Heritage Burlington is established each year to work in conjunction with the Burlington Historical Society, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington Public Library, Burlington Museums, Friends of Freeman Station, Burlington Halton Black History Awareness Society, Beach Canal Lighthouse and David Craig of History Pix, along with a growing list of other area organizations.

All events are free. Events that require registration will open for registration from July 10 to 28 or until events reach limit capacity. Burlington celebrates its 150th – referred to as its Sesquicentennial year.

The week will begin with an event at the 1834 St. Luke’s Anglican Church property with Indigenous Spiritual Healer White Eagle and Town Crier David Vollick taking active parts.  A quartet from the Burlington Symphony Orchestra will be playing music. The orchestra is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

At the close of the opening ceremonies Alan Harrington of the Burlington Heritage Society will provide a memorable walking tour of the historic area surrounding St. Luke’s. The tour will highlight places of interest and the stories of several Burlington’s residents who left a lasting legacy with the community. 

The church was built on land that was part of the land grant given to Joseph Brant for his service to Canada during the a war in the United States.

Open doors has a number of locations that will be open to the public on August 12th.  We will list them all closer to the 12th,

Among the events taking place during the week are;

 

Currently, the Burlington Model Railway Club (BMRC) — established in the early 1980s — owns and operates model railways in three different scales. The club includes men, women and families from Burlington and the surrounding area who share a common interest of model railroading — in N scale, HO scale, and/or G scale — with skill levels varying from “beginner” to “expert.” The club is located at 1137 Hidden Valley Road.  It will be open to the public on August 12th from 10 am to 2:00 pm on August 12th

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