By James Portside
March 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The province of Ontario released the 2023 Sunshine list; the document that sets all those who earned more than $100,000 in the year 2023.
In 2023 Burlington’s operating budget was $314.3 million dollars and the capital budget was $72.6 million dollars. Salaries come out of the Operating budget
The number of people working for the city and making over $100,000 per year increased by 16%. The 2022 list contained 393 names, the 2023 list contains 457 names.
Of the roughly 850 full time employees 458 people now earn over $100,000 per year. I’m wondering what the politically correct version of “too many chiefs and not enough Indians” is.
The 2023 list includes nine people with the job title “Transit Operator”, four people with the job title “Mechanic” and one person with the title “Officer, Animal Control”.
Of the people we elect to manage our tax dollars the one person with the job title “Mayor” earned $202,712.10 after a 5.79% raise and the six people with the job title “Councillor” each had an average income of $119,802.70 after a 6.28% increase.
A total of 84 people, outside of the fire department, received raises of more than 10%. Only 16 of these people had changes in their job titles.
Our city manager, who has resigned, received a 9.67% increase.
In first place is Emilie Cote as our “Director, Recreation, Community and Culture”. Emilie received a 37.34% salary increase in 2023.
In second place is Kevin Schustyk. Kevin is our “Senior Traffic Signal Technician” and received a 31.77% increase. Someone should tell Kevin that the traffic lights have yet to be synchronized.
Rounding out the trifecta is Brynn Nheiley with a 28.58% increase bringing Brynn’s salary to $215,826. (More than the Mayor) As reported in the Burlington Gazette, Brynn recently left the city and, assuming there is a severance package, the package will be based on the $215,826 salary. Brynn left the City of Hamilton and started working for Burlington in March of 2019. Brynn first appears on the sunshine list in 2020 meaning her salary moved from less than $100,000 in 2019 to $215,826 in 2023.
Meanwhile the number of taxpayers unable to pay their property taxes increase to 2.9% in 2023. The highest level in the past six years.
Obviously, all is well at city hall. After pushing through a 15.5% increase to property tax revenue in 2023, with almost no population growth staff have been richly rewarded. Our mayor likes to call the 15.5% increase a 7.5% impact on our total tax bill but the reality is the city receives 15.5% more revenue from taxpayers in 2023 and, based on the sunshine list, they know how to spend the money.
Jim has lived in Burlington for much of his life and has watched the city change and grow over the years. With over 1,000 people working for the city there is a lot going on. As a now retired, successful business owner, Jim is interested in exploring and sharing some of what our local government is working on. You can reach Jim by emailing Jim.Portside@gmail.com
By Eric Stern
March 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
On Thursday Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled a $214 billion dollar budget. The budget will invest in more roads, highways and transit. The budget will also invest more for housing.
Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy walk into the Legislature with the 2024 budget in their hands
The annual provincial deficit is predicted to double from the previous estimate of $5.3 billion to $9.8 billion. A balanced budget is predicted for 2026-2027. Bethlenfalvy opened with remarks about a slowing economy and this is the main reason for a projected deficit. Another major factor is over $6 billion in payments to the public sector after the wage restraint legislation was found to be unconstitutional.
Other highlights:
In addition to a 1.3% increase in health care funding the budget includes $546 million over 3 years, starting in 2025, to link 600,000 people with primary care teams. Additional $152 million will be spent to provide stable housing for people with mental health conditions and addictions. A new medical school will be created in Vaughan, Ont. In affiliation with York University as a step towards having more family doctors available.
Bethlenfalvy commented that Pickering has received $5.2 million for meeting their housing targets. More money will be invested into this fund.
There was no mention of any funding working its way to Burlington.
Perhaps our council can stop their infighting and work to access some of these funds.
Eric Stern is one of the citizens who took the city of Burlington to task when the budget was released in 2023. He has delegated frequently.
By Ray Rivers
March 28th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There are always some things to like and hate in a budget. For example announcing a new much needed medical college is welcome. However it is hard to grasp all of the good things, given the enormity and redundancy of the budget document. Clearly it was written by a committee and, from all the partisan propaganda, was overseen by a politico.
Perhaps the best reason to read a budget is the snap shot of the state of the province it provides. And the state of Ontario is not in a good place.. By almost every measure, Ontario residents are worse off economically today than they were six years ago under the Wynne Liberal government.
Premier Ford and Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance – A couple of sports touting a budget that
Economic growth has faltered, dropping from last year’s unspectacular 1.2% to a miserable forecasted 0.3% in 2024. By contrast, six years ago under the Wynne government, our economy was ticking along at over two percent. The consequence of a stalling economy is an increase in jobless numbers. Unemployment is expected to climb to over 6% this year and likely will only get worse after that. Six years ago the jobless rate was 5.6%, about the national average, not trailing it as we are today.
It’s only been a year since the pandemic ended, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that the economic indicators last year were better than today. And, though COVID forced a partial economic shut down, most of the money needed to support people during the pandemic came from the federal government, not Ontario.
Perhaps the most striking example of Mr. Ford’s challenges in managing the economy are seen by the growth in Ontario’s debt level. Mr. Ford came into the 2018 election, guns a-blazing, bragging about how he alone could wrestle the province’s budgetary deficit into the ground. So what happened? The province’s deficit for the last full budget year in 2017/18 was $3.7 billion but today’s budget tells us it will soar to a staggering $9.8 billion this year.
Meanwhile Ontario’s debt is rocketing on a pathway to land at close to a half trillion somewhere after the next provincial election. So much for all those crocodile tears the Tories were offering about saddling our children, and theirs, with all that debt. Ford’s contribution to that debt burden is heading towards $100 billion over those last six years – going from something like $324 billion to well over $400 billion today.
It’s true Ford is throwing away a billion or so every year since he killed the provincial carbon emissions trading program. And he blew millions terminating all emerging renewable energy production projects in Ontario. He spilled even more millions trying to fight the feds on carbon pricing: between the legal proceedings, the gas pump stickers and all those propaganda advertisements. As a last desperate measure the premier tried to undercut the carbon tax by slashing the provincial gas road tax, and in the process deprived the treasury of millions of dollars to fund highway maintenance and construction.
Of course no one should forget those Tory-blue licence plates which couldn’t even be read. Then, having failed those developers wanting to gobble up the greenbelt, he is now plowing taxpayer dollars into this 413 highway that virtually no one will use for decades. But it will profit those developers holding land on the highway route. And there is the matter of the six billion dollars to compensate health care and other workers affected by his putative salary freeze in the lead-up to the COVID crisis.
The sign says it all
The hallmark policy that ended 15 years of Liberal governance of the province was electricity. The provincial auditor general had unleashed a storm of criticism with a series of largely hypothetical calculations damning Ontario’s renewable energy program, and all but sealing Kathleen Wynne’s future. Doug Ford came into power promising to bring down the high cost of electricity. But all he has done is add more subsidies to the program and run up more debt than ever. Oh and he has increased our carbon footprint by adding more gas generation to make up for all the renewable facilities he cancelled.
The results are that even though consumer costs for electrical energy have continued to climb at about 2% a year, the consumer subsidy has increased more than four fold, from $1.6 billion when he came to power to over $7 billion dollars in the 2024 budget. Ontario has become a socialist state when it comes to electrical power, even though it is governed by the most right wing idealist since Mike Harris.
This 2024 budget is not a good news document. And there is only one word for how we got here: incompetence. Doug Ford is a very persuasive and eloquent populist. But when it comes to management, he clearly prefers sleeping at the switch – or riding his snowmobile as he was doing when Ottawa was under attack by a convoy of misfits claiming to represent the trucking industry a few years ago.
This 2024 budget symbolizes how far downhill this province has fallen since we elected a mostly jovial but misguided ideologue with little knowledge about the job he was assuming as its premier. The good news is that there are replacements waiting to take his place. The bad news is that replacement is unlikely to happen for another two years.
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
Budget document – Unemployment – Deficit Triples – Electricity rates –
Subsidizing Hydro – Debt History – Carefree Spending –
By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The City Urban Design Advisory Panel is looking for two professional architects to volunteer for its next two-year term starting in May 2024.
The mandate of the Burlington Urban Design Advisory Panel is to provide independent, objective and professional urban design advice to the Community Planning Department on tall and mid-rise buildings, five storeys or greater, and public development projects, studies and policy initiatives to help achieve design excellence in the city.
While we are looking at a rendering the sweep of the roof line looks interesting. City developed buildings tend to be more attractive that what Burlington gets from the private sector.
Background
The City of Burlington is at a unique time in its history. With very little greenfield left for development of suburban-type neighbourhoods, the city can no longer grow out. Instead, it must grow from within its existing urban area.
Eligibility
Candidates will be highly qualified professional architects and currently have full membership for a minimum of ten years with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) or the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada (RAIC).
Candidates will also have a broad range of professional design experience such as:
- A domestic and international work portfolio;
- Project expertise with a variety of building scales and types including tall, mid-, and low-rise buildings;
- Demonstrated leadership in city building;
- Construction techniques, financial management and feasibility;
- Application of sustainable design methods.
Three towers on what is a patch of land. The open areas offer some hope if there is interesting retail at grade. There is mention of park space that is north of the three towers. Not much information on when the park will be in place. The apartments and condo units are ugly, there isn’t much in the way of good architecture – looks like Soviet style housing from the 80’s
Panel Meetings
The Panel meets once a month during regular business hours. Each meeting will be approximately four hours long with a maximum of three projects reviewed per meeting.
For more information on the Burlington Urban Design Advisory Panel please visit www.burlington.ca/UDP.
Application
Candidates should submit:
- A cover letter and CV summarizing their qualifications, experience and interest in participating on Burlington’s Urban Design Advisory Panel;
- Confirmation that they are able to attend all meetings during their term; and
- Their ability to provide independent, objective, professional urban design advice to the City of Burlington Community Planning Department.
Submissions should be emailed with the subject heading ‘Urban Design Advisory Panel’ by
Friday, April 19, 2024 to:
Silvia Laban, MPl, Planner – Urban Design – 905-335-7600, ext. 7186 silvia.laban@burlington.ca
Selected candidates will be contacted in late April to arrange an interview with City staff, if necessary.
www.burlington.ca/UDP
The Gazette can’t recall a single site that was improved by comments from the panel. Having a panel in place is a start – having a panel that calls for innovation and higher standards would be welcome. Oddly a developer with a reputation that needs some help has built some of the more attractive developments in the city.
By Staff
March 27th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
After deciding that the sports field at the rear of the Robert Bateman Community Centre will be replaced with some parking space, the city announces that they have begun phase 1 of the outdoor engagement on the greenspace.
The outdoor engagement includes a redesign of Frontenac Park. An online survey is open now at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman until the end of April.
Residents can also join an in-person visioning session at Tansley Woods Community Centre (1996 Itabashi Way) on April 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. or an online visioning session on April 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. To register for a session, visit getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman.
The primary question participants will be asked is, “How would you like to use the greenspace?”
Participants will be able to provide feedback on the redevelopment of this outdoor greenspace including essential paved pathway connections throughout the site to the adjacent school and new Community Centre Entrance.
The rendering was provided on a For illustration purposes only.
The information collected will be reviewed by staff to help determine what can and cannot be done in the space and create concepts. Factors that will also determine concepts will be popularity, cost, noise/disruption to neighbours, regulations and technical feasibility.
Park features that cannot go into the greenspace include full-sized sport fields, sport field lighting, pickleball courts, basketball courts, splash pad and an outdoor pool.
By Pepper Parr
March 27th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
A colleague wrote recently that Mayor Meed Ward now faces a majority of council that, having put its concerns out in the open will not likely go back behind the veneer of collegiality that has been the hallmark of this council.
The responsibility for that collegiality rests with every member of this Council – they have known for some time just what they have as a Mayor. But they chose to blink and to look the other way while trying to convince themselves that this was a group of happy campers.
Asking the Mayor to relinquish the Strong Mayor powers she has it like spitting into the wind.
The four are going to have to innovative and strong at the same time – they should be mad, angry and prepared to do what needs to be done to change the vibe.
If these four do not succeed in bringing the Mayor to heal their lives for the next two years each day in Council will be a daily hell – and their chances of being re-elected limited at best.
There are not enough in the way of lifeboats on the Good Ship Burlington – they will all go down with the ship.
When the Mayor did what she did on Tuesday (we have reprinted just what took place below) you had to know she was buying time – at your expense.
Councillor Shawna Stolte
Councillor Stolte
Councillor Stolte: then said: “I had wanted to wait until after your comments to be able to ask a question that I will ask – you indicated during your comments that you will give strong consideration to the request that is before you today and I would like to assume that you have taken the opportunity over the last 10 days to give serious consideration to this request.
So my question to you is will you, based on majority of Council and multiple delegates, be willing to give a clear response and answer today.
Mayor Meed Ward. My answer is that I do welcome council to make requests of me and I will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves.
Stolte: Sorry for clarity, so not a response today though?
Mayor Meed Ward
Mayor Meed Ward stuck to her story: will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves. It requires additional thought.
Mayor Meed Ward: “ That is my response today and I will give it more thought and more to come.
Stolte: Sorry, I guess I’m not being clear a response to the request to delegate. Your answer is what I’m asking for.
Stolte: Sorry, I guess I’m not being clear a response to the request to delegate. Your answer is what I’m asking for.
Mayor Meed Ward: “ I welcome council to make any requests that they wish to make of me and I will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves. It requires additional thought.
And there you have it. The Mayor has already had 10 days – from her perspective it is vital that she keep kicking this to some future date.
A group has created a petition. A link to that petition is HERE. If they can get 1000 plus signatures – the Mayor will begin to pay attention. If the number is less than 5o0 she will know she has won.
We will report on that petition each day.
By Staff
March 27th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Good Morning. I’m Gary Scobie and I appreciate the opportunity to delegate to Council on this important motion.
It is now obvious to me and many other citizens that we should have paid more attention to what was being offered to our Mayor and why.
Living in a democratic country, citizens often take democracy as a given, as something no one would or should take away from us or the people who represent us in government. When the Strong Mayor Powers were offered to many municipalities of mid-range populations in Ontario last summer, most citizens of Burlington put our trust in our local Council to weigh the pros and cons of accepting these powers. We weren’t all sure what these powers entailed and when our Council unanimously approved the Strong Mayor Powers I think I speak for many citizens that we assumed the details had been competently vetted by all Council members and there was unanimous consent that they were useful to have in certain situations and not particularly dangerous to democracy and the rule of the majority.
Scobie: “This is the time to take a stand for democracy in our City”
It is now obvious to me and many other citizens that we should have paid more attention to what was being offered to our Mayor and why. The coverage at the time seemed to centre on the Provincial desire to speed up the building of homes in cities and towns.
It is now also obvious that this Council has experienced these Powers in action for seven months and that the majority of Council now has grave doubts as to the efficacy, effectiveness and use of some Powers. Three Councilors have brought a motion today to Council titled “Improving Local Democracy by Strengthening City Decision-Making” with support from a fourth Councilor, thus a majority.
The details of the Powers that can be delegated back to Council by the Mayor are in the Motion. The request is simple: Restore these powers to the Council as a whole in order to preserve total Council consideration of matters that should be under its jurisdiction, not concentrated in one person only, the Mayor of Burlington. A dangerous precedent has been set in the broadness of the Strong Mayor Powers in a municipality. Some of the Powers can be delegated by the Mayor back to the Council and Mayors in some of the other municipalities with these Powers have already done so, fearing the same over-step of democracy that can lead to dark places now and darker places in the future. With democracy in many places and levels in Canada and the world under siege, this is the time to take a stand for democracy in our City and within our Province and country. It is not the time to strengthen autocracy.
Our Council is at a fracture point, early in the second year of a four year term of office. This fracture cannot be allowed to become a total break. It must be repaired carefully so that citizens can have confidence in our representatives going forward, and it must be done today.
I am here to show there is indeed citizen support for this motion and implore our elected representatives to debate this issue today and pass this motion unanimously. Once passed, I ask our Mayor to graciously agree to the restoration of the rights to Council for this term of office. Anything short of that will only lead to a breakdown of faith in our Council by the citizens of Burlington.
By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
We got the following from Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan who said:
“The restoration of majority rule on staff decisions will go a long way to improving democratic accountability at city hall.”
At today’s Special Council Meeting, City Council unanimously voted to request that the mayor delegate the strong mayor powers that can be delegated according to the Ontario Municipal Act. These include the hiring and firing of the city manager being delegated to council, where the power was before the imposition of strong mayor powers. Similarly, the power to hire and fire management staff at the city is requested to be delegated to the city manager.
“I brought this motion forward, along with councillors Galbraith and Stolte, because the strong mayor powers are clearly anti-democratic and a cause of dysfunction at the city.
“The mayor has said that she does not need these powers, so I am hopeful they will be delegated expeditiously in order to restore council to its high functioning status and provide a stable atmosphere at the city.
“We are a strong council making significant progress for Burlington, but the community survey showed some gaps in accountability for council. The restoration of majority rule on staff decisions will go a long way to improving democratic accountability at city hall.
“I was elected to make decisions at the council table, not to receive them. I’m accountable to the 4988 residents who voted in my ward in 2022 and everyone who resides in Ward 3.”
What Councillor could have said is: I was elected to make decisions for the residents of my ward (even though I no longer live in the ward) at the council table, not to receive them. I’m accountable to the 4988 residents who voted in my ward in 2022 (I have since moved out of the ward) and everyone who resides in Ward 3.
Nisan has never said publicly why he chose to move out of the ward and to the best of our knowledge there is nothing on the record on why he moved. Strong democrats tend to be transparent and accountable.
By Staff
March 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
I welcome any conversation about democracy, governance and how council can continue to work together in a collaborative and consultative way.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
I welcome Council to make any requests of me they feel are important, and support Council in making this request. That is why I voted in favour of the motion that was approved unanimously by Council today. I will take the time to give it the thoughtful consideration it deserves. Council has requested I respond by the April 16 Council meeting, which I will do.
It is truly unfortunate there has been misinformation, speculation, rumour and fear mongering out in the community. I will do my best to focus on the facts — what has changed and what hasn’t.
Council was briefed on the new powers, including the ability to delegate some of them. We have been governing together in this new context for eight months now.
Council still advances the business of the city by motion and majority vote. That hasn’t changed. You will see that at every committee and council meeting. Our democratic process remains strong — in fact, this year to date, Council has unanimously approved 61 motions at our meetings including this one today.
Transparency and accountability haven’t changed. All Mayoral Decisions are posted on the city’s website – that is required by legislation. Please read them to see what has been done, not what rumour, speculation or implication would suggest. There have been 17 in total, to date — the majority of which were required to approve decisions made at Council. This will continue to be required, so you will continue to see these. Here is the full list:
-
-
- To appoint a City Manager (Council was included in the process);
- To approve bylaws at the 12, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- Confidential 9;
- To approve bylaws at the 16, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To approve bylaws at the 12, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To shorten the 10-day period for Mayoral Veto of amendments to the budget (there was no veto exercised; budget approved by council);
- To approve bylaws at the 28, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To approve bylaws at the 14, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To approve bylaws at the 2, 2023 Council (action’s council’s decisions);
- To establish standing committee chairs;
- To establish committee structure options (voted on by council);
- To approve bylaws at the Oct 17, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To approve bylaws at the 5, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- To approve bylaws at the 26, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions);
- Direction to draft the 2024 Budget (required under provincial legislation);
- To approve bylaws at the 14, 2023 Council (actions council’s decisions); and
- To approve bylaws at the July 11, 2023 Council (action’s council’s decisions).
City Hall’s structure hasn’t changed. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the city, by bylaw. Staff report to the City Manager, and the City Manager reports through committee and council.
The Mayor has always had unique roles and responsibilities under the Municipal Act, even before the new legislation. The Mayor is the “Head of Council” and “CEO” of the corporation, and the only one elected across the city. That hasn’t changed.
The recent legislation assigns additional responsibilities and duties exclusively to the Mayor. This represents a change from what we are used to.
Some of these can be delegated. It has struck me as being politically performative to delegate, as these can also be undelegated at any time. It seems to me to be more transparent and accountable to openly acknowledge the powers and duties are there and determine how we will continue to govern in a collaborative, democratic way in this new context. I believe Council has been doing that over the past 8 months in this new context, and I have no concerns we will continue to do that.
Most of these new duties cannot be delegated. They are not optional, nor was there an ability to “opt out.” Municipalities who accepted a housing pledge – that Burlington Council unanimously did in March 2023 – got them in July 2023. We accepted the pledge for all the right reasons; we did not know the Province’s strong mayor powers would be tied to the pledge. You can read my statement on the legislation when it was first introduced here: Statement from Burlington Mayor Meed Ward on Province Expanding Strong Mayor Powers to Additional Municipalities.
Each Mayor has responded based on their determination of what’s best for their community, some have delegated all, some none, and some partial, but in doing so provided additional guidelines. I will take the time to be equally thoughtful.
Though some duties can be offloaded by delegation, accountability cannot be offloaded.
I am accountable to the city and the people of Burlington to fulfill the roles assigned to me. We all are accountable – not just every four years at the ballot box, but every single day we hold these roles. Our community will be the judge of how we work together to fulfill our responsibilities in this new context.
My track record of collaboration is clear, and my focus remains on serving in the best interests of our community – building a strong city together with a high quality of life for our residents for the next seven generations.
Related news story:
Mayor stiffs her Council again.
By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The decision as to what at least four members of City Council wanted the Mayor to do concerning the Strong Mayor powers she holds got put off to the next Committee of the Whole on April 16th – what members of Council really got was the Mayor’s middle finger.
Rory Nisan made it clear where he was coming from: “I was elected to make decisions at the council table not to receive those decisions and I’m accountable as well. I’m accountable to those people.”
Councillor Shawna Stolte pressing Mayor Meed Ward for an answer.
Councillor Stolte: then said: “I had wanted to wait until after your comments to be able to ask a question that I will ask – you indicated during your comments that you will give strong consideration to the request that is before you today and I would like to assume that you have taken the opportunity over the last 10 days to give serious consideration to this request. So my question to you is will you, based on majority of Council and multiple delegates, be willing to give a clear response and answer today.
Mayor Meed Ward. My answer is that I do welcome council to make requests of me and I will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves.
Stolte: Sorry for clarity, so not a response today though?
Mayor Meed Ward stuck to her story: will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves. It requires additional thought.
Mayor Meed Ward: “ That is my response today and I will give it more thought and more to come.
Stolte: Sorry, I guess I’m not being clear a response to the request to delegate. Your answer is what I’m asking for.
Mayor Meed Ward: “ I welcome council to make any requests that they wish to make of me and I will give it the thoughtful consideration that it deserves. It requires additional thought.
Stolte: “ I’d like to put forward a motion of our amendment. I gave the wording to the Clerk ahead of time not being sure whether this would be put on the floor.
Stolte?”It’s a simple amendment. That’s a motion to request the mayor to provide a clear and concrete decision on motion memorandum for improving local democracy by strengthening city decision making by the next council meeting on April 16 2024.
Councillor Kearns seconds the Motion and then speaks to it.
“I will put on my deputy mayor hat for engagement and whatever else it is, and say that this is directly in response to the community engagement that we have heard quite loudly in fact, and fairly unanimously. I’ve yet to receive anything in my inbox or in the written delegations or in the verbal delegations to say that this doesn’t seem to be the direction that the community wants to go in. So if we have those folks out there, happy to hear from you.
“But what I have heard from so far today, and what I actually know from a number of significant conversations that I hold in deep confidence, and I think everyone who has been, you know, quite open around this. This quite simply is just not working. And the sooner we move to a decision on this clear and concrete decision, I was hopeful that we would get a unanimous decision on the motion that was presented, but we are not there.
“We can at least put some timelines around it and you heard my questions to the city solicitor asking for options around the timing. With the wording called request. We cannot compel, direct, or command anything.
With that they vote on the Motion; (Place cursor over type for larger image)
Councillor Galbraith – support.
Councillor Kearns – support
Councillor Nissan – support.
Councillor Stolte – support
Counsellor Sharman – support
Counsellor Bentavegna – support
Mayor Meed Ward – support
By Damon Wild
March 27th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
eSports, or competitive video gaming, have become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of fans, players, and sponsors. eSports are not only a form of entertainment, but also a lucrative industry, with revenues expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2024. eSports are also a cultural and social force, creating communities, identities, and careers for many people. But how did eSports reach this level of popularity and influence? What are the factors that have contributed to their growth and success? In this article, we will explore the history and evolution of eSports, and the main drivers that have brought them to this point.
The History and Evolution of eSports
65,000 fans piled into the arena a few months ago to see the world’s greatest esports stars face off, they found Barclays transformed into a palace of cutting-edge technology.
The fascinating journey of eSports traces back to the era of the 1970s and 1980s, a time when arcade games and home consoles started captivating the masses. It was during this period that the inaugural recorded video game showdown took place in 1972 at Stanford University, where eager students battled it out in the iconic Spacewar! game for the coveted prize of a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine. As the gaming fever escalated, the stage was set for the grand spectacle known as the Space Invaders Championship in 1980, drawing in a staggering crowd of over 10,000 participants from across the United States. This marked the inception of what would later evolve into the eSports phenomenon.
The subsequent decades, spanning from the 1990s to the early 2000s, witnessed a pivotal shift with the emergence of PC gaming and the advent of online connectivity, heralding a new era of competitive gaming. Leading the charge was the Internet Gaming Zone, making its debut in 1996 and playing host to iconic titles like Quake, StarCraft, and Age of Empires. Among the milestones of this era was the groundbreaking Red Annihilation tournament of 1997, where 2000 contenders clashed in Quake for the ultimate prize—a gleaming Ferrari. Simultaneously, the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) emerged in 1997 as a beacon of competitive gaming, organising prestigious tournaments for fan-favourite titles like Counter-Strike, Unreal Tournament, and Halo.
Fast forward to the changing world of the 2010s and beyond, and eSports has transcended its niche roots to become a global phenomenon, propelled by the meteoric rise of streaming platforms, social media, and mobile gaming. The advent of Twitch in 2011 revolutionised the viewing experience, allowing enthusiasts to immerse themselves in live and recorded gameplay, engage in lively discussions, and rally behind their beloved players and teams. Concurrently, platforms like Twitter emerged as vibrant hubs for eSports enthusiasts, serving as hotspots for breaking news, spirited debates, and community interactions. Mobile gaming, epitomised by iconic titles such as Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and PUBG Mobile, further fueled the eSports revolution, attracting millions of casual and competitive gamers alike into the fold.
One of the few sports where gender isn’t an issue.
In essence, the evolution of eSports mirrors the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, cultural shifts, and the insatiable passion of gaming aficionados. From humble beginnings to global prominence, the journey of eSports is a testament to the boundless potential of human creativity, competition, and camaraderie in the digital age.
The Main Drivers of eSports’ Popularity and Success
The surge in eSports popularity and its sustained success can be attributed to a multitude of factors, each playing a crucial role in shaping its trajectory:
Diversity and Accessibility
One of the key drivers behind the meteoric rise of eSports lies in its unparalleled diversity and accessibility. Spanning a vast array of genres, formats, and platforms, eSports cater to a broad spectrum of tastes, preferences, and skill levels. From the adrenaline-fueled battles of first-person shooters to the strategic depth of real-time strategy games, there’s something for everyone in the eSports world. What’s more, accessibility is ingrained in the very fabric of eSports, with anyone armed with an internet connection and a gaming device granted entry into this electrifying world. Unlike traditional sports, which may require specialised equipment or physical prowess, eSports embrace inclusivity, welcoming players and enthusiasts of all ages, genders, locations, and backgrounds. This inclusive nature fosters a sense of community and belonging, uniting individuals from disparate walks of life under the banner of shared passion and camaraderie.
Quality and Innovation
At the heart of eSports lies a relentless pursuit of quality and innovation, propelling the industry forward with each passing day. Fuelled by the boundless creativity and dedication of game developers, players, and organisers, eSports continually push the boundaries of what’s possible. This relentless drive for excellence is mirrored in the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain, which not only elevate the gaming experience but also pave the way for new avenues of exploration and discovery. Moreover, eSports remain keenly attuned to the pulse of the market, responding swiftly to feedback and demands with a constant stream of updates, features, and content. Such adaptability ensures that the eSports landscape remains dynamic and ever-evolving, captivating audiences with fresh experiences and thrilling encounters.
Profitability and Sustainability
Far from being a fleeting fad, eSports stand as a testament to the enduring allure of competitive gaming and its potential for profitability and sustainability. With revenue streams flowing in from sponsorships, advertising, merchandise, ticket sales, and prize pools, eSports have transformed into a bona fide economic powerhouse. This robust financial foundation is further fortified by a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders, including game publishers, leagues, teams, players, media outlets, and regulatory bodies, all united in their commitment to nurturing the growth and stability of eSports. Indeed, the allure of eSports has not gone unnoticed by investors, who recognise its immense value as both a lucrative business venture and a cultural phenomenon with far-reaching implications. The success of sports betting in Ontario and other similar platforms in the industry is closely linked to all of these financial factors.
In essence, the meteoric ascent of eSports can be attributed to a delicate interplay of factors, each contributing its unique essence to the vibrant tapestry of competitive gaming. From its inclusive ethos and relentless pursuit of excellence to its formidable economic engine, eSports stand as a shining beacon of modern entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with its boundless energy and infectious passion.
Final Remarks
The nicest part with eSports is the kids just have fun.
In closing, the enduring popularity of eSports remains palpable, with its momentum showing no signs of abating. The journey of eSports is a fascinating one, spanning epochs from the vibrant arcade era to the dynamic landscape of online gaming. This evolution has been propelled by the advent of streaming platforms, social media integration, and the widespread adoption of mobile gaming technology.
A confluence of factors drives the continued growth of eSports, including its inherent diversity and accessibility, relentless pursuit of innovation, and robust financial viability. Beyond mere entertainment, eSports have emerged as a cultural and social phenomenon, fostering vibrant communities, forging identities, and paving pathways to professional careers. With their deep-rooted impact on both gaming culture and society at large, it’s evident that eSports are poised to remain a transformative force in the years to come.
By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The Special meeting of City Council will be called to order with Mayor Meed Ward chairing.
The four people delegating will be given five minutes to speak. Expect some of the Councillors to ask questions of the delegators.
The Motion asking the Mayor to relinquish some of the Strong Mayor powers will be read into the record.
Council members will each take their turn about how vital democracy is and that what the Mayor is doing is not democratic.
Deborah (surname withheld) wrote to the Mayor, Councillors and City Manager:
Having listened to discussions surrounding the issue of Big Mayor Powers in Burlington, and specifically the motion tabled in yesterday’s council meeting,
please accept this email as notice that i do not, nor have I ever, agreed with Mayor Meed Ward taking on the Big Mayor Powers, which were optional from the
beginning. I support a vote by Council as soon as possible to rescind these powers on the basis that they are wholly and completely undemocratic.
Also, as this email shows, constituents have not ceased contacting or communicating our concerns, as the Mayor has said.
As to Councillor Sharman’s statement that he wants to delay this motion “to encourage the community to come and speak to us”, I take great issue. Many,
many delegates including myself have had the distinct reaction from council, and Motion Improving Local Democracy by Strengthening
City Decision-Making especially of certain Councillors, of not hearing their delegation or engaging whatsoever, rather appearing to be bored by them, resulting in the notion that there’s no point to delegating any more. Which does not mean we are not engaged and aware of the issues.
As noted by councillor Nisan, “this motion was given the standard notice required for council motions, and met the deadline that was set by the clerk for being received at counsel.”
Another resident wrote: Meed Ward is reported to have said; “I never asked for Stong Mayor powers, nor do I need them. That is my strongest message
Once all the delegations are heard and the members of Council have had their five minutes the Mayor speaks.
There are those that think she won’t budge an inch.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in her city hall office.
Mayor Meed Ward fought to keep the Motion off the Agenda at the last Council meeting on Thursday; she also fought against a Special meeting of Council as well – lost on both occasions.
She might however relinquish some of the power the province gave her – throw them a bone to shut them up sort of thing.
This game is all in the Mayor’s hands. The City Solicitor made it clear in his memorandum that the Mayor can do whatever she likes.
Is there anything on record from someone who supports the position the Mayor has taken – other than Councillor Sharman?
There is a phrase the describes what it really happening: Power reveals.
By John Lusink
March 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Understanding the volatility of the Ontario real estate market means wrapping our heads around the many contributing factors impacting supply, demand, and, frankly, the opportunity to afford it all.
For years, the market has been characterized by dizzying highs and stomach-churning lows. From skyrocketing interest rates to band-aid government policies, the volatility has left many prospective buyers, sellers, and investors feeling apprehensive and uncertain.
Right now, it looks like we’re in an upward trend again. Sales and new listings are up as we head into a spring market, and buyer confidence has grown with the repeated Bank of Canada rate holds — and the possibility of drops in the coming months.
Storm clouds
But there are other factors that could easily pull things back down again – continued high interest rates, surging population, and housing shortages remain factors, not to mention changing policies like Toronto’s the 9.5% approved property tax hike for the GTA.
Let’s go deeper into the factors contributing to current volatility, and look at some insights on how to navigate these turbulent times.
TRREB reported 5,607 GTA home sales through the MLS® in February, an increase of 17.9% compared to February of last year. At Right at Home Realty and Property.ca, daily transaction volumes have increased to an average 80 per day, from around 60.
Average price is up slightly, and viewing requests on are way up, increasing by 42% year-over-year.
Buyers are coming back, with even greater pressure on entry-level properties as higher borrowing costs impact buying power. Once rates start to come down, demand will be driven further, especially with beleaguered renters looking to move away from record rents and into ownership.
The downside: more delinquencies, more uncertainty, more new policies.
In a recent article, the Financial Post reported that Ontario mortgage delinquencies are 135.2% above pre-pandemic levels. Pair that with tough economic times, the rising cost of living, uncertainty about borrowing rates, and a volatile political climate, and buyers are being stretched tighter than ever, with their journey to home ownership becoming increasingly complicated.
And it’s not just homeowners who are struggling. Construction companies and developers have been leaving many buyers in the lurch.
How hot is hot in real estate? Let’s look at three years of March stats.
This year, there’s a lot of chatter about the housing market getting back on track, potentially even returning to pandemic-fueled highs. Is that really where we’re headed?
March 2021 was one of the hottest months on record for home sales, with about 16,000 properties sold in the GTA.
In 2022, that number plummeted to about 11,000, and in 2023, dropped even further to about 7,000. If the trends tell us anything, we should be looking at about 8,000 sales for March 2024. So, while the market isn’t exactly “on fire” like it’s been in the past, it’s definitely warming up.
Buyers are coming to terms with elevated mortgage rates, and are taking advantage of slightly lower prices paired with more inventory. So, while supply was surging for a while there, the increased demand is likely to get through current inventory — and we’ll be back to a frenzied market, greater rural sprawl, and all the other results of a housing crisis.
Is it time for the government to step in? From capping international students to increasing taxes, governments at all levels are working to right this unsustainable situation. But they aren’t doing enough. Short-term fixes may help with immediate needs, but thoughtful, long-term solutions are needed to make a real difference.
Right now, the market is showing a lot of promise, with a spring thaw and increased confidence. But it may not be smooth sailing from here. With all the factors impacting our economy, I predict turbulent times ahead.
John Lusink is President of RealServus Holding Corporation and its premium brokerages, Right at Home Realty and Property.ca Inc. He has close to 40 years of real estate experience including an award-winning commercial sales real estate career and ownership of a major residential real estate franchise. He has been celebrated as a RISMedia Newsmaker and Swanepoel Power 200, among other accolades, and is an active participant in supporting the industry.
By Pepper Parr
March 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Few people understand what a Development Charges is – they should – they substantially to the cost of buying a new home
The table sets out what the consultants predict population and the residential units will be for specific time periods.
Development charges are expenses developers have to pay the city to cover the cost of infrastructure needed to build new homes.
The city is embarking on determining what those development charges are going to be going forward.
This article s not going to be a deep dive into how these charges get determined other than to say they are based on data collected and then argued about
The City recently released a 405 page document that we will work our way through.
At this point we can share with you a statement in the report.
The calculated increase in the charge for this type of development is $61.38/sq.m, or an increase in the charge of approximately 59%.
That is a whopping number that will work its way to the cost of a housing unit.
By Staff
March 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Both U18 Bulldogs teams are playing one final exhibition game at Mainway 2 on Wednesday, March 27th at 8pm.
This is the final season of minor hockey for a number of players, as those born in 2006 will have aged out of the program at the conclusion of this season. These teams want to make their final game a memorable one, and have decided to turn it into a fundraiser for a local food bank.
Make the final game a memorable one; turn it into a fundraiser for a local food bank.
The U18 Bulldogs are inviting everyone to attend their final game on March 27th and bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the food bank.
The pre-game ceremony begins at 7:30pm and will include remarks from the coaches and a BLOMHA executive.
This is a great opportunity to see our hockey program on display, but an even better opportunity to do something good for the community while enjoying a great game. If you aren’t able to attend but would like to donate a non-perishable food item, you are more than welcome to drop it off at the BLOMHA office located at 3455 Fairview St in Burlington.
The most needed items but the food bank are:
– Cereal (hot and cold)
– Large cans/tetra packs of soup
– Juice (boxes and 1 liters)
– Granola bars (peanut free)
– Peanut butter
– Crackers
– Canned fruit
– Canned tomatoes
– Canned veggies
– Baked beans
By Pepper Parr
March 25th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
It is difficult for people to have an impact at an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing.
Getting status means raising a lot of money to hire the expert witnesses.
The current Millcroft community hearing on the golf course properties is underway. Last week the City’s position on stormwater was heard.
Adding 98 homes to this community means making changes to the storm water infrastructure – no one is certain as to what the impact will be.
Millcroft Greenspace Alliance had emailed the Mayor in December 2023 expressing their concerns about the City’s position to be presented at the hearing.
The two issues that MGA encouraged the City to add to their case: the original design of the golf course for storm water mitigation purposes and the sensitive nature of the golf course lands that was evidenced during the 2014 flood, have been presented.
This information is important background that we believe the Tribunal needed to hear, said Daintry Klein, part of the MGA group.
The City’s water resource engineer also spoke to the fact that the City, and not Conservation Halton (CH) is required to respond to flooding issues.
MGA has been pressing the city to emphasize that decisions regarding the golf course lands were indicated in OPA 117 to be shared between CH and the City.
Mr. Malik, the City’s storm water engineer confirmed for the Tribunal that the City, not Conservation Halton, provides flood response.
The people at MGA are continuing to play an important role in this hearing.
There are three groups involved in the hearing: Millcroft Against Development, Millcroft Greenspace Alliance and Millcroft Greens, the developer
.
By Pepper Parr
Match 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE: Trains will stop at Exhibition, Port Credit, Oakville, Burlington, Aldershot and St. Catharines GO stations in between Union and Niagara.
You are going to hear far more than you want to hear about the April 8th eclipse.
Metrolinx, those people who get you where you want to go have put together some interesting travel package.
On Monday, April 8, Niagara Falls will be bustling with solar eclipse excitement. Toronto will also be busy with sporting enthusiasts attending the Blue Jays’ opening game and the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins game.
With record numbers of travellers expected, Metrolinx is rolling out special GO Transit services to accommodate this influx of travellers.
There will be a two minute period of time when you will hear the sound of water tumbling over the falls and not be able to see what is taking place. Awesome!
Niagara Falls Service
On Monday, April 8, there will be special service to and from Niagara Falls on the Lakeshore West line for customers travelling to see the solar eclipse:
- Two extra trips are being added to the Lakeshore West line from Union Station to Niagara Falls. Trains will depart at 9:02 a.m., 10:02 a.m. and 11:02 a.m., ensuring customers have enough time to get to Niagara for the solar eclipse.
- Trips are also being added and modified on the Lakeshore West line from Niagara Falls to Union Station. Return trips from Niagara Falls will depart at 4:24 p.m., 4:54 p.m., 7:21 p.m. and 10:51 p.m. to give customers more departure options.
- All trains to and from Niagara Falls will be 12 cars long to provide as much room onboard as possible.
- Regularly scheduled GO bus service will also be available for customers via Route 12 Niagara Falls/ Burlington.
Event Service for Jays’ opening game and Maple Leafs’ game
Was the connection made?
Also on Monday, April 8, there will be special event service on the Lakeshore West, Lakeshore East and Barrie lines to support customers travelling for the Jays and Leafs games in Toronto. Additional express trips, adjusted schedules and replacement buses are being implemented including:
- Lakeshore West: Two extra express eastbound trips will depart Oakville GO at 5:07 p.m. and 6:03 p.m. The 10:52 p.m. westbound trip to Niagara Falls will also depart 20 minutes earlier at 10:32 p.m. to help get customers home earlier.
Customers are encouraged to use gotransit.com or triplinx.ca to plan their trips as schedules and connection times have changed for this weekend. Customers can also check the GO Transit Service Updates page for real-time details
Transit is now more convenient and affordable with Ontario’s One Fare Program, allowing transit riders to pay only once when travelling between the TTC, GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit. Learn more about One Fare here: metrolinx.com/onefare.
The Gazette sent the following to the members of city council that supported a Motion asking the amayor to relinkquish some of the power that was given to her under the Strong Mayors Act.
Is there anything you can do to settle the frayed nerves of those who care about what happens at city hall.
Is there not something you can say to your constituents about the chaos that is taking place at city hall.
While we believe that you did the right thing when you put the Motion on the table and deserve kudos for getting it, first, on the agenda while the Mayor did everything possible to keep it off the agenda. Secondly you all got a Special meeting called – give Angelo most of the credit for that win.
The firing of two of the best Executive Directors the city had was so unnecessary.
And not knowing who made the decision to remove the two woman from the payroll is disturbing.
Given that the four of you brought about the situation that has us in this mess – it is really incumbent upon you to make a statement.
Perhaps you could appoint one Councillor to speak for those who support the decision you made.
The Gazette published the attached earlier this morning:
https://burlingtongazette.ca/there-is-a-dangerous-information-vacuum-in-the-city-members-of-council-have-a-responsibility-to-communicate/
Pepper Parr, Publisher, Burlington Gazette
By Pepper Parr
March 24th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the tasks Brynn Nheiley had was to talk up all the reasons for working in Burlington.
At one point she was saying:
Brynn Nheiley
As you look through our current job openings, remember: the grass is greener at the City of Burlington. With approximately 890 full-time and 600 part-time employees, we focus on teamwork, collaboration and investing in our co-workers. It’s no wonder our employee turnover rate is less than 7 per cent (that’s good). The City of Burlington is an award winning city, filled with award winning staff. In fact, we put the “greater” in the GTA.
Brynn at one point believed every word she said – but she is no longer with the city; however, the 890 full time workers and the 600 part time workers are in place and they are talking to each other.
There is fear and apprehension among the city employees.
There is a vacuum with no on speaking on behalf of the city administration or city Council.
Mayor Meed Ward on the porch of her house preparing to broadcast to the citizens of the city during the lock down period of the pandemic.
During the pandemic the Mayor was everywhere; speaking from the porch of her house; in front of the hospital using a megaphone to tell the hospital workers that the city appreciated to work they were doing.
The Mayor organized caravans that drove through the city – she did whatever could and thought was needed to assure a worried public.
What we have now is an uninformed public getting whatever individual response Councillors are putting out. We are not aware of any special editions of newsletters being issued by individual Council members.
We are not seeing a lot of chatter on the X platform.
If there is no voice from the leadership – people create their own voice – which is often frenetic.
All of this does not bode well for the city. The chatter amongst those who work in the municipal sector is wicked. These people work together closely – they collaborate their responses to the provincial and federal government.
One can only imagine the chaos at Ontario Big City Mayors, (OBCM) , of which Meed Ward is the current chair.
Ontario Big City Mayors family portrait – worth a thousand words
Holding a position like that requires the respect of your peers
Mayor Meed Ward’s reputation is being shredded by her council members; the people she works with at the Ministry of Housing must be having quite a chuckle at Burlington’s expense.
All this is happening within a vacuum created by city council and the administration.
The Gazette has asked each member of council to show the leadership expected of them when they were elected.
By Pepper Parr
March 23rd, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
What a week!
On Tuesday, as part of a Council meeting, three members of Council put forward a motion to ask the Mayor to relinquish some of the powers given to her by the Strong Mayor legislation.
Mayor Meed Ward fought to keep that Motion off the Agenda. When she failed at that effort she fought to prevent the calling of a Special Meeting of Council where the matter would be debated. The Mayor failed at that as well.
Council members learned, from the City Solicitor, that the ability to enforce their request was limited.
Then on Thursday we learned that two senior staff members were no longer on the city payroll.
Members of Council have said very little publicly, which is unfortunate for the idea of open government and keeping the public informed is critical to the functioning of a truly democratic government.
The city is at a critical point and it is going to take the best that we have to ensure that the best interests of the citizens prevail.
There are more questions than answers at this point.
Who fired the two senior executives? That would normally be a City Manager responsibility. In the statement the City Manager released there is more than a suggestion that he didn’t do the firing.
Mayor Meed Ward presiding over a city council meeting.
The only other person who could fire people is the Mayor. Assuming she made the decision there is an obligation to register that decision and make it public on the city web site. At this point there is no statement.
Not to be too crass about it – but what is it going to cost the taxpayer in terms of severance packages? Given the length of time the two have served it has been suggested that the sum might be as much as $ 1 million
Social mediate will record dozens of misguided statements. This is a time when level heads are needed and for a public to be informed as to just what the issues are.
While the current Council is challenged when it comes to responding to the people who elected; make no mistake – they read every comment that is sent to them. This is the time to flood the Mayor with what you think should be done.
The votes that are placed in ballot boxes are the transfer of power from the individual to those they choose to lead. That power is vested in the seven elected members of council – not just the one member.
We are heading into a disruptive few days.
Let’s remember who we are and what we are – and demand that Council, not just one person make the decisions.
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